Patent ID: 8500629

Claim:
An endoscopic instrument for performing surgical procedures, said instrument comprising: an elongate member having a distal end for insertion into a patient's body and a proximal end opposite the distal end, the member having a distal portion adjacent the distal end and a central portion adjacent the distal portion; wherein the distal portion has a first mechanical stiffness being a stiffness in tension of between about 5 lbf/in and about 20 lbf/in and a stiffness in bending of between about 0.02 lbf/in and about 0.40 lbf/in, and the central portion has a second mechanical stiffness being a stiffness in tension of between about 5 lbf/in and about 20 lbf/in and a stiffness in bending of between about 0.02 lbf/in and about 0.40 lbf/in; and wherein the first mechanical stiffness is greater than the second mechanical stiffness.