Medical Device With Articulating Shaft
AssigneeSurgical Solutions LLC
InventorsMartin Padget, David Skinlo, Thomas Weisel, Longo Chu, Roger Pisarnwongs
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A medical device (10) includes an articulating shaft (20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, or 20f) with a pair of slat assemblies (31, 33). By moving an articulator (37), the slat assemblies (31, 33) are configured to concurrently push while the other pulls in order to bend the articulating shaft (20). The articulating shaft (20) includes a series of pivot members (26, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 126e and 226e, or 126f and 226f). The pivot members (26) may include inner links (126e, 126f) and outer links (226e, 226f). A method for articulating a shaft of a medical device is also provided.
Claims30
1-35. (canceled)
A medical device, comprising:
- a bendable portion including a plurality of pivot members and pins in an alternating configuration, each pivot member defining an opening;
- a first slat member extending through the bendable portion, wherein the first slat member has an elongated cross section perpendicular to the length of the first slat member;
- and
- a second slat member extending through the bendable portion, wherein the second slat member has an elongated cross section perpendicular to the length of the second slat member;
- wherein the first slat member and the second slat member are configured to push when the other of the first slat member and the second slat member pulls so as to cause the bendable portion to bend.
A medical device, comprising:
- a first bendable portion;
- a second bendable portion;
- a first slat member extending through the first and second bendable portions, wherein the first slat member has an elongated cross section perpendicular to the length of the first slat member;
- and
- a second slat member extending through the first and second bendable portions, wherein the second slat member has an elongated cross section perpendicular to the length of the second slat member;
- wherein each of the first slat member and the second slat member are configured to push when the other of the first slat member and the second slat member pulls so as to cause the bendable portion to bend.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.