Video endoscope
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A medical device comprising:
- a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end and one or more control cables therein that selectively tighten to steer the distal end in a desired direction, and an articulation joint at or adjacent the distal end of the shaft, the articulation joint including;
a number of ring links, each including a first pair of forwardly extending tabs that extend from a first rim of the ring link, wherein each forwardly extending tab has an integrally formed pin that extends radially inwards from the tab, and a second pair of rearwardly extending tabs that extend from a second rim of the ring link, wherein each rearwardly extending tab has a hole therein that is configured to receive an integrally formed pin of a forwardly extending tab of an adjacent ring link,wherein the forwardly extending tabs have an arcuate outer edge and the rearwardly extending tabs have a thickness that is less than the thickness of the ring link and extend rearwardly from an inner circumference of the ring link to form arcuate recesses in a wall of the ring link that cooperate with the arcuate outer edges of the forwardly extending tabs from an adjacent ring link, andwherein the rearwardly extending tabs have a beveled leading edge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A medical device comprising:
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a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end and one or more control cables therein that selectively tighten to steer the distal end in a desired direction, and an articulation joint at or adjacent the distal end of the shaft, the articulation joint including; a number of ring links, each including a first pair of forwardly extending tabs that extend from a first rim of the ring link, wherein each forwardly extending tab has an integrally formed pin that extends radially inwards from the tab, and a second pair of rearwardly extending tabs that extend from a second rim of the ring link, wherein each rearwardly extending tab has a hole therein that is configured to receive an integrally formed pin of a forwardly extending tab of an adjacent ring link, wherein the forwardly extending tabs have an arcuate outer edge and the rearwardly extending tabs have a thickness that is less than the thickness of the ring link and extend rearwardly from an inner circumference of the ring link to form arcuate recesses in a wall of the ring link that cooperate with the arcuate outer edges of the forwardly extending tabs from an adjacent ring link, and wherein the rearwardly extending tabs have a beveled leading edge. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An articulation joint for a medical device comprising:
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a number of links that are connectable together to form the articulation joint, wherein each link includes; a ring having a first rim and a second rim; a first pair of tabs that extend from the first rim of the ring, wherein each tab of the first pair of tabs has an integrally formed pin; and a second pair of tabs that extend from the second rim of the ring, each tab of the second pair of tabs having a hole therein that is configured to receive the integrally formed pin of a tab from the first pair of tabs of an adjacent link, wherein each tab of the second pair of tabs has a beveled leading edge. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. A medical device comprising:
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a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end and one or more control cables therein that selectively tighten to steer the distal end in a desired direction, and an articulation joint at or adjacent the distal end of the shaft, the articulation joint including; a number of ring links, each including a first pair of forwardly extending tabs that extend from a first rim of the ring link, wherein each forwardly extending tab has an integrally formed pin that extends radially inwards from the tab, and a second pair of rearwardly extending tabs that extend from a second rim of the ring link, wherein each rearwardly extending tab has a hole therein that is configured to receive an integrally formed pin of a forwardly extending tab of an adjacent ring link, and wherein the rearwardly extending tabs have a beveled leading edge.
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Specification