Abstract: Catheter control systems which facilitate the tracking of an angle of deflection of a catheter distal end can be used for any number of procedures where catheter orientation relative to the body is desirable, e.g., in transseptal access procedures where an accurate angle of puncture of the septal wall is desirable. Such control systems may comprise a steerable handle which is oriented relative to the catheter steerable section to provide for consistent catheter articulation upon corresponding manipulation of the steering ring. Another variation may utilize an orientation indicator to track the deflectable distal end. For instance, an orientation marker as visualized through an imaging hood on the distal end may correspond to identical orientation markers on the control handle such that articulation of a steering mechanism in a direction relative to the orientation markers deflects the catheter distal end in a corresponding direction relative to the visualized orientation markers.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope apparatus that includes: a bending portion that bends in at least one direction; bending wires that are each connected to the bending portion; actuators that are connected to proximal ends of the bending wires, respectively, and that contract or expand by means of air pressure; electromagnetic valves that are provided between the actuators and a gas supply source that supplies air, respectively, and that adjust pressures applied to the actuators; and a control section that controls the electromagnetic valves. Each bending wire has slack therein when the actuators are in an atmospheric pressure state. The control section controls the electromagnetic valves so as to subject the actuators to initial pressurization until the slack of each bending wire disappears.

Abstract: A uretero-renoscope includes a shaft, on whose distal end an instrument head is arranged. The instrument head tapers continuously in the distal direction.

Abstract: An instrument lifting operation device including: an operation wire drawing mechanism configured to draw an proximal end of an operation wire connected to an instrument lifting piece; and a braking mechanism configured to restrict movement of the operation wire toward the tip side, wherein the braking mechanism includes: a fixed wall; and a spring arranged to be able to rotate about an axis together with an instrument lifting operation member in a state where the spring is elastically pressed against an inner circumferential surface of the fixed wall. When the instrument lifting operation member is operated to rotate about the axis, the wire coupling member rotates about the axis and the operation wire moves forward and backward in a state where the spring contacts and slides on the inner circumferential surface of the fixed wall to generate frictional resistance at a contacting part.

Abstract: An endoscope hood (1) has a cylindrical shape with both ends opened and is mounted on a tip end portion (3) in a longitudinal axis direction of an endoscope (2) provided with an optical system at least including an observation system (5) and a treatment system to be used. The endoscope hood (1) is provided with an endoscope mounting unit (18) having a base end side opening (21) configured to be mounted on the tip end portion (3) of the endoscope (2) and a hood main body (17) having a tip end side opening (10) of which outer diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction is smaller than the outer diameter of the base end side opening (21), wherein, in a state in which the base end side opening (21) is mounted on the tip end portion (3) and the tip end portion (3) is seen in the longitudinal axis direction, the optical system and the treatment system are located on the inside of the tip end side opening (10).

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas water bottle adaptor that is suitable for attachment to a water bottle and to a bottle cap. The adaptor can include a gas inlet on one side thereof suitable for attachment to the gas connection of an endoscope. A sealing member can be affixed to the adaptor to prevent leakage of any fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) that is inside of the water bottle. The adaptor may be used in endoscopy methods and is particularly useful for adding a secondary gas source to a water bottle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an articulate minimally invasive surgical endoscope with a flexible wrist having at least one degree of freedom. When used with a surgical robot having a plurality of robot arms, the endoscope can be used with any of the plurality of arms thereby allowing the use a universal arm design. The endoscope in accordance to the present invention is made more intuitive a to a user by attaching a reference frame used for controlling the at least one degree of freedom motion to the flexible wrist for wrist motion associated with the at least one degree of freedom. The endoscope in accordance to the present invention attenuates undesirable motion at its back/proximal end by acquiring the image of the object in association with the at least one degree of freedom based on a reference frame rotating around a point of rotation located proximal to the flexible wrist.

Abstract: Devices and systems are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device by means of a robotic system. In one embodiment, systems and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and/or cutting.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with image guidance or navigation system and hand held devices having pistol type grips and other handpieces.

Abstract: A rotary self-advancing endoscope system which produces propulsion by rotating, with a motor, a rotating cylindrical body provided on an outer periphery side of an insertion portion main body and causes the insertion portion main body to move forward into an examinee's body, wherein the system is configured to periodically repeating a combination of a state in which the rotating cylindrical body forward-rotates at a predetermined RPM and a state in which the rotating cylindrical body is stopped from rotating and releases accumulated elastic energy and, when a drive current to the motor has reached a predetermined threshold value, reverse-rotate the motor.

Abstract: The endoscope apparatus of the present invention includes: an insertion portion having a bending portion; an observation device that is provided at the insertion portion; an illumination unit that is provided at the insertion portion, and that illuminates a visual field of the observation device; a main body unit that is formed having a size that enables it to be held and operated by one hand of a user; an operating section that is used to operate the bending portion; a display unit that is connected to the insertion portion, and that displays images acquired by the observation device; a light emitting component that is provided in the main body unit, and that is connected via a light guide to the illumination unit; a heat discharge unit that is provided at the main body unit such that at least a portion thereof is exposed, and that is thermally connected to the light emitting component; and a shielding portion that is provided at the main body unit, and that covers at least a portion of the periphery of the

Abstract: An insertion device includes a channel defining portion extended through an inside of an insertion section up to a base portion toward a distal direction and defining a channel that is open to an outside of the insertion section in an opening of an outer peripheral portion of the base portion, and a driving unit extended through an inside of the channel with a driving axis being an axial center and being rotatable in directions around the driving axis when driven. The insertion device includes a driving force receiving portion connected to a gear portion in the opening of the channel, and a support unit supporting the driving unit so that the driving axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis in the gear portion.

Abstract: An endoscope including a shaft having a deflectable distal end; a main section at a proximal end of the shaft, where the main section forms a handle of the endoscope; and a deflection control connected to the distal end. The deflection control includes a combined lock and deflection control member at the main section comprising a control lever pivotably connected to the main section at a pivot and extending away from the pivot in a general cantilever fashion, and a lock lever pivotably connected to the control lever. A first end of the lock lever is configured to contact the main section. A second end of the lock lever is configured to be pressed inward on the control lever towards the main section to pivot the first end out of contact with the main section.

Abstract: A wire-operated selective compliance mobile platform (100), in particular for endoscopic surgery devices, obtains a perfect and precise mobility and thus it allows to handle, in the most effective way, the supported instruments, and comprises a mobile surface (1), a connecting base (2) apt to be connected to a flexible tubular duct (4) for endoscopic uses, a plurality of supporting elements (3), apt to permit the motion of said mobile surface (1) relative to said base (2), characterized in that said supporting elements (3) have at least a selective compliance turning pair (31) and a number of joints (32, 34) so as to provide a predetermined number of degrees of freedom to said platform (100), neither determining any over-constraining, nor forcing the system to be deformed in unselected directions, each supporting element (3) being operated by moving means (51, 52) so as to move said mobile surface (1).

Abstract: An endoscopic aspiration device is mounted on a manipulating head of an endoscope, from which an elongated insertion rod member is extended forward, the endoscopic aspiration device being composed of a valve casing which is mounted on the manipulation head in communication with an aspiration passage running through the insertion rod member, and a valve assembly unit including a valve member, a valve guide member and a connector member attached to the valve guide member to communicate same with a proximal aspiration passage on the side of a suction source. The valve member is put in a sliding displacement along the valve guide member to bring the aspiration passage into and out of communication with the proximal aspiration passage on the side of a suction source. The valve guide member is coupled with the valve casing through a coupling mechanism which permits to turn the valve assembly unit on and relative to the manipulating head.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an endoscope insertion portion having a bendable bending portion and a bending mechanism configured to bend the bending portion. The bending mechanism includes a pulley, at least one annular member, a pulling member, and a pulling operation member. The pulley is rotatably driven. The annular member is formed into a C-shape with a cut-out, and can be elastically deformed. The annular member is externally fitted to the pulley with a gap. The pulling member has an intermediate portion wound around the annular member. The distal end portion of the pulling member is connected to the bending portion, and the proximal end portion of the pulling member is connected to the pulling operation member which pulls the pulling member. The width direction position at the winding start position of the pulling member wound around the annular member is made different from the width direction position at the winding end position of the pulling member.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a distal end portion body 31 formed of a metal, a distal end portion cover 32 formed of an insulating resin to cover the distal end portion body 31, and a cover lens 25 disposed at a position at which the circumferential surface of the cover lens 25 is contactable with both the distal end portion body 31 and the distal end portion cover 32. In the above, the proximal end side of the circumferential surface of the cover lens 25 is bonded to the distal end portion body 31 by soldering along the circumferential direction. Meanwhile, the distal end side of the circumferential surface of the cover lens 25 is bonded to the distal end portion cover 32 by adhesion along the circumferential direction. Each of bonding surfaces of the cover lens 25 and the distal end portion body 31 is previously formed with a metal film for improving the flow of a liquid solder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas water bottle adaptor that is suitable for attachment to a water bottle and to a bottle cap. The adaptor can include a gas inlet on one side thereof suitable for attachment to the gas connection of an endoscope. A sealing member can be affixed to the adaptor to prevent leakage of any fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) that is inside of the water bottle. The adaptor may be used in endoscopy methods and is particularly useful for adding a secondary gas source to a water bottle.

Abstract: A minimally invasive endoscopic surgical procedure or an endoscopic surgical procedure through natural orifices which includes: introducing a spacial structure in a shrunken state into a body cavity by a spacial structure introduction portion; enlarging the spacial structure in the body cavity; setting the enlarged spacial structure in a predetermined position in the body cavity and supporting the tissues inside of the body cavity with the set spacial structure; inserting a distal end of at least an endoscope or a treatment instrument from at least a part of an opening portion of the spacial structure, and orienting the distal end to a pathological lesion located on the inner side of the tissues inside of the body cavity which is supported by the spacial structure.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods suitable for facilitating positioning one or more medical components. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a rail member having proximal and distal ends and a generally longitudinal axis. A first connector is adapted to be selectively coupled to the rail member, and a first medical component is adapted to be coupled to the first connector. The first connector is disposed for selective longitudinal movement along the rail member, thereby permitting movement of the first medical component with respect to the rail member. In this manner, one or more components, such as a catheter and a needle, may be inserted into a human or animal body in a controlled fashion with respect to one another.