Abstract: An endoscope includes a shaft having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft, and an image sensor is carried on the distal end of the shaft. A channel extends through at least a distal shaft portion and has a channel diameter, and a section of the channel is re-configurable between a constricted shape and a non-constricted shape to accommodate tools introduced therethrough. The combined diagonal dimension and channel diameter is usually greater than the outer shaft diameter. The image sensor may be connected to a connector on the housing by a first slack flex circuit and a lights source on the shaft may be connected to a connector on the housing by a second slack flex circuit.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a stereoscopic imaging apparatus includes a tubular housing having a bore extending longitudinally through the housing. First and second image sensors are disposed proximate a distal end of the bore, each including a light sensitive elements on a face and mounted facing laterally outward. The apparatus further includes a first beam steering element associated with the first image sensor and a second beam steering element associated with the second image sensor. The beam steering elements receive light from first and second perspective viewpoints and direct the received light onto the faces of the image sensors forming first and second images. Either the first and second beam steering elements or the first and second image sensors are moveable to cause a change a spacing between or an orientation of the perspective viewpoints to cause sufficient disparity between the first and second images to provide image data including three-dimensional information.

Abstract: An optical system having a viewing angle ? relative to a longitudinal axis including: a prism group to deflect incident light by reflection at first and second surfaces including prisms with mutually adjacent boundary surfaces arranged in pairs and separated by a gap, a total reflection of incident light from outside a field of view takes place at a boundary surface between a prism and a corresponding gap, the prism group has a cylindrical envelope (D), and an input-side prism is configured to have a wedge-shape with angle ? and an optical path length ?; an entry surface of the prism has a length L, which is a length of a line of intersection of the entry surface with a plane that is spanned by a central beam path; and the first prism meets the conditions: ?<cos ?·tan ?·D/2 and L<D/cos ?.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatus and method can be provided. For example, using at least one light source first arrangement, it is possible to provide pulses of light to at least one portion of a biological structure. At least one detector second arrangement can be used to detect images from the portion(s) based on the pulses, and provide data based on the detection. With at least one configuration, it is possible prevent and/or reduce a movement of the apparatus within at least one anatomical body (i) is a particular surface of the apparatus, (ii) covers at least one portion of the surface, and/or (iii) extends from the surface. In addition or alternatively, with at least one computer third arrangement, it is possible to receive the data, and control a timing of at least one of activation or deactivation of at least one portion of the first arrangement based on the data.

Abstract: In a multistage pushbutton switch device, n pushbutton switches and at least one load absorption spring are movably arranged in between a pushbutton member and a reaction force wall in the same axial line, each of the n pushbutton switches is composed of an electrical switch member and a pressing member that operates the electrical switch member, and (n?1) that is one less than n, or more pushbutton switches is arranged with an intermediate spring member, when the pushbutton member is pressed and displaced, the n electrical switch members are sequentially turned on, the load absorption spring is arranged in at least one of between the pushbutton member and the pushbutton switch that is the nearest to the pushbutton member, between pushbutton switches that are adjacent, and between the reaction force wall and the pushbutton switch that is the nearest to the reaction force wall.

Abstract: A low profile surgical system includes a movable cart assembly, an endoscope, and a surgical instrument. The movable cart assembly includes a fluid source and a receptacle assembly that are in fluid communication with one another. The endoscope is operably coupled to the cart assembly and in fluid communication with the fluid source. The surgical instrument is operably coupled to the cart assembly. The surgical instrument and the endoscope are configured to dispense outflow fluid into the receptacle assembly.

Abstract: A surgical endoscope for manipulation by a surgical robot arm. The surgical endoscope comprises a shaft having a distal end for insertion into a patient and a proximal end. An endoscope interface is attached to the proximal end of the shaft. The endoscope interface is configured to engage a robot arm interface of the surgical robot arm. The endoscope interface comprises an endoscope wedge mechanism moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The endoscope wedge mechanism comprises endoscope wedge elements which are displaceable such that collective displacement of the endoscope wedge elements actuates the endoscope wedge mechanism between the unlocked position and the locked position.

Abstract: An endoscope may include a needle and a scope, which may optionally be contained in an elongated shaft. The endoscope may further include a handle comprising at least one button, a visualization component, a reservoir configured to contain a composition, and a dispensing mechanism. The at least one button, the needle, the reservoir, and the dispensing mechanism may be operably linked to cause the composition to be dispensed from the reservoir through the needle to a portion of an ear. A method for using such an endoscope may include inserting the endoscope into a portion of an ear, using the visualization component to visualize the portion of the ear, and pressing the at least one button to dispense the composition from the reservoir through the needle to the portion of the ear.

Abstract: A method is described for performing a percutaneous operation on a patient to remove an object from a cavity within the patient. The method includes advancing a first alignment sensor into the cavity through a patient lumen. The first alignment sensor provides its position and orientation in free space in real time. The alignment sensor is manipulated until it is located in proximity to the object. A percutaneous opening is made in the patient with a surgical tool, where the surgical tool includes a second alignment sensor that provides the position and orientation of the surgical tool in free space in real time. The surgical tool is directed towards the object using data provided by both the first and the second alignment sensors.

Abstract: An image guided surgical system includes a marker attachable to and removable from an elongated surgical tool having a shaft, and at least one camera, and an image processing system in communication with the camera configured to obtain an image of the surgical tool. The image processing system is configured to operate in a calibration mode to generate a template and display the template on a display device and to receive a user input, after the image of the surgical tool is aligned to the template, to adjust a length of the template to substantially match a length of the surgical tool. A storage device in communication with the image processing system is included to store calibration information that associates a position of the marker with a position of the tip of the shaft of the surgical tool based on the adjusted length of the template.

Abstract: Endoscopes and methods of their use, where the endoscopes provide a low profile or cross-section which facilitates introduction through small body passages, such as patient's cervix, and into body cavities, such a patient's uterus.

Abstract: A system for visualizing an anatomical target includes an imaging device (105) configured to collect real-time images of an anatomical target. A three-dimensional model (136) is generated from pre- or intra-operative images and includes images of structures below a surface of the anatomical target not visible in the images from the scope. An image processing module (148) is configured to generate an overlay (107) registered to the real-time images and to indicate the structures below the surface and a depth of the structures below the surface. A display device (118) is configured to concurrently display the real-time images and the overlay.

Abstract: An imaging module includes: an electrical cable; an imaging device; and a flexible wiring board with wirings electrically connecting the imaging device with the electrical cable. The flexible wiring board includes: a device mounting portion on which the imaging device is mounted, and one end of the device mounting portion in a longitudinal direction has a bent portion; and a rear portion that bends and extends from the bent portion to a side opposite the imaging device. The device mounting portion has a mounting surface intersecting an axial direction of a distal end of the electrical cable, and the imaging device is mounted on the mounting surface, and the wirings extend from the mounting surface, pass through the bent portion, and connect with the electrical cable at the rear portion.

Abstract: A medical system includes: an endoscope and at least one treatment tool; a treatment-tool coordinate calculating unit that extracts the treatment tool by processing two or more images acquired at different times by the endoscope, that determines directions of longitudinal axes of the extracted treatment tool, and that calculates a coordinate of an intersection of the determined two or more longitudinal axes; and a judgment unit that judges whether the treatment tool serves as a follow target, on the basis of the coordinate of the intersection calculated by the treatment-tool coordinate calculating unit.

Abstract: Provided are robotic systems and methods for navigation of luminal network that detect physiological noise. In one aspect, the system includes a set of one or more processors configured to receive first and second image data from an image sensor located on an instrument, detect a set of one or more points of interest the first image data, and identify a set of first locations and a set of second location respectively corresponding to the set of points in the first and second image data. The set of processors are further configured to, based on the set of first locations and the set of second locations, detect a change of location of the instrument within a luminal network caused by movement of the luminal network relative to the instrument based on the set of first locations and the set of second locations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control element for an endoscopic device (A) with a retainer; at least one control wire, which can be moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the wire, for control purposes on the endoscopic device (A); a control wire tensioning element guided in the retainer, wherein the control wire is mounted in the control wire tensioning element; and a displacement force application device supported on the retainer, by means of the displacement force application device the control wire tensioning element can be moved relative to the retainer, in order to effect fine adjustment of the control wire.

Abstract: An endoscope system is provided, which comprises an endoscope having a hollow tube formed therein, a flexible elongate member having a first end for operational control and a second distal end for operation of robotic members, one or more actuators coupleable to the flexible elongate member at the first end thereof, and an anti-buckling tube arranged with respect to the hollow tube at the first end of the endoscope to prevent buckling of the flexible elongate member during translation of the one or more actuators.

Abstract: The subject matter discloses a multi-sensor endoscope having a dynamic field of view comprising an elongated shaft terminating with a tip section; a maneuvering section connected to the elongated shaft; at least two sensors, wherein at least one sensor is placed behind the tip section, on the maneuvering section; and one or more illuminators located on external surface of the shaft. In some cases, the sensors include a camera. The subject matter also discloses a multi-sensor endoscopy system comprising an endoscope comprising a handle and a controller, such that the maneuvering section is controlled by the controller.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, devices, and systems for removing speckle from a coherent light source, such as laser light. The methods, devices, and systems help eliminate or reduce speckle introduced from a coherent light source, such as laser light, by utilizing the teachings and principles of the disclosure.

Abstract: A bend information computation apparatus includes a generation unit and a bend information arithmetic operator. The generation unit generates suppression information that suppresses first information representing a variation in spectrum not derived from a bend of a detection target provided in a light guide on the basis of light source spectrum information. The bend information arithmetic operator operates second information representing a variation in spectrum derived from the bend on the basis of a spectrum of light guided by the light guide, operates third information representing a variation in spectrum derived only from the bend on the basis of the second information and the suppression information, and operates bend information on the basis of the third information.