The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 11, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 29, 1998
Christopher Zirps, Milton, MA (US);
Matthew Emans, Boston, MA (US);
Timothy E Taylor, Attleboro, MA (US);
Endius Incorporated, Planville, MA (US);
Abstract
A surgical instrument (10) includes a rigid stem section (12) defining a longitudinal axis (32) of the surgical instrument. The rigid stem section (12) has a central passage (86) for aspirating human tissue through the rigid stem section. A flexible stem section (14) extends from the rigid stem section (12). The flexible stem section (14) has a central passage (86) for aspirating human tissue through the flexible stem section. The flexible stem (14) section has a distal end portion (68) defining a suction opening (74) of the surgical instrument (10). The suction opening (74) communicates with the central passage (86) of the flexible stem section (14). The flexible stem section (14) comprises a bendable outer tubular member (60) and a bendable inner tubular member (90) slidable within the outer tubular member. The outer tubular member (60) has a neutral axis of bending (66). The inner tubular member (90) has a neutral axis of bending (102) spaced apart from the neutral axis of bending (66) of the outer tubular member (60). The flexible stem section (14) is movable between a plurality of orientations relative to the axis (32) in response to relative sliding movement between the inner and outer tubular members (90, 60).