Medical device comprising segments
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A medical device comprising:
- a plurality of segments, each segment including a wall extending from a first end to a second end, wherein;
the wall defines a lumen along a longitudinal axis of the segment and at least one slit extending along a circumference of the segment, wherein portions of the wall at ends of the at least one slit act as hinges enabling the first and second ends of the wall to articulate relative to each other,the wall includes at least one first mating element proximate the first end and at least one second mating element proximate the second end, such that the first mating element mates with a corresponding second mating element of an adjacent segment to form a non-articulating interface between adjacent segments, wherein the at least one first mating element includes a projection that projects radially outwardly from a portion of an exterior surface of the wall, and the at least one second mating element includes an indentation, and the projection and a corresponding indentation of the adjacent segment, when mated, form the non-articulating interface between the adjacent segments, wherein the exterior surface of the wall extends to the first end, and wherein a tip of the projection is recessed from the first end, andthe wall includes at least one inwardly-extending support defining an aperture; and
at least one control member extending through the at least one aperture of each segment.
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Abstract
In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A medical device comprising:
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a plurality of segments, each segment including a wall extending from a first end to a second end, wherein; the wall defines a lumen along a longitudinal axis of the segment and at least one slit extending along a circumference of the segment, wherein portions of the wall at ends of the at least one slit act as hinges enabling the first and second ends of the wall to articulate relative to each other, the wall includes at least one first mating element proximate the first end and at least one second mating element proximate the second end, such that the first mating element mates with a corresponding second mating element of an adjacent segment to form a non-articulating interface between adjacent segments, wherein the at least one first mating element includes a projection that projects radially outwardly from a portion of an exterior surface of the wall, and the at least one second mating element includes an indentation, and the projection and a corresponding indentation of the adjacent segment, when mated, form the non-articulating interface between the adjacent segments, wherein the exterior surface of the wall extends to the first end, and wherein a tip of the projection is recessed from the first end, and the wall includes at least one inwardly-extending support defining an aperture; and at least one control member extending through the at least one aperture of each segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A medical device comprising:
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a plurality of segments, each segment including a wall extending from a first end to a second end, wherein; the wall defines a lumen along a longitudinal axis of the segment and at least two slits between the first end and the second end, the slits separated by flex points that act as hinges enabling the first and second ends of the wall to articulate relative to each other; the wall includes at least one first mating element proximate the first end and at least one second mating element proximate the second end, such that the first mating element mates with a corresponding second mating element of an adjacent segment to connect adjacent segments, wherein the first mating element includes a projection that projects radially outwardly from a portion of an exterior surface of the wall, and the second mating element includes an indentation, and the projection and a corresponding indentation of the adjacent segment, when mated, form a non-articulating interface between the adjacent segments, and wherein the first end includes a circumferentially continuous and planar edge of the wall, and the wall includes at least one inwardly-extending support defining an aperture; and at least one control member extending through the at least one aperture of each segment. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A medical device comprising:
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a plurality of segments, each segment including a wall extending from a first end to a second end, wherein; the wall defines a lumen along a longitudinal axis of the segment and two pairs of slits extending along a circumference of the segment between the first end and the second end, wherein portions of wall between the pairs of slits act as hinges enabling the first and second ends of the wall to articulate relative to each other, the wall includes at least one first mating element proximate the first end and at least one second mating element proximate the second end, such that the first mating element mates with a corresponding second mating element of an adjacent segment to connect the adjacent segments, wherein the at least one first mating element includes a projection and the at least one second mating element includes an indentation, and the projection and adjacent indentation, when mated, form a non-articulating interface between the adjacent segments; and at least two control members, each control member being coupled to the plurality of segments by extending through an aperture of a cantilevered support that extends inwardly from an inner surface of the wall of each segment into the lumen of each segment. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification