System and method for an articulating shaft

摘要

An articulating shaft system includes an elongated shaft and first and second articulating components. The elongated shaft extends along a main axis and has a distal end surface that is not perpendicular to the main axis. The first articulating component is co-axial with the main axis and is positioned adjacent to the distal end surface of the elongated shaft and has a proximal end surface and a distal end surface that are not perpendicular to the main axis. The second articulating component is co-axial with the main axis and is positioned adjacent to the distal end surface of the first articulating component and has a proximal end surface that is not perpendicular to the main axis. Rotating the first articulating component around the main axis positions the first and second articulating components at an angle relative to the main axis.

主权项

1. An articulating shaft system comprising:
a straight elongated shaft comprising:
an outer tubular component having a distal end surface that is not perpendicular to a main axis of the straight elongated shaft; andan inner tubular component positioned within the outer tubular component and being co-axial with the main axis; a first articulating component being co-axial with the main axis and positioned adjacent to the distal end surface of the outer tubular component, the first articulating component comprising:
a proximal end surface that is not perpendicular to the main axis; anda distal end surface that is not perpendicular to the main axis;wherein the first articulating component is connected to the inner tubular component such that rotation of the inner tubular component within the outer tubular component around the main axis produces rotational motion of the first articulating component; and a second articulating component being co-axial with the main axis and positioned adjacent to the distal end surface of the first articulating component, the second articulating component comprising a proximal end surface that is not perpendicular to the main axis, wherein the second articulating component is:
adapted not to rotate relative to the inner tubular component and the outer tubular component when the first articulating component is rotated by the inner tubular component; andadapted to transition via translational motion from being co-axial with the main axis when the distal end surface of the first articulating component is co-axial with the main axis to not being co-axial with the main axis when the distal end surface of the first articulating component is not co-axial with the main axis; wherein the distal end surface of the outer tubular component and the proximal end surface of the first articulating component remain in contact when the first articulating component is rotated by the inner tubular component; and wherein the distal end surface of the first articulating component and the proximal end surface of the second articulating component remain in contact when the first articulating component is rotated by the inner tubular component.