SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN ARTICULATING DISTAL END OF AN ENDOSCOPIC MEDICAL DEVICE
First Claim
1. An endoscopic medical device system comprising:
- an elongated shaft assembly extending along a main axis and comprising an outer tube, an inner tube, and an actuator rod, and wherein the outer tube is slidably disposed around the inner tube and the actuator rod is slidably disposed within the inner tube;
an articulating distal end assembly extending from the inner tube and configured to be oriented longitudinally along the main axis when disposed within the outer tube and angularly from the main axis as it slides out of the outer tube; and
wherein the articulating distal end assembly comprises a tubular body having equally spaced apart slots separated by solid segments and terminates in a distal segment and wherein each slot is configured to collapse individually and to form a known angle relative to the main axis as it slides out of the outer tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscopic medical device system includes an elongated shaft assembly and an articulating distal end assembly. The elongated shaft assembly extends along a main axis and includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and an actuator rod. The outer tube is slidably disposed around the inner tube and the actuator rod is slidably disposed within the inner tube. The articulating distal end assembly extends from the inner tube and is configured to be oriented longitudinally along the main axis when disposed within the outer tube and angularly from the main axis as it slides out of the outer tube. The articulating distal end assembly includes a tubular body having equally spaced apart slots separated by solid segments and terminates in a distal segment. Each slot is configured to collapse individually and to form a known angle relative to the main axis as it slides out of the outer tube.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An endoscopic medical device system comprising:
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an elongated shaft assembly extending along a main axis and comprising an outer tube, an inner tube, and an actuator rod, and wherein the outer tube is slidably disposed around the inner tube and the actuator rod is slidably disposed within the inner tube; an articulating distal end assembly extending from the inner tube and configured to be oriented longitudinally along the main axis when disposed within the outer tube and angularly from the main axis as it slides out of the outer tube; and wherein the articulating distal end assembly comprises a tubular body having equally spaced apart slots separated by solid segments and terminates in a distal segment and wherein each slot is configured to collapse individually and to form a known angle relative to the main axis as it slides out of the outer tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling the angular orientation of an articulating distal end assembly comprising:
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providing an endoscopic medical device comprising an elongated shaft assembly, and an articulating distal end assembly; wherein the elongated shaft assembly extends along a main axis and comprises an outer tube, an inner tube, and an actuator rod, and wherein the outer tube is slidably disposed around the inner tube and the actuator rod is slidably disposed within the inner tube; wherein the articulating distal end assembly extends from the inner tube and is configured to be oriented longitudinally along the main axis when disposed within the outer tube and angularly from the main axis as it slides out of the outer tube; and wherein the articulating distal end assembly comprises a tubular body having equally spaced apart slots separated by solid segments and terminates in a distal segment; and collapsing each slot individually and thereby orienting the articulating distal end assembly at a known angle relative to the main axis as it slides out of the outer tube. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification