Medical instrument with a mechanical coupling

A medical device comprising:

• a flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end;
• an end effector associated with the distal end of the flexible tube;
• an actuator associated with the proximal end of the flexible tube;
• at least one control member extending through the flexible tube and having a deformed portion proximal of the flexible tube;
• a coupling for receiving the control member and conveying a force to the control member upon actuation of the actuator;
• wherein the coupling comprises:
• a receiver having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, and an exterior surface, the receiver defining:
• a control member passageway for receiving the control member, the control member passageway extending along the longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end;
• a second passageway, the second passageway extending from the exterior surface of the receiver and intersecting the control member passageway;
• a third passageway, the third passageway extending from the exterior surface of the receiver and intersecting the control member passageway, wherein the third passageway extends beyond the control member passageway a distance greater than or equal to a dimension of the control member, the third passageway providing access for deforming a portion of the control member disposed within the control member passageway, wherein the second passageway extends along a first dimension, wherein the third passageway extends along a second dimension different from the first dimension;
• and
• a retaining member insertable in the second passageway to maintain the deformed position of the control member relative to the receiver.

A coupling assembly for transmitting a load to a control member, the coupling assembly comprising:

• a frame;
• a receiver supported with respect to the frame to rotate about a longitudinal axis and translate along the longitudinal axis, the receiver having a first end, a second end, and an exterior surface disposed between the first and second ends, the receiver further including a control member passageway extending from the first end to the second end through the length of the receiver along the longitudinal axis, a second passageway extending from the exterior surface of the receiver and intersecting the control member passageway, and a third passageway extending from the exterior surface of the receiver and intersecting the control member passageway;
• a control member extending through the control member passageway such that a portion of the control member extends proximally from the receiver and a portion of the control member extends distally from the receiver, and wherein a portion of the control member disposed within the control member passageway is deformed in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the third passageway;
• a retaining member disposed in the second passageway to engage the deformed portion of the control member and maintain the position of the control member relative to the receiver.