Abstract: A capsule device configured to navigate through a patient's GI track is disclosed. System and method to turn on the capsule device based on acceleration is described. First the capsule is monitored at a slow sampling mode. Then the capsule is monitored at a fast sampling mode. A user can input hand motion to change the acceleration to turn on the capsule device.

Abstract: An endoscope sheath configured to receive a portion of an endoscope can include a tubular member and a positioning device located on the tubular member. The positioning device can include a crimp that is configured to prevent distal movement of a portion of the endoscope relative to the tubular member.

Abstract: The disclosure relates and extends to a light source having a strobing or pulsing sequence suitable for use with a CMOS sensor that does not require, have, or use a global shutter. Instead, the CMOS sensor synchronizes the strobing input with the blanking portion of the sensor readout pattern and disables the strobing during sensor readout, or when the strobing would otherwise leave artifacts in the image. The CMOS sensor freezes its readout during the strobing.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope and a processor. The endoscope includes: an actuator including a coil configured to cause a movable lens and a magnet to move by application of a drive signal; a position sensor configured to output a position detection signal showing a position of the movable lens according to a magnetic flux of the magnet; and an endoscope memory storing correction information for correcting crosstalk onto the position detection signal by the magnetic flux of the coil. The processor includes a drive controller configured to correct the position detection signal based on the drive signal and the correction information and output the drive signal based on a target position and the corrected position detection signal, to the actuator.

Abstract: A system is provided for identifying the sufficiency of lesions formed during a tissue ablation procedure. The system and method include administering an ICG composition to the patient and forming one or more lesions at a surgical site. The method further includes applying energy of a type and in an amount sufficient to cause ICG in the patient to fluoresce. An image of the tissue and lesion at the surgical site is obtained while the ICG fluoresces. The lesion is distinguished from surrounding de novo tissue based on areas of fluorescence to allow a user to evaluate the quality of the lesion.

Abstract: An endoscope valve includes: a piston portion; and an attachment member including a surface forming a hollow space extending in a central axis direction. The piston portion includes: protrusions protruding in a direction perpendicular to the central axis and abutting a surface forming the hollow space of the attachment member; and a seal portion formed in a hollow disk shape with the central axis of the piston portion as a symmetry axis and configured to seal a portion between the attachment member and the seal portion. In the protrusions, when a length of the protrusion in a protrusion direction is indicated by dA, a length of the protrusion in the central axis direction is indicated by dB, and a shrinkage amount of the protrusion when the protrusion comes into pressure-contact with a pressure-contact object is indicated by dC, relationships of dB?dA and dC<dA are satisfied.

Abstract: A laryngoscope that includes a low-profile, straight laryngoscope blade that is thin and tapered in width and height, and designed to be intuitive in use and function. A distal tip of the blade may be configured to be placed in the anterior oropharynx with the angled camera (e.g., 10 degrees-40 degrees), thereby providing views of the airway and facilitating blade advancement. Real-time image data collected during a laryngoscopy may be communicated to a medical professional for immediate and ongoing feedback during a laryngoscopy or communicated to an electronic medical record. The laryngoscope provides first responders and airway managers of varying abilities a unique, portable, wireless laryngoscope to optimally manage airways and provide the greatest likelihood of safe, atraumatic airway access. The laryngoscope with the transformational laryngoscope blade design having an angled camera and wireless video forms a singular, effective instrument for airway managers and medical professionals.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes: a light source device configured to continuously emit first light of a first wavelength band, and sequentially emit second light of plural second wavelength bands different from the first wavelength band and different from each other; and an imaging device including: a spectroscopic unit configured to spectrally separate light from a subject, the light being due to illumination light emitted by the light source device, into light of the first wavelength band and light of the second wavelength bands; a first imaging element configured to generate a first image signal by receiving and photoelectrically convert the light of the first wavelength band spectrally separated by the spectroscopic unit; and a second imaging element configured to generate a second image signal by respectively receiving and photoelectrically converting the light of the second wavelength bands spectrally separated by the spectroscopic means.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting whether an illumination source of an endoscope is in use (inside the body of a patient) versus not in use (outside the body of a patient). The disclosure relies on the fact that the working environment is lit solely by the endoscope and its components. Thus, communication between the illumination or light source controller and the imaging device, such as a surgical camera, is required. When the illumination or light source is turned off and the endoscope is outside the body, a sensor will detect ambient light alerting the illumination source controller that it is outside the body, which then keeps the illumination source off or at a low intensity level. Conversely, when the illumination source is turned off and the endoscope is inside the body, the sensor will not detect any light (or will detect only a very low level of light).

Abstract: An adaptor may include a shell and a plunger positioned at a first end of the shell and moveable between an undepressed state and a depressed state. The adaptor may further include a ramp extending from a second end of the shell and a carrier coupled to the ramp. In the undepressed state, the carrier may be located at a first position along the ramp, and wherein, in the depressed state, the carrier may be located at a second position along the ramp, wherein the second position may be closer to the second end of the shell than the first position.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of a sensored surgical tool, and surgical intraoperative tracking and imaging system incorporating same. In one embodiment, the surgical tool comprises a rigid elongate tool body having a substantially rigid tool tip to be displaced and tracked within the surgical cavity so to reproducibly locate the tool tip within the cavity. The tool further comprises one or more tool tip cameras and/or pressure sensors operatively disposed along the body at or proximal to the tool tip.

Abstract: An endoscope for imaging a fluorescent agent in a patient, the endoscope having a first optical channel communicating light from a first light source and a second light source, the first light source having an excitation wavelength and the second light source having a wavelength different than the wavelength of the first light source; a field stop having a fluorescent indicator; and a second optical channel in optical communication with the first light source and in optical communication with the fluorescent indicator on the field stop. When light from the first light source illuminates the fluorescent indicator on the field stop, the fluorescent indicator is detectable. Image processing components used with the endoscope can identify the fluorescent indicator, or lack thereof, and transmit information to a user.

Abstract: Laser mapping imaging and videostroboscopy is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a controller configured to cause the emitter to emit the pulses of electromagnetic radiation at a strobing frequency determined based on a vibration frequency of vocal cords of a user. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.

Abstract: A fiber light source includes a solid-state light source, a wavelength convertor, and an optical fiber. The solid-state light source is configured to emit first light, the first light including blue light with a peak wavelength in a range of 430 to 470 nm, inclusive, and green light with a peak wavelength in a range of 480 to 550 nm, inclusive. The wavelength convertor is disposed on the light output side or the light incident side of the optical fiber and contains a red phosphor. The red phosphor includes Ce as a luminescent center, and is excited by at least part of the green light to emit second light. The second light has a spectrum with a peak wavelength in a range of 600 to 700 nm, inclusive. The red phosphor contains a nitride or an oxynitride as a host material.

Abstract: In order to support determination of a disease stage, there are provided a medical image processing system, an endoscope system, a diagnostic support apparatus, and a medical service support apparatus for reliably acquiring an index value relevant to visibility with respect to the state of red blood cells or the degree of irregularity of a gland duct structure according to the disease stage determination accuracy desired by a doctor. A light source unit emits a plurality of illumination light beams having different wavelength bands and different visibilities for red blood cells. An image acquisition unit acquires a plurality of medical images corresponding to respective illumination light beams by imaging an observation target illuminated with the respective illumination light beams. A red blood cell index value acquisition unit acquires a red blood cell index value, which is obtained by indexing the visibility of red blood cells, from each of the medical images.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a display image selecting portion that selectively outputs one of a surgical image and a gastrointestinal image inputted via an input portion or outputs both of the surgical image and the gastrointestinal image; a combining portion that generates, when both of the surgical image and the gastrointestinal image are outputted by the display image selecting portion, a composite image for performing two-screen display of the surgical image and the gastrointestinal image; and a processor that performs image judgment processing, the processor detecting whether a high-luminance area formed by illumination light radiated at a time of image pickup by the gastrointestinal endoscope exists in the surgical image; and deciding, when detecting that the high-luminance area exists in the surgical image when the surgical image is displayed in one screen, a display method for causing two-screen display based on the composite image to be displayed.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device including a wiring connecting a first electrode on a light receiving surface and a second electrode on a rear surface, a first wiring board including a distal end surface, from which a flying lead protrudes, arranged to oppose the rear surface of the image pickup device, a second wiring board including a second main surface to which an upper surface of the first wiring board is made to adhere and including a distal end surface arranged to oppose the rear surface, in which the flying lead is bent and bonded to the second electrode, and a sealing member sealing a bonding section between the second electrode and the flying lead and an adhesion member that makes the distal end surface of the second wiring board and the rear surface adhere to each other are composed of integral curable resin.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion that includes a distal end portion and a bending portion configured to change a direction of the distal end portion. The distal end portion includes a casing having a round shape in a cross-section, and an image pickup module that includes an optical module section including a plurality of optical members and an image pickup section, the image pickup module having a rectangular shape in a cross-section, and the image pickup section includes an image pickup device and a semiconductor stack in which a plurality of semiconductor devices is stacked, and entirety of the image pickup module is completely housed inside the casing.

Abstract: A steerable micro-device comprising a cylindrical elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end, the elongated member comprising at least a first lumen, a tensioning wire running in the first lumen, a distal end of the tensioning wire being attached at the distal end of the elongated member and a proximal end of the tensioning wire exiting the first lumen at the proximal end of the elongated member; the elongated member having a proximal portion extending from the proximal end toward the distal end of the elongated member and a distal portion extending from the distal end to the proximal portion of the elongated member, the proximal portion having a first durometer and the distal portion having a second durometer, lower than the first durometer the first lumen being arranged such that the distal portion of the elongated body bends when the proximal end of the tensioning wire is pulled.

Abstract: A method for determining a shape of a bendable instrument can include placing the bendable instrument in a neutral position; moving a first control element a first amount until slack is removed from the first control element; moving a second control element a second amount until slack is removed from the second control element; sensing a position of the first control element after moving the first control element the first amount, the sensed position of the first control element being defined as a first control element calibration position; sensing a position of the second control element after moving the second control element the second amount, the sensed position of the second control element being defined as a second control element calibration position.