Patent ID: 7918861
Filing Date: 2011-04-05
Classification: A61B,A61F,B25J

Abstract:
1. A medical instrument assembly, comprising: an outer probe having an elongated shaft; an inner probe having an elongated shaft coaxially disposed within the outer probe shaft; a driver interface module having a plurality of actuating elements configured to be driven by a drive unit to independently effect movement of each of the outer and inner probes within at least one degree-of-freedom; a first cable extending within the outer probe shaft, the first cable coupled to a first one of the actuating elements in the driver interface via a first complementary actuating element to which the first cable is connected; and a second cable extending within the inner probe shaft, the second cable coupled to a second one of the actuating elements in the driver interface via a second complementary actuating element to which the second cable is connected, wherein the first and second actuating elements in the driver interface comprise respective pulleys that pull the first and second cables via the respective first and second complementary actuating elements to thereby independently effect the deflection of the respective outer probe shaft and inner probe shaft.