Abstract: A handheld end of an endoscope includes a housing, an insertion end positioning assembly and a self-locking assembly. The self-locking assembly is hinged to the housing. The housing includes an insertion port. The insertion end positioning assembly includes a positioning member, a first positioning nut and a threaded steel tube. The positioning member is inserted into the insertion port. The threaded steel tube is in threaded fit with the first positioning nut. The first positioning nut is fixed in the positioning member. The insertion end positioning assembly further includes a through hole and a fixing member. The fixing member is fit with the through hole to abut against the threaded steel tube. The threaded steel tube is fit with the positioning member to fix an axial position of the positioning member. A second nut is fit with a fixing screw to fix a rotational position of the positioning member.

Abstract: A channel unit for an endoscope includes a conduit, a mounting member and a connection member having one end connected to the mounting member and another end connected to a distal end of the conduit, the connection member having flexibility and a variable length in a longitudinal direction, and a proximal end side fixing portion of the connection member is movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction with respect to a distal end side fixing portion of the connection member as the conduit moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Devices and methods of use for an endoscopic accessory device that can be assembled and advanced over an endoscope positioned at a site within the body, the endoscopic accessory device including a body structure having seam structures on opposite sides of an elongate body structure, where the seam structures can be releasably joined to transform the body structure from a planar configuration to a tubular configuration.

Abstract: An imaging module includes: an image sensor; and a mounting board on which the image sensor is mounted together with a plurality of passive components. The mounting board includes: a first surface on which the image sensor is surface-mounted; a second surface that is located on an opposite side to the first surface and on which the passive component is mounted; a third surface that is continuous with the second surface via a step and on which the passive component is mounted; and a columnar cable connection block that rises from the second and third surfaces and to which a cable is connected.

Abstract: The invention refers to a housing sheath attachable to and detachable from an endoscope head body, which is provided on a distal side of an insertion portion of an endoscope. The housing sheath comprises: a sheath that is a hollow cylinder open at an attachment opening provided along a longitudinal direction of the hollow cylinder, and is provided with a tool opening cut out in a U-shape at a location facing the attachment opening; and an Albarran lever that is rotatably supported inside the sheath.

Abstract: A camera head includes: a mounting portion having an abutting surface on which an eyepiece portion of an endoscope abuts in a direction along an optical axis of a subject image emitted from the eyepiece portion; and an elastic portion including elastic material and detachably attached to the mounting portion, the elastic portion being configured to sandwich the eyepiece portion with the abutting surface, and bias the eyepiece portion toward the abutting surface.

Abstract: An endoscope aid is attachably and detachably attached to a treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope where a suction tube joins. The endoscope aid includes a flexible tubular member having a length equal to or larger than a length ranging from at least an inlet-side end part of an outlet portion of the treatment tool insertion channel, which is maintained in the shape of a straight pipe regardless of bending of a bending part of the endoscope, to an inlet of the treatment tool insertion channel. The tubular member has a distal end part that has an outer periphery in sliding contact with an inner peripheral surface of the outlet portion of the treatment tool insertion channel and is disposed at the outlet portion, and a communication part that allows an outlet of the treatment tool insertion channel and the suction tube to communicate with each other.

Abstract: A medical image processing device includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire an image signal obtained by capturing a subject image; and an image processor configured to set, in the image signal, a first area for displaying an image, and a second area having a smaller average luminance than the first area, set the second area on a screen according to a depth of field at a time of capturing the subject image.

Abstract: Endoscopic viewing systems for use in diagnostic and therapeutic medical procedures. More specifically, an imaging and control system and coupler that allows for control of imaging and fluid management from a hand-held unit coupled to a conventional multiple-use, sterilizable endoscope.

Abstract: The connector device includes a metal internal member, a metal light guide rod and metal fixing bases and, which are connected to the internal member, a resin sheathing member that accommodates the internal member and includes leading-out holes, which lead the light guide rod and the fixing base to the outside, and fluoro rubber O-rings, which are provided on the light guide rod and the fixing bases, the O-rings being respectively placed in gaps between the light guide rod and the fixing bases and the leading-out holes and sealing the inside of the sheathing member.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a distal-end rigid portion including an opening through which an instrument protrudes; a raising base disposed in the opening and configured to change a direction in which the instrument protrudes; a rotary shaft fixed to the raising base so as to rotate together with the raising base; an arm fixed to the rotary shaft so as to rotate the rotary shaft; a housing formed separately from the distal-end rigid portion, the housing including: a first bearing including a first shaft hole to rotatably support the rotary shaft; and a second bearing integrally formed with the first bearing and including a second shaft hole that is coaxially arranged with the first shaft hole so as to rotatably support the rotary shaft; and a seal member disposed between an outer circumference of the rotary shaft and an inner circumference of the first shaft hole to keep watertightness therebetween.

Abstract: A method for image-capturing of an internal organ by a miniature imaging device, comprising: generating a light at a first light intensity on to a subject area of an internal organ and capturing an image of the subject area by a miniature imaging device configured under default exposure parameter values; computing a second light intensity and optimized exposure parameter values based on brightness of the captured image, an orientation, a position, and a motion of the miniature imaging device; and generating a light at the second light intensity on to the subject area and recapturing the image of the subject area by the miniature imaging device configured under the optimized exposure parameter values. The second light intensity and optimized exposure parameter values are derived by an ex vivo processing unit in wireless data communication with the miniature imaging device.

Abstract: An elevator for an endoscope comprises a first end secured to the endoscope, a second end movable by an actuator, a flexible portion positioned between the first and second ends that is rotatable when the second end is moved by the actuator, and a guide portion extending between the flexible portion and the second end to receive an endotherapy instrument extending from the endoscope, the guide portion comprising a chute to guide the endotherapy instrument leaving the endoscope. A method of forming an elevator comprises forming from a planar sheet of material an elongate body comprising a length between first and second ends, a width, and a thickness, forming a guide body in the elongate body, bending the elongate body such that first and second lengths of the elongate body oppose each other to form an interior space, and bending the guide body to extend into the interior space.

Abstract: One of two connector receiving parts of a processor for endoscope has a shutter mechanism configured to open a shutter by an external force, the shutter having a gap through which a connector-side connection end section passes, and being configured to partition a recessed space of the connector receiving part with respect to an outside. In addition, the processor for endoscope includes a lock mechanism configured to make the shutter into the locked state during a period when another connection end section on the connector side and a processor-side connection end section are connected, and release the locked state of the shutter when the connection between the other connection end section on the connector side and the processor-side connection end section is released.