Abstract: A medical instrument can have an elongated shaft, at least three bending stiffness zones arranged along a length of the elongated shaft, and at least two transition zones that have a variable bending stiffness extending over a length thereof. Each bending stiffness zone can have a bending stiffness that extends over a length of the bending stiffness zone. The variable bending stiffness of each transition zone can vary from a first bending stiffness on a first side of the transition zone to a second bending stiffness on a second side of the transition zone.

Abstract: Medical instruments with variable bending stiffness profiles are disclosed. A medical instrument can include a bending stiffness profile comprising a plurality of bending stiffness zones of substantially constant bending stiffness separated by transition zones. The bending stiffness profile can be achieved by modulating various modalities of the medical instrument along its length. A compound medical instrument can include a scope telescoping within a sheath. A variable bending stiffness profile of the compound medical instrument can be modulated by adjusting the relative position of the scope and the sheath.

Abstract: Medical instruments with variable bending stiffness profiles are disclosed. A medical instrument can include a bending stiffness profile comprising a plurality of bending stiffness zones of substantially constant bending stiffness separated by transition zones. The bending stiffness profile can be achieved by modulating various modalities of the medical instrument along its length. A compound medical instrument can include a scope telescoping within a sheath. A variable bending stiffness profile of the compound medical instrument can be modulated by adjusting the relative position of the scope and the sheath.