Abstract: A sheath apparatus includes, a plurality of node rings configured to be tilted with respect to each other, each node ring defining a substantially cylindrical wall and having at least one hole passing through said cylindrical wall, the plurality of node rings being arranged next to each other along a linear axis such that consecutive node rings contact each other at a contact plane; a manipulating wire going through the holes in said stacked node rings; and a position restoring component configured to restore said stacked node rings from a tilted position to an original position, wherein said position restoring component is located inside or outside of the stacked node rings.

Abstract: A sheath apparatus includes, a plurality of node rings configured to be tilted with respect to each other, each node ring defining a substantially cylindrical wall and having at least one hole passing through said cylindrical wall, the plurality of node rings being arranged next to each other along a linear axis such that consecutive node rings contact each other at a contact plane; a manipulating wire going through the holes in said stacked node rings; and a position restoring component configured to restore said stacked node rings from a tilted position to an original position, wherein said position restoring component is located inside or outside of the stacked node rings.

Abstract: An endoscope imaging system comprises a robotic controlled steerable catheter and an imaging device removably arranged in a tool channel of the catheter. One or more sensors or markers are configured to map a positional relation of the catheter with respect to an orientation of the imaging device. A controller drives the steerable catheter to manipulate the distal end thereof, while the imaging device acquires an image of a subject or sample. While the imaging device acquires the image, a processor calculates a change in positional relation of the catheter with respect to the orientation of the imaging device based on information provided by the one or more sensors or markers. An output unit provides an indication for remapping the orientation of the steerable catheter with respect to the orientation of the imaging device.