Connector device for a controllable instrument
First Claim
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1. A connector assembly for a controllable medical instrument, the connector assembly comprising:
- a first connector portion, wherein the first connector portion comprises first force transmission elements, and wherein each of the first force transmission elements comprises a connecting element; and
a second connector portion, wherein the second connector portion releasably mates with the first connector portion, wherein the second connector portion comprises second force transmission elements, and wherein each of the second force transmission elements comprises a connecting element;
wherein the connecting elements of the first and second first force transmission elements are configured for interlocking engagement with each other,wherein, in a mated configuration of the first connector portion with the second connector portion, the connecting elements of the first and second force transmission elements are moveable relative to each other from a disengaged configuration in which the first and second force transmission elements are uncoupled into a releasable, interlocking engagement in which the first and second force transmission elements are coupled.
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Abstract
A connector assembly for controllable articles is described herein. The connector assembly engages force transmission elements used to transmit force from one or more force generators with the force transmission elements used to manipulate a controllable article. Additionally, the connector assembly provides organization thereby simplifying the process of connecting a plurality of elements, usually with a quick, single movement.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A connector assembly for a controllable medical instrument, the connector assembly comprising:
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a first connector portion, wherein the first connector portion comprises first force transmission elements, and wherein each of the first force transmission elements comprises a connecting element; and a second connector portion, wherein the second connector portion releasably mates with the first connector portion, wherein the second connector portion comprises second force transmission elements, and wherein each of the second force transmission elements comprises a connecting element; wherein the connecting elements of the first and second first force transmission elements are configured for interlocking engagement with each other, wherein, in a mated configuration of the first connector portion with the second connector portion, the connecting elements of the first and second force transmission elements are moveable relative to each other from a disengaged configuration in which the first and second force transmission elements are uncoupled into a releasable, interlocking engagement in which the first and second force transmission elements are coupled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A connector assembly for a controllable medical instrument, the connector assembly comprising:
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a first connector portion, wherein the first connector portion comprises first force transmission elements, and wherein each of the first force transmission elements comprises a connecting element; and a second connector portion, wherein the second connector portion releasably mates with the first connector portion, wherein the second connector portion comprises second force transmission elements, and wherein each of the second force transmission elements comprises a connecting element; wherein, in a mated configuration of the first connector portion with the second connector portion, the connecting elements of the first and second force transmission elements are positionable between a disengaged configuration and a releasable, interlocking configuration, wherein, in the interlocking configuration, the connecting elements of the first and second force transmission elements have a fixed arrangement relative to each other during transmission of force between the first and second force transmission elements. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification