Steerable instrument comprising a hinge with a slotted structure

A method of manufacturing a cylindrical element, having a central axis, with a hinge structure comprising:

• a first portion (524;
• 1124;
• 522(n−1);
• 1122(n−1));
• a second portion (522(1);
• 1122(1);
• 522(n);
• 1122(n)) which is located at a same distance from said central axis as said first portion and is rotatable relative to said 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));
• and
• a pin (((556(1);
• 1156(1);
• 556(n);
• 1156(n));
• wherein said rotation sections (530(1);
• 1130(1);
• 530(n);
• 1130(n)) are implemented by:
• either said first portion (524;
• 1124;
• 522(n−1);
• 1122(n−1)) or said second portion (522(1);
• 1122(1);
• 522(n);
• 1122(n)) is provided with an opening accommodating said pin (556(1);
• 1156(1);
• 556(n);
• 1156(n));
• said pin (556(1);
• 1156(1);
• 556(n);
• 1156(n)) is attached to a portion (506(1);
• 506(n)) of said attachment element (502(1);
• 1006;
• 502(n));
• and
• the other one of said first portion (524;
• 1124;
• 522(n−1);
• 1122(n−1)) and said second portion (522(1);
• 1122(1);
• 522(n);
• 1122(n)) is attached to another portion of said attachment element (502(1);
• 1006;
• 502(n));
• such that said first portion (524;
• 1124;
• 522(n−1);
• 1122(n−1)) and said second portion (522(1);
• 1122(1);
• 522(n);
• 1122(n)) cannot move relative to one another in a longitudinal direction, a tangential direction and a radial direction but are configured to rotate relative to one another about a center of rotation;
• said method including forming said first portion (524;
• 1124;
• 522(n−1);
• 1122(n−1)) and said second portion (522(1);
• 1122(1);
• 522(n);
• 1122(n)) from a single cylindrical element (520;
• 1100) by cutting a predetermined pattern from said cylindrical element, e.g., by laser cutting or water cutting, such as to form said first portion and said second portion.