Patent ID: 9693759
Date: 2017-07-04
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. An operating device comprising: a control handle comprising a displaceable control lever and a trigger; a flexible element having a proximal end connected to the control handle and a distal end comprising a steerable area including a rigid head and a retractable tool; two control cables connected between the control lever and the steerable area; and an actuator connected between the trigger and the retractable tool; wherein displacement of the control lever acts on both the cables to control movement of the steerable area of the flexible element and displacement of the trigger controls movement of the retractable tool, and wherein the retractable tool is a hook having an end and configured to be received in a housing of the rigid head, the housing being formed by a blind hole in an endmost surface of the rigid head and a groove in the endmost surface of the rigid head, such that, in a retracted position the hook extends from a tool hole in the housing and locates in the groove and the end of the hook locates in the blind hole, and in an extended position, the hook locates outside of and distal to the housing to create a gap between the endmost surface of the rigid head and the hook in which gap an object can be retained.