초록 ▼

A surgical instrument is steerable from the hub of the instrument to move a surgical tool to different offset positions. The instrument includes a shaft disposed along a longitudinal axis between a proximal region and a distal region at which the surgical tool is supported. A steering body is connec

A surgical instrument is steerable from the hub of the instrument to move a surgical tool to different offset positions. The instrument includes a shaft disposed along a longitudinal axis between a proximal region and a distal region at which the surgical tool is supported. A steering body is connected to the shaft proximally of the surgical tool and is configured to transmit proximally directed and distally directed forces applied by an actuator to a proximal end thereof to the shaft to bend the shaft in a flexible region of the shaft and offset the surgical tool from the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A surgical instrument comprisinga shaft disposed along a longitudinal axis between a proximal region and a distal region and including a flexible region therebetween, said shaft supporting a surgical tool at said distal region,a steering body connected to said shaft proxi

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A surgical instrument comprisinga shaft disposed along a longitudinal axis between a proximal region and a distal region and including a flexible region therebetween, said shaft supporting a surgical tool at said distal region,a steering body connected to said shaft proximally of said surgical tool, said steering body having sufficient rigidity to transmit distally directed forces applied to a proximal end thereof to said shaft to bend said shaft in said flexible region and offset said surgical tool from said axis, andan actuator coupled to said proximal end of said steering body to apply said distally directed forces to said proximal end of said steering body.