Patent ID: 6254532
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical articulation assembly comprising:a first arm, a second arm, and an articulation joint connecting said arms;said joint being engaged to said first arm;said joint having a clamp for mating engagement with said second arm;said joint and said second arm having mutually engageable indexing elements;said clamp being operable to engage said second arm in a partially tightened condition;in said partially tightened condition said indexing elements being mutually engaged to encourage said second arm to be restrained to a limited range of motion with respect to one degree of freedom of motion;in said partially tightened condition said second arm being free to move in a full range of motion with respect to at least one other degree of freedom of motion relative to said first arm; andsaid clamp being operable to engage said second arm in a fully tightened condition to fix said second arm relative to said first arm.