Patent ID: 7976559
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical probe allowing a surgeon to manipulate tissue while maintaining a kinesthetic relationship between the surgeon's finger during a surgical procedure, said probe comprising: an articulated digit located at a distal end of a positioning shaft having a longitudinal axis and a handle, where said articulated digit is configured to move between a continuous range of positions from an extended position to a substantially curved position such that movement of the articulated digit is similar to movement of a human finger; and an actuator coupled to said handle by a pivot and extending upright relative to said longitudinal axis such that the actuator is moveable between a distal position and a proximal position along said longitudinal axis; and where said actuator is operatively connected to said articulated digit by a plurality of link members where a proximal end of said link members are affixed to said actuator so as to move said articulated digit between said continuous range of positions, where said distal position corresponds to said extended position of said articulated digit and where said proximal position corresponds to said substantially curved position of said articulated digit where movement of said articulated digit mimics movement of the surgeon's finger and movement of said actuator to said proximal position causes a first link member to be placed in tension while a second link member is released from tension such that the surgeon maintains the kinesthetic relationship via said actuator from the link member in tension.