ARTICULATION JOINT FOR VIDEO ENDOSCOPE
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Abstract
A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1-13. -13. (canceled)
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14. An articulation joint for use in a medical device, comprising:
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a series of adjacent ring links, each having an inner circumference and an outer circumference with tabs with a free end cut from a side wall of the ring link and extending radially inwards from the inner circumference of the ring links; and a plurality of spring segments that join adjacent links together, wherein the tabs extend around a circumference of the spring segments and secure the spring segments to the inner circumference of the ring links. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A ring link for use in an articulation joint in a medical device, the ring link comprising:
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an inner circumference; and an outer circumference with tabs having a free end cut from a side wall of the ring link and extending radially inwards from the inner circumference of the ring link; wherein the tabs are adapted to extend around a circumference of a spring segment and secure the spring segment to the inner circumference of the ring link, thereby joining the ring link to an adjacent ring link. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. An articulation joint for use in a medical device, comprising:
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a plurality of ring links, each ring link having at least one tab bent radially inward from an outer surface of the ring link to form a point of attachment for a spring segment; and a plurality of spring segments that join adjacent ring links of the plurality of ring links together, each spring segment attached to at least one tab of at least one ring link. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification