Patent ID: 9161740
Filing Date: 2015-10-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A probe, comprising: a shaft; a distal section having a sensor; a bending section disposed between the shaft and the distal section, the bending section having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion is flexible, the proximal portion is more flexible than the distal portion, and the flexibility of the proximal portion of the bending section is greater than or equal to the flexibility of an interface between the bending section and the shaft, and wherein the bending section comprises a plurality of axially-arranged vertebrae; and a bending mechanism configured to bend the bending section when actuated, wherein the bending section is configured such that when a part of the bending section is distal to a constraint that prevents bending and the bending mechanism is actuated, a proximal section of the part articulates before more distal sections of the part articulate, resulting in a bend in the bending section, wherein the axial location of the bend with respect to the bending section depends on where the bending section is positioned with respect to the constraint.