Endoscope bending member

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to an endoscopic bending member (100). The bending member (100) comprises a longitudinal axis (110) and bending segments (120) connected continuously along the longitudinal axis (110). Each bending segment (120) comprises a pair of proximal arcuate extensions (130), a proximal stop element (132) circumferentially offset from the proximal arcuate extensions (130), a distal pivot extension (140), and a distal stop element (142) circumferentially offset from the distal pivot extensions (140). Adjacent bending segments (120) are engaged by the proximal arcuate extensions (130) and the distal pivot extensions (140) such that the bending segments (120) are rotatable to bend the bending member (100) about a bending axis (112) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (110). The proximal stop elements (132) and distal stop elements (142) of adjacent bend segments (120) are also engaged with one another to resist rotation of the bend segments (120) about the longitudinal axis (110).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This disclosure claims the benefit of Singapore Patent Application No. 10202300095S, filed January 12, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Technical Field]

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to endoscopic bending members. More specifically, the present disclosure describes various embodiments of bending members for endoscopes, endoscopes including such bending members, and methods for manufacturing such bending members. [Background technology]

[0003] Endoscopes are medical instruments used in a variety of medical procedures, such as gastrointestinal endoscopy. For example, in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, endoscopes are used to diagnose and treat problems in the upper gastrointestinal tract. For example, endoscopes are used in ureteroscopy to diagnose and treat problems in the ureters and kidneys.

[0004] 1A shows an exemplary endoscope 10 including a control handle 12 and an insertion tube 14 that is inserted into a patient's body, such as the duodenum or ureter. To facilitate insertion of the insertion tube 14 into the patient and / or to reduce pain or injury to the patient, the insertion tube 14 includes a bending member 20 at a distal end 16 of the insertion tube 14. The bending member 20 is configured to perform a bending motion by manipulation of one or more angle adjustment wires using the control handle 12, thereby positioning the insertion tube 14 at a particular region of the patient's body for observation.

[0005] Several conventional bending members 20A, 20B for endoscopes are shown in Figures 1B and 1C. Each conventional bending member 20A, 20B includes a plurality of bending segments 22A, 22B, respectively, that are rotatably coupled to one another so that the respective conventional bending members 20A, 20B can bend at a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction. For example, the respective bending segments 22A, 22B are coupled to one another using pivot pins.

[0006] When conventional bending members 20A, 20B are bent, they are subjected to bending forces, torsional forces, tensile forces, etc. For example, when bending members 20A, 20B are inserted into a narrow space such as the duodenum during an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or the ureter during a ureteroscopy, the torsional forces can cause bending members 20A, 20B to twist or even break.

[0007] 1D-1G show examples of conventional flexion members 20A, 20B that are damaged by torsional forces. Specifically, under sufficiently high torsional forces, each flexion segment 22Aa, 22Ba overcomes and twists against its adjacent flexion segment 22Ab, 22Bb, damaging each flexion member 20A, 20B. The damaged flexion members 20A, 20B can harm the affected area of ​​the patient's body, making it difficult or impossible for the flexion members 20A, 20B to return to their original neutral position.

[0008] Therefore, an endoscope bending member should be highly resistant to these forces, specifically bending, torsional, and tensile forces, to minimize the risk of damage or breakage of the bending member that would be dangerous or even fatal to the patient.Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved endoscope bending member to address or mitigate at least one of the above-mentioned problems and / or drawbacks. Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a bending member for an endoscope, the bending member comprising: a lumen extending therethrough; a plurality of bending segments rotatably connected in series with one another along the longitudinal axis through the lumen such that the bending member is bendable; Each bending segment is a pair of proximal arcuate extensions extending proximally from the bend segment; a proximal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis from the pair of proximal arcuate extensions; a distal pivot extension extending distally from the flexion segment; a distal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis from the distal pivot extension; The first bend segment is engaged with a proximally adjacent bend segment and a distally adjacent bend segment, thereby a pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged around the distal pivot extensions of the proximally adjacent flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the proximally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about the proximal flexion axis through the distal pivot extensions of the proximally adjacent flexion segment; a pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segments are engaged around the distal pivot extension of the first flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the distally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about a distal flexion axis through the distal pivot extension of the first flexion segment; the proximal element of the first bend segment is engaged with the distal stop element of the proximally adjacent bend segment to resist rotation of the first bend segment and the proximally adjacent bend segment about the longitudinal axis; the proximal stop element of the distally-adjacent bend segment is engaged with the distal stop element of the first bend segment to resist rotation of the first bend segment and the distally-adjacent bend segment about the longitudinal axis; The bending segments are rotatable relative to one another about respective bending axes, thereby bending the bending member, the bending axes being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a bending member for an endoscope, the method comprising: laser cutting an elongated tube having a lumen extending therethrough; forming a plurality of bend segments along the elongate tube from said laser cutting of the elongate tube, the bend segments being rotatably connected to one another in series along the longitudinal axis through the lumen such that the bending member is bendable; forming each bend segment of the plurality of bend segments from said laser cutting of the elongate tube, each bend segment comprising: a pair of proximal arcuate extensions extending proximally from the bend segment; a proximal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis from the pair of proximal arcuate extensions; a distal pivot extension extending distally from the flexion segment; a distal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis from the distal pivot extension; The first bend segment is engaged with a proximally adjacent bend segment and a distally adjacent bend segment, thereby a pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged around the distal pivot extensions of the proximally adjacent flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the proximally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about the proximal flexion axis through the distal pivot extensions of the proximally adjacent flexion segment; a pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segments are engaged around the distal pivot extension of the first flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the distally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about the distal flexion axis through the distal pivot extension of the first flexion segment; a proximal element of the first bend segment engaged with a distal stop element of a proximally adjacent bend segment to resist rotation of the first bend segment and the proximally adjacent bend segment about the longitudinal axis; a proximal stop element of the distally-adjacent bend segment engaged with a distal stop element of the first bend segment to resist rotation of the first bend segment and the distally-adjacent bend segment about the longitudinal axis; the bending segments are rotatable relative to one another about respective bending axes, thereby bending the bending member, the bending axes being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a bending member for an endoscope, the bending member comprising: a lumen extending therethrough; a plurality of bending segments rotatably connected in series with one another along the longitudinal axis through the lumen such that the bending member is bendable; Each bending segment is a proximal pivot extension extending proximally from the flexion segment; a pair of proximal arcuate extensions extending proximally from the bending segment, the pair of proximal arcuate extensions having a proximal pivot extension disposed therebetween; a medial pair of distal arcuate extensions extending distally from the flexion segment; an outer pair of distal arcuate extensions extending distally from the bend segment, the outer pair of distal arcuate extensions being disposed therebetween; The first bend segment is engaged with a proximally adjacent bend segment and a distally adjacent bend segment, thereby the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged about the proximal pivot extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment, the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment are engaged about the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment, and the outer pair of distal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged about the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the distally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about the distal flexion axis through the proximal pivot extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment; the distal arcuate extensions of the inner pair of proximally adjacent flexion segments are engaged about the proximal pivot extension of the first flexion segment, the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged about the distal arcuate extensions of the inner pair of proximally adjacent flexion segments, and the distal arcuate extensions of the outer pair of proximally adjacent flexion segments are engaged about the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the proximally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about the proximal flexion axis through the proximal pivot extension of the first flexion segment; The bending segments are rotatable relative to one another about respective bending axes, thereby bending the bending member, the bending axes being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a bending member for an endoscope, the method comprising: laser cutting an elongated tube having a lumen extending therethrough; forming a plurality of bend segments along the elongate tube from said laser cutting of the elongate tube, the bend segments being rotatably connected to one another in series along the longitudinal axis through the lumen such that the bending member is bendable; forming each bend segment of the plurality of bend segments from said laser cutting of the elongate tube, each bend segment comprising: a proximal pivot extension extending proximally from the flexion segment; a pair of proximal arcuate extensions extending proximally from the bending segment, the pair of proximal arcuate extensions having a proximal pivot extension disposed therebetween; a medial pair of distal arcuate extensions extending distally from the flexion segment; an outer pair of distal arcuate extensions extending distally from the bend segment, the outer pair of distal arcuate extensions being disposed therebetween; The first bend segment is engaged with a proximally adjacent bend segment and a distally adjacent bend segment, thereby an inner pair of distal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged about the proximal pivot extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment, a pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment are engaged about the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment, and an outer pair of distal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged about the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the distally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about the distal flexion axis through the proximal pivot extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment; the distal arcuate extensions of the inner pair of proximally adjacent flexion segments are engaged about the proximal pivot extension of the first flexion segment, the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged about the distal arcuate extensions of the inner pair of proximally adjacent flexion segments, and the distal arcuate extensions of the outer pair of proximally adjacent flexion segments are engaged about the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the proximally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about the proximal flexion axis through the proximal pivot extension of the first flexion segment; the bending segments are rotatable relative to one another about respective bending axes, thereby bending the bending member, the bending axes being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0013] Thus, there is herein disclosed an endoscopic bending member in accordance with the present disclosure. The various features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example only, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1A] 1 is a diagram of a conventional endoscope with a bending member. [Figure 1B] 1 is a diagram of a conventional endoscope with a bending member. [Figure 1C] 1 is a diagram of a conventional endoscope with a bending member. [Figure 1D]1 is a diagram of a conventional endoscope with a bending member. [Figure 1E] 1 is a diagram of a conventional endoscope with a bending member. [Figure 1F] 1 is a diagram of a conventional endoscope with a bending member. [Figure 1G] 1 is a diagram of a conventional endoscope with a bending member. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first bending member for an endoscope in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first bending member for an endoscope in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a bending segment of the first bending member. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a bending segment of the first bending member. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a further view of a bending segment of the first bending member. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a further view of a bending segment of the first bending member. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a further view of the first flexure member. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a further view of the first flexure member. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a second flexure member for an endoscope in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a second flexure member for an endoscope in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a bending segment of a second bending member. [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a bending segment of a second bending member. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a view of engaged flexion segments of a first flexion member and a second flexion member. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a view of engaged flexion segments of a first flexion member and a second flexion member. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a bending member for an endoscope in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] For brevity and clarity, the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be directed to an endoscopic bending member according to the drawings. While portions of the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with the embodiments provided herein, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the embodiments described herein, which are included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following "Description of the Preferred Embodiments," specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure may be practiced without certain details and / or with multiple details resulting from the combination of features of certain embodiments. In some instances, well-known systems, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure features of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the depiction, discussion, or use of a particular element number of a given element in a particular figure, or reference to that element in corresponding descriptive material, can encompass the same, equivalent, or similar element or element number identified in another figure or descriptive material with which it is associated.

[0017] References to "one embodiment / example," "another embodiment / example," "some embodiments / examples," "some other embodiments / examples," etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) / example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but not all embodiments / examples necessarily include that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase "in one embodiment / example" or "in another embodiment / example" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment / example.

[0018] The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like do not exclude the presence of other features / elements / steps than those listed in an embodiment. The description of certain features / elements / steps in mutually different embodiments does not indicate that combinations of these features / elements / steps cannot be used in the embodiments. As used herein, the terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more. The use of " / " in figures or related text is understood to mean "and / or" unless otherwise stated. The term "set" is defined as a non-empty finite configuration of elements that mathematically exhibits at least one cardinality according to known mathematical definitions (e.g., a set as defined herein can correspond to a unit, a singlet, or a set of single elements, or a set of multiple elements). Terms such as "first," "second," and the like are used merely as labels or identifiers and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their associated terms.

[0019] Representative or exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure describe a bending member for an endoscope 10. In many embodiments, the endoscope 10 includes an operating handle 12 and an insertion tube 14, which includes a bending member at a distal end 16 of the insertion tube 14. The insertion tube 14 can include an illumination device for illuminating the affected area and an image sensor for providing an image of the affected area, such as the patient's duodenum or ureter, thereby allowing a physician to observe the affected area in detail. The insertion tube 14 can accommodate accessories for cell collection, laser treatment, and the like. While the insertion tube 14 can be rigid or flexible, the bending member can be controllable and bendable using control wires or angle adjustment wires within the insertion tube 14. For example, the bending member can be configured to bend up and down and / or left and right.

[0020] First bending member 100 As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B , some embodiments of the present disclosure describe a first bending member 100 for an endoscope 10, and an endoscope 10 including the first bending member 100. Specifically, the first bending member 100 is disposed at the distal end 16 of the insertion tube 14. The first bending member 100 has a lumen extending therethrough. The lumen is configured to accommodate angle adjustment wires for controlling bending of the first bending member 100, as well as other endoscope components such as an illumination device and an image sensor. The first bending member 100 further includes multiple bending segments 120 rotatably connected to one another in series along a longitudinal axis 110 through the lumen so that the first bending member 100 is bendable. Specifically, the individual bending segments 120 are controllable relative to one another using the angle adjustment wires, thereby bending the first bending member 100 in a desired direction.

[0021] 3A and 3B , each bend segment 120 includes a pair of proximal arcuate extensions 130 extending proximally from the bend segment 120 and a proximal stop element 132 circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis 110 from the pair of proximal arcuate extensions 130. For example, the proximal stop element 132 is circumferentially offset 90° about the longitudinal axis 110 from the pair of proximal arcuate extensions 130. It will be appreciated that the proximal stop element 132 may be circumferentially offset by other angles, such as 45° or 60°.

[0022] Each bend segment 120 further includes a distal pivot extension 140 extending distally from the bend segment 120 and a distal stop element 142 circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis 110 from the distal pivot extension 140. For example, the distal stop element 142 is circumferentially offset 90° about the longitudinal axis 110 from the distal pivot extension 140. It will be appreciated that the distal stop element 142 may be circumferentially offset by other angles, such as 45° or 60°.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3A, a first bending segment 120a (e.g., the nth bending segment) is engaged with a proximally adjacent bending segment 120b (e.g., the n-1th bending segment) and a distally adjacent bending segment 120c (e.g., the n+1th bending segment).

[0024] The pair of proximal arcuate extensions 130a of the first flexion segment 120a are engaged around the distal pivot extension 140b of the proximally adjacent flexion segment 120b, thereby allowing the first flexion segment 120a and the proximally adjacent flexion segment 120b to rotate about the proximal flexion axis 112 through the distal pivot extension 140b of the proximally adjacent flexion segment 120b. Specifically, the distal pivot extension 140b of the proximally adjacent flexion segment 120b is disposed within a concave space between the pair of proximal arcuate extensions 130a of the first flexion segment 120a.

[0025] The pair of proximal arcuate extensions 130c of the distally adjacent flexion segment 120c are engaged around the distal pivot extension 140a of the first flexion segment 120a, thereby allowing the first flexion segment 120a and the distally adjacent flexion segment 120c to rotate about the distal flexion axis 112 through the distal pivot extension 140a of the first flexion segment 120a. Specifically, the distal pivot extension 140a of the first flexion segment 120a is disposed within a concave space between the pair of proximal arcuate extensions 130c of the distally adjacent flexion segment 120c.

[0026] In some embodiments shown in FIG. 3A, proximal stop element 132 includes an extension extending proximally from bend segment 120, and distal stop element 142 includes a recess.

[0027] The proximal stop element 132a (extension) of the first bend segment 120a engages the distal stop element 142b (recess) of the proximally adjacent bend segment 140b to resist rotation of the first bend segment 120a and the proximally adjacent bend segment 120b about the longitudinal axis 110. Specifically, the engaged proximal stop element 132a (extension) and distal stop element 142b (recess) resist torsional forces acting on the first bend segment 120a and the proximally adjacent bend segment 140b.

[0028] The proximal stop element 132c (extension) of the distally-adjacent bend segment 120c engages the distal stop element 142a (recess) of the first bend segment 120a to resist rotation of the first bend segment 120a and the distally-adjacent bend segment 120c about the longitudinal axis 110. Specifically, the engaged proximal stop element 132c (extension) and distal stop element 142a (recess) resist torsional forces acting on the first bend segment 120a and the distally-adjacent bend segment 120c.

[0029] In some embodiments, proximal stop element 132 includes a recess and distal stop element 142 includes an extension extending distally from bend segment 120. Proximal stop element 132a (recess) of first bend segment 120a will engage with distal stop element 142b (extension) of proximally adjacent bend segment 140b, and proximal stop element 132c (recess) of distally adjacent bend segment 120c will engage with distal stop element 142a (extension) of first bend segment 120a.

[0030] Thus, bending segments 120 are rotatable relative to one another about respective bending axes 112, thereby bending first bending member 100, where bending axes 112 are perpendicular to longitudinal axis 110. Furthermore, proximal stop element 132 and distal stop element 142 cooperate to resist rotation of bending segments 120 about longitudinal axis 110 by opposing torsional forces acting on first bending member 100.

[0031] 3B, each flexion segment 120 can include a pair of proximal arcuate extensions 130 and another set of distal pivot extensions 140 on the other lateral side of the flexion segment 120. Each flexion axis 112 also passes through each other distal pivot extension 140 on the other lateral side of the flexion segment 120.

[0032] 3B, each bending segment 120 can include another set of proximal stop elements 132 and distal stop elements 142 on the other lateral side of the bending segment 120. Both sets of proximal stop elements 132 and distal stop elements 142 are engaged with each other to cooperatively resist rotation of the respective bending segment 120 about the longitudinal axis 110.

[0033] 4A and 4B, the proximal stop element 132 includes an extension extending proximally from the bending segment 120. Additionally, the extension of the proximal stop element 132 includes a notch 134 for accommodating the angle adjustment wire 18 within the lumen during bending of the first bending member 100. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the distal stop element 142 includes an extension extending distally from the bending segment 120, the extension including a similar notch 134.

[0034] The notch 134 is preferably a concave chamfer, fillet, or recess. For example, when the first bending member 100 is bent, the notch 134 allows for smooth movement of the angle adjustment wire 18 and minimizes contact between the proximal stop element 132 and the angle adjustment wire 18. Without the notch 134, when the first bending member 100 is bent, the proximal stop element 132, which has a straight edge, may protrude into the lumen and contact the angle adjustment wire 18. This contact could damage and / or break the angle adjustment wire 18 and / or the first bending member 100, as shown in the circled area in FIG. 4B . Therefore, the notch 134 prevents the angle adjustment wire 18 from interfering with the body of the first bending member 100, allowing for smoother bending and greater durability.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first flexion member 100 is bendable in two directions. Specifically, for each flexion segment 120, the distal pivot extension 140 is circumferentially aligned with the pair of proximal arcuate extensions 130. For example, the first flexion segment 120a is rotatable relative to the proximally adjacent flexion segment 120b about the proximal flexion axis 112, and the first flexion segment 120a is also rotatable relative to the distally adjacent flexion segment 120c about the distal flexion axis 112. The proximal and distal flexion axes 112 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 110.

[0036] Thus, the bending segments 120 are rotatably connected to one another such that all of the bending axes 112 are parallel to one another and the first bending member 100 is bendable in two directions. Specifically, the first bending member 100 is bendable along a single plane, such as up-down or left-right.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first flexion member 100 is bendable in four directions. Specifically, for each flexion segment 120, the distal pivot extension 140 is circumferentially offset 90° about the longitudinal axis 110 from the pair of proximal arcuate extensions 130. For example, the first flexion segment 120a is rotatable relative to the proximally adjacent flexion segment 120b about the proximal flexion axis 112, and the first flexion segment 120a is also rotatable relative to the distally adjacent flexion segment 120c about the distal flexion axis 112. The proximal and distal flexion axes 112 are perpendicular to each other and to the longitudinal axis 110.

[0038] Thus, the bending segments 120 are rotatably connected to one another such that all bending axes 112 are perpendicular to one another and the first bending member 100 is bendable in four directions. Specifically, the first bending member 100 is bendable along two planes that are perpendicular to one another, such as up-down and left-right.

[0039] Various characteristics of the bend segments 120 may be altered to adjust the bend shape, bend radius, and / or bend angle of the first flexion member 100. For example, the dimensions of the bend segments 120 and / or the joints of the bend segments 120 may be altered. For example, some bend segments 120 may be longer and some bend segments 120 may be shorter. The shorter the bend segments 120, the smaller the bend radius of the first flexion member 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first bend segment 120a is longitudinally shorter than the distally adjacent bend segment 120c. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate first flexion members 100 having different bend shapes, bend radii, and bend angles.

[0040] Second bending member 200 As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B , some embodiments of the present disclosure describe a second bending member 200 for an endoscope 10, and an endoscope 10 including the second bending member 200. Specifically, the second bending member 200 is disposed at the distal end 16 of the insertion tube 14. The second bending member 200 has a lumen extending therethrough. The lumen is configured to accommodate angle adjustment wires for controlling bending of the second bending member 200, as well as other endoscope components such as an illumination device and an image sensor. The second bending member 200 further includes multiple bending segments 220 rotatably connected to one another in series along a longitudinal axis 210 through the lumen so that the second bending member 200 is bendable. Specifically, the individual bending segments 220 are controllable relative to one another using the angle adjustment wires, thereby bending the second bending member 200 in a desired direction.

[0041] 7A and 7B , each flex segment 220 includes a proximal pivot extension 230 extending proximally from the flex segment and a pair of proximal arcuate extensions 232 extending proximally from the flex segment 220. The proximal pivot extension 230 is disposed between the pair of proximal arcuate extensions 232. Each flex segment 120 further includes an inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240 extending distally from the flex segment 220 and an outer pair of distal arcuate extensions 242 extending distally from the flex segment 220. The inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240 is disposed between the outer pair of distal arcuate extensions 242.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7A, a first bending segment 220a (e.g., the nth bending segment) is engaged with a proximally adjacent bending segment 220b (e.g., the n-1th bending segment) and a distally adjacent bending segment 220c (e.g., the n+1th bending segment).

[0043] The inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240a of the first bend segment 220a are engaged around the proximal pivot extension 230c of the distally adjacent bend segment 220c. Specifically, the proximal pivot extension 230c of the distally adjacent bend segment 220c is disposed within the concave space between the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240a of the first bend segment 220a.

[0044] The pair of proximal arcuate extensions 232c of the distally adjacent bend segment 220c are engaged around the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240a of the first bend segment 220a. Specifically, the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240a of the first bend segment 220a and the proximal pivot extension 230c of the distally adjacent bend segment 220c are disposed within the concave space between the pair of proximal arcuate extensions 232c of the distally adjacent bend segment 220c.

[0045] The outer pair of distal arcuate extensions 242a of the first bend segment 220a are engaged around the pair of proximal arcuate extensions 232c of the distally adjacent bend segment 220c. Specifically, the pair of proximal arcuate extensions 232c of the distally adjacent bend segment 220c, the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240a of the first bend segment 220a, and the proximal pivot extension 230c of the distally adjacent bend segment 220c are disposed within the concave space between the outer pair of distal arcuate extensions 242a of the first bend segment 220a.

[0046] The first flexion segment 220a and the distally adjacent flexion segment 220c are rotatably connected to each other, such that the first flexion segment 220a and the distally adjacent flexion segment 220c are rotatable about the distal flexion axis 212 through the proximal pivot extension 230c of the distally adjacent flexion segment 220c.

[0047] The inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240b of the proximally adjacent flex segments 220b are engaged around the proximal pivot extension 230a of the first flex segment 220a. Specifically, the proximal pivot extension 230a of the first flex segment 220a is disposed within the concave space between the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240b of the proximally adjacent flex segments 220b.

[0048] The pair of proximal arcuate extensions 232a of the first bend segment 220a are engaged around the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240b of the proximally adjacent bend segment 220b. Specifically, the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240b of the proximally adjacent bend segment 220b and the proximal pivot extension 230a of the first bend segment 220a are disposed within the concave space between the proximal arcuate extensions 232a of the first bend segment 220a.

[0049] The outer pair of distal arcuate extensions 242b of the proximally adjacent flex segment 220b are engaged around the pair of proximal arcuate extensions 232a of the first flex segment 220a. Specifically, the pair of proximal arcuate extensions 232a of the first flex segment 220a, the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240b of the proximally adjacent flex segment 220b, and the proximal pivot extension 230a of the first flex segment 220a are disposed within the concave space between the outer pair of distal arcuate extensions 242b of the proximally adjacent flex segment 220b.

[0050] The first flexion segment 220a and the proximally adjacent flexion segment 220b are rotatably connected to each other, such that the first flexion segment 220a and the proximally adjacent flexion segment 220b are rotatable about the proximal flexion axis 212 through the proximal pivot extension 230a of the first flexion segment 220a.

[0051] Thus, the flexion segments 220 are rotatable relative to one another about their respective flexion axes 212 , thereby bending the second flexion member 200 , the flexion axes 212 being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 210 .

[0052] 7B, each flexion segment 220 can include another set of proximal pivot extensions 230, a pair of proximal arcuate extensions 232, an inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240, and an outer pair of distal arcuate extensions 242 on the other lateral side of the flexion segment 220. Each flexion axis 212 also passes through each other proximal pivot extension 230 on the other lateral side.

[0053] In some embodiments, the second flexion member 200 is bendable in two directions. Specifically, for each flexion segment 220, the proximal pivot extension 230 is circumferentially aligned with the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240. For example, the first flexion segment 220a is rotatable relative to the proximally adjacent flexion segment 220b about the proximal flexion axis 212, and the first flexion segment 220a is also rotatable relative to the distally adjacent flexion segment 220c about the distal flexion axis 212. The proximal and distal flexion axes 212 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 210.

[0054] Thus, the bending segments 220 are rotatably connected to one another such that all of the bending axes 212 are parallel to one another and the second bending member 200 is bendable in two directions. Specifically, the second bending member 200 is bendable along a single plane, such as up and down or left and right.

[0055] In some embodiments, the second flexion member 200 is bendable in four directions. Specifically, for each flexion segment 220, the proximal pivot extension 230 is circumferentially offset 90° about the longitudinal axis 210 from the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240. For example, the first flexion segment 220a is rotatable relative to the proximally adjacent flexion segment 220b about the proximal flexion axis 212, and the first flexion segment 220a is also rotatable relative to the distally adjacent flexion segment 220c about the distal flexion axis 212. The proximal and distal flexion axes 212 are perpendicular to each other and to the longitudinal axis 210.

[0056] Thus, the bending segments 220 are rotatably connected to one another such that all bending axes 212 are perpendicular to one another and the second bending member 200 is bendable in four directions. Specifically, the second bending member 200 is bendable along two planes that are perpendicular to one another, such as up-down and left-right.

[0057] Various characteristics of the bend segments 220 may be varied to adjust the bend shape, bend radius, and / or bend angle of the second flexion member 200. For example, the dimensions of the bend segments 220 and / or the joints of the bend segments 220 may be varied. For example, some bend segments 220 may be longer and some bend segments 220 may be shorter. The shorter the bend segments 220, the smaller the bend radius of the second flexion member 200.

[0058] In some embodiments, the bending segments 220 of the second flexion member 200 can include stop elements similar to the proximal and distal stop elements 132, 142 of the first flexion member 100. Specifically, each flexion segment 220 includes a proximal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis 220 from the proximal pivot extension 230 and a distal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis 220 from the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions 240. The circumferential offset is preferably 90°, but may be other angles, such as 45° or 60°.

[0059] The proximal stop element of the first bending segment 220a is engaged with the distal stop element of the proximally adjacent bending segment 220b to resist rotation of the first bending segment 220a and the proximally adjacent bending segment 220b about the longitudinal axis 210. The proximal stop element of the distally adjacent bending segment 220c is engaged with the distal stop element of the first bending segment 220a to resist rotation of the first bending segment 220a and the distally adjacent bending segment 220c about the longitudinal axis 210.

[0060] It will be understood that aspects of the proximal stop element 132 and distal stop element 142 described above for the first bending member 100, such as the notch 134, apply equally to the proximal and distal stop elements of the second bending member 200.

[0061] Comparison of bending members Experiments were conducted to evaluate the resistance to torsional forces of conventional bending members 20A and 20B, first bending member 100, and second bending member 200. Experiments were conducted on bending members with outer diameters of 3 mm and 6 mm. When the outer diameter was 3 mm, conventional bending members 20A and 20B could withstand torsional forces of approximately 1.4 kg and 2.2 kg, respectively, while first bending member 100 and second bending member 200 could withstand torsional forces of approximately 3.2 kg and 3.6 kg, respectively. When the outer diameter was 6 mm, conventional bending members 20A and 20B could withstand torsional forces of approximately 1.7 kg and 2.8 kg, respectively, while first bending member 100 and second bending member 200 could withstand torsional forces of approximately 3.8 kg and 4.2 kg, respectively.

[0062] First flexion member 100 can withstand stronger torsional forces than conventional flexion members 20A, 20B because proximal stop element 132 and distal stop element 142 cooperate to resist rotation of flexion segment 120 about longitudinal axis 110 and counteract torsional forces acting on first flexion member 100.

[0063] Additionally, the second flexion member 200 can withstand stronger torsional forces than conventional flexion members 20A, 20B and first flexion member 100. This is due to the twin pairs of distal arcuate extensions 240, 242 which allow each flexion segment 220 to more tightly engage with adjacent flexion segments 220. As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, there are two sets of interface surfaces (N1, N2) for the engagement between the flexion segments 110 of the first flexion member 100, and four sets of interface surfaces (N1, N2, N3, N4) for the engagement between the flexion segments 210 of the second flexion member 200.

[0064] The first bending member 100 and second bending member 200 described in various embodiments herein advantageously exhibit high resistance to forces acting on them, particularly bending, torsional and tensile forces, thereby minimizing the risk of damage or breakage of the bending members 100, 200, particularly during medical procedures that may be dangerous or even fatal to the patient.

[0065] The first flexure member 100 and the second flexure member 200 can be manufactured using a variety of manufacturing methods. In some embodiments, the flexure segments 120, 220 of the flexure members 100, 200 are manufactured individually by molding, machining, milling, etc., and the flexure segments 120, 220 are assembled together to form the flexure members 100, 200. In some embodiments, the first flexure member 100 and the second flexure member 200 are manufactured by a subtractive manufacturing process, such as laser cutting.

[0066] Manufacturing method 300 9, various embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method 300 for manufacturing a bending member 100, 200 for an endoscope 10 using laser cutting. The method 300 includes a step 310 of laser cutting an elongated tube having a lumen extending therethrough. The elongated tube is a rigid tube that can be made from a high strength material such as stainless steel or surgical steel.

[0067] The method 300 includes a step 320 of laser cutting an elongate tube to form a plurality of bend segments 120, 220 along the elongate tube, the bend segments 120, 220 being rotatably connected to one another in series along the longitudinal axis 110, 210 through a lumen such that the flexing member 100, 200 is bendable. The method 300 includes a step 330 of laser cutting an elongate tube to form each bend segment 120, 220 of the plurality of bend segments 120, 220. Various aspects of each bend segment 120, 220 have been described above and will not be described in further detail here for the sake of brevity.

[0068] During laser cutting of the elongated tube, a laser beam is directed radially toward the outer surface of the elongated tube to form multiple, continuously connected bent segments 120, 220. Specifically, the laser beam cuts the proximal and distal ends of each bent segment 120, 220 to form respective extensions and recessed spaces that engage adjacent bent segments 120, 220. The gap between the bent segments 120, 220 can range from 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, such as 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm, 0.2 mm to 0.25 mm, or 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm. Laser cutting of the elongated tube using a radially directed laser beam to form the bent segments 120, 220 advantageously creates a natural lock between the bent segments 120, 220, preventing the individual bent segments 120, 220 from disengaging.

[0069] additive manufacturing In some embodiments, the flexure members 100, 200 or portions thereof, such as the flexure segments 120, 220, can be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process. A common example of additive manufacturing is three-dimensional (3D) printing. However, other additive manufacturing methods are available. Rapid prototyping or rapid manufacturing are also terms that may be used to describe additive manufacturing processes.

[0070] As used herein, "additive manufacturing" generally refers to a manufacturing process in which successive layers of material or materials are applied to one another to "build" or "additively manufacture" a 3D component, layer by layer. This is in comparison to some subtractive manufacturing methods (such as cutting, milling, drilling, etc.) that successively remove material to produce a part. Successive layers are generally fused together to form a monolithic component that may have various integral subcomponents. In particular, the manufacturing process allows an example of the present disclosure to be integrally formed and include various features not possible using conventional manufacturing methods.

[0071] The additive manufacturing methods described herein allow for the production of any suitable size and shape with a variety of features not possible using traditional manufacturing methods. Additive manufacturing can create complex shapes without the use of tools, molds, or fixtures of any kind, with little to no waste. When a part is machined from a solid billet of plastic or metal, much of it is cut away and discarded, but with additive manufacturing, the only material used is the material needed to form the part.

[0072] Suitable additive manufacturing techniques according to the present disclosure include, for example, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), 3D printing such as inkjet and laser jet, Stereolithography (SLA), Direct Selective Laser Sintering (DSLS), Electron Beam Sintering (EBS), Electron Beam Melting (EBM), Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS), Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing (EBAM), Laser Net Shape Manufacturing (LNSM), Direct Metal Deposition (DMD), Digital Light Processing (DLP), Continuous Digital Light Processing (CDLP), Direct Selective Laser Melting (DSLM), Selective Laser Melting (SELM), and the like. These include Direct Metal Laser Melting (SLM), Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Material Jetting (MJ), Nanoparticle Jetting (NPJ), Drop On Demand (DOD), Binder Jetting (BJ), Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM), and other known processes.

[0073] The additive manufacturing processes described herein can be used to form parts using any suitable material. For example, the material can be a metal, plastic, polymer, composite, or any other suitable material that can be a solid, liquid, powder, sheet material, wire, or any other suitable form or combination thereof. More specifically, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the additively manufactured components described herein can be formed in part, in whole, or from some combination of materials that are suitable for use in additive manufacturing processes and that can be suitable for manufacturing the examples described herein.

[0074] As noted above, the additive manufacturing processes disclosed herein allow for a single part to be formed from multiple materials. Accordingly, the examples described herein may be formed from any suitable mixture of the above materials. For example, a component may include multiple layers, segments, or parts formed using different materials, processes, and / or in different additive manufacturing machines. In this manner, components having different materials and material properties may be constructed to meet the needs of any particular application. Furthermore, while the components described herein are constructed entirely by additive manufacturing processes, it should be understood that in alternative embodiments, all or a portion of these components may be formed by casting, machining, and / or any other suitable manufacturing process. Indeed, any suitable combination of materials and manufacturing methods may be used to form these components.

[0075] Additive manufacturing processes typically produce parts based on 3D information of the part, such as a 3D computer model (or design file). Thus, the examples described herein include not only the products or components described herein, but also methods of producing such products or components by additive manufacturing, and computer software, firmware, or hardware for controlling the production of such products by additive manufacturing.

[0076] The structure of a product can be digitally represented in the form of a design file. A design file or computer-aided design (CAD) file is a configuration file that encodes one or more of the surface or volume configurations of the product's shape. That is, the design file represents the geometry or shape of the product.

[0077] The design file can be in any currently known or later developed file format. For example, the design file can be in a stereolithography or "standard tessellation language" (.stl) format created for 3D systems' stereolithography CAD programs, or in an additive manufacturing file (.amf) format, which is an American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standard that is an extensible markup-language (XML)-based format designed to allow any CAD software to describe the shape and configuration of any 3D object to be manufactured on any additive manufacturing printer. Further examples of design file formats include AutoCAD (.dwg) files, Blender (.blend) files, Parasolid (.x_t) files, 3D manufacturing format (.3mf) files, Autodesk (3ds) files, Collada (.dae) files, and Wavefront (.obj) files, although many other file formats exist.

[0078] The design file can be generated using modeling (e.g., CAD modeling) software and / or by scanning the surface of the product to measure the product's surface configuration. Once obtained, the design file can be converted into a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to control additive manufacturing equipment to produce the product according to the geometry specified in the design file. The conversion can convert the design file into slices or layers that are sequentially formed by the additive manufacturing equipment. The instructions (also known as geometric code or "G-code") can be calibrated to a particular additive manufacturing equipment and can specify the exact location and amount of material to be formed at each stage of the manufacturing process. As mentioned above, forming can be by deposition, sintering, or any other form of additive manufacturing method.

[0079] The code or instructions can be converted between different formats, converted into a set of data signals, transmitted or received as a set of data signals, converted into code, stored, etc. as needed. The instructions can be input to the additive manufacturing system and can come from a part designer, an intellectual property (IP) provider, a design firm, an operator or owner of the additive manufacturing system, or other source. The additive manufacturing system can execute the instructions to manufacture a product using any of the techniques or methods disclosed herein.

[0080] The design file or computer-executable instructions can be stored in a (transient or non-transient) computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory, storage system, etc.) that stores code or computer-readable instructions representing the product to be manufactured. As described above, the code or computer-readable instructions define a product that, upon execution of the code or instructions by an additive manufacturing system, can be used to physically generate an object. For example, the instructions can include a precisely defined 3D model of the product, which can be generated from any of a wide variety of well-known CAD software systems, such as AutoCAD®, TurboCAD®, DesignCAD 3D Max, etc. Alternatively, a model or prototype of the product can be scanned to determine the 3D information of the product. Thus, by controlling the additive manufacturing system according to the computer-executable instructions, the additive manufacturing system can be instructed to print out the product.

[0081] In light of the above, embodiments include a manufacturing method using additive manufacturing, which includes obtaining a design file representing a product and instructing an additive manufacturing device to manufacture the product according to the design file. The additive manufacturing device may include a processor configured to automatically convert the design file into computer-executable instructions for controlling the manufacture of the product. In these embodiments, the design file itself, when input to the additive manufacturing device, may automatically initiate the manufacture of the product. Thus, in this embodiment, the design file itself may be considered the computer-executable instructions that cause the additive manufacturing device to manufacture the product. Alternatively, the design file may be converted into instructions by an external computing system, and the resulting computer-executable instructions may be provided to the additive manufacturing device.

[0082] In view of the above, the design and manufacture of implementations of the subject matter and operations described herein can be implemented using digital electronic circuitry, or with computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed herein and their structural equivalents, or with one or more combinations thereof. For example, hardware can include a processor, a microprocessor, electronic circuits, electronic components, integrated circuits, etc. Implementations of the subject matter described herein can be implemented using one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions, encoded on a computer storage medium for execution by or to control the operation of a data processing apparatus. Alternatively, or additionally, the program instructions can be encoded on an artificially generated propagated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal generated to encode information for transmission to a suitable receiving device for execution by the data processing apparatus. A computer storage medium can be or be included in a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a random-access or serial-access memory array or device, or one or more combinations thereof. Additionally, a computer storage medium is not a propagating signal, but a computer storage medium can be a source or destination of computer program instructions encoded in an artificially generated propagating signal. A computer storage medium may also be or be contained in one or more separate physical components or media (e.g., multiple CDs, disks, or other storage devices).

[0083] Although additive manufacturing techniques are described herein as enabling the production of complex objects by building the object typically vertically, point by point, layer by layer, other manufacturing methods are possible and are within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, while the description herein refers to the addition of materials to form successive layers, one skilled in the art will understand that the methods and structures disclosed herein can be implemented with any additive manufacturing technique or other manufacturing technology.

[0084] In the foregoing "Description of the Preferred Embodiments," embodiments of the present disclosure related to an endoscopic bending member are described with reference to the provided figures. The description of various embodiments herein is not intended to describe or be limited to only particular representations of the present disclosure, but merely to illustrate non-limiting examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure helps to address at least one of the above-mentioned problems and issues associated with the prior art. While only a few embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure that various changes and / or modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure and the following claims is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A bending member for an endoscope, a lumen extending therethrough; a plurality of bending segments rotatably connected in series with one another along a longitudinal axis through the lumen such that the bending member is bendable; Each bending segment is a pair of proximal arcuate extensions extending proximally from the bent segment; a proximal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis from the pair of proximal arcuate extensions; a distal pivot extension extending distally from the bending segment; a distal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis from the distal pivot extension; The first bend segment is engaged with a proximally adjacent bend segment and a distally adjacent bend segment, whereby the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the first bend segment are engaged around the distal pivot extensions of the proximally adjacent bend segment, whereby the first bend segment and the proximally adjacent bend segment are rotatable about a proximal bend axis through the distal pivot extensions of the proximally adjacent bend segment; the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segments are engaged around the distal pivot extension of the first flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the distally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about a distal flexion axis through the distal pivot extension of the first flexion segment; the proximal element of the first bend segment engages the distal stop element of the proximally adjacent bend segment to resist rotation of the first bend segment and the proximally adjacent bend segment about the longitudinal axis; the proximal stop element of the distally adjacent bend segment engages the distal stop element of the first bend segment to resist rotation of the first bend segment and the distally adjacent bend segment about the longitudinal axis; A flexion member, wherein the flexion segments are rotatable relative to one another about the respective flexion axes, thereby bending the flexion member, the flexion axes being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

2. the proximal stop element includes an extension extending proximally from the bend segment; the distal stop element comprises a recess; The bending member according to claim 1 .

3. The flexion member of claim 2 , wherein the extension of the proximal stop element includes a notch for accommodating an angle adjustment wire within the lumen.

4. the proximal stop element comprises a recess; the distal stop element includes an extension extending distally from the bend segment; The bending member according to claim 1 .

5. The flexion member of claim 4 , wherein the extension of the distal stop element includes a notch for accommodating an angle adjustment wire within the lumen.

6. the proximal stop element is circumferentially offset 90° about the longitudinal axis from the pair of proximal arcuate extensions; the distal stop element being circumferentially offset 90° about the longitudinal axis from the distal pivot extension; The bending member according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the distal pivot extension is circumferentially aligned with the pair of proximal arcuate extensions such that the bending member is bendable in two directions; The bending member according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. 7. The bending member of claim 1, wherein the distal pivot extension is circumferentially offset 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis from the pair of proximal arcuate extensions such that the bending member can bend in four directions.

9. Flexure member according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the flexure member is manufactured by laser cutting.

10. An endoscope comprising the bending member according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A computer program comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to control an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture a product comprising a flexure member according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. 1. A method for producing a product by additive manufacturing, comprising: - obtaining an electronic file representing the geometric shape of the product, the product comprising a flexion element according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and controlling an additive manufacturing device to manufacture the product according to the geometric shape specified in the electronic file over one or more additive manufacturing steps.

13. 1. A method for manufacturing a bending member for an endoscope, comprising: laser cutting an elongated tube having a lumen extending therethrough; forming a plurality of bend segments along the elongate tube from the laser cutting of the elongate tube, the bend segments being rotatably connected to one another in series along the longitudinal axis through the lumen such that the flexure member is bendable; forming each bend segment of the plurality of bend segments from the laser cutting of the elongate tube, each bend segment comprising: a pair of proximal arcuate extensions extending proximally from the bent segment; a proximal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis from the pair of proximal arcuate extensions; a distal pivot extension extending distally from the bending segment; a distal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis from the distal pivot extension; The first bend segment is engaged with a proximally adjacent bend segment and a distally adjacent bend segment, whereby the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the first bend segment are engaged around the distal pivot extensions of the proximally adjacent bend segment, whereby the first bend segment and the proximally adjacent bend segment are rotatable about a proximal bend axis through the distal pivot extensions of the proximally adjacent bend segment; the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segments are engaged around the distal pivot extension of the first flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the distally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about a distal flexion axis through the distal pivot extension of the first flexion segment; the proximal element of the first bend segment engages the distal stop element of the proximally adjacent bend segment to resist rotation of the first bend segment and the proximally adjacent bend segment about the longitudinal axis; the proximal stop element of the distally adjacent bend segment engages the distal stop element of the first bend segment to resist rotation of the first bend segment and the distally adjacent bend segment about the longitudinal axis; the bending segments are rotatable relative to one another about the respective bending axes, thereby bending the bending member, the bending axes being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

14. the proximal stop element includes an extension extending proximally from the bend segment; the distal stop element comprises a recess; The method of claim 13.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the extension of the proximal stop element includes a notch for accommodating an angle adjustment wire within the lumen.

16. the proximal stop element comprises a recess; the distal stop element includes an extension extending distally from the bend segment; The method of claim 13.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the extension of the distal stop element includes a notch for accommodating an angle adjustment wire within the lumen.

18. the proximal stop element is circumferentially offset 90° about the longitudinal axis from the pair of proximal arcuate extensions; the distal stop element being circumferentially offset 90° about the longitudinal axis from the distal pivot extension; The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17.

19. 19. The method of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the distal pivot extension is circumferentially aligned with the pair of proximal arcuate extensions such that the flexion member is flexible in two directions.

20. 19. The method of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the distal pivot extension is circumferentially offset 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis from the pair of proximal arcuate extensions such that the flexion member is flexible in four directions.

21. A bending member for an endoscope, a lumen extending therethrough; a plurality of bending segments rotatably connected in series with one another along a longitudinal axis through the lumen such that the bending member is bendable; Each bending segment is a proximal pivot extension extending proximally from the flexion segment; a pair of proximal arcuate extensions extending proximally from the bend segment, the proximal arcuate extensions having the proximal pivot extension disposed therebetween; a medial pair of distal arcuate extensions extending distally from the bend segment; an outer pair of distal arcuate extensions extending distally from the bend segment, the outer pair of distal arcuate extensions being disposed therebetween; The first bend segment is engaged with a proximally adjacent bend segment and a distally adjacent bend segment, whereby the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged about the proximal pivot extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment, the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment are engaged about the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment, and the outer pair of distal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged about the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the distally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about a distal flexion axis through the proximal pivot extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment; the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions of the proximally adjacent flexion segments are engaged about the proximal pivot extension of the first flexion segment, the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged about the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions of the proximally adjacent flexion segments, and the outer pair of distal arcuate extensions of the proximally adjacent flexion segments are engaged about the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the proximally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about a proximal flexion axis through the proximal pivot extension of the first flexion segment; A flexion member, wherein the flexion segments are rotatable relative to one another about the respective flexion axes, thereby bending the flexion member, the flexion axes being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

22. 16. The flexion member of claim 15, wherein the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions are circumferentially aligned with the proximal pivot extension such that the flexion member is flexible in two directions.

23. 16. The flexion member of claim 15, wherein the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions are circumferentially offset 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis from the proximal pivot extension such that the flexion member is flexible in four directions.

24. Each bending segment is a proximal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis from the proximal pivot extension; a distal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis from the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions; the proximal element of the first bend segment engages the distal stop element of the proximally adjacent bend segment to resist rotation of the first bend segment and the proximally adjacent bend segment about the longitudinal axis; the proximal stop element of the distally adjacent bend segment engages the distal stop element of the first bend segment to resist rotation of the first bend segment and the distally adjacent bend segment about the longitudinal axis. The bending member according to any one of claims 21 to 23.

25. the proximal stop element includes an extension extending proximally from the bend segment; the distal stop element comprises a recess; 25. The flexure member of claim 24.

26. 26. The flexion member of claim 25, wherein the extension of the proximal stop element includes a notch for accommodating an angle adjustment wire within the lumen.

27. the proximal stop element comprises a recess; the distal stop element includes an extension extending distally from the bend segment; 25. The flexure member of claim 24.

28. 26. The flexion member of claim 25, wherein the extension of the distal stop element includes a notch for accommodating an angle adjustment wire within the lumen.

29. the proximal stop element is circumferentially offset 90° about the longitudinal axis from the pair of proximal arcuate extensions; the distal stop element being circumferentially offset 90° about the longitudinal axis from the distal pivot extension; The bending member according to any one of claims 24 to 28.

30. Flexure member according to any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein the flexure member is manufactured by laser cutting.

31. An endoscope comprising the bending member according to any one of claims 21 to 30.

32. A computer program comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to control an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture a product comprising a flexure member according to any one of claims 21 to 30.

33. 1. A method for producing a product by additive manufacturing, comprising: - obtaining an electronic file representing the geometric shape of the product, the product comprising a flexion element according to any one of claims 21 to 30; and controlling an additive manufacturing device to manufacture the product according to the geometric shape specified in the electronic file over one or more additive manufacturing steps.

34. 1. A method for manufacturing a bending member for an endoscope, comprising: laser cutting an elongated tube having a lumen extending therethrough; forming a plurality of bend segments along the elongate tube from the laser cutting of the elongate tube, the bend segments being rotatably connected to one another in series along the longitudinal axis through the lumen such that the flexure member is bendable; forming each bend segment of the plurality of bend segments from the laser cutting of the elongate tube, each bend segment comprising: a proximal pivot extension extending proximally from the flexion segment; a pair of proximal arcuate extensions extending proximally from the bend segment, the proximal arcuate extensions having the proximal pivot extension disposed therebetween; a medial pair of distal arcuate extensions extending distally from the bend segment; an outer pair of distal arcuate extensions extending distally from the bend segment, the outer pair of distal arcuate extensions being disposed therebetween; The first bend segment is engaged with a proximally adjacent bend segment and a distally adjacent bend segment, whereby the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged about the proximal pivot extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment, the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment are engaged about the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment, and the outer pair of distal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged about the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the distally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about a distal flexion axis through the proximal pivot extensions of the distally adjacent flexion segment; the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions of the proximally adjacent flexion segments are engaged about the proximal pivot extension of the first flexion segment, the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment are engaged about the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions of the proximally adjacent flexion segments, and the outer pair of distal arcuate extensions of the proximally adjacent flexion segments are engaged about the pair of proximal arcuate extensions of the first flexion segment, whereby the first flexion segment and the proximally adjacent flexion segment are rotatable about a proximal flexion axis through the proximal pivot extension of the first flexion segment; the bending segments are rotatable relative to one another about the respective bending axes, thereby bending the bending member, the bending axes being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

35. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions are circumferentially aligned with the proximal pivot extension such that the flexion member is flexible in two directions.

36. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions are circumferentially offset 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis from the proximal pivot extension such that the flexion member is flexible in four directions.

37. Each bending segment is a proximal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis from the proximal pivot extension; a distal stop element circumferentially offset about the longitudinal axis from the inner pair of distal arcuate extensions; the proximal element of the first bend segment engages the distal stop element of the proximally adjacent bend segment to resist rotation of the first bend segment and the proximally adjacent bend segment about the longitudinal axis; the proximal stop element of the distally adjacent bend segment engages the distal stop element of the first bend segment to resist rotation of the first bend segment and the distally adjacent bend segment about the longitudinal axis. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 36.

38. the proximal stop element includes an extension extending proximally from the bend segment; the distal stop element comprises a recess; 38. The method of claim 37.

39. 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the extension of the proximal stop element comprises a notch for accommodating an angle adjustment wire within the lumen.

40. the proximal stop element comprises a recess; the distal stop element includes an extension extending distally from the bend segment; 38. The method of claim 37.

41. 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the extension of the distal stop element comprises a notch for accommodating an angle adjustment wire within the lumen.

42. the proximal stop element is circumferentially offset 90° about the longitudinal axis from the pair of proximal arcuate extensions; the distal stop element being circumferentially offset 90° about the longitudinal axis from the distal pivot extension; 42. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 41.

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