Articulating mechanism for remote manipulation of a surgical or diagnostic tool
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the mechanism. The proximal and distal segments are connected by a set of cables in such a fashion that each proximal segment forms a discrete pair with a distal segment. This configuration allows each segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations.
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Citations
64 Claims
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1-32. -32. (canceled)
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33. An articulating mechanism comprising:
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a proximal end and a distal end;
at least one proximal linking member positioned at or near the proximal end;
at least one distal linking member positioned at or near the distal end; and
at least one cable set connected to each proximal linking member and to a corresponding distal linking member such that movement of each proximal linking member causes movement in the corresponding distal linking member. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a proximal end and a distal end;
a first linking member coupled to a user interface positioned near the proximal end;
a second linking member coupled to a tool positioned near the distal end; and
at least one cable set connected to the first linking member and to the second linking member such that movement of the first linking member causes corresponding movement in the second linking member. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59)
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60. An articulating mechanism comprising:
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a proximal end and a distal end;
at least one proximal linking member positioned at or near the proximal end;
at least one distal member positioned at or near the distal end; and
at least one pliant member capable of supporting a tension load connected to each proximal linking member and to a corresponding distal linking member such that movement of each proximal linking member results in movement of the corresponding distal linking member. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63)
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64. A surgical clamp comprising:
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a proximal end and a distal end;
a first linking member positioned near the proximal end and coupled to a user handle;
a second linking member positioned near the distal end and coupled to a clamping mechanism; and
at least one pliant member capable of supporting a tension load connected to the first linking member and to the second linking member such that operation of the user handle causes manipulation of the clamping mechanism.
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Specification