Abstract: In order to check endoscope channels, a predetermined quantity of liquid is led, at a predetermined pressure, through the channel that is to be checked, and the period of time for this is measured and evaluated. The predetermined quantity of liquid is determined via the volume of a liquid container whose outlet is capable of being connected to the channel that is to be checked. A compressed air source subjects the liquid in the container to a predetermined pressure. A sensor registers whether the liquid level in the container has dropped below a predefined value. A control unit measures the period of time within which the predetermined volume of liquid has flowed through the channel that is to be checked.

Abstract: An endoscope has an inserting tube to be inserted into a human body, first and second optical systems integrally secured to a tip end portion of the inserting tube. The first and second optical systems are for observing the in vivo tissues at different magnifications. A front end portion of the second optical system is protruded by a predetermined amount with respect to a front end portion of the first optical system so that the front end portion of said second optical system is located within a field of view of said second optical system.

Abstract: An endoscope has a first segment with a proximal end and a distal end and is symmetric about an axis. A second segment, comprising a flexible and interconnected linkage system, is pivotably coupled to the first segment and, when subject to an applied force, is configurable along an arc having a variable radius of curvature. The linkage system is capable of articulation through an angle from zero degrees through about 280 degrees.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus has a light source, a luminance calculator, a controller, and a brightness adjuster. The light source illuminates an object. The luminance calculator calculates a luminance level indicating a brightness of an object image on the basis of image-pixel signals corresponding to the object image. The controller calculates and outputs a manipulated value in accordance with a luminance-difference between the luminance level and a reference luminance level indicating a standard brightness of the object image. The controller sets a non-sensitive band including a standard point corresponding to the reference luminance level. The brightness adjuster adjusts the brightness of the object image in accordance with the manipulated value. When the manipulated value is inside the non-sensitive band, the controller outputs a non-activating manipulated value so as not to activate the brightness adjuster.

Abstract: A method for applying energy to biological tissue. An electromagnetic energy source is directed to apply the energy to a region of the tissue, so as to ablate a portion of the tissue in the region. Preferably, cooling of tissue in the region is initiated subsequent to the ablation.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a system for rotatably coupling a shaft to a housing. The system includes a selectively rotatable shaft coupler that connects a shaft to a housing that allows a limited amount of shaft rotation, but which sets a restriction on the maximum amount of shaft rotation. In another aspect, the invention provides a shaft coupling system for connecting a proximal end of an endoscope shaft to a housing without the use of adhesive or epoxies.

Abstract: An endoscope hood has a protrusion portion which protrudes in an observation visual field direction of an endoscope at an end of a cylindrical press fitting fixing portion attached by press fitting in a state that an attachment position in a circumferential direction is positioned at a distal end portion of an endoscope insertion portion in an appropriate direction. Further, there is provided attachment state confirming device which increases an area of the protrusion portion displayed in an endoscope observation image when the press fitting fixing portion is attached to a distal end portion of a second endoscope insertion portion having a size different from that of a first endoscope insertion portion to which the press fitting fixing portion can be appropriately attached, and gives a warning about an inappropriate attachment state.

Abstract: A valved plug to be fitted on a mouth piece at an inlet opening of an endoscopic biopsy channel. The plug as a whole is formed of a resilient material, and has, at the opposite ends of a foldable connecting strip or string, a generally tubular main body portion which is provided with a constricted portion in its axial passage, and a valved nesting piece which is adapted to be detachably coupled with the main body portion and provided with a normally closed slit valve axially in an aligned position relative to the constricted passage on the side of the main body portion. The main body portion is provided with an inward interlocking projection of a predetermined thickness at its outer end, for tight interlocking engagement with an interlocking groove which is provided on the side of the nesting piece in such a way as to grip the interlocking projection tightly in a compressed state.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoscopic accessory control system that resides externally of the endoscope. The system comprises the endoscopic accessory with a working end to be placed at the distal end of the endoscope, a control sheath extending proximally external to the endoscope and a control handle joined to the proximal end of the control sheath. The control handle is slidably mounted to the exterior surface of the endoscope shaft and is configured to permit grasping of both the shaft and the handle. With the control handle and endoscope shaft grasped with one hand, the other hand of the user is left free to manipulate the endoscope distal tip controls. Additionally, the external arrangement of the control sheath leaves the working channel of the endoscope free for use of accessories or operations.

Abstract: An adapter for an endoscope of the present invention includes: a locking device for attaching and detaching that attaches and locks this adapter for an endoscope onto a predefined position on an endoscope control part; and a first treatment tool locking device that keeps a treatment tool at a first predefined position. Furthermore, at the first predefined position, a guidewire entry aperture of the treatment tool and an entry aperture of a forceps plug are separated in such a way as to face each other along substantially the same line.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a laryngoscope comprising a blade; a doployable mirror, and an operating mechanism, the operating mechanism being arranged to deploy the mirror. The mirror is pivotable with respect to the blade and the arrangement is such that an initial operation of the operating mechanism causes the mirror to be deployed while further operation of the operating mechanism causes the mirror to be pivoted with respect to the blade. In the preferred embodiment, the blade has a pivotable tip which is also operable by the operating mechanism. The deployment of the mirror, the pivoting of the mirror 30 and the pivoting of the tip 18 can all be performed by operation of a single operating mechanism, preferably in the form of a simple lever. The laryngoscope may therefore readily be operated using only one hand and without the need for any dextrous finger movements.

Abstract: A positioning system for use during surgical procedures comprising a belt assembly adapted to be positioned about a bodily surface of a patient. The belt assembly may comprise a single module, or a first module adapted to be attached to a second module. The modules may be adapted to permit attachment of a surgical instrument thereto. The modules may also include cushioned undersides. The system may also comprise a surgical instrument retention system including a saddle adapted to be positioned on a surgical instrument, straps adapted to secure the saddle to the surgical instrument, and a pulley cord coupled to the saddle so as to selectively position the surgical instrument upon movement of the pulley cord. The modules may also include an accessory adapted to fit securely within shaped openings formed therein. The accessory may comprise a base having a locking apparatus for locking a medical device to the base.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator for supplying RF power to an electrosurgical instrument for cutting or vaporising tissue has an RF output stage with RF output devices, a series-resonant output network and an RF output. The generator offers improved cutting and vaporising performance, especially in relation to the reliability with which an arc can be struck when presented with an initial load impedance load. This is achieved by virtue of the output stage being capable of maintaining output pulses of at least 1 kW peak by supplying the RF output devices from a large reservoir capacitor. An appropriate combination of cutting performance and haemostasis is provided by allowing for pulsed or continuous wave operation once an arc has been established, according to whether or not a surplus energy condition exists, as indicated by the voltage across the reservoir capacitor.

Abstract: A system and method for orienting an endoscope shaft and operator control module. The operator control module includes an engaging mechanism that allows the operator control module to be disengaged from the endoscope shaft. This allows the operator control module to remain in the operator's preferred orientation and then be re-engaged to the endoscope shaft. Remotely powered tip articulation cables are also provided, thus allowing the operator control module the freedom of not having to remain mechanically attached to the endoscope shaft in a fixed position. When the operator wants to rotate the endoscope shaft axially and does not want the position of the operator control module to be changed, the operator control module engaging mechanism is disengaged, after which the endoscope shaft is rotated to the desired position, and the engaging mechanism is then re-engaged to the endoscope shaft or to a fixed feature on the shaft.

Abstract: Provided is a thermal device for applying thermal energy to the body of a person, animal, or other surface including segmented organic filler. The device may have the general appearance of a child's toy or other configuration.

Abstract: Provided is a thermal device for applying thermal energy to the body of a person, animal, or other surface including segmented organic filler.

Abstract: A method of performing cardiac surgery on a patient's heart, including covering a patient with an inflatable blanket for a forced air convection system, the inflatable blanket having at least one separable seal line within the blanket. The separable seal line may be separated to form a slit. A patient's femoral artery is accessed through the slit, and an elongate medical instrument is passed through the slit, and through the femoral artery toward the patient's heart. Cardiac surgery is performed with the elongate medical instrument, and the elongate medical instrument is withdrawn from the femoral artery through the slit.

Abstract: A magnetic anchor remote guidance system includes an engagement member which engages with a body portion in a patient's body; a magnetic anchor made of a magnetic material, connected to the engagement member; and a magnetic anchor guide device which is disposed out of the patient's body and which produces a magnetic field to power the magnetic anchor. The body portion engaged by the engagement member is raised by supplying power to the magnetic anchor via the magnetic field produced by the magnetic anchor guide device.

Abstract: A method for easily calibrating both the position of the tip of a surgical tool and the orientation of that tool includes attaching a tracking device capable of communication with the surgical navigation system to the surgical tool using an adapter, where the adapter has a known relation between the tracking device and the axis of the surgical tool. The method then performs a calibration process to calculate the position of the tip of the surgical tool and the position of the tracking device and orientation data for the surgical tool from the known relation between the tracking device and the axis of the surgical tool and from the tool tip position. Lastly, the method stores the position of the tool tip for the surgical tool and the orientation data within memory of the surgical navigation system so the position and the orientation of the surgical tool can be tracked by the surgical navigation system.

Abstract: A surgical instrument with near-axial geometry includes a linearly elongated handle portion having a handle axis defined along its length. The handle portion is joined to a linearly elongated working portion by an offset portion. The working portion includes a working axis defined along its length, and the working axis and handle axis intersect at an angle which is no greater than 5 degrees. In a specific embodiment, the base of the working tip of the working portion falls within 4 millimeters of the vertex of the angle.