Patent ID: 6217528
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A probe assembly, comprising:an outer member including a wall defining an interior bore having a distal end and a proximal end;an elongate body, defining a distal region, a distal end, a proximal end and an exterior, carried within the outer member, the distal region of the elongate body including a plurality of operative elements, one of the operative elements defining a proximal-most operative element, and the distal region defining at least a first stiffness over a substantial portion thereof and a second stiffness, less than the first stiffness, over a portion thereof that is proximal to the proximal-most operative element; anda control element defining a distal portion associated with the distal end of the elongate body and a proximal portion extending along the exterior of the elongate body within the outer member toward the proximal end of the outer member.