Patent ID: 7862554

Claim:
An articulating tool comprising: a shaft having a proximal and a distal end, and an end cap located on at least one end; an articulation mechanism comprising a movable proximal element disposed at the proximal end of the shaft, a movable distal element disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of tension bearing members, each member having a proximal end and a distal end, the members extending between the proximal and distal elements so that movement of the proximal element with respect to the shaft causes a corresponding movement of the distal element with respect to the shaft; and an elongated guide located along at least a portion of the shaft, the guide configured to guide the tension bearing members, the end cap disposed on an end of the shaft for guiding the plurality of tension bearing members, wherein the end cap guides each of the tension bearing members from a first radial distance to a second radial distance from a central axis, wherein the end cap comprises at least two inter-engaging parts that cooperate to form closed channels that guide each of the tension bearing members from the first radial distance to the second radial distance.