Patent ID: 6887195

Claim:
A device including: (a) a shaft having at least one flexible portion along its length between a proximal end and a distal end; (b) at least two longitudinally bendable pulling and/or pushing elements, the at least two pulling and/or pushing elements each extending to the proximal end of the shaft and each acting on the shaft in an axial direction of the shaft at locations spaced apart from the proximal end of the shaft further than at least part of the at least one flexible portion; and (c) a fixing device located in a fixed position with respect to the shaft adjacent to the proximal end of the shaft, the fixing device having each of the at least two pulling and/or pushing elements extending there through, and being adapted to reside alternatively in a releasing position in which the pulling and/or pushing elements are unsecured to the fixing device and are substantially free to move axially there through, or a locking position in which each pulling and/or pushing element is fixed in place with respect to the fixing device.