| 摘要 |
<p>A flexible, articulable column (2) having a central cable tensioning member (4) with a series of ball (16) and socket (14) members strung on the cable (4) forming articulable joints. Each socket member (14) has at least one conical opening (18) with internal teeth (22) engageable with a ball (16) which is made of an elastomeric polymer. When the cable (4) is tensioned, the sockets (14) move toward each other and the balls (16) are indented by the teeth (22) of the socket (14). The column (2) thus becomes rigid. Releasing the tension returns the column (2) to the flexible state. An intraluminal stapler (5) comprising the flexible articulable column (2) is also disclosed.</p> |
