Abstract: A medical instrument includes a tool extender used to retain and move a tool relative to a flexible elongate device. The tool extender includes a slider that allows a user to move the tool relative to a flexible elongate device with one hand using a portion of the slider that is configured to be engaged and manipulated by the user's hand or fingers.

Abstract: Flexible elongate device systems and methods include a flexible elongate device having a flexible body and an axial support structure. The axial support structure includes at least one groove extending along a length of the axial support structure. The flexible elongate device further includes a plurality of control elements for actuating the flexible elongate device. Each of the plurality of control elements extends through one of the at least one groove of the axial support structure. In some embodiments, the at least one groove includes a plurality of grooves spaced circumferentially around the axial support structure. In some embodiments, the flexible body includes lumens that extend through the at least one of the grooves. The control elements are disposed in the lumens. In some embodiments, the flexible body includes a main lumen that extends centrally through the flexible body. The main lumen provides a channel for a medical tool.

Abstract: A flexible spine for use in one or more surgical instruments including a catheter and/or sheath of a robotic instrument system. The spine includes an elongate body that defines a central lumen and that is a unitary structure having a plurality of discrete sections, each of which has a distinguishing structural attribute that differentiates it from the other sections. Such distinguishing structural attributes may include, without limitation, materials, material attributes, shapes, sizes and/or attributes related to apertures in a wall of the elongate body, such as a number, shape, size, spacing and degree of overlap of such apertures. The arrangement of discrete, structurally different sections results in varying flexibility of the elongate spine and of corresponding sections of a surgical instrument incorporating the spine.