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Medical instrument with a deflectable distal portion

  • US 8,845,522 B2
  • Filed: 08/14/2008
  • Issued: 09/30/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A medical instrument, comprising:

  • a handle;

    a flexible shaft extending distally from the handle, the shaft comprising an outer elongated member and an inner elongated member disposed within at least a portion of the outer elongated member, the arrangement of the outer and inner members defining a space therebetween; and

    a deflection assembly disposed within the space and being manipulatable by a user of the instrument to deflect a distal portion of the shaft in at least one of two possible directions off a longitudinal axis running the length of the shaft,wherein the deflection assembly comprises;

    (i) a proximal portion having a curved profile concentric with one of the inner and outer members, (ii) a distal portion having a substantially flat profile, and (iii) a tapering portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the tapering portion comprising a curved profile tapering in a distal direction proximate to a distal end of the shaft.

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