Patent ID: 9226760
Filing Date: 2016-01-05
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A laparoscopic device, comprising: an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the elongate shaft having an inner lumen extending therethrough between the proximal and distal ends; an end effector coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft; and an actuator element coupled to the end effector and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the elongate shaft along the longitudinal axis through the inner lumen, a proximal portion of the actuator element being rigid and a distal portion of the actuator element being flexible, the distal portion formed of a composite material including a solid core formed of a first material and an outer sheath formed of a second material having a greater flexibility than the first material, the outer sheath surrounding the solid core and being non-slidable relative thereto; wherein the actuator element is movable relative to the elongate shaft to actuate the end effector, and wherein the outer sheath includes a plurality of features extending therefrom and disposed in the elongate shaft, the plurality of features changing a stiffness of the actuator element when the actuator element is flexed.