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:
Mar. 01, 2005
Filed:
Oct. 09, 2002
Tamer Ibrahim, Danville, CA (US);
Steve Geyster, Milton, MA (US);
James Gleeson, Columbus, OH (US);
Thomas D. Haubert, Columbus, OH (US);
James A. Prescott, Columbus, OH (US);
Tamer Ibrahim, Danville, CA (US);
Steve Geyster, Milton, MA (US);
James Gleeson, Columbus, OH (US);
Thomas D. Haubert, Columbus, OH (US);
James A. Prescott, Columbus, OH (US);
Endoscopic Technologies, Inc., Danville, CA (US);
Abstract
The invention includes linkage assemblies comprising coupled links with metallic contact surfaces with improved stiffness. The inventors found significant mechanical problems with all previous descriptions of metallic contact links sufficient to preclude their commercial use. These metallic contact links are a significant improvement over existing plastic ball and metal joint, or all plastic beads as found in the prior art. The invention includes methods providing these links and high friction couplings between them, as well as the linkage assemblies and flexible arms resulting from these processes.