US 12,440,232 B2
Laparoscopic devices and methods of using
M. Susan Hallbeck, Lincoln, NE (US); Jakeb Riggle, Bennington, NE (US); Adam de Laveaga, Omaha, NE (US); and Jake Kaufman, Lincoln, NE (US)
Assigned to Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (US)
Filed by Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (US)
Filed on Jun. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/850,247.
Application 17/850,247 is a division of application No. 14/376,377, granted, now 11,369,397, previously published as PCT/US2013/024398, filed on Feb. 1, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/594,463, filed on Feb. 3, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2022/0346817 A1, Nov. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01); A61B 1/313 (2006.01); F16H 21/54 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/2909 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00066 (2013.01); A61B 1/00087 (2013.01); A61B 1/313 (2013.01); F16H 21/54 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00327 (2013.01); A61B 2017/291 (2013.01); A61B 2017/292 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2923 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2936 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2939 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2943 (2013.01); Y10T 74/18944 (2015.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control mechanism comprising
an articulating rod system;
a control sphere; and
an articulation control rod engaged within the control sphere and extending distally from the control sphere,
wherein the articulating rod system comprises:
an articulation control member comprising a receiving annulus;
a plurality of connection rods;
a spherical portion coupled within a socket of the articulation control rod; and
at least one rod guide,
wherein proximal ends of the plurality of connection rods terminate at a surface of the receiving annulus, and the plurality of connection rods extend distally from the articulation control member,
wherein each of the plurality of connection rods are constructed of rigid material that does not bend, fold, give or otherwise lose tension during use, and
wherein a distal end of the articulation control rod and a proximal end of the articulation control member are connected at a ball-and-socket joint.