A flexible endoscope includes a handle and a flexible shaft extending from the handle. The shaft includes a distal portion having a tubular wall defining a central lumen and a least two smaller lumens extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the tubular wall and a pull wire is disposed within one or more of the smaller lumens. The distal portion further includes an articulation layer disposed over the tubular wall and includes a first series of slots, which allow controlled bending of the distal portion by movement of one or more of the pull wires.
