Instrument for endoscopic applications or the like

An instrument for at least one of endoscopic applications, mechanical applications, and electronic applications, comprising

• a tube like member having a handling end portion having at least a first rigid zone, a first flexible handling portion, a second rigid zone and a second flexible handling portion, and having actuating means located at an actuating end portion, said tube like member comprising at least an inner cylindrical element, a first outer cylindrical element and first longitudinal elements, said first longitudinal elements being located in a first intermediate layer between said inner cylindrical element and said first outer cylindrical element and being connected to both the actuating means and to the handling end portion for transferring a movement of the actuating means to the handling end portion resulting in a change of orientation thereof,
• wherein the actuating means have at least a first and a second actuating means and the first longitudinal elements comprise at least a first and second set of longitudinal elements, the first set of longitudinal elements having respective handling ends connected to a first rigid ring, said first rigid ring being connected to at least one of said inner cylindrical element and said first outer cylindrical element in said first rigid zone, the second set of longitudinal elements having respective handling ends connected to a second rigid ring, said second rigid ring being connected to at least one of said inner cylindrical element and said first outer cylindrical element in said second rigid zone, and said first set of longitudinal elements being guided through openings in said second rigid ring, the first actuating means being connected to an actuating end of said first set of longitudinal elements, and the second actuating means being connected to an actuating end of said second set of longitudinal elements,
• wherein said inner cylindrical element and said first outer cylindrical element are continuous cylindrical elements, each of which having a tube wall that comprises rigid and flexible portions that coincide with respective ones of said first rigid zone, said first flexible handling portion, said second rigid zone and said second flexible handling portion, and
• wherein said flexible portions are obtained by locally providing slits in the respective tube walls of said inner cylindrical element and said first outer cylindrical element.