Abstract: An external mechanism for endoscope includes a wheel engaged with a second bending operation up and down knob of a second bending operation apparatus provided in an operation portion of an endoscope, a motor configured to generate driving force for rotating the wheel, an operation switch for outputting a driving control signal to the motor, a container case containing the wheel and the motor, a case attachment and detachment fixation member with which the container case can be attached to and detached from the operation portion, a switch case attached to the container case and configured to be able to turn between a first position covering a part of the operation portion and a second position away from the first position, and a dummy switch provided in the switch case and configured to operate a remote switch arranged in the operation portion in the first position via the switch case.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: a plurality of image pickup devices configured to pick up images of a same object and sequentially read the images for each line; an objective optical system configured to form the images at different image-forming positions on the image pickup devices; a memory configured to record predetermined time differences for reading the leading positions of the effective pixels of the images at the same timing; and an I2C control circuit configured to control the image reading timing of the image pickup devices by generating a plurality of synchronizing signals based on a master synchronizing signal and supplying the synchronizing signals to the image pickup devices after shifting the synchronizing signals by the respective predetermined time differences.

Abstract: Biological navigation devices and methods are disclosed. The devices can be used as or to support colonoscopies or endoscopes. The devices can have longitudinally extensible cells that can be selectively inflated. The devices can have articulable links. The devices can be removably attached to elongated elements, such as colonoscopes or other endoscopes.

Abstract: Provided are a navigation device and a navigation method capable of reducing the size and the cost of an endoscope, and an endoscope system including the navigation device.

Abstract: An endoscope add-on assembly adapted to be attached to a target endoscope. The assembly includes an ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, including a communications cable connected to an ultrasound imaging head and an imaging head movement sub-assembly, including a conduit, holding a tension member that is attached to the ultrasound imaging head. Further included are connective elements, adapted to permit the endoscope add-on assembly to be attached to the target endoscope. Finally, the imaging head movement sub-assembly is detachable from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, thereby permitting the imaging head movement subassembly to be processed separately from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, after use.

Abstract: A surgical system including an endoscopic navigation catheter, at least one laparoscopic access port, a laparoscopic tool, and an endoscopic tool. The endoscopic navigation catheter is configured for navigation of a luminal network to an area of interest. The at least one laparoscopic access port is placed adjacent to the area of interest. The laparoscopic tool is configured for insertion through the at least one laparoscopic access port, and the endoscopic tool is configured for insertion through the endoscopic navigation catheter. The laparoscopic tool and endoscopic tool enable a combined laparoscopic and endoscopic approach to the area of interest.

Abstract: A handheld endoscope has a disposable, single-use portion that includes a fluid hub, cannula, distal tip and is steerable by the operator though actuation of one or two levers. The endoscope also includes re-usable portion that has a handle and display module. The distal tip includes LED illumination and an imaging module that feeds live video to the display module that is rotatable to allow viewing by the operator and others. The single-use and re-usable portions mate and un-mate with each other via physically separated mechanical and electrical connectors. The single use portion can include grasper device that can be actuated by an operator using an actuation tab.

Abstract: An endoscope hanger which frees a doctor's hands without causing pain to a patient, and a cart, washing sink, washing and sterilization apparatus, stand, and endoscope storage cabinet having said endoscope hanger are provided. This endoscope hanger is characterized by having a polygonal shape and/or an ellipsoid shape (including a perfect circular shape) or a shape that is a combination of these, and is characterized by having at least one hole that can hold an endoscope at an oblique angle; this cart, washing sink, washing and sterilization apparatus, stand, and endoscope storage cabinet comprise said endoscope hanger.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a fixed barrel non-turnably provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion, an image pickup unit held to the fixed barrel, a movable barrel including a channel holding hole for holding a distal end of a treatment instrument channel inserted through the insertion portion, the movable barrel being supported by the fixed barrel so as to be turnable around an optical axis of the image pickup unit and being located closer to a distal end side than the fixed barrel, and a power transmission mechanism that transmits, to the movable barrel, power for causing the movable barrel to turn.

Abstract: A light-scanning endoscope is provided with: a light-scanner that causes an optical fiber to be vibrated; a controller that causes light to be emitted from the optical fiber with the same phase as the vibrations; an adjusting unit that adjusts a distortion correction amount on the basis of a shape of a row of irradiation positions of the light on an imaging subject; and a phase correcting unit that corrects the phase in which the light is emitted on the basis of the adjusted distortion correction amount.

Abstract: A rear-viewing endoscope includes a rigid section having first and second ends, and a cavity situated between the first and second ends. The rigid section has a longitudinal length and defining a longitudinal axis (LAR). The endoscope further includes a flexible section having proximal and distal ends, where the proximal end is coupled to the second end of the rigid section; and an imaging unit having first and second ends and a cavity situated between the first and second ends, the second end of the imaging unit coupled to the distal end of the flexible section. An objective lens assembly of the endoscope includes a complementary multiband bandpass filter (CMBF) pair situated within the cavity of the imaging unit. The CMBF filter collimated image rays passing therethrough so as to output filtered image rays. A camera or detector receives the filtered image rays and forms corresponding video information for stereoscopic imaging.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a shaft assembly having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft assembly, and an elastomeric body housing an image sensor and at least one LED is comprises a distal end of the shaft. The elastomeric body is deformable between a repose straight insertion profile and a deflected offset profile by the insertion of a tool shaft through the shaft assembly and an expandable-collapsible working channel in the elastomeric body. The viewing angle of the image sensor is moved from a first selected angle to a second selected angle when the elastomeric body is actuated from the repose profile to the deflected offset profile.

Abstract: An endoscope of the invention has a first surface constituting a distal end surface of the insertion part, a second surface formed on a projecting part projecting from the first surface to a front side, and an observation window provided on the second surface. The first surface has a fluid jetting nozzle, a first protective projection, and a second protective projection. The projecting part has an extending part extending from the observation window toward a side opposite to the fluid jetting nozzle. In all combinations of imaginary planes capable of coming into contact with, from the front side, at least two of the fluid jetting nozzle, the first protective projection, the second protective projection, and the extending part, the imaginary planes are disposed forward of the observation window.

Abstract: A tuning focus apparatus designed for use with a camera coupled to a medical device is provided. The camera includes a base housing for storing an image sensor and an optical lens. The tuning focus apparatus includes a gear housing coupled to the base housing, a drive gear rotatably mounted to the gear housing, a driven gear rotatably mounted to the gear housing and connected to the drive gear, a gear rack disposed in the base housing and engaged with the driven gear, and a board coupled to the gear rack and designed to secure the image sensor thereon. Rotational movement of the drive gear drives the driven gear to slidably adjust the gear rack, thereby adjusting a separation distance between the image sensor and optical lens.

Abstract: A medical manipulation assembly comprises a catheter including distal and proximal steerable portions with working channels. The assembly further comprises a steerable sheath through which the steerable portions extend. A distal steering mechanism, including a first lumen extending along a longitudinal axis of the catheter, bends the distal steerable portion. A proximal steering mechanism, including a second lumen extending along the axis and defined by a wall, bends the proximal steerable portion by rotational movement of the proximal steering mechanism independently of the distal steerable portion. The wall is rotatable about the axis. Distal pullwires extend between the distal steerable portion and the distal steering mechanism. Proximal pullwires extend between the proximal steerable portion and the proximal steering mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope shaft 1 having a layered structure. In this shaft 1, formed as a curved or non-curved hollow cylinder, various layers succeed and enclose one another radially over the entire length or a substantial part of the length of the shaft. The shaft has an inner layer 2 of plastic, and an outer layer 3 of plastic enclosing the inner layer 2, and a structuring layer 4 in the transition region 5 of the inner layer and the outer layer 3. The plastics of the inner layer and of the outer layer 3 are different, and the inner layer and the outer layer 3 mesh together in the transition region 5. Thus, the inner layer and the outer layer 3 can connect to each other particularly well, and a delamination of the inner layer and of the outer layer 3 can thus be prevented. This is specifically because the interface between the inner layer and the outer layer 3 is enlarged, in relation to the prior art, by the mutual meshing 6.

Abstract: A gripping device for an endoscope insertion tube utilizing first and second arms that are hingedly attached to one another. Each arm includes an opening to accommodate the insertion tube of an endoscope such that the endoscope insertion tube spans both arms. First and second jaws are associated with first and second arms and are positioned in opposition to one another. The movement of the arms toward one another causes the jaws to engage the insertion tube which is guided through the arms by the apertures found in the arms.

Abstract: An endoscope tip attachment includes: a cylindrical casing that is arranged to surround a distal end portion of an endoscope that includes a raising base to raise a treatment tool; and a fluid controller that is positioned at an opening of a treatment-tool insertion channel of the endoscope inside the casing in a state in which the casing is attached to the distal end portion of the endoscope, the fluid controller being configured to control a flow of solution that has flowed from the treatment-tool insertion channel of the endoscope toward the distal end portion of the endoscope to flow equally along an entire surface of the raising base provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope, and being movable by pressure received from the solution.

Abstract: An endoscope including a handle including a fulcrum with a fulcrum axis, and a control lever including a lever body attached to the fulcrum and rotatable about the fulcrum axis, a lever grip, and a lever arm attaching the lever grip to the lever body, the control lever being adjustable between a first and a second configuration, in which the gripping surface of the lever grip is distanced from the fulcrum axis at a first radial distance via the lever body and lever arm, and a second configuration, in which the gripping surface of the lever grip is distanced from the fulcrum axis at a second radial distance via the lever body and lever arm, wherein the second radial distance is different from the first radial distance.

Abstract: A flexible tube insertion device includes a flexible tube section, at least one variable stiffness unit, at least one state detector, and a stiffness controller. The flexible tube section is segmented along an axial direction into segments and configured to be inserted into an insertion target. The variable stiffness unit is configured to vary bending stiffness of the flexible tube section in units at least one segment. The state detector is configured to detect information relating to shape information of the flexible tube section. The stiffness controller is configured to cause the variable stiffness unit to reduce bending stiffness of a portion of the flexible tube section including a place where the flexible tube section is easy to bend in units of at least one segment based on the shape information.