Patent ID: 8277375

Claim:
A flexible instrument delivery sheath comprising: an elongate shaft; a proximal section of interconnected proximal links, each proximal link including a peripheral wall through which a set of proximal channels extend at a proximal channel pattern radius from a central axis of the proximal link; a distal section of interconnected distal links, each distal link including a peripheral wall through which a set of distal channels extend at a distal channel pattern radius from a central axis of the distal link, wherein each distal link is paired with a proximal link with each distal link being maintained in a spaced apart relationship relative to the paired proximal link and wherein the proximal channel pattern radius is different from the distal channel pattern radius; multiple sets of cables, with each set connecting a discrete pair of proximal and distal links, such that movements of one link of the discrete pair causes scaled movement of the other link of the pair; an inlet port between the proximal and distal sections, the inlet port configured for receipt and passage of a flexible instrument; and a lumen extending from the inlet port, through the shaft, to a distal end of the distal section.