Patent ID: 8096943

Claim:
A flexible endoscope having a distal tip that can be selectively bent, comprising: (a) a flexible extrusion that is elongate, extending between a proximal end and a distal end and having a plurality of lumens formed therein, at least two lumens of the plurality of lumens being disposed on diametrically opposite sides of, and radially outward of a central lumen within the flexible extrusion, where the central lumen is centered about and extends longitudinally along a centerline of the flexible extrusion; (b) at least a pair of tension members, each extending proximally through a different one of the plurality of lumens from an attachment point where the tension member is connected to the flexible extrusion, each attachment point being disposed adjacent to the distal tip of the flexible extrusion, the tension members being free to slide longitudinally within the lumens proximal of the attachment points; and (c) an optical fiber that conveys light disposed within the central lumen and bonded to a portion of an internal surface of the central lumen within the flexible extrusion proximal of a distal portion of the extrusion, the optical fiber being configured as a compression member and disposed between the tension members, so that when tension is applied to a first tension member relative to the optical fiber, the distal tip of the flexible endoscope is bent in a first direction, and when tension is applied to a second tension member that is disposed generally diametrically opposite the first tension member, the flexible endoscope is bent in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, enabling the distal tip of the flexible endoscope to be selectively caused to bend in at least two generally opposite directions, wherein the at least two lumens extend helically around the central lumen in a portion of the flexible endoscope that is proximal of a distal tip portion of the flexible endoscope.