Abstract: A handheld system that is used with an endotracheal tube to facilitate endotracheal intubation is disclosed. The device includes a lighted bougie and an intubating channel, a handle, at least one sensor, a midline alignment light, a tongue grasper, a power source, and electronics. These components combine to form an integrated airway management system. During operation of the system, the light transilluminates the anterior neck tissue of the patient and glows brightly in the midline when the bougie is placed in the trachea.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for identifying a target during an endoscopic procedure are disclosed. An endoscopic target identification system includes an endoscope having an endoscopic illumination source, an optical fiber insertable through a working channel of the endoscope and coupled to a non-endoscopic illumination source different from the endoscopic illumination source, and a controller. The controller can send a control signal to the non-endoscopic illumination source to emit a diagnostic beam through the optical fiber when the at least one endoscopic illumination source changes from a first mode to a second mode. The second mode has a lower amount of illumination than the first mode. The controller can determine a composition of a target based on the diagnostic beam incident on the target and light from the diagnostic beam being reflected from the target.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: an endoscope distal end portion including an optical system configured to form an optical image, an image sensor configured to generate an image signal in accordance with a predetermined frame rate when the optical image is input, and an actuator configured to move the optical system along an optical axis; and a controller electrically connected to the endoscope distal end portion and including an imaging circuit configured to acquire the image signal from the image sensor, a drive circuit configured to feed a drive voltage to the actuator, and a processor configured to control the imaging circuit and the drive circuit, detect a vertical blanking period of the image signal acquired by the imaging circuit based on the image signal, and control the drive circuit to gradually increase a voltage supplied to the actuator within the vertical blanking period.

Abstract: An endoscopic device includes a handle body operatively couplable to a shaft housing. The handle body includes an actuator for controlling a distal end of an endoscopic shaft extending from the shaft housing. The device also includes a pull wire attachment configured to operatively couple to a pull wire extending through the shaft housing and the endoscopic shaft to the distal end. Applying tension to the pull wire deflects the distal end of the endoscopic shaft. In addition, the device includes a pulling mechanism coupled to the actuator and having the pull wire attachment extending therefrom. When the pull wire attachment is operatively coupled to the pull wire, actuation of the actuator applies tension to the pull wire and deflects the distal end of the endoscopic shaft.

Abstract: An imaging system includes: a solid-state imaging device that transmits an imaging signal of a continuous image that has been captured; and a control device that processes the imaging signal transmitted from the solid-state imaging device, and to control an operation of the solid-state imaging device. The solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit that acquires the imaging signal; a register that stores a setting value that defines the operation of the solid-state imaging device; a processing circuit that converts the imaging signal into a digital imaging signal; a frame configuration circuit that generates a serial digital transmission signal that is acquired by embedding a synchronizing signal synchronized with a horizontal synchronizing signal of the captured image in the digital imaging signal as a first serial clock signal; and a data transmission unit that transmits data of the digital transmission signal.

Abstract: A remote control apparatus (a doctor-side control apparatus) according to an embodiment is provided at a position away from a medical manipulator including an arm to which a medical instrument is attached and is configured to remotely operate the medical manipulator. Each of a plurality of wheels that are provided at a bottom surface of the control apparatus is configured to move a control apparatus main body in a first direction parallel to a floor surface on which the control apparatus main body is placed and in a second direction parallel to the floor surface and orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: A medical system includes a plurality of tubes configured to be arranged about a periphery of an insertion device. A lumen of each of the plurality of tubes is configured to receive a medical device. Each of the tubes is configured to be coupled to the periphery of the insertion device and is moveable from a collapsed configuration adjacent the periphery of the insertion device to an expanded configuration further radially outward of the periphery of the insertion device as compared to the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A distal end frame includes: a first distal end frame member that includes a resin molded product which constitutes a molded interconnect device; a housing chamber that is provided on a distal end side of the first distal end frame member, and is formed of a recessed portion a distal end and one side of which are opened; a second distal end frame member that is composed of the resin molded product constituting the molded interconnect device, and is configured to close the one side of the housing chamber; a signal pattern that is the metal pattern formed in a region including a first joining surface which is a joining surface with the second distal end frame member, on a surface of the first distal end frame member; and a solder material which is configured to join the first distal end frame member and the second distal end frame member.

Abstract: Multi-stage catheter device configured to navigate through complex narrow tissue openings such as lung bronchi pathway openings of 3 millimeters or less. The device comprises a proximal catheter portion containing a hollow torque shaft, with a distal catheter portion connected to the proximal portion by a rotatable coupler connected to this hollow shaft. The distal position of the proximal catheter can be controlled by up to four independently controlled proximal stage steering cables positioned outside of the shaft, and the shaft itself can be used to rotate the distal catheter about the rotatable coupler. The position of the distal end of the distal catheter can be further controlled by up to four independently controlled distal stage steering cables positioned inside of the hollow shaft. The device is tipped by a tool plate, which can be equipped with various sensors and other instruments, connected to the outside via other conduits.

Abstract: A medical device includes an instrument connector. The instrument connector includes a main body and a coupler fixedly attached to the mail body. The main body includes a first interface for a first operational channel for the medical device. The coupler is configured to receive a portion of a cable assembly including a second interface for a second operational channel for the medical device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope control device including a control body holder, a joystick-like control element for effecting a deflection movement, and at least one control wire guided through the control body holder and transmitting the deflection movement of the control element to an element to be controlled in the endoscope. The control element extends from the control body holder in a proximal direction. The at least one control wire is fixed to the control element in a manner spaced from the control body holder. The control element includes an elastic rod element which is bendable upon actuation of the control element so as to effect a deflection movement.

Abstract: To provide an endoscope or the like that can reuse an image sensor or the like. An endoscope includes: an imaging unit including an image sensor and an optical component that forms an image of light incident from a first end surface on the image sensor; a cable inserted into an insertion portion and having a first end connected to the imaging unit; an exterior cylinder covering a connected portion between the imaging unit and the cable; and a distal tip piece in which a housing portion having a shape fitted with a shape of the exterior cylinder is provided and which is arranged at a distal tip of the insertion portion.

Abstract: A bending operation mechanism of an endoscope including: a first pulley configured to pull a first wire by being rotated in a first rotation direction; a second pulley, which is coaxial with the first pulley, configured to pull a second wire by being rotated in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction; and a rotation shaft member including a first protrusion that engages only with the first engagement portion of the first pulley when the rotation shaft member is rotated in the first rotation direction from a neutral position when a bending portion is not bent and a second protrusion that engages only with the second engagement portion of the second pulley when the rotation shaft member is rotated in the second rotation direction from the neutral position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an openable/closable vertebral endoscopic device. The openable/closable vertebral endoscopic device includes an endoscope body including a working channel for providing an access route of a surgical instrument to a diseased area of a human body, the working channel having an open channel formed by opening a portion of the working channel such that a portion of the surgical instrument inserted into the working channel is exposed to the outside; and a cover member provided on the endoscope body to selectively open or close the open channel of the endoscope body.

Abstract: A driving force transmission mechanism for an endoscope includes an insertion portion, an operation portion, an electric motor, an output member, a rotation transmission member, an inside plane, a first plane, a second plane and a third plane configured to come into contact with a proximal end of the output member when at least part of the second plane comes into contact with the inside plane to thereby restrict the rotation transmission member from moving toward the distal end side in the axial direction with respect to the output member.

Abstract: A work channel arrangement of an endoscope for guiding medical tools and/or for the through-flow of media. The work channel arrangement has a work channel which is flexible at least in part and extensible relative to the endoscope and which can be moved from a first position, in which the work channel outlet is oriented in the axial direction of the endoscope head, to a second position in which it is extended in the distal direction relative to the first position and in which the work channel outlet is or can be deflected, by means of a guide mechanism, to a predetermined lateral or rearward direction.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus for endoscope includes an image sensor, a ferrule which is a rectangular parallelepiped having a front surface, a rear surface, and four side surfaces and includes insertion holes and trenches parallel to the insertion holes on respective two side surfaces orthogonal to each other among the four side surfaces, an optical element in which a light emitting region is disposed in a position opposed to the insertion holes, and optical fibers inserted into the insertion holes.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscope in which an operation switch included in the endoscope can be sealed with an airtight structure having a simple structure. A cable (16) of an endoscope (10) has a skin (52) that covers an outer periphery of the cable (16), the skin (52) defines an airtight space (17) inside the cable (16), and an operation switch (50) is disposed in the airtight space (17).

Abstract: An endoscopic retraction assist device includes a body comprising opposite proximal and distal end portions and a central portion between the proximal and distal end portions, and a device channel defined in the body. At the central portion of the body, the device channel transitions from a circular portion having a circular cross section or perimeter to an arcuate portion having an elongated arcuate cross section or perimeter.

Abstract: A device to facilitate a user interface of a computer system utilizing breath includes a body, a user side inlet defined by the body to receive a fluid flow generated by a user, an exhaust opening defined by the body, a conduit positioned between the user side inlet and the one exhaust opening, at least one segment positioned inside the body and one or more contactors positioned to be intermittently in contact with the at least one segment. The contact may occur responsive to the fluid flow generated by the user. The device may include a sensor to react to a movement of the at least one segment.