Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

Carson Jay Shellberger

Christopher Allen Julian

Jay Gurusamy

Joshua Oeh

One embodiment of present invention is a segmented instrument having braking capabilities that includes an elongate body having a plurality of links and a hinge connecting a pair of adjacent links in the plurality of links. There is also brake assembly coupled to each link in the pair of adjacent links and positioned to span the distance between the pair of adjacent links. Another embodiment of the present invention is a segmented instrument having a plurality of links and at least one lockable and articulatable joint positioned to connect a pair of adjacent links in the plurality of links. In addition, the at least one lockable and articulatable joint is adapted and configured to increase the number of frictional surfaces available between the pair of adjacent links. There are also provided methods for controlling a segmented instrument. Exemplary steps of the method include introducing a segmented instrument into a patient where the segmented instrument has a plurality of links wherein adjacent links are joined by a hinge. Next, there is the step of manipulating the links about the hinges to maneuver the segmented instrument to provide access to a surgical site within the patient. In one aspect, the manipulating step produces a sliding motion between a plurality of complementary shaped components within a portion of a brake assembly between adjacent links. Next there is the step of actuating the brake assembly to substantially prevent movement about the hinge of the links attached to the braking mechanism.

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Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Carson Jay Shellberger