Elongate medical device with articulating portion

摘要

An articulating portion for an elongate medical device is disclosed. The articulating portion may include a plurality of segments movable relative to one another, and a plurality of hinges disposed between adjacent segments. The segments can be configured to bend at the hinges upon manipulation of a control member of the device. The segments and the hinges can also be a single continuous piece of material.

主权项

1. An articulating portion for an elongate medical device, comprising:
a pair of hollow cylindrical segments, including:
a first hollow cylindrical segment, anda second hollow cylindrical segment, wherein the second hollow cylindrical segment is movable relative to the first hollow cylindrical segment; and a hinge assembly for coupling the first hollow cylindrical segment with the second hollow cylindrical segment, the hinge assembly including:
a first protrusion on the first hollow cylindrical segment,a second protrusion on the second hollow cylindrical segment,a connection member coupling the first protrusion to the second protrusion, wherein the connection member has a first opening and a second opening, the first opening receives the first protrusion, and the second opening receives the second protrusion, and wherein a flexibility of at least one of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the connection member allows the second hollow cylindrical segment to move relative to the hollow cylindrical first segment.