Patent ID: 9545252
Date: 2017-01-17
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. An instrument for insertion of an implant comprising a shaft defining a longitudinal axis, the shaft having a distal tip and a flexible portion proximal to the distal tip, wherein the flexible portion includes a series of discrete, interlocking segments along the longitudinal axis, each of the discrete, interlocking segments having a base and a series of identically shaped protrusions extending therefrom around the longitudinal axis, a first portion of a first protrusion of the series of protrusions of each of at least three of the discrete, interlocking segments being at a first circumferential position about the longitudinal axis, each of the first portions extending a maximum distance in a first direction from the respective base of the discrete, interlocking segments that is different than a maximum distance the others of the first portions of the first protrusions of the at least three discrete, interlocking segments extend in the first direction from their respective bases.