Simplified highly maneuverable surgical catheter and bronchoscope

Catheter device and driving system configured to navigate the catheter through complex narrow tissue openings such as lung bronchi pathway openings of 3 millimeters or less. The device comprises a proximal catheter portion containing a hollow torque shaft, with a distal catheter portion connected to the proximal portion by an isolation transition coupler connected to this torque shaft. The distal position of the catheter is controlled by at least one steering cable/isolation coil arrangement. The system uses processor-controlled actuators that simultaneously rotate the torque shaft and the at least one steering cable/isolation coil in a 1:1 relationship, while also actuating the steering cable. The catheter is tipped by a tool plate, which can be equipped with various sensors and other instruments, connected to the outside via other conduits.