METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING BENDING OF AN INSTRUMENT IN A SURGICAL ENVIRONMENT

摘要

An instrument that facilitates bending with large degrees of articulation while maintaining ease of manufacturing for medical and surgical applications is discussed. The instrument having a bending section comprising a rod having an approximately cylindrical outer circumference and a non-cylindrical pathway through the entire rod. Sections along the length of the rod, wherein material is removed forming a plurality of partial voids such that the partial voids permit bending of the rod. The non-cylindrical pathway capable of carrying at least one ancillary component in proximity to a neutral axis along the length of the cylindrical rod, and an off-axis actuation wire in proximity to the top portion along the length of the rod.