Patent ID: 8940005
Filing Date: 2015-01-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A flexible-shaft surgical instrument comprising: a semi-rigid tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the semi-rigid tube comprising (i) a distal-most link, (ii) a proximal-most link and (iii) a plurality of intermediate links disposed between the distal-most link and the proximal-most link, each of the plurality of intermediate links including a male portion and a female portion, the male portion being inserted into the female portion of an adjacent link; a surgical device having an elongated portion with a distal end, a proximal end and an intermediate portion between the distal and proximal ends, at least part of the intermediate portion being flexible, at least part of the surgical device being disposed within a hollow portion of the semi-rigid tube such that at least some of the plurality of intermediate links are aligned with at least part of the intermediate portion of the surgical device; a distal compression ring that is provided on the surgical device at a position that is adjacent to the distal end of the surgical device, the distal compression ring radially protruding from an outer surface of the surgical device; and a compression member that is movably attached to the surgical device at a position that is proximal to the proximal end of the semi-rigid tube, the semi-rigid tube being disposed between the compression member and the distal compression ring, the compression member being distally movable relative to the surgical device to apply a compressive force to the semi-rigid tube that causes at least the proximal-most link to move distally and that presses the semi-rigid tube against the distal compression ring to urge the plurality of links together and rigidly lock the semi-rigid tube and the intermediate portion of the surgical device at a user-selectable predetermined bend angle, the compression member being proximally movable to release the compressive force from the semi-rigid tube and thereby return the semi-rigid tube and the intermediate portion of the surgical device to an unlocked state.