Medical device with articulating shaft

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A medical device, comprising:
a bendable thumb-actuated articulator comprising a first bendable portion located at a proximal end of the device, the bendable thumb-actuated articulator being bendable in a plane and being bendable on a curve to a first side curve or a second side curve; a rigid shaft operatively coupled to a distal end of the bendable articulator; a second bendable portion located at a distal end of the device and operatively coupled to a distal end of the rigid shaft; a first slat member extending through the bendable thumb-actuated articulator, the rigid shaft, and the second bendable portion, wherein the first slat member: (i) is operatively coupled to the bendable thumb-actuated articulator and to a first side of a distal end of the second bendable portion; (ii) is restricted from buckling by the bendable articulator, the rigid shaft, and the second bendable portion; (iii) has a non-circular cross section perpendicular to the length of the first slat member; (iv) has sufficient tensile strength to pull the second bendable portion to one side; and (v) and has sufficient compressive strength when restricted from buckling by the bendable articulator, the rigid shaft, and the second bendable portion to push the second bendable portion to an opposite side; and a second slat member extending through the bendable thumb-actuated articulator, the rigid shaft, and the second bendable portion, wherein the second slat member: (i) is operatively coupled to the bendable thumb-actuated articulator and to a second side of a distal end of the second bendable portion; (ii) is restricted from buckling by the bendable articulator, the rigid shaft, and the second bendable portion; (iii) has a non-circular cross section perpendicular to the length of the first slat member; (iv) has sufficient tensile strength to pull the second bendable portion to one side; and (v) and has sufficient compressive strength when restricted from buckling by the bendable articulator, the rigid shaft, and the second bendable portion to push the second bendable portion to an opposite side; wherein the thumb-actuated articulator, rigid shaft, and second bendable portion are configured to restrict the first and second slat members from buckling; and wherein bending the thumb-actuated articulator to the first side curve pushes on the first slat member and pulls on the second slat member, and bending the thumb-actuated articulator to the second side curve pulls on the first slat member and pushes on the second slat member, to simultaneously apply a tensive pulling force and a compressive pushing force to opposite sides of the second bendable portion and thereby cause the second bendable portion to bend in one direction, or the other, with more combined force than with pulling alone.