Flexdex, Inc.

Randall Sullivan

Peter F Costa

Shorya Awtar

Zachary Zimmerman

Deepak Sharma

Bruce Johnson

Ryan Brook Rank

James Michael Licht

Christopher K Holmes

Brian Douglas Larose

An articulating joint comprising a multi-cluster joint where every consecutive pair of links is interfaced by a gimbal, which offers rotation about two orthogonal axes within the same plane. Thus, the articulating joint comprises an alternating sequence of links and gimbals. Furthermore, there may be multiple cables attached to one or more of the links. As these cables are selectively pulled and released, one can achieve any desired articulation of the articulating joint. There may be a transmission member extending through the links and gimbals, parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the joint in its nominal non-articulated condition. This transmission member may be either a tension member that is pulled on (e.g. a cable or flexible pull rod) and that loads the articulating joint in compression, or the transmission member may be a flexible push rod that loads the articulating joint in tension.

Methods of smoothly articulating medical devices having multi-cluster joints

Medical devices having smoothly articulating multi-cluster joints

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Howell, MI, United States of America

Randall Sullivan