Propulsion for medical probes or endoscopes - uses inflatable chambers to imitate amoebal propulsion principle

Abstract

Abstract The propulsion device for probes or endoscopes in medical use artificially imitates the pseudopodia produced by a amoeba to propel themselves, in the form of a wrapper for the probe. T his wrapper forms the base for a wrapper for the of elastic material, constructed with internal ribs, or varying wall thickness so that on inflation they deform unevenly. If they are then in contact with another surface press. is exerted on the wrapper to move in its own plane. The effect can also be obtained by having subdivisions in the chambers with air flow through them unrestrained in one direction and through a spring-loaded valve in the other. orderly movement in the desired direction is obtained by the co-ordinated inflation and deflation of a number of suitably arranged chambers.

Inventors

• 👤 Juan N Walterspiel

Bibliographic Details