Patent ID: 7789827

Claim:
A flexible endoscope comprising: a flexible shaft portion having a distal and a proximal end and including: an outer layer comprising an electrically insulated water-tight material; an inner layer enclosed by said outer layer; a plurality of elongated segments disposed in said outer layer and comprising a polymer material that changes characteristics upon the application of an electrical current; a handle portion coupled to said flexible shaft portion; an electrical source for providing the electrical current to said at least one elongated segment; and electrical conductors electrically connected between said plurality of elongated segments and said electrical source; said electrical conductors extending from said flexible shaft portion through said handle portion to said electrical source; wherein said plurality of elongated segments are positioned in said outer layer in an end-to-end fashion along a longitudinal length of said flexible shaft portion and each elongated segment has at least one end affixed to said inner layer such that upon an application of electrical current to said plurality of elongated segments, said plurality of elongated segments change physical dimension; and wherein said inner layer moves relative to said outer layer based on the dimensional change of at least one of said plurality of elongated segments.