Patent · US Expired

Endoscopic instrument having articulating element

US5501654A · kind A · utility

1,991Cited by
11References
46Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 16, 1994
Grant dateMar 26, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 16, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/303
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An elastically deformable element having multiple stacked strips for articulation in an endoscopic surgical instrument. The deformable element is usable in a variable retractor and an instrument having an articulating housing. The working section of the retractor variably moves from a curved configuration when outside of a sheath to a substantially straightened configuration when inside the sheath.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.