Patent ID: 7874980
Filing Date: 2011-01-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An articulation section for an endoscope comprised of a plurality of vertebrae linked together in a chain-like fashion, wherein said articulation section is characterized in that: a. each of said vertebrae is comprised of a central core, an upper shell, and a lower shell, wherein said upper shell and said lower shell are adapted to be attached to said central core, thereby completely surrounding it, and also to be detached from said core; and b. said central core and said upper and lower shells are shaped such that, when said vertebrae is assembled, spaces exist between said shells and said core that define separate channels adapted to allow wires, cables, fibers, and tubes to pass through said articulation section; wherein a separate channel exists through said vertebrae for each wire, cable, fiber and tube that passes from a proximal to a distal end of said articulation section of said endoscope.