Patent ID: 8388518
Filing Date: 2013-03-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A handgrip system for measuring forces and torques applied to a shaft of a colonoscope during a colonoscopy procedure, said system comprising: a handgrip comprising a first resilient gripping member placed about said colonoscope shaft and a clutch configured to compress said first resilient gripping member to releasably engage said handgrip with said colonoscope shaft, a first multifunction force/torque sensor comprising a first magnet positioned on or within said first resilient gripping member and a first magnetometer configured to detect at least an axial displacement of said first magnet from a neutral position thereof in a direction along said colonoscope shaft, said magnetometer is further configured to detect a lateral displacement of said first magnet from the neutral position thereof in a direction tangential to said colonoscope shaft, and an electronic control unit configured to determine an axial force applied to said colonoscope shaft using said axial displacement of said first magnet; said electronic control unit is further configured to determine a torque applied to said colonoscope shaft using said lateral displacement of said first magnet.