Patent ID: 8388520
Filing Date: 2013-03-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A stiffening element for an endoscopic surgical system, comprising: a plurality of links that are pivotally coupled to one another, each link of the plurality of links having a proximal end that includes opposed arms and a distal end that includes opposed arms; at least one locking element associated with each link of the plurality of links, the at least one locking element being movable independent from the plurality of links and movable transverse to the longitudinal axis between an unlocked position in which the plurality of links are freely movable to assume a desired configuration, and a locked position in which the locking element engages at least one arm of the opposed arms of the proximal end or the distal end of an adjacent link such that the plurality of links are maintained in a desired configuration; and an actuator extending through the plurality of links and configured to move the at least one locking element between the unlocked and locked positions.