Variable stiffness catheter for surgical applications, system for remote magnetic navigation surgical approach and method for manufacturing said catheter

The present invention concerns a variable stiffness catheter (1) for surgical applications, a system (2) and a method for manufacturing said catheter, wherein said catheter (1) comprises at least one soft biocompatible hollow sleeve (S) and further including: - a tip sealing cap (10) at a distal end, - a working channel (15) enclosed within said sleeve (S) and extending from a proximal end to said distal end, for applying a treatment outside the catheter (1), through said tip sealing cap (10), - a plurality of fibers (F) enclosed within said sleeve (S), - an inlet attachable to a source (SV) of vacuum or pressure for applying vacuum or pressure inside said sleeve (S), said fibers (F) being assembled in at least one bundle such that applying vacuum inside said sleeve (S) induces fiber jamming resulting in a stiffening from a soft state to a stiff state.