Medical device with articulating shaft
First Claim
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1. A medical device, comprising:
- a bendable portion including a plurality of pivot members and pins in an alternating configuration, each pivot member defining an opening, each pin defining a pin aperture;
a first slat assembly extending through the bendable portion, the first slat assembly comprising a first plurality of layered slats; and
a second slat assembly extending through the bendable portion, the second slat assembly comprising a second plurality of layered slats;
wherein each of the first slat assembly and the second slat assembly is configured to push when the other of the first slat assembly and the second slat assembly pulls so as to cause the bendable portion to bend.
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Abstract
A medical device includes an articulating shaft with a pair of slat assemblies. By moving an articulator, the slat assemblies are configured to concurrently push while the other pulls in order to bend the articulating shaft. The articulating shaft includes a series of alternating pins and pivot members. Each pin defines an aperture that collectively forms a passageway for receiving an actuator or a tube. The pair of slat assemblies extend generally parallel to each other on opposite sides of the pins. A method for articulating a shaft of a medical device is also provided.
998 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A medical device, comprising:
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a bendable portion including a plurality of pivot members and pins in an alternating configuration, each pivot member defining an opening, each pin defining a pin aperture; a first slat assembly extending through the bendable portion, the first slat assembly comprising a first plurality of layered slats; and a second slat assembly extending through the bendable portion, the second slat assembly comprising a second plurality of layered slats; wherein each of the first slat assembly and the second slat assembly is configured to push when the other of the first slat assembly and the second slat assembly pulls so as to cause the bendable portion to bend. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A medical device, comprising:
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a bendable portion including a plurality of pivot members and pins in an alternating configuration and wherein each pivot member comprises a pair of arms extending in opposite directions so as to form a first plurality of arms disposed along a first side of the pivot members and a second plurality of arms disposed along a second opposite side of the pivot members; a first slat assembly coupled to the bendable portion, the first slat assembly comprising a first slat groove for receiving the first plurality of arms; and a second slat assembly coupled to the bendable portion, the second slat assembly comprises a second slat groove for receiving the second plurality of arms, wherein each of the first slat assembly and the second slat assembly is configured to push when the other of the first slat assembly and the second slat assembly pulls so as to cause the bendable portion to bend.
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21. A method for articulating a shaft of a medical device, comprising:
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providing pivot members each having a single opening; providing pins each having a single pin aperture; disposing the pins adjacent to the pivot members in an alternating configuration; extending a first slat assembly through the single opening of each pivot member; extending a second slat assembly through the single opening of each pivot member; and pushing one of the first and second slat assemblies while concurrently pulling the other of the first and second slat assemblies to cause the pivot members to collectively form a bend. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification