Abstract: A device for supporting and controlling the translational movement of an elongated body, the body extending along the longitudinal axis thereof in the form of a rod, such as a needle intended for a percutaneous medical procedure. The device is designed to be mounted to a support that can be controlled in terms of position and orientation, and includes: (i) a first member for gripping the body, whose movement can be controlled in the translation direction with a pre-determined maximum stroke; and (ii) a second fixed member which can guide the elongated body when the body is moved by the first mobile gripping member and which can maintain the body in position when the body is not engaged with the first member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a robotic device for the positioning and orientation of a platform that is connected thereto by means of articulated support structures forming parallel mechanical links, each in the form of a serial kinematic chain of articulations that are interconnected by support segments. The inventive device (1) is characterized in that it comprises three articulated parallel mechanical links comprising: (i) two opposing, symmetrical and co-planar support structures (4 and 5), and (ii) a third support structure (6) which is located in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane containing the support structures (4 and 5). According to the invention, the articulated links formed by the three supports structures (4, 5 and 6) enable the controlled movement of points belonging to the platform (2) on a surface corresponding to a spherical or ellipsoidal cap and, preferably, essentially to a half-sphere, thereby providing at least five degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A flexible endoscope device includes an elongated flexible body having an end segment bearing or defining the endoscope head, and provided with an optical system that can be curved or bent in at least two mutually perpendicular directions, the elongated body being functionally connected at the other end thereof to a control element capable of controlling at least the movements and/or the arrangement of the end segment. The device includes automatic flexion and positioning elements of the end segment by visual control, the elements essentially including a video processing element for receiving the images or video signals provided by the optical system of the endoscope head using a computer element capable of carrying out visual control operations on the basis of the processed video signals and of transmitting control signals, and actuation members that are part of or associated with the control elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a robotic device for the positioning and orientation of a platform that is connected thereto by means of articulated support structures forming parallel mechanical links, each in the form of a serial kinematic chain of articulations that are interconnected by support segments. The inventive device (1) is characterized in that it comprises three articulated parallel mechanical links comprising: (i) two opposing, symmetrical and co-planar support structures (4 and 5), and (ii) a third support structure (6) which is located in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane containing the support structures (4 and 5). According to the invention, the articulated links formed by the three supports structures (4, 5 and 6) enable the controlled movement of points belonging to the platform (2) on a surface corresponding to a spherical or ellipsoidal cap and, preferably, essentially to a half-sphere, thereby providing at least five degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A device for supporting and controlling the translational movement of an elongated body, the body extending along the longitudinal axis thereof in the form of a rod, such as a needle intended for a percutaneous medical procedure. The device is designed to be mounted to a support that can be controlled in terms of position and orientation, and includes: (i) a first member for gripping the body, whose movement can be controlled in the translation direction with a pre-determined maximum stroke; and (ii) a second fixed member which can guide the elongated body when the body is moved by the first mobile gripping member and which can maintain the body in position when the body is not engaged with the first member.