ENDOSCOPE

A method for providing an insertion cord of an endoscope with graduated flexibility along a length of the insertion cord, the method including providing a main tube having a longitudinal axis, the main tube comprising a coiled core and a polymer layer; raising a temperature of the polymer layer in a portion of the main tube from a first temperature to above a second temperature that is less than a melting point of the polymer layer; bending the portion of the main tube to impose a first meander bend while the temperature is above the second temperature, wherein said bending comprises bending the portion of the main tube at at least two angles relative to a line parallel to the longitudinal axis.