Abstract: The specification describes a medical device comprising an insertion portion, a handle connected to a proximal end of the insertion portion. The handle comprises a wheel in an interior of the handle, the wheel having an asymmetric shape, a manually-operable lever connected to the wheel, and a wire having a proximal end in the handle and a distal end in the insertion portion, wherein rotation of the lever rotates the wheel to control a tension of the wire.

Abstract: The specification describes endoscopes that enable varying stiffness of an insertion portion in an endoscope assembly. In one example, an actuator operates either a spring or a flexible tube to vary stiffness of the insertion portion. In alternative examples, an elliptical wheel arrangement or screw mechanism provides a means to increase stiffness of the insertion portion of an endoscope assembly. In further examples, fluid and gas may be used inside the insertion potion to vary stiffness by varying pressure of the fluid/gas.

Abstract: The specification describes endoscopes that enable varying stiffness of an insertion portion in an endoscope assembly. In one example, an actuator operates either a spring or a flexible tube to vary stiffness of the insertion portion. In alternative examples, an elliptical wheel arrangement or screw mechanism provides a means to increase stiffness of the insertion portion of an endoscope assembly. In further examples, fluid and gas may be used inside the insertion potion to vary stiffness by varying pressure of the fluid/gas.

Abstract: The specification describes endoscopes that enable varying stiffness of an insertion portion in an endoscope assembly. In one example, an actuator operates either a spring or a flexible tube to vary stiffness of the insertion portion. In alternative examples, an elliptical wheel arrangement or screw mechanism provides a means to increase stiffness of the insertion portion of an endoscope assembly. In further examples, fluid and gas may be used inside the insertion portion to vary stiffness by varying pressure of the fluid/gas.

Abstract: The specification describes endoscopes that enable varying stiffness of an insertion portion in an endoscope assembly. In one example, an actuator operates either a spring or a flexible tube to vary stiffness of the insertion portion. In alternative examples, an elliptical wheel arrangement or screw mechanism provides a means to increase stiffness of the insertion portion of an endoscope assembly. In further examples, fluid and gas may be used inside the insertion potion to vary stiffness by varying pressure of the fluid/gas.

Abstract: The specification describes endoscopes that enable varying stiffness of an insertion portion in an endoscope assembly. In one example, an actuator operates either a spring or a flexible tube to vary stiffness of the insertion portion. In alternative examples, an elliptical wheel arrangement or screw mechanism provides a means to increase stiffness of the insertion portion of an endoscope assembly. In further examples, fluid and gas may be used inside the insertion potion to vary stiffness by varying pressure of the fluid/gas.

Abstract: The specification describes endoscopes that enable varying stiffness of an insertion portion in an endoscope assembly. In one example, an actuator operates either a spring or a flexible tube to vary stiffness of the insertion portion. In alternative examples, an elliptical wheel arrangement or screw mechanism provides a means to increase stiffness of the insertion portion of an endoscope assembly. In further examples, fluid and gas may be used inside the insertion potion to vary stiffness by varying pressure of the fluid/gas.

Abstract: The reproduction of a requested source document in a requested available form (including electronic, print, audio and Braille) is disclosed. At a server, for each one of a plurality of documents at least one access pathway is applied to a marked-up form of the document. The access pathways define discrete parts of the document. A fragment of the marked-up document is generated for each said access pathway for each available form. A requested one or more parts of a source document is generated in a requested form from the respective stored fragments. The fragments are transmitted to the requesting customer for local reproduction.

Abstract: A system (5) for producing a document is disclosed. A repository (16) stores documents in a marked-up form according to one or more mark-up schemas. The schemas are adapted to make explicit structural information contained a document. A document format store (22) stores formats that are user selectable. A document production processor (29, 31, 32) generates a user-requested formatted document from the respective marked-up form using a user-selected said format that retains said implicit structural information.