| 摘要 |
A variably flexible insertion device (1) includes a hollow body (4, 6, 7, 30, 35, 36) having a proximal end (2) with an entrance (32) for receiving an instrument (38) and a distal end (3) with a tip (7) for protrusion of the instrument (38) . A device (5) transitions the hollow body (4, 6, 7, 30, 35, 36) between a relatively flexible condition and a relatively stiff condition. Tendons (11) within the hollow body (4, 6, 7, 30, 35, 36) maintain the hollow body (4, 6, 7, 30, 35, 36) in the relatively flexible and relatively stiff conditions. A method for variably flexing an insertion device for receiving an instrument includes providing a hollow body having inner and outer sleeves defining a space therebetween in which tendons are disposed. Suction is applied to create a vacuum in the space for frictionally locking the tendons in place between the sleeves in a relatively stiff condition of the hollow body. The vacuum is relieved to release the tendons in a relatively flexible condition of the hollow body.
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