Abstract: A shaft assembly that has a flexible shaft and a series of alternating rigid beads around the flexible shaft that ensure the shaft is kept rigid while in any position when the shaft is locked. The flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent. The series of alternating beads is made up of an alternating series of 2 types of beads.

Abstract: A shaft for use with a clamp device, includes a cable which extends through a bore of the shaft; and a plurality of alternating first beads and second beads defining the shaft, each of the first and second beads having an inner opening defining the bore of the shaft, and having a surface, wherein each of the second beads has a larger inner diameter of the inner opening than each of the first beads, each of the second beads is supported on the surface of two adjacent first beads at a line of contact, and the surface of each of the second beads has a convex shape at the line of contact, wherein the first beads and the second beads have a three-dimensional convex torus configuration.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.

Abstract: The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the mechanism. The proximal and distal segments are connected by a set of cables in such a fashion that each proximal segment forms a discrete pair with a distal segment. This configuration allows each segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly and a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, the pair of jaws being parallel to each other when they are opened and when they are closed. The clamp also has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly and a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, the pair of jaws being parallel to each other when they are opened and when they are closed. The clamp also has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly and a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, the pair of jaws being parallel to each other when they are opened and when they are closed. The clamp also has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly and a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, the pair of jaws being parallel to each other when they are opened and when they are closed. The clamp also has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is coupled to the gripping assembly. The flexible shaft also defines a bore that retains a cable which is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also includes a retractable generally rigid covering which can be oriented in a first position where the covering exposes a portion of the flexible shaft, and in a second position where the covering completely covers the flexible shaft.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is coupled to the gripping assembly. The flexible shaft also defines a bore that retains a cable which is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also includes a retractable generally rigid covering which can be oriented in a first position where the covering exposes a portion of the flexible shaft, and in a second position where the covering completely covers the flexible shaft.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.

Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.