Abstract: An endoscope having a multiple diameter working section is disclosed. The endoscope includes a housing, a working section, and a rod-lens optical system. The housing is at a proximal end of the endoscope. The working section is integral with and extends from the housing. The working section includes at least a first section and a second section. The first section is contiguous to the housing, and the second section is at a distal end of the endoscope. The rod-lens optical system is positioned at least partially in the first section of the working section and at least partially in the second section of the working section. The endoscope is defined such that the outer diameter of the first section is larger than the outer diameter of the second section.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for producing an image in light deficient environments and associated structures, methods and features is disclosed and described. The features of the system may include controlling a light source through duration, intensity or both; pulsing a component controlled light source during the blanking time; maximizing the blanking time to allow optimum light; and maintaining color balance.

Abstract: Provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is a coupling device configured to receive first and second devices. The coupling device may define a first passageway having an inner surface with a first coefficient of friction and defining a first axis. The coupling device may define a second passageway having an inner surface with a second coefficient of friction and defining a second axis, wherein at least a portion of the second axis is at an angle relative to the first axis.

Abstract: The invention provides an imaging system comprising an optical element for deflecting axially incident light into a series of axially spaced outward radial projections, and further comprising an image collection means for collecting reflected light. The element comprises a plurality of light deflecting surfaces or features which are arranged at axially successive points along the element, each at a different radial location. The light-deflecting surfaces are arranged to deflect light incident upon them from an axial direction in a radial direction, each thereby generating a radial projection of light from the element. A beam or beam bundle projected along the element has successive outer annular layers stripped by the facets and deflected outwards at different axial points along the structure.

Abstract: Introduced here is an ingestible device comprising a capsule having a central axis therethrough, at least one propulsion component, and at least one motor configured to supply motive power to the propulsion component(s). The propulsion component(s) may be disposed at locations radially offset from the central axis. Upon receiving input indicative of a request to alter a position and/or an orientation of the ingestible device, the motor(s) can supply motive power to some or all of the propulsion component(s) to cause movement of the ingestible device.

Abstract: An image selection unit selects a B2 image signal of which an image blurring amount satisfies a first condition, from a B2 image signal at a first timing T1 or B2 image signals at the second timing T2 to an N-th timing TN. A computed image signal generation unit performs computation based on a B1 image signal at the first timing T1 and a second image signal selected in the image selection unit, thereby generating a computed image signal.

Abstract: To make it possible to configure a medical support arm apparatus which does not impair operability for the surgeon, and which is also compact. Provided is a medical support arm apparatus including: an arm section configured so that a medical tool is provided on a front end, and movable axes are arranged so that the arm section has at least six degrees of freedom. Among the movable axes, a movable axis provided on the front end side that prescribes an attitude of the medical tool is a passive axis that rotates by following an external force, and at least one axis provided on a base end side that prescribes a position of the medical tool is a drive axis driven by an actuator.

Abstract: [Problem] A surgical apparatus of the related art controls only the cropping position of a captured image, and thus only executes a limited range of image control in laparoscopic surgery. [Solution] A medical information processing apparatus including: an image control section that controls processing of a captured image from a camera; and an arm control section that controls a motion of an arm that supports the camera. One of the image control section and the arm control section executes control on a basis of control information from another control section.

Abstract: A new steerable endoscope for minimally invasive surgery is provided. The endoscope system includes: a wireless steerable endoscope (1), an external magnetic controller (2) and an image/video display (3). The wireless steerable endoscope (1) could be inserted through an incision (4-1) on the body skin (4) and be anchored/steered inside the body cavity by the external magnetic controller (2). It is shaftless, wireless, and can be steered inside the body, operating in a remote manner. Compared with existing endoscopes, it neither requires additional incision nor does it occupy trocar or port space. Without the endoscope shaft, the surgical access trauma and incision size can potentially be reduced, avoiding endoscope-instrument fencing. It can be placed remotely from the access incision, providing an improved and wider field of view. It is soft-bodied and compact in structure, therefore safety is high.

Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating to a target through a patient's bronchial tree are disclosed including a bronchoscope, a probe insertable into a working channel of the bronchoscope and including a location sensor, and a workstation in operative communication with the probe and the bronchoscope, the workstation including a user interface that guides a user through a navigation plan and is configured to present a central navigation view including a plurality of views configured for assisting the user in navigating the bronchoscope through central airways of the patient's bronchial tree toward the target, a peripheral navigation view including a plurality of views configured for assisting the user in navigating the probe through peripheral airways of the patient's bronchial tree to the target, and a target alignment view including a plurality of views configured for assisting the user in aligning a distal tip of the probe with the target.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an image numerical classifier, to automatically determine the visualization quality of endoscopy videocapsule images of segments of the digestive tract, comprising a step of acquiring a video in the digestive tract by a videocapsule; a step of extracting images from the video; a so-called “ground truth” step of clinically evaluating the visualization quality of the images based on medical criteria, a step of selecting an initial set of “adequate” visualization images and “inadequate” visualization images, a step of calculating at least one numerical parameter relating to at least one of the medical criteria, a statistical machine learning step to produce the numerical classifier.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatus and optical systems for forward and side view apparatus are described. These apparatus include a light focusing element, a grating element inclined with respect to the optical axis of the apparatus, and a transparent element. The transparent element has a proximal surface in contact with the grating element and an inclined distal surface. Such apparatus can be used as spectrally encoded endoscopy (SEE) probes.

Abstract: An imaging device that includes at least one lens that collects light incident from an object; an imaging sensor that receives light from the lens and converts it to an electric signal; a multi-layer substrate electrically connected to the imaging sensor that includes electronic components and conductive layers and vias; and a collective cable including at least one coaxial cable. A core connection electrode connected to a core of the coaxial cable is formed on a first surface of the multi-layer substrate, the first substrate intersecting with a height direction of the multi-layer substrate. A shielded-wire connection electrode connected to a shielded wire of the coaxial cable is formed on a side surface of the multi-layer substrate adjacent to the first surface. The side surface faces and the cable extend to a proximal end.

Abstract: A medical manipulator system having a controller configured to receive an image showing a state of a treating portion of a manipulator from an endoscope, determine a magnitude of an external force exerted on the manipulator based on the state of the treating portion of the manipulator shown in the image, generate an auxiliary image in which a display form thereof is changed with a change in the magnitude of the external force exerted on the manipulator determined, determine a display position of the auxiliary image in the image on the basis of the magnitude of the external force exerted on the manipulator determined, and generate a composited image signal of a composited image in which the auxiliary image is superimposed on the image on the basis of the display position determined.

Abstract: A position detection system includes: a detection target; detection coils each outputting a detection signal of strength of the alternating magnetic field; a guidance magnetic field generator including a magnetic field generation source, and a driving mechanism, wherein at least a part of the guidance magnetic field generator is formed of a conductor that generates an interference magnetic field; and a processor configured to: control an operation of the driving mechanism; calculate a correction value by using at least one of a position and a posture of the conductor; correct the measured value by using the correction value; and calculate at least one of a position and a posture of the detection target based on the corrected measured value.

Abstract: A correction image fluctuation amount obtained in a calibration mode and a measurement image fluctuation amount obtained in a measurement mode are compared with each other. On the basis of the comparison result, a temporary correction value, which satisfies a specific condition among temporary correction values stored in the correction value storage unit, is determined as a measurement correction value to be used for correction in a correcting unit.

Abstract: There is provided a protective cover including: an installation section configured to be installed on an arm that supports an imaging device, the arm including a plurality of links joined to each other by one or a plurality of joint sections; and a protective section configured to cover the imaging device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a disposable endoscope shield including a shield body member having a first surface configured to cover a treatment area of a subject and a second surface oriented towards a user of an endoscope device. The shield body member is configured with an opening extending from the first surface to the second surface for allowing the endoscope device to access an internal organ of the subject via a cavity, for performing an endoscopy. A fluid protection layer is configured between the first surface and the second surface of the shield body member, for protecting the user from fluids splattering from the internal organ of the subject during the endoscopy. The shield also includes a pocket member and is configured to a medical procedure mat.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes alight source, a bendable insertion section to be inserted into an observation target, a light guide path which is provided in the insertion section and which guides light emitted from the light source, an illumination light emitter which is provided at the distal end of the insertion section and which emits at least some of the light guided by the light guide path to the observation target as illumination light, a curvature sensor which detects a bending shape of at least part of the insertion section, and an illumination light controller which controls an optical characteristic of the illumination light on the basis of the bending shape of the insertion section detected by the curvature sensor.

Abstract: The light adjustment apparatus of the present embodiment comprises a light adjustment part, a rotation axis body that supports a rotation arm that places and removes the light adjustment part in and out of a light path by swinging, and has a magnet installed therein, an electromagnetic drive source that forms a magnetic circuit including the rotation axis body on the circuit, and works an electromagnetic force on the magnet to rotate a rotational axis of the rotation axis body, and a float prevention part that magnetically restricts the rotation axis body, and prevents the rotation axis body from floating towards an axial direction of the rotational axis when the rotation axis body is rotated.