US 12,133,659 B2
Tissue deflecting devices and related methods of use
Mark Kringle, Minneapolis, MN (US); Devon N. Arnholt, Shoreview, MN (US); Mark W. Boden, Harrisville, RI (US); David Shreeve, Northborough, MA (US); Joel T. Eggert, Plymouth, MN (US); Christopher Macomber, Wayzata, MN (US); and Danilo Decio, Worcester, MA (US)
Assigned to BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC., Maple Grove, MN (US); and UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, Boston, MA (US)
Filed by Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc., Maple Grove, MN (US); and University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA (US)
Filed on Dec. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/565,095.
Application 17/565,095 is a continuation of application No. 15/978,229, filed on May 14, 2018, granted, now 11,241,245.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/506,289, filed on May 15, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0117618 A1, Apr. 21, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 17/02 (2006.01); A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 17/34 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/30 (2006.01); A61B 17/3205 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61B 90/30 (2016.01); A61B 90/50 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/29 (2013.01) [A61B 17/0218 (2013.01); A61B 17/320016 (2013.01); A61B 17/3415 (2013.01); A61B 17/3478 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00314 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00367 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00477 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00849 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2908 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2937 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2939 (2013.01); A61B 17/30 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320032 (2013.01); A61B 17/32056 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3443 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3445 (2013.01); A61B 2017/345 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3452 (2013.01); A61B 18/1492 (2013.01); A61B 2034/306 (2016.02); A61B 90/30 (2016.02); A61B 90/361 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3937 (2016.02); A61B 2090/508 (2016.02)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A medical device, comprising:
a plurality of links movably coupled to one another, the plurality of links including a proximal link and a distal link having an opening, the proximal link and the distal link are configured to move relative to one another between a longitudinally extended configuration and a longitudinally compressed configuration;
a lumen extending through the plurality of links, the lumen is configured to receive a tool through the plurality of links, and the tool is configured to extend outward from the lumen via the opening at the distal link; and
a biasing mechanism extending through the plurality of links and terminating at the distal link, the biasing mechanism configured to push the distal link distally relative to the proximal link, and toward the longitudinally extended configuration;
wherein in the longitudinally extended configuration, the medical device has a first length and a first rigidity, and gaps between the plurality of links such that each link of a pair of adjacent links of the plurality of links is longitudinally separated from the other link of the pair by one of the gaps, wherein the plurality of links are movable in a lateral direction and a linear direction relative to one another due to the gaps; and
wherein in the longitudinally compressed configuration, the medical device has a second rigidity that is different than the first rigidity, and a second length that is different than the first length, wherein the gaps between the plurality of links are removed such that each link of a pair of adjacent links of the plurality of links contacts the other link of the pair, and the plurality of links are immovable in the lateral direction and the linear direction relative to one another due to removal of the gaps.