Method and apparatus for insertion of elongate instruments within a body cavity

An apparatus comprising:

• a moldable sheath configured to at least temporarily retain a specific shape imparted to it;
• and
• a shaping tool arranged and configured to be applied to said moldable sheath to impart said specific shape to said sheath while within a body cavity, which specific shape is held without continued assistance of said shaping tool, where said shaping tool applied to said sheath comprises a shaping tool applied exteriorly to said sheath and imposing a shaping force thereon.

An apparatus comprising:

• a moldable sheath configured to at least temporarily retain a specific shape imparted to it;
• and
• a shaping tool arranged and configured to be applied to said moldable sheath to impart said specific shape to said sheath while within a body cavity, which specific shape is held without continued assistance of said shaping tool, where said moldable sheath has a tip portion and where said tip portion is substantially soft and compliant without appreciable moldability.

An apparatus comprising:

• a moldable sheath configured to at least temporarily retain a specific shape imparted to it;
• and
• a shaping tool arranged and configured to be applied to said moldable sheath to impart said specific shape to said sheath while within a body cavity, which specific shape is held without continued assistance of said shaping tool, where said shaping tool has a tip portion which is substantially soft and compliant without substantial moldability rendering it nontraumatic.

An apparatus comprising:

• a moldable sheath configured to at least temporarily retain a specific shape imparted to it;
• and
• a shaping tool arranged and configured to be applied to said moldable sheath to impart said specific shape to said sheath while within a body cavity, which specific shape is held without continued assistance of said shaping tool, where said shaping tool further comprises at least one lumen defined therethrough and a vent communicated with said lumen.

An apparatus comprising:

• a moldable sheath configured to at least temporarily retain a specific shape imparted to it;
• and
• a shaping tool arranged and configured to be applied to said moldable sheath to impart said specific shape to said sheath while within a body cavity, which specific shape is held without continued assistance of said shaping tool, where said shaping tool further comprises a conductor disposed therethrough and an electrode coupled to said conductor for sensing or delivery of energy from said electrode.

An apparatus comprising:

• a moldable sheath configured with sufficient moldability at body temperatures to at least temporarily retain a specific shape imparted to it;
• and
• a lumen defined in said moldable sheath, where said sheath has at least one portion with a stiffness different than remaining portions of said sheath wherein the sheath is comprised of a relatively stiffer proximal portion and relatively stiffer distal portion extending to a distal tip with a relatively less stiff intermediate portion therebetween.

An apparatus comprising:

• a moldable sheath with sufficient moldability at body temperatures to at least temporarily retain a specific shape imparted to it;
• and
• a lumen defined in said moldable sheath, where said sheath has at least one portion with a moldability different than remaining portions of said sheath wherein the sheath is comprised of a relatively less moldable proximal portion and relatively less moldable distal portion extending to a distal tip with a relatively more moldable intermediate portion therebetween.