Patent ID: 9011429
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An instrument comprising: a probe body including a stationary handle portion that is generally shaped to conform to a user's hand and an actuator, the actuator movably coupled to the handle portion and configured to move between a start position and an end position relative to the handle portion; a shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle portion and the actuator, a distal end comprising an electrode region, and a flexible region between the proximal and distal ends, the flexible region including a pivot region, wherein a movement of the actuator causes portions of the flexible region positioned distally of the pivot region to bend so that both an angular orientation and a radial offset of the electrode region relative to an axis of the shaft increase as the actuator approaches the end position and reach a maximum angular orientation and a maximum radial offset, respectively, when the actuator reaches the end position, the pivot region being positioned along a length of the shaft; a rigid member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the rigid member being movably coupled to the shaft so that the distal portion of the rigid member defines the pivot region, wherein movement of a position of the rigid member along the length of the shaft causes a position of the pivot region to translate axially along the length of the shaft, the maximum radial offset varying depending on the position of the pivot region along the length of the shaft; and an angular control mechanism configured to control the angular orientation of the electrode region so that the maximum angular orientation is substantially the same regardless of the position of the rigid member along the length of the shaft, the angular control mechanism comprising a pivot control element movably coupled to the handle portion, the pivot control element disposed within the probe body, the proximal portion of the rigid member being coupled to the pivot control element so a movement of the pivot control element causes the rigid member to translate axially along the length of the shaft, the pivot control element and the actuator being mechanically linked so that the pivot control element adjusts the end position of the actuator so that the maximum angular orientation is substantially the same regardless of the position of the rigid member along the length of the shaft.