| 摘要 |
A tubular frame member of a catheter or endoscope having an articulating segment 10 provides for bending the frame within at least one deflecting plane. The articulating segment 10 is characterized by spaced apart vertebras 16 symmetrically disposed relative to the axis of the tubular frame member (see figure 5). Transverse slits 14, 14' each have a pair of longitudinal slits 18, 18' disposed at both ends, which separate adjacent vertebras. The spacing disposed between each vertebra provides for conveniently flexing the vertebra relative to the axis of the frame member by inducing plastic deformation onto the axial shafts 20 connecting coplanar vertebras. The transverse slots may be wedge shaped (see figure 3) and the longitudinal slots may extend in both axial directions from the transverse slot. Some vertebra may be deformed in order to accommodate a pull wire (see figures 6, 10). The longitudinal slits may be offset to provide for flexing in more than one plane (see figure 7). |
