Articulation locking mechanisms for end effectors and methods of use
AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorChristopher R. DEUEL
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A medical device includes an end effector at a distal end of the medical device, an actuator coupled to a proximal end of the end effector, a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the end effector distal of the proximal end of the end effector, where actuation of the actuator pivots the end effector relative to the pivot arm, and a lock on the end effector and the pivot arm, where the lock has a first state permitting the end effector to pivot relative to the pivot arm and a second state restricting the end effector from pivoting relative to the pivot arm.
Claims20
A medical device, comprising:
- an end effector having a ball bearing coupled thereto;
- an actuator;
- and
- a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the end effector, wherein the actuator is configured to pivot the end effector relative to the pivot arm, and wherein the pivot arm includes at least one detent;
- wherein, in a first configuration of the end effector, the ball bearing engages a first detent of the at least one detent to lock the end effector at a first angle relative to the pivot arm.
A medical device, comprising:
- an end effector;
- a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the end effector;
- and
- a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism includes:
- a spring;
- and
- a member, wherein the spring biases the member to engage with a detent in order to inhibit the end effector from pivoting with respect to the pivot arm in a locked configuration of the medical device.
A medical device, comprising:
- an end effector;
- a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the end effector;
- and
- a locking mechanism including:
- a biasing member;
- a ball bearing;
- and
- at least one detent on the pivot arm, wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the ball bearing against a first detent of the at least one detent to inhibit the end effector from pivoting with respect to the pivot arm in a first configuration of the medical device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.