Patent ID: 8568299
Filing Date: 2013-10-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for displaying an approximate overall bend of a steerable distal portion of an elongate instrument relative to an x-y-z reference frame, the steerable distal portion extending longitudinally along a z-axis of the reference frame when in an approximately straight position, said method comprising: displaying on a graphical user interface representing an x-y plane of the reference frame an icon configured to indicate to a user viewing the graphical user interface an approximate magnitude and an approximate direction of an overall bend of the steerable distal portion; wherein the overall bend of the steerable distal portion comprises a combination of a bend component in an x-z plane of the reference frame and a bend component in a y-z plane of the reference frame; wherein an origin is defined on the graphical user interface, the origin corresponding to an intersection of the x-y plane and the z-axis; wherein a distance between at least a portion of the icon and the origin corresponds to the approximate magnitude of the overall bend; and wherein an orientation of at least a portion of the icon with reference to the origin corresponds to the approximate direction of the overall bend.