Steerable instrument for endoscopic or invasive applications

Method of manufacturing a steerable instrument for endoscopic and/or invasive type of applications, such as in surgery, the method comprising:

• providing a first cylindrical element comprising a first proximal end part, a first distal end part including at least one first flexible distal portion, and a first intermediate part between said first proximal end part and said first distal end part;
• forming at least one longitudinal element extending between said first proximal end part and said first distal end part and arranged for transferring a force from said first proximal end part to said at least one first flexible distal portion and thereby control bending of said at least one flexible distal portion;
• forming at least one tangential spacer tangentially adjacent to said at least one longitudinal element, said at least one tangential spacer being tangentially attached to said at least one longitudinal element by at least one releasable attachment;
• providing a second cylindrical element comprising a second proximal end part, a second distal end part including at least one second flexible distal portion, and a second intermediate part between said second proximal end part and said second distal end part;
• forming at least one lip shaped portion defined by a first slot in a second wall of said second cylindrical element;
• providing a third cylindrical element comprising a third proximal end part, a third distal end part including at least one third flexible distal portion, and a third intermediate part between said third proximal end part and said third distal end part;
• sliding said cylindrical elements into one another, such that said cylindrical elements are substantially coaxially aligned;
• applying a force onto said at least one lip shaped portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to said second wall of said second cylindrical element, thereby bending said lip shaped portion in a radial direction;
• such that after bending said at least one lip shaped portion forms at least one radial spacer protruding into in an aperture in the tangential spacer;
• and such that, after said releasable attachments have been released:
• movement of said tangential spacer along both said longitudinal direction and in a tangential direction of the steerable instrument is confined by said at least one radial spacer.