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MICRO-ARTICULATED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS USING MICRO GEAR ACTUATION

  • US 20140100558A1
  • Filed: 04/02/2013
  • Published: 04/10/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2012
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. A medical device for manipulating tissue of a subject, comprising:

  • a distal housing configured with an end effector;

    an elongate member coupled to the distal housing and configured to introduce the distal housing to a target tissue site of the subject, the elongate member comprising a proximal portion having a first central axis and a distal portion having a second central axis, the proximal portion of the elongate member comprising a proximal outer tube and a proximal inner drive tube rotatably mounted within the proximal outer tube, the distal portion of the elongate member comprising a distal outer tube and a distal inner drive tube rotatably mounted within the distal outer tube, the distal inner drive tube engaging with a portion of the end effector to drive the end effector;

    a joint mechanism configured to pivotably connect a distal end of the proximal outer tube with a proximal end of the distal outer tube, wherein the joint mechanism allows the distal portion of the elongate member to be pivoted relative to the proximal portion such that an angle formed between the first and the second central axes can be changed;

    a proximal crown gear located at a distal end of the proximal inner drive tube;

    a distal crown gear located at a proximal end of the distal inner drive tube; and

    a first spur gear spanning between and inter-engaging with the proximal crown gear and the distal crown gear, thereby allowing the end effector to be positioned by the proximal and the distal outer tubes, and to be driven by the proximal inner drive tube, the spur gear and the distal inner drive tube.

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