Olympus has been granted a patent for a surgical device with an inner shaft that moves within an outer shaft, controlled by an actuator. The device includes a cutting element and bearings to reduce friction and maintain concentricity. The design allows for precise and efficient surgical procedures. GlobalData’s report on Olympus gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Olympus, AI-assisted medical imaging was a key innovation area identified from patents. Olympus's grant share as of February 2024 was 49%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Surgical device with flexible inner shaft and cutting element
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11918246B2) discloses a novel surgical device designed to enhance precision and flexibility during surgical procedures. The device comprises an elongated outer shaft and an inner shaft with a flexible portion that is more flexible than the rest of the shaft. A cutting element at the distal end of the inner shaft moves within the outer shaft, which exposes the cutting element during operation. The device features a series of bearings strategically placed between the inner and outer shafts to maintain the alignment of the flexible inner shaft portion with the outer shaft as the device is in use. These bearings include proximal, distal, and intermediate bearings with varying thicknesses to optimize performance.
Furthermore, the patent details a method for operating the surgical device, emphasizing the controlled movement of the inner shaft to manipulate the cutting element accurately. The actuator at the proximal end of the inner shaft enables different types of movements, such as single-direction rotation, oscillating rotation, or reciprocating translation along the central axis. The device's design allows for even or uneven spacing of the bearings along the flexible inner shaft portion, with options for bearings with annular cross-sections and cut-aways for enhanced functionality. Overall, the patented surgical device aims to improve surgical outcomes by providing surgeons with a tool that offers both precision and flexibility in various procedures.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
