Patent ID: 7918874
Filing Date: 2011-04-05
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A device for introduction into a body via a substantially straight guide, the device assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, the device comprising: a substantially straight guide; an elongated element formed primarily from a plurality of segments sequentially interconnected so as to form an effective hinge between adjacent of the segments, the segments and the effective hinges being configured such that: (a) when the elongated element is confined to a substantially straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed so as to advance along the substantially straight guide; and (b) when the elongated element is not confined to a substantially straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until at least one abutment surface of each of the segments comes into abutment with at least one corresponding abutment surface of each adjacent segment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element, the fully flexed state corresponding to a predefined curved configuration of the elongated element; and means for progressively deflecting said elongated element such that the transition from the substantially straight configuration to the predefined curved configuration occurs progressively such that, as the elongated element is extended beyond the substantially straight guide, the portion of the elongated element associated with the substantially straight guide remains substantially straight and the portion of the elongated element beyond the substantially straight guide assumes the fully flexed state.