Patent ID: 6955657

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a handle; a flexible body portion coupled to the handle, the flexible body portion having dimensions suitable for insertion into and navigation through a body, the flexible body portion defining a lumen therethrough and having a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the proximal portion comprises: a flexible element disposed around the lumen, and a braid disposed over the flexible element; a first plastic coating impregnated into the proximal portion of the flexible body portion; a second plastic coating impregnated into the distal portion of the flexible body portion; an anchor element disposed in the distal portion of the flexible body portion; a tendon wire having a distal end coupled to the anchor element and a proximal end coupled to the handle such that manipulation of the handle results in deflection of the distal portion of the flexible body portion; and an electrical interface electrically coupled to the tendon wire, wherein the anchor element and the tendon wire each comprise electrically conductive material such that an instrument can receive an electrical signal from the tendon wire through the electrical interface.