Patent ID: 9345533
Filing Date: 2016-05-24
CPC Classification: A61B,A61M,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A method for performing a medical procedure, comprising: inserting into a body cavity of a patient a probe, which comprises a flexible insertion tube and a distal tip, which is disposed at a distal end of the insertion tube, a coupling member that couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube and comprises a tubular piece of an elastic material having a helical cut therethrough along a portion of a length of the piece, a position sensor within the distal tip, the position sensor being configured to generate a signal in response to a magnetic field, wherein the signal is indicative of a position of the distal tip, and a magnetic field generator within the distal end of the insertion tube for generating the magnetic field; generating the magnetic field; generating the signal in response to the magnetic field; analyzing the signal to determine if the distal tip is pressing against the tissue in the body cavity firmly to give the desired therapeutic or diagnostic result without causing undesired tissue damage; and if the distal tip is not pressing against the tissue in the body cavity firmly to give the desired therapeutic or diagnostic result without causing undesired tissue damage, repositioning the distal tip to bring the distal tip into contact with tissue in the body cavity.