Patent ID: 6749560
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: A61B,G02B

Abstract:
An endoscope comprising:a control section; and a shaft extending from the control section, the shaft comprising a generally tube shaped frame member; wherein the shaft comprises a substantially uniform outer dimension along substantially an entire length of the shaft, and wherein the tube shaped frame member provides the shaft with at least two sections along the length of the shaft having two different stiffness properties, wherein an offset pattern of staggered slots is formed in the frame member to provide the different stiffness properties, wherein the frame member comprises a tube wall defining a center channel, wherein the tube wall has a substantially uniform tube wall thickness and a substantially uniform outer diameter, wherein the slots extend into the tube wall a distance about two-thirds or less than the outer diameter of the tube wall, and wherein the endoscope further comprises active deflection control wires and wire sheaths connected to the control section, wherein the wire sheaths each comprise an elongate solid tube made of superelastic alloy material.