Shape-transferring cannula system and method of use

Abstract

A medical cannula system comprises a conduit; an endoscope comprising a distal steerable tip, wherein the endoscope is inside the conduit, and wherein the distal steerable tip of the endoscope extends out of the conduit; a tip liner surrounding the distal steerable tip of the endoscope; and a wiper link surrounding the tip liner at a close tolerance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical cannula system comprising:
 a conduit;   an endoscope comprising a distal steerable tip, wherein the endoscope is inside the conduit, and wherein the distal steerable tip of the endoscope extends out of the conduit;   a tip liner surrounding the distal steerable tip of the endoscope; and   a wiper link surrounding the tip liner at a close tolerance.   
     
     
         2 . The medical cannula system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an outer linkage comprising a distal end;   wherein the wiper link is at the distal end of the outer linkage.   
     
     
         3 . The medical cannula system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an outer linkage that surrounds the conduit.   
     
     
         4 . The medical cannula system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an outer linkage that surrounds the conduit;   wherein the outer linkage is rigidizable.   
     
     
         5 . The medical cannula system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a gasket between the distal steerable tip of the endoscope and the tip liner.   
     
     
         6 . The medical cannula system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an outer cover that surrounds the conduit; and   a gasket coupled between the outer cover and the distal steerable tip of the endoscope.   
     
     
         7 . The medical cannula system of  claim 1 :
 wherein the conduit is rigidizable.   
     
     
         8 . The medical cannula system of  claim 1 :
 wherein the tip liner comprises a mesh.   
     
     
         9 . The medical cannula system of  claim 1 :
 wherein the tip liner comprises a helical mesh.   
     
     
         10 . A medical cannula system comprising:
 an outer linkage comprising a distal end;   an endoscope comprising a distal steerable tip that extends out of the distal end of the outer linkage; and   a wiper link at the distal end of the outer linkage and that surrounds the distal steerable tip of the endoscope at a close tolerance.   
     
     
         11 . The medical cannula system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a tip liner that surrounds the distal steerable tip of the endoscope.   
     
     
         12 . The medical cannula system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a tip liner that surrounds the distal steerable tip of the endoscope;   wherein the tip liner comprises a mesh.   
     
     
         13 . The medical cannula system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a tip liner that surrounds the distal steerable tip of the endoscope;   wherein the tip liner comprises a helical mesh.   
     
     
         14 . The medical cannula system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a tip liner that surrounds the distal steerable tip of the endoscope; and   a gasket between the steerable tip and the tip liner.   
     
     
         15 . The medical cannula system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a tip liner that surrounds the distal steerable tip of the endoscope;   wherein the tip liner is between the distal steerable tip of the endoscope and the wiper link; and   wherein the wiper link surrounds the tip liner at a close tolerance.   
     
     
         16 . The medical cannula system of  claim 10 :
 wherein the outer linkage is rigidizable.   
     
     
         17 . The medical cannula system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a conduit that surrounds the endoscope;   wherein the distal steerable tip of the endoscope extends out of the conduit.   
     
     
         18 . The medical cannula system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a conduit that surrounds the endoscope;   wherein the conduit is rigidizable.   
     
     
         19 . The medical cannula system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an outer cover that surrounds the outer linkage; and   a gasket coupled between the outer cover and the distal steerable tip of the endoscope.   
     
     
         20 . A medical cannula system comprising:
 an outer linkage comprising a distal end;   a conduit inside the outer linkage;   an endoscope comprising a distal steerable tip, wherein the endoscope is inside the conduit, and wherein the distal steerable tip of the endoscope extends out of the conduit;   a tip liner surrounding the steerable tip;   a gasket between the distal steerable tip of the endoscope and the tip liner; and   
       a wiper link at the distal end of the outer linkage and surrounding the tip liner at a close tolerance.