Actuation element guide with twisting channels

Abstract

An actuation element guide for a surgical instrument comprises a first piece, a second piece, at least one guide channel defining a twisted path about a longitudinal axis of the guide. The guide channel may be between the inner piece and the outer piece. A cross-section of the at least one guide channel, at a location along an axial length of the guide, may be defined by a surface portion of the first piece and by a surface portion of the second piece. Exemplary embodiments further regard medical devices including an actuation element guide and methods of manufacturing an actuation element guide.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An actuation element guide for a surgical instrument, the actuation element guide comprising:
 a first piece made of a first flexible polymer material;   a second piece made of a second flexible polymer material; and   at least one guide channel sized to receive an actuation element of a surgical instrument, the at least one guide channel defining a twisted path about a longitudinal centerline of the guide;   wherein a cross-section of the at least one guide channel, at a location along an axial length of the actuation element guide, is defined by a surface portion of the first piece and by a surface portion of the second piece.