Medical device comprising segments
In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.
1. A medical device comprising:
a plurality of segments, each segment including a wall extending from a first end to a second end, wherein:
the wall defines a lumen along a longitudinal axis of the segment and at least one slit extending along a circumference of the segment, wherein portions of the wall at ends of the at least one slit act as hinges enabling the first and second ends of the wall to articulate relative to each other,
the wall includes at least one first mating element proximate the first end and at least one second mating element proximate the second end, such that the first mating element mates with a corresponding second mating element of an adjacent segment to form a non-articulating interface between adjacent segments, wherein the at least one first mating element includes a projection that projects radially outwardly from a portion of an exterior surface of the wall, and the at least one second mating element includes an indentation, and the projection and a corresponding indentation of the adjacent segment, when mated, form the non-articulating interface between the adjacent segments, wherein the exterior surface of the wall extends to the first end, and wherein a tip of the projection is recessed from the first end, and
the wall includes at least one inwardly-extending support defining an aperture; and
at least one control member extending through the at least one aperture of each segment.
2. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the indentation is configured to receive the projection.
3. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein each segment defines at least one slot extending through the wall from the lumen to the exterior surface, and the at least one inwardly-extending support extends through the slot into the lumen.
4. The medical device of claim 3 , wherein each segment includes two slots spaced at a 180 degree interval around the circumference of the segment.
5. The medical device of claim 3 , wherein each segment includes three slots spaced at 120 degree intervals around the circumference of the segment.
6. The medical device of claim 3 , wherein each segment includes four slots spaced at 90 degree intervals around the circumference of the segment.
7. The medical device of claim 3 , wherein the at least one inwardly-extending support comprises a pin that includes a head having a cross-section larger than a cross-section of the slot.
8. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein each segment includes at least two slits separated by flex points of the wall that allow a first portion of the segment to pivot relative to a second portion of the segment.
9. A medical device comprising:
a plurality of segments, each segment including a wall extending from a first end to a second end, wherein:
the wall defines a lumen along a longitudinal axis of the segment and at least two slits between the first end and the second end, the slits separated by flex points that act as hinges enabling the first and second ends of the wall to articulate relative to each other;
the wall includes at least one first mating element proximate the first end and at least one second mating element proximate the second end, such that the first mating element mates with a corresponding second mating element of an adjacent segment to connect adjacent segments, wherein the first mating element includes a projection that projects radially outwardly from a portion of an exterior surface of the wall, and the second mating element includes an indentation, and the projection and a corresponding indentation of the adjacent segment, when mated, form a non-articulating interface between the adjacent segments, and wherein the first end includes a circumferentially continuous and planar edge of the wall, and
the wall includes at least one inwardly-extending support defining an aperture; and
at least one control member extending through the at least one aperture of each segment.
10. The medical device of claim 9 , wherein the flex points allow a first portion of each segment to pivot relative to a second portion of the segment along a first plane.
11. The medical device of claim 9 , wherein the wall of each segment defines a first pair of slits and a second pair of slits offset by 90 degrees relative to the first pair of slits.
12. The medical device of claim 9 , wherein an outer diameter of the first end of each segment is smaller than an outer diameter of the second end of each segment, such that the first end of each segment is received within the second end of an adjacent segment.
13. The medical device of claim 9 , wherein the at least one first mating element of each segment terminates between the first end and the second end of the segment.
14. A medical device comprising:
a plurality of segments, each segment including a wall extending from a first end to a second end, wherein:
the wall defines a lumen along a longitudinal axis of the segment and two pairs of slits extending along a circumference of the segment between the first end and the second end, wherein portions of wall between the pairs of slits act as hinges enabling the first and second ends of the wall to articulate relative to each other,
the wall includes at least one first mating element proximate the first end and at least one second mating element proximate the second end, such that the first mating element mates with a corresponding second mating element of an adjacent segment to connect the adjacent segments, wherein the at least one first mating element includes a projection and the at least one second mating element includes an indentation, and the projection and adjacent indentation, when mated, form a non-articulating interface between the adjacent segments; and
at least two control members, each control member being coupled to the plurality of segments by extending through an aperture of a cantilevered support that extends inwardly from an inner surface of the wall of each segment into the lumen of each segment.
15. The medical device of claim 14 , wherein the wall of each segment comprises a biocompatible polymer.
16. The medical device of claim 14 , wherein the pairs of slits of the wall of each segment include a first pair of slits offset relative to a second pair of slits, such that first end of each segment is pivotable relative to the second end along two planes.
17. The medical device of claim 14 , wherein the wall of each segment includes at least two slots, and wherein one cantilevered support extends through each slot.
18. The medical device of claim 17 , wherein each of the cantilevered supports defines an aperture that receives one of the at least two control members.