Patent ID: 7850604

Claim:
A flexible shaft for an endoscope, comprising a shaft body extending in a longitudinal direction, and having in said longitudinal direction a first portion with a first degree of flexibility, and, proximally from said first portion, at least a second portion with a second degree of flexibility which is less than said first degree of flexibility; said shaft body having, in said first portion, at least a first spring element, and, in said second portion, at least a second spring element; at least said second spring element being constructed from helical windings; a spring hardness of said second spring element being increased by a permanent compression of said second spring element, as a result of which said second degree of flexibility of said shaft body is reduced in said second portion; and said permanent compression of said second spring element being applied by an axial compression of said windings relative to one another, said permanent compression being applied by a net-like sleeve traction element surrounding said second spring element, said traction element pulling said windings of said second spring element axially closer together; wherein said traction element is attached to said second spring element at two sites situated axially apart from one another, a distance between said two sites corresponding to a length of said second spring element in the compressed state of said second spring element, and wherein said net-like sleeve extends substantially over the entire length of the shaft.