Jointed link structures exhibiting preferential bending, and related methods
US8578810B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 2011 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20323
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, a surgical device can include a first pair of articulably coupled links, a second pair of articulably coupled links, and a tension member coupled to the first pair of links and the second pair of links such that altering tension in the tension member exerts a force tending to articulate the first pair of links and the second pair of links so as to bend the first pair of links and the second pair of links. The surgical device can be configured such that the first pair of links has a lower resistance to bending than the second pair of links upon altering the tension in the tension member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.