Patent ID: 7497823

Claim:
A surgical stabilizing device comprising: a flexible shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a tension element having a first operative length for inducing a rigid position of the flexible shaft and a second operative length for inducing a non-rigid position of the flexible shaft; a cam positioned at the proximal end of the flexible shaft operative to transition the tension element between the first operative length thereof and the second operative length thereof, wherein the tension element is secured to the distal end of the flexible shaft and in communication with the proximal end of the cam; and elastic means interfacing between the proximal end of the tension element and the cam, the elastic means contacting a proximal end of the cam and compressing by actuation of the cam and tensioning element to position the flexible shaft in the rigid position, and de-compressing by release of the cam and tensioning element to position the flexible shaft in the non-rigid position.