Patent ID: 7670284

Claim:
A medical device, comprising: a bendable portion comprising a plurality of pivot members that are arranged in succession and a related plurality of pivot assemblies that pivotally connect adjacent ones of the plurality of pivot members; a first slat assembly extending along the bendable portion; and a second slat assembly extending along the bendable portion; wherein each of the first slat assembly and the second slat assembly is configured to push when the other of the first slat assembly and the second slat assembly pulls so as to cause the bendable portion to bend; wherein the pivot members comprise top and bottom plates and wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of pivot members are overlapped relative to one another; wherein the pivot assemblies comprise a plurality of pins and corresponding pin holes in the top and bottom plates of the pivot members, the pin holes of adjacent ones of the plurality of pivot members being aligned when the pivot members are overlapped relative to one another, the plurality of pins located within the aligned pin holes; wherein the pivot members comprise an alternating succession of inner and outer links, each of the inner and outer links defining an opening; and wherein each of the inner and outer inks comprises a male tab at one end and a female slot at an opposite end and wherein adjacent ones of the inner links are connected to one another by the male tab of one inner link and the female tab of the adjacent inner link and wherein adjacent ones of the outer links are connected to one another by the male tab of one outer link and the female tab of the adjacent outer link.