Patent ID: 11944289
Assignee: C. R. BARD, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
a handle;
an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle, the elongated shaft assembly including an articulable portion movable between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration, the elongated shaft assembly comprising:
a first shaft including an articulable portion having a first plurality of cuts spaced along a first length of at least a distal portion of the first shaft, wherein each cut of the first plurality of cuts extends partially around a circumference of the first shaft to define a first spine extending along the first length of the first shaft, the first spine having a first width at a distal end of the first spine and a second width greater than the first width at a proximal end of the first spine; and
a second shaft coaxially arranged relative to the first shaft, the second shaft including an articulable portion having a second plurality of cuts spaced along a second length of at least a distal portion of the second shaft, wherein each cut of the second plurality of cuts extends partially around a circumference of the second shaft to define a second spine extending along the second length of the second shaft, the second spine having a third width at a distal end of the second spine and a fourth width greater than the third width at a proximal end of the second spine, wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are axially fixed at a location located distally from the articulable portion of the elongated shaft assembly, wherein the first spine is located on a first side of the elongated shaft assembly, wherein the second spine is located on a second opposing side of the elongated shaft assembly and opposite from the first spine, and wherein proximal portions of the first and second shafts are displaceable in opposing directions to articulate the elongated shaft assembly; and

a driveshaft disposed within the first and second shafts, the driveshaft including a third plurality of cuts formed on the driveshaft, the third plurality of cuts spaced along at least a portion of a length of the driveshaft.