ELONGATE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH ARTICULATING PORTION

• US 20140023428A1
• Filed: 07/18/2013
• Published: 01/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: SMITH, Paul, KAPPEL, Gary S., MacNAMARA, Francis T., DeVRIES, Robert B., GUTIERREZ, Federico, RAGONESE, Thomas, KUMMAILIL, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,204,783 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00064 Constructional details of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00078 with stiffening means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0011 Manufacturing of endoscope parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/008 Articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0009 Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2476 Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32008 Plural distinct articulation axes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/453 Flexible sleeve-type coupling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/54 Flexible member is joint component

Abstract

An articulating portion for an elongate medical device is disclosed. The articulating portion may include a plurality of segments movable relative to one another, and a plurality of hinges disposed between adjacent segments. The segments can be configured to bend at the hinges upon manipulation of a control member of the device. The segments and the hinges can also be a single continuous piece of material.

Claims

1. An articulating portion for an elongate medical device, comprising:

a plurality of segments movable relative to one another; and

a plurality of hinges disposed between adjacent segments, wherein the segments are configured to bend at the hinges upon manipulation of a control member of the device, and

wherein the segments and the hinges are a single continuous piece of material.

2. The articulating portion of claim 1, wherein at least one of the hinges comprises a twisted strip of material having a central portion oriented perpendicularly to opposing ends of the strip

3. The articulating portion of claim 2, wherein the central portion of the at least one hinge is oriented perpendicularly to an adjacent side wall of one of the segments.

4. The articulating portion of claim 1, wherein at least one of the hinges comprises a spiral-shaped strip of material.

5. The articulating portion of claim 1, wherein at least one of the hinges comprises a serpentine-shaped strip of material.

6. The articulating portion of claim 1, wherein one hinge is positioned 180 degrees apart from another hinge.

7. The articulating portion of claim 1, wherein one hinge is positioned 90 degrees apart from another hinge.

8. The articulating portion of claim 1, wherein each hinge is positioned within a gap defined by edges of the adjacent segments.

9. The articulating portion of claim 1, wherein the adjacent segments each comprise at least one flat area, wherein the at least one flat area is adjacent to at least one of the hinges.

10. The articulating portion of claim 1, further comprising:

a guide element connected to a rim of one of the segments and configured to guide the control member.

11. The articulating portion of claim 1, wherein at least one of the segments includes an indented portion extending into an interior of the at least one segment and configured to guide the control member.

12. An articulating portion for an elongate medical device, comprising:

a plurality of segments movable relative to one another; and

a plurality of hinges disposed between adjacent segments, at least one of the hinges including a flexible connecting member fixed to the adjacent segments and having at least one lumen formed therein, wherein the segments are configured to bend at the hinges upon manipulation of a control member of the device.

13. The articulating portion of claim 12, wherein the flexible connecting member defines two lumens therein, the two lumens including a first lumen configured to guide the control member, and a second lumen configured to receive a post extending from one of the segments.

14. The articulating portion claim 12, wherein the flexible connecting member defines a single lumen therein configured to guide the control member and receive a post extending from one of the segments.

15. The articulating portion of claim 12, wherein the flexible connecting member includes an area of decreased thickness disposed in a gap defined by edges of the adjacent segments.

16. The articulating portion of claim 12, wherein the flexible connecting member includes an area of decreased thickness disposed in a center of the flexible connecting member, and

wherein the flexible connecting member defines three lumens therein, the three lumens including a first lumen, a second lumen, and a third lumen, wherein the first lumen has a circular cross-sectional shape and is configured to guide the control member, and wherein the second and third lumens each have a slot-like cross-sectional shape configured to receive a post extending from one of the segments.

17. The articulating portion of claim 12, wherein the flexible connecting member has a cylindrical shape defining two lumens therein, the two lumens including a first lumen and a second lumen, wherein the first lumen has a circular cross-sectional shape and is configured to guide the control member, and wherein the second lumen has a curved cross-sectional shape configured to receive two posts extending from the adjacent segments.

18. The articulating portion of claim 12, wherein

the adjacent segments each comprise at least one post, wherein each post is configured to be inserted within the flexible member.

19. The articulating portion of claim 18, wherein the at least one of the hinges further comprises:

a first post extending from one segment and a second post extending from an adjacent segment, the first and second posts configured to be inserted within the flexible member, wherein each post comprises a barbed portion configured to secure the flexible member to the adjacent segments.

20. A method of manufacturing an articulating portion for an elongate medical device, comprising:

cutting a continuous shape from a sheet of material, the continuous shape comprising a plurality of strips;

rolling the shape into a tubular form; and

fixing one edge of the shape to another edge to maintain the tubular form, wherein the plurality of strips form hinges between adjacent segments of the articulating portion.