IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0760475
(2007-06-08)
|
등록번호 |
US-7670284
(2010-04-21)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Padget, Martin
- Skinlo, David
- Weisel, Thomas
- Chu, Longo
- Pisarnwongs, Roger
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
22 인용 특허 :
117 |
초록
▼
A medical device (10) includes an articulating shaft (20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, or 20f) with a pair of slat assemblies (31, 33). By moving an articulator (37), the slat assemblies (31, 33) are configured to concurrently push while the other pulls in order to bend the articulating shaft (20). The
A medical device (10) includes an articulating shaft (20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, or 20f) with a pair of slat assemblies (31, 33). By moving an articulator (37), the slat assemblies (31, 33) are configured to concurrently push while the other pulls in order to bend the articulating shaft (20). The articulating shaft (20) includes a series of pivot members (26, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 126e and 226e, or 126f and 226f). The pivot members (26) may include inner links (126e, 126f) and outer links (226e, 226f) . A method for articulating a shaft of a medical device is also provided.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A medical device, comprising: a bendable portion comprising a plurality of pivot members that are arranged in succession and a related plurality of pivot assemblies that pivotally connect adjacent ones of the plurality of pivot members; a first slat assembly extending along t
What is claimed is: 1. A medical device, comprising: a bendable portion comprising a plurality of pivot members that are arranged in succession and a related plurality of pivot assemblies that pivotally connect adjacent ones of the plurality of pivot members; a first slat assembly extending along the bendable portion; and a second slat assembly extending along the bendable portion; wherein each of the first slat assembly and the second slat assembly is configured to push when the other of the first slat assembly and the second slat assembly pulls so as to cause the bendable portion to bend; wherein the pivot members comprise top and bottom plates and wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of pivot members are overlapped relative to one another; wherein the pivot assemblies comprise a plurality of pins and corresponding pin holes in the top and bottom plates of the pivot members, the pin holes of adjacent ones of the plurality of pivot members being aligned when the pivot members are overlapped relative to one another, the plurality of pins located within the aligned pin holes; wherein the pivot members comprise an alternating succession of inner and outer links, each of the inner and outer links defining an opening; and wherein each of the inner and outer inks comprises a male tab at one end and a female slot at an opposite end and wherein adjacent ones of the inner links are connected to one another by the male tab of one inner link and the female tab of the adjacent inner link and wherein adjacent ones of the outer links are connected to one another by the male tab of one outer link and the female tab of the adjacent outer link. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the inner links and outer links are oriented such that their respective male tabs are extending in opposite directions. 3. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the male tabs of the inner links and the male tabs of the outer links comprises a tab neck having a predetermined shape and size and a slot opening having a predetermined shape and size adapted to restrict a relative movement between two adjacent links. 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the openings of the outer links and the openings of the inner links form a common passageway. 5. The device of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of pins includes a pin aperture. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein: the openings collectively define an outer passageway; and the pin apertures collectively define an inner passageway. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein: the first slat assembly extends through the outer passageway alongside a first side of the pins; and the second slat assembly extends through the outer passageway alongside a second side of the pins opposite the first side of the pins. 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising an actuator extending through the bendable portion. 9. The device of claim 8, further comprising an operating mechanism coupled to the bendable portion, wherein the actuator is configured to actuate the operating mechanism. 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible tube extending through the bendable portion. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the flexible tube comprises a passage for delivery of fluids. 12. The device of claim 1, further comprising an articulator coupled to the first slat assembly and the second slat assembly, wherein movement of the articulator causes one of the first and second slat assemblies to push and the other of the first and second slat assemblies to pull simultaneously. 13. The device of claim 12, wherein movement of the articulator in a first direction causes the bendable portion to bend in a second direction away from the first direction. 14. The device of claim 12, wherein movement of the articulator in a first direction causes the bendable portion to bend in a second direction toward the first direction. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein each pivot member defines a vertical axis, the device further comprising means for preventing each pin from moving vertically with respect to an adjacent pivot member. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein each pivot member has a laterally tapered thickness. 17. The device of claim 1, wherein: the first slat assembly comprises a first plurality of layered slats; and the second slat assembly comprises a second plurality of layered slats. 18. The device of claim 1, wherein: the bendable portion is bendable in a first direction and an opposite second direction, the first and second directions collectively defining a range of motion; the bendable portion comprises a preconfigured curve generally perpendicular to the range of motion. 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the first slat assembly and second slat assembly are curved in conformity with the preconfigured curve. 20. The device of claim 18, further comprising an actuator curved in conformity with the preconfigured curve. 21. The device of claim 18, wherein each pivot member has a tapered top portion. 22. The device of claim 18, wherein each pin has a tapered top portion. 23. The device of claim 5, further comprising an electrical wire extending through the pin apertures. 24. The device of claim 5, further comprising an optical fiber extending through the pin apertures.
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