Steerable instrument comprising a hinge with a slotted structure

Abstract

A cylindrical element with a hinge structure has: a first portion (524; 1124; 522(n−1); 1122(n−1)); a second portion (522(1); 1122(1); 522(n); 1122(n)) which is rotatable relative to the first portion (524; 1124; 522(n−1); 1122(n−1)) about two rotation sections (530(1); 1130(1); 530(n); 1130(n)) arranged at locations 180° rotated relative to one another viewed in a tangential direction of the cylindrical element; an attachment element (502(1); 1006; 502(n)). The rotation sections (530(1); 1130(1); 530(n); 1130(n)) are implemented by: either the first portion (524; 1124; 522(n−1); 1122(n−1)) or the second portion (522(1); 1122(1); 522(n); 1122(n)) is provided with an opening accommodating a pin (556(1); 1156(1); 556(n); 1156(n)); the pin (556(1); 1156(1); 556(n); 1156(n)) is attached to a portion of the attachment element (502(1); 1006; 502(n)); the other one of the first portion (524; 1124; 522(n−1); 1122(n−1)) and the second portion (522(1); 1122(1); 522(n); 1122(n)) is attached to another portion of the attachment element (502(1); 1006; 502(n)); such that the first portion (524; 1124; 522(n−1); 1122(n−1)) and the second portion (522(1); 1122(1); 522(n); 1122(n)) cannot move relative to one another in a longitudinal direction, a tangential direction and a radial direction but are configured to rotate relative to one another about a center of rotation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.