×

Surgical instrument and method for intraluminal retraction of an anatomic structure

  • US 5,558,665 A
  • Filed: 06/24/1994
  • Issued: 09/24/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A surgical instrument for repositioning an anatomic structure in a body, the anatomic structure defining a lumen, said instrument comprising:

  • an elongate member defining a central axis, and having proximal, medial and distal portions, at least the distal portion capable of moving between a substantially flexible state for introduction through the lumen and an at least partly rigid state for engaging tissue surrounding the lumen, said rigid state having a curved shape wherein said medial and distal portions of said member curve in more than one plane; and

    an actuator structure attached to a proximal end of said elongate member, for actuating at least the distal portion between said flexible state and said rigid state;

    wherein at least the distal portion includes a plurality of cooperating longitudinal elements each defining at least one cooperating longitudinal bore extending therethrough, and a flexible member is slidably disposed within each said bore, and coupled to said actuator structure so that tensioning said flexible member articulates the distal portion between said flexible and rigid states, each longitudinal element having a first end and a second end with respective first and second abutting surfaces for abutting an adjacent longitudinal element, whereby tensioning of said flexible member causes said abutting surfaces to abut one another to provide said curved shape;

    wherein said first and second abutting surfaces include respective protruding and receiving forms, the protruding and receiving forms each mating with an abutting longitudinal element, thereby being resistant to axial-bending forces; and

    wherein surfaces of said protruding and receiving forms lie at various angles with respect to a central axis portion of each said longitudinal element, thereby providing said curved shape.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×