<p>An overtube for use with an endoscopic surgical instrument. In various embodiments, the overtube may comprise a substantially flexible helically wound continuous member forming a series of helical coils that define a hollow passage sized to receive a portion of the endoscopic surgical instrument therethrough. The coils may be configured to selectively interlock with each other to stiffen the overtube. An actuation system may be employed to steer the overtube and selectively stiffen it. Some embodiments include a second substantially flexible helically wound member that may be selectively wound between the first substantially flexible helically wound member or segments thereof.</p>
申请公布号
WO2009058953(A2)
申请公布日期
2009.05.07
申请号
WO2008US81717
申请日期
2008.10.30
申请人
ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC;BAKOS, GREGORY J.;GHABRIAL, RAGAE;STEFANCHIK, DAVID;VAKHARIA, OMAR J.
发明人
BAKOS, GREGORY J.;GHABRIAL, RAGAE;STEFANCHIK, DAVID;VAKHARIA, OMAR J.