Articulating shaft
US7008375B2 · kind B2 · utility
136Cited by
35References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/2927
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An articulating shaft includes an outer tubular member having a longitudinal axis and portions defining a slot. An inner tubular member is disposed within the outer member and movable about the axis of the outer member. A wedge carried by the inner member is movable within the slot in an interference fit with the slot portions to articulate the outer member. In an associated method, the inner member can be turned in a first direction to bend the outer member in an associated second direction, and the inner member can be turned in a third direction to move the outer member in an associated fourth direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.