Patent ID: 8568433

Claim:
Apparatus suitable for use in a medical procedure, the apparatus comprising: an elongate medical device for introduction into a patient, the elongate medical device comprising a plurality of strands, each having proximal and distal regions, wherein the plurality of strands are twisted in a generally helical manner to form a tubular shape having a longitudinal axis, wherein in a cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis each of the strands forms a portion of an outer circumference of the tubular shape; wherein a first strand of the plurality of strands is moveable with respect to at least a second strand of the plurality of strands, wherein each of the strands are oriented in a uniform helical direction; a first group of strands comprising at least two of the plurality of strands, wherein the first group of strands is coupled together to move in unison with each other; and a second group of strands comprising at least two of the plurality of strands, wherein the second group of strands is coupled together to move in unison with each other, wherein the first group of strands is movable with respect to the second group of strands.