Flexible surgical device with controllable stiffness

Abstract

A surgical device, including a tubular outer shaft and an inner element having an elongated shape, the outer shaft comprising a distal and a proximal outer hinges, the inner element comprising an inner hinge, the surgical device having: a first and a second distal stiffnesses considered at the distal outer hinge; and first and second proximal stiffnesses considered at the proximal outer hinge; each of the second distal and proximal stiffnesses being superior to, respectively, the first distal and proximal stiffness; the inner element being able to move angularly and/or axially in the tubular outer shaft, between a first configuration and a second configuration, so that in the first configuration, the surgical device has the second distal stiffness and the first proximal stiffness.