US6863668B2 — Articulation mechanism for medical devices

Claim 1

Independent Claim 191 words

A flexible articulation device having a generally even bend radius, wherein the device is adapted for attachment to a medical insertion instrument, the device comprising: a first elongated tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and a middle portion along its length therebetween, the first elongated tubular member also having, a plurality of ribs extending radially outward therefrom, adjacent ribs defining bending segments therebetween that are not all equal, wherein at least one of the bending segments adjacent the proximal end has a moment of inertia that is greater than the moments of inertia of the bending segments in the middle portion to restrict the magnitude of deflection of the proximal end of the articulation device relative to the middle portion; a second elongated tubular member axially disposed within the first tubular member and extending along the length thereof; and a flexible push/pull member extending along and joined to the articulation device near the distal end of the first tubular member such that the articulation device is selectively deflectable along the first and second elongated tubular members into a plurality of stationary, predetermined positions within the human body.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 191 words

A flexible articulation device having a generally even bend radius, wherein the device is adapted for attachment to a medical insertion instrument, the device comprising: a first elongated tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and a middle portion along its length therebetween, the first elongated tubular member also having, a plurality of ribs extending radially outward therefrom, adjacent ribs defining bending segments therebetween that are not all equal, wherein at least one of the bending segments adjacent the proximal end has a moment of inertia that is greater than the moments of inertia of the bending segments in the middle portion to restrict the magnitude of deflection of the proximal end of the articulation device relative to the middle portion; a second elongated tubular member axially disposed within the first tubular member and extending along the length thereof; and a flexible push/pull member extending along and joined to the articulation device near the distal end of the first tubular member such that the articulation device is selectively deflectable along the first and second elongated tubular members into a plurality of stationary, predetermined positions within the human body.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 31 words

The flexible articulation device as described in claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the first elongated tubular member includes means for joining the device to the medical insertion instrument.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 35 words

The flexible articulation device as described in claim 1 , wherein the distal of the first elongated tubular member includes a flared nozzle configured to form an abutting relationship with a desired internal body member.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 39 words

The flexible articulation device as described in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ribs each include a ledge that abuts an adjacent rib upon deflection of the device and limits the amount of deflection between the adjacent ribs.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

The flexible articulation device as described in claim 1 , wherein the second tubular member has a plurality of ribs extending radially outward therefrom.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 38 words

The flexible articulation device as described in claim 1 , wherein the second elongated tubular member further defines a slot extending along an outer surface of the second elongated tubular member within which the flexible push/pull member extends.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

The flexible articulation device as described in claim 6 , wherein the second elongated tubular member further includes a central lumen for passage of medical instruments.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

The flexible articulation device as described in claim 1 , wherein the bending segments in the middle portion have generally constant moments of inertia.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 43 words

The flexible articulation device as described in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the bending segments adjacent the distal end has a moment of inertia that is greater than the moments of inertia of the bending segments in the middle portion.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 26 words

The flexible articulation device as described in claim 1 , wherein the overall cross-section of the articulation device increases from the distal to the proximal end.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 182 words

A flexible articulation device having a generally even bend radius, wherein the device is adapted for attachment to a medical insertion instrument, the device comprising: an elongated tubular member defining a first end, a second end, and a plurality of ribs extending radially outward along its length, wherein the ribs define bending segments each having a moment of inertia I, which results in a desired deflection Y according to the following formula: Y =( F )(length 3 /4 EI )+( M )(length 2 /2 EI ) where Y is the downward deflection at the end of the rib, F is the load imparted to the bending segment, M is the moment imparted to the bonding segment, length is the length of the rib, E is the elastic modulus of the material the rib is made of, and I is the section modulus of the bending segment; and a flexible member extending axially disposed within the tubular member and extending along the length thereof, wherein the flexible member is adapted to selectively bend the flexible articulation device into a plurality of predetermined positions.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 182 words

A flexible articulation device having a generally even bend radius, wherein the device is adapted for attachment to a medical insertion instrument, the device comprising: an elongated tubular member defining a first end, a second end, and a plurality of ribs extending radially outward along its length, wherein the ribs define bending segments each having a moment of inertia I, which results in a desired deflection Y according to the following formula: Y =( F )(length 3 /4 EI )+( M )(length 2 /2 EI ) where Y is the downward deflection at the end of the rib, F is the load imparted to the bending segment, M is the moment imparted to the bonding segment, length is the length of the rib, E is the elastic modulus of the material the rib is made of, and I is the section modulus of the bending segment; and a flexible member extending axially disposed within the tubular member and extending along the length thereof, wherein the flexible member is adapted to selectively bend the flexible articulation device into a plurality of predetermined positions.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 27 words

The flexible articulation device as described in claim 11 , wherein the first end of the elongated tubular member is adapted for attachment to a medical device.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 25 words

The flexible articulation device as described in claim 11 , wherein the second end of the elongated tubular member is joined to a flared nozzle.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2008-03-07	2008-09-06	2009-03-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2012-03-07	2012-09-06	2013-03-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2016-03-07	2016-09-06	2017-03-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Articulation mechanism for medical devices

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