Method for forming an endoscope articulation joint
First Claim
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1. An articulation joint for use in a medical device, the articulation joint comprising a tubular body comprising:
- a plurality of interconnected adjacent segments, wherein each segment comprises a generally cylindrical tube with a first end, a second end, an outer wall, and a central lumen, wherein the first end of a first segment of the plurality of segments includes a tang that interlocks with a notch on the second end of an adjacent segment to form a non-articulating interface substantially preventing all rotational movement between the first end of the first segment and the second end of the adjacent segment, and wherein the outer wall of each segment includes at least one hinge element therein and at least one slot therethrough;
at least one cable guide element comprising a passage, wherein the at least one cable guide element is configured to at least partially extend through the at least one slot and to at least partially reside within the at least one slot; and
one or more control cables threaded through the at least one cable guide element comprising the passage.
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Abstract
In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.
595 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An articulation joint for use in a medical device, the articulation joint comprising a tubular body comprising:
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a plurality of interconnected adjacent segments, wherein each segment comprises a generally cylindrical tube with a first end, a second end, an outer wall, and a central lumen, wherein the first end of a first segment of the plurality of segments includes a tang that interlocks with a notch on the second end of an adjacent segment to form a non-articulating interface substantially preventing all rotational movement between the first end of the first segment and the second end of the adjacent segment, and wherein the outer wall of each segment includes at least one hinge element therein and at least one slot therethrough; at least one cable guide element comprising a passage, wherein the at least one cable guide element is configured to at least partially extend through the at least one slot and to at least partially reside within the at least one slot; and one or more control cables threaded through the at least one cable guide element comprising the passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An articulation joint segment for use in a medical device, the articulation joint segment comprising:
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a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer wall; a lumen extending from the proximal end of the tubular body to the distal end of the tubular body; a hinge section of the outer wall having a hinge configured to permit lateral movement of the articulation joint segment; a non-hinged section of the outer wall having an end including a tang configured to interlock with a notch on a corresponding end of an adjacent articulation joint segment to form a non-articulating interface substantially preventing all rotational movement between the end and the corresponding end, wherein the non-hinged section has a slot at least partially extending through the outer wall, and wherein the slot is configured to receive a cable guide having a passage extending therethrough; and a control member moveably located within the passage of the cable guide to control lateral movement of the articulation joint segment. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An articulation joint for use in a medical device, comprising:
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a single elongate polymeric structure formed from a single mold and having a proximal end region, a distal end region, and an outer wall, the outer wall having an end including a tang configured to interlock with a notch on a corresponding end of an adjacent articulation joint to form a non-articulating interface substantially preventing all rotational movement between the end and the corresponding end; a lumen that extends within the elongate polymeric structure from a generally distal location to a generally proximal location; a plurality of hinge elements located between the proximal end region and the distal end region and formed within the elongate polymeric structure; a plurality of slots located within the proximal end region and the distal end region, formed within the elongate polymeric structure, and configured to receive a plurality of cable guides; and at least one control member located generally within the lumen and operatively connected to the plurality of cable guides. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification