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

Claim 10:
11. A method of operating a surgical instrument, the method comprising:
articulating an articulable portion of an elongated shaft assembly between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration, the elongated shaft assembly comprising:
a first shaft including an articulable portion with a first spine, 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 spine, 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 spine is located on a first side of the elongated shaft assembly, 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 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

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