Abstract: A steerable instrument for endoscopic and/or invasive type of applications includes an elongated tubular body and at least one actuation means at a proximal side of the steerable instrument and at least one bendable zone at a distal side of the steerable instrument, the at least one actuation means being arranged to control bending of the at least one bendable zone by means of longitudinal elements. The instrument further includes first, second and third cylindrical elements; at least one tangential spacer; and at least one lip shaped portion formed on at least one of the first cylindrical element or the third cylindrical element.

Abstract: A steerable instrument for endoscopic and/or invasive type of applications, such as in surgery, which has an elongated tubular body having a proximal end part with a first actuation flexible zone having a first diameter and a distal end part having a first distal flexible zone having a second diameter that is different from the first diameter. A cylindrical diameter adaptation section is arranged to connect the proximal end part to the distal end part such that a flexion in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal center axis of the longitudinal tubular body of the first actuation flexible zone results in an amplified or attenuated flexion of the first distal flexible zone.

Abstract: A steerable instrument has an actuator at a proximal side and a bendable zone at a distal side. The actuator controls bending of the flexible zone by means of one or more longitudinal elements. The instrument has a first cylindrical element, a second cylindrical element and a third cylindrical element. The second cylindrical element has a zone with a longitudinal element portion with a first height in a radial direction of the instrument. Radial spacers are located at mutual sides of the longitudinal element portion, which have, at least locally, a second height in the radial direction larger than the first height.

Abstract: A steerable instrument for endoscopic and/or invasive type of applications, such as in surgery, which has an elongated tubular body having a proximal end part with a first actuation flexible zone having a first diameter and a distal end part having a first distal flexible zone having a second diameter that is different from the first diameter. A cylindrical diameter adaptation section is arranged to connect the proximal end part to the distal end part such that a flexion in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal center axis of the longitudinal tubular body of the first actuation flexible zone results in an amplified or attenuated flexion of the first distal flexible zone.

Abstract: A tube like member having a first flexible portion comprising a first and a second circumferential slits, the first circumferential slit is arranged opposite to the second circumferential slit and comprises a first end and a second end, the second circumferential slit comprises a third end and a fourth end, wherein the first end and the third end are arranged such that a first bridge is provided between said first and second circumferential slits characterized in that the first flexible portion comprises a first longitudinal slit arranged longitudinally along the tube like member and a second longitudinal slit arranged longitudinally along the tube like member, wherein the first circumferential slit is communicatively connected to the first longitudinal slit, wherein the second circumferential slit is communicatively connected to the second longitudinal slit, the first longitudinal slit and second longitudinal slit being arranged to define longitudinal sides of the first bridge.

Abstract: A cylindrical element with a hinge structure has: a first portion (524; 1124; 522(n?1); 1122(n?1)); a second portion (522(1); 1122(1); 522(n); 1122(n)) which is rotatable relative to the first portion (524; 1124; 522(n?1); 1122(n?1)) about two rotation sections (530(1); 1130(1); 530(n); 1130(n)) arranged at locations 180° rotated relative to one another viewed in a tangential direction of the cylindrical element; an attachment element (502(1); 1006; 502(n)).

Abstract: A steering device for connecting to an elongated instrument comprises a supporting unit comprising a first channel having a first central axis, said first channel extending from a distal side to a proximal side of the supporting unit, wherein the supporting unit is arranged around said first channel, and a steering unit rotationally arranged on said supporting unit, the steering unit arranged to secure/release a plurality of longitudinal elements of an instrument to move with the rotational movement of the steering unit.

Abstract: A tube like member having a first flexible portion comprising a first and a second circumferential slits, the first circumferential slit is arranged opposite to the second circumferential slit and comprises a first end and a second end, the second circumferential slit comprises a third end and a fourth end, wherein the first end and the third end are arranged such that a first bridge is provided between said first and second circumferential slits characterized in that the first flexible portion comprises a first longitudinal slit arranged longitudinally along the tube like member and a second longitudinal slit arranged longitudinally along the tube like member, wherein the first circumferential slit is communicatively connected to the first longitudinal slit, wherein the second circumferential slit is communicatively connected to the second longitudinal slit, the first longitudinal slit and second longitudinal slit being arranged to define longitudinal sides of the first bridge.

Abstract: A steering device for connecting to an elongated instrument comprises a locking plate with a coupling to which a steering plate of the instrument can secure such that the steering plate and the locking plate move together; and a steering unit for moving the locking plate. The elongated instrument comprises a plurality of elongated elements extending along an instrument shaft and secured to a steering plate at a proximal end of the instrument shaft, with the steering plate being movably connected around a support member secured to the shaft.

Abstract: A steerable instrument has a proximal end and a distal end, a steering device (168), and a tubular body (18) extending in a longitudinal direction from said proximal end to said distal end. The tubular body (18) has an intermediate flexible zone (12a) and a distal deflectable zone (17) and a tube element made from a metal. The tube element has a first slotted structure (74) in the flexible zone (12a) and a second slotted structure (72; 106; 136; 156) in the deflectable zone (17). The tubular body (18) has tangential rotation blocking elements which form cable channels (96; 97; 146; 152), each cable channel (96; 97) accommodating one of a plurality of cables (90). The cables (90) are connected at the proximal end to the steering device (168) and at the distal end to the deflectable zone (17) to allow deflection of the deflectable zone (17) by the steering device (168).

Abstract: An amusement ride such as a roller coaster, more in particular to booster drives mounted on a track of such a ride, are disclosed. The booster drives each include at least one booster drive motor for driving booster wheels, and for engaging a drive fin of a passenger vehicle to propel that vehicle along the track. The booster drive further includes a base mounted to the track structure, a frame that supports the at least one booster drive motor and the two booster wheels, and a mobile carrier that connects the frame to the base via a left and a right carrier arm. These carrier arms are non-flexible arms pivotably connected to the base and the frame or they are flexible arms, such that in use they enable movement of the frame relative to the base. A biasing device resiliently forces the frame towards a predetermined position.

Abstract: A steerable instrument (10) has an actuator (14; 15) at a proximal side and a bendable zone (16; 17) at a distal side. The actuator (14; 15) controls bending of the flexible zone (16; 17) by means of one or more longitudinal elements. The instrument has a first cylindrical element (204), a second cylindrical element (206) and a third cylindrical element (208). The second cylindrical element (206) has a zone (14; 15; 16; 17) with a longitudinal element portion (274; 282) with a first height in a radial direction of the instrument. Radial spacers (275; 279) are located at mutual sides of the longitudinal element portion (274; 282), which have, at least locally, a second height in the radial direction larger than the first height.

Abstract: A steerable instrument for endoscopic and/or invasive type of applications, such as in surgery, which has an elongated tubular body having a proximal end part with a first actuation flexible zone having a first diameter and a distal end part having a first distal flexible zone having a second diameter that is different from the first diameter. A cylindrical diameter adaptation section is arranged to connect the proximal end part to the distal end part such that a flexion in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal center axis of the longitudinal tubular body of the first actuation flexible zone results in an amplified or attenuated flexion of the first distal flexible zone.

Abstract: A tube like member having a first flexible portion comprising a first and a second circumferential slits, the first circumferential slit is arranged opposite to the second circumferential slit and comprises a first end and a second end, the second circumferential slit comprises a third end and a fourth end, wherein the first end and the third end are arranged such that a first bridge is provided between said first and second circumferential slits characterized in that the first flexible portion comprises a first longitudinal slit arranged longitudinally along the tube like member and a second longitudinal slit arranged longitudinally along the tube like member, wherein the first circumferential slit is communicatively connected to the first longitudinal slit, wherein the second circumferential slit is communicatively connected to the second longitudinal slit, the first longitudinal slit and second longitudinal slit being arranged to define longitudinal sides of the first bridge.

Abstract: An amusement ride such as a roller coaster, more in particular to booster drives mounted on a track of such a ride, are disclosed. The booster drives each include at least one booster drive motor for driving booster wheels, and for engaging a drive fin of a passenger vehicle to propel that vehicle along the track. The booster drive further includes a base mounted to the track structure, a frame that supports the at least one booster drive motor and the two booster wheels, and a mobile carrier that connects the frame to the base via a left and a right carrier arm. These carrier arms are non-flexible arms pivotably connected to the base and the frame or they are flexible arms, such that in use they enable movement of the frame relative to the base. A biasing device resiliently forces the frame towards a predetermined position.

Abstract: An assembly includes at least one steerable invasive instrument and an access device for introducing the instrument into an object via an access port of the object. The steerable instrument includes an elongated tubular body having a proximal end part including at least one flexible zone, a distal end part including at least one flexible zone, and a rigid intermediate part. The instrument further includes a steering arrangement for translating a deflection of at least a part of the proximal end part relative to the rigid intermediate part into a related deflection of at least a part of the distal end part. The access device includes a deflection setting arrangement for setting at least one angle between at least a part of the proximal end part and the rigid intermediate part of the instrument.