Endoscopic instrument system having reduced backlash control wire action

Abstract

An endoscopic instrument has a control member, a portion of the member having an outer surface with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The non-circular cross-sectional shape may be provided to the control member by providing peripheral projections or fins along the length of the portion or by providing the periphery of the portion with a polygonal shape. Where fins are used, the fins are preferably quite small and only have a minimal effect on the fluid flow cross-sectional area between the interior of the endoscope instrument shaft and the central control member. The resulting instrument has significantly reduced backlash in end effector assembly manipulation, while maintaining adequate fluid flow in the endoscope shaft. According to a second embodiment of the invention, a portion of the interior of the shaft of the endoscopic instrument has an interior surface having a non-circular cross-sectional shape by the inclusion of a plurality of radially spaced and inwardly directed ribs or by being polygonally shaped. The resulting endoscopic instrument likewise reduces the backlash experienced in operating the distal end effector assembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.