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Articulated surgical instrument

  • US 9,038,880 B1
  • Filed: 04/25/2011
  • Issued: 05/26/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A surgical apparatus, comprising:

  • a shaft defining a lumen therein;

    a plurality of articulation bands extending through and slidable generally longitudinally within said lumen of said shaft;

    an end effector affixed to said articulation bands;

    a plurality of generally annular segments positioned about said articulation bands along at least a portion of the length of said articulation bands to define an articulated region, wherein said segments laterally constrain said articulation bands, and wherein each of said segments includes a unitary body having a single aperture through which the plurality of articulation bands extends; and

    a central core extending from said end effector to said articulated region, wherein said central core is flexible, and wherein at least one said segment is pivotally fixed to said central core.

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