Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure includes an articulating probe including inner and outer sleeves, and a surgical tool including a functional element positioned at a distal end of a tool shaft, the tool shaft having an articulation region. The articulating probe and the surgical tool are independently controllable.

Abstract: Described is a tool positioning system comprising an introduction device, a first tool support and a second tool support. The introduction device is constructed and arranged to slidingly receive an articulating probe. The first tool support comprises at least one guide element constructed and arranged to slidingly receive a first tool. The first tool support is oriented toward a first operator location. The second tool support comprises at least one guide element constructed and arranged to slidingly receive a second tool. The second tool support is oriented toward a second operator location.

Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure includes an articulating probe including inner and outer sleeves, and a surgical tool including a functional element positioned at a distal end of a tool shaft, the tool shaft having an articulation region. The articulating probe and the surgical tool are independently controllable.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism comprises a handle at a proximal end of the surgical instrument. The handle includes a plurality of controls for controlling a movement of the surgical instrument. The steering mechanism also comprises a hub that rotatably mates with the handle and a housing positioned about the hub. The handle, the housing, and the hub communicate with each other to provide at least a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom. An articulation region is at a distal end of the surgical instrument. A movement of the steering mechanism handle in one and only one of the first or second degrees of freedom relative to at least one of the housing or the hub translates to a movement of the articulation region in a single plane of motion.

Abstract: An articulated probe assembly comprises a base, an outer support rod extending through the base, an articulating control portion at a proximal end of the outer support rod, and a steerable portion comprising a plurality of outer links coupled to a distal end of the outer support rod. The steerable portion is manipulated in response to the articulating control portion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism comprises a handle at a proximal end of the surgical instrument. The handle includes a plurality of controls for controlling a movement of the surgical instrument. The steering mechanism also comprises a hub that rotatably mates with the handle and a housing positioned about the hub. The handle, the housing, and the hub communicate with each other to provide at least a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom. An articulation region is at a distal end of the surgical instrument. A movement of the steering mechanism handle in one and only one of the first or second degrees of freedom relative to at least one of the housing or the hub translates to a movement of the articulation region in a single plane of motion.

Abstract: An articulated probe assembly comprises a base, an outer support rod extending through the base, an articulating control portion at a proximal end of the outer support rod, and a steerable portion comprising a plurality of outer links coupled to a distal end of the outer support rod. The steerable portion is manipulated in response to the articulating control portion.

Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure includes an articulating probe including inner and outer sleeves, and a surgical tool including a functional element positioned at a distal end of a tool shaft, the tool shaft having an articulation region. The articulating probe and the surgical tool are independently controllable.

Abstract: Described is a tool positioning system comprising an introduction device, a first tool support and a second tool support. The introduction device is constructed and arranged to slidingly receive an articulating probe. The first tool support comprises at least one guide element constructed and arranged to slidingly receive a first tool. The first tool support is oriented toward a first operator location. The second tool support comprises at least one guide element constructed and arranged to slidingly receive a second tool. The second tool support is oriented toward a second operator location.

Abstract: Described is a tool positioning system comprising an introduction device, a first tool support and a second tool support. The introduction device is constructed and arranged to slidingly receive an articulating probe. The first tool support comprises at least one guide element constructed and arranged to slidingly receive a first tool. The first tool support is oriented toward a first operator location. The second tool support comprises at least one guide element constructed and arranged to slidingly receive a second tool. The second tool support is oriented toward a second operator location.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism comprises a handle at a proximal end of the surgical instrument. The handle includes a plurality of controls for controlling a movement of the surgical instrument. The steering mechanism also comprises a hub that rotatably mates with the handle and a housing positioned about the hub. The handle, the housing, and the hub communicate with each other to provide at least a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom. An articulation region is at a distal end of the surgical instrument. A movement of the steering mechanism handle in one and only one of the first or second degrees of freedom relative to at least one of the housing or the hub translates to a movement of the articulation region in a single plane of motion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism comprises a handle at a proximal end of the surgical instrument. The handle includes a plurality of controls for controlling a movement of the surgical instrument. The steering mechanism also comprises a hub that rotatably mates with the handle and a housing positioned about the hub. The handle, the housing, and the hub communicate with each other to provide at least a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom. An articulation region is at a distal end of the surgical instrument. A movement of the steering mechanism handle in one and only one of the first or second degrees of freedom relative to at least one of the housing or the hub translates to a movement of the articulation region in a single plane of motion.

Abstract: An articulated probe assembly comprises a base, an outer support rod extending through the base, an articulating control portion at a proximal end of the outer support rod, and a steerable portion comprising a plurality of outer links coupled to a distal end of the outer support rod. The steerable portion is manipulated in response to the articulating control portion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism comprises a handle at a proximal end of the surgical instrument. The handle includes a plurality of controls for controlling a movement of the surgical instrument. The steering mechanism also comprises a hub that rotatably mates with the handle and a housing positioned about the hub. The handle, the housing, and the hub communicate with each other to provide at least a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom. An articulation region is at a distal end of the surgical instrument. A movement of the steering mechanism handle in one and only one of the first or second degrees of freedom relative to at least one of the housing or the hub translates to a movement of the articulation region in a single plane of motion.

Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure includes an articulating probe including inner and outer sleeves, and a surgical tool including a functional element positioned at a distal end of a tool shaft, the tool shaft having an articulation region. The articulating probe and the surgical tool are independently controllable.

Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure includes an articulating probe including inner and outer sleeves, and a surgical tool including a functional element positioned at a distal end of a tool shaft, the tool shaft having an articulation region. The articulating probe and the surgical tool are independently controllable.

Abstract: Described is a tool positioning system comprising an introduction device, a first tool support and a second tool support. The introduction device is constructed and arranged to slidingly receive an articulating probe. The first tool support comprises at least one guide element constructed and arranged to slidingly receive a first tool. The first tool support is oriented toward a first operator location. The second tool support comprises at least one guide element constructed and arranged to slidingly receive a second tool. The second tool support is oriented toward a second operator location.

Abstract: A surgical tool comprises an elongated first assembly and an elongated second assembly. The second assembly comprises an elongated support element, an elongated activation element moveable relative to the support element, and a functional mechanism coupled to the activation element. A movement of the functional mechanism is in response to a movement of the activation element. A force imparted by the movement of the activation element is isolated from the first assembly by the support element.

Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure includes an articulating probe including inner and outer sleeves, and a surgical tool including a functional element positioned at a distal end of a tool shaft, the tool shaft having an articulation region. The articulating probe and the surgical tool are independently controllable.