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. 16, 2013
Filed:
Dec. 15, 2009
Dean Bruewer, Fairfield, OH (US);
Jose L. Francese, Miami Springs, FL (US);
Carlos M. Rivera, Cooper City, FL (US);
Jeffrey David Messerly, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Dean Bruewer, Fairfield, OH (US);
Jose L. Francese, Miami Springs, FL (US);
Carlos M. Rivera, Cooper City, FL (US);
Jeffrey David Messerly, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a flexible actuator, and methods for manufacturing and using a flexible actuator, for transmitting high loads from a user to an end effector. In one exemplary embodiment, the flexible actuator can extend from a handle of a medical device to an end effector located on a distal end of the device. The actuator can include a head formed on a terminal end thereof with at least one planar surface that is approximately coplanar with an outer surface of the flexible actuator. In use, the actuator can be coupled to a medical device having an end effector located on a distal end thereof. Tension applied to the actuator can be effective to actuate the end effector.