Abstract: A handle used to control movement of a medical instrument. The medical instrument may be coupled to a robotic arm that is connected to a controller. The medical instrument may have a plurality of functions such as wrist locking and motion scaling. One of the functions may be selected through a graphical user interface operated by the end user. The handle may have a plurality of buttons. One of the buttons may allow the end user to control the selected function. For example, when wrist locking/unlocking is selected, depressing the button can toggle the medical instrument wrist between a locked state and an unlocked state.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for shielding an endo scope during insertion through a body lumen, and in particular using a sheath for preventing contact between the endoscope (or trocar sleeve) and the body lumen, thus preventing bacteria from being carried into a body cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus for fluid supply to the interior of a portion of a tubular body portion including a locomotive endoscope head extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first selectably radially extendible sealing element and a second selectably radially extendible sealing element, wherein at least one of the first and second selectably radially extendible sealing elements is axially displaceable with respect to the other, a fluid passageway operative for supplying fluid intermediate the first and second selectably radially extendible sealing elements and a locomotive endoscope head controller controlling the operation of the locomotive endoscope head and being operative for controlling selectable extension of the first and second selectably radially extendible sealing elements, axial displacement of the at least one of the first and second selectably radially extendible sealing elements, and fluid introduction through the fluid passageway.

Abstract: An instrument for an endoscope includes a first insertion portion having an base end to which an operation section is connected; a first offset portion extending outward from an axis of the first insertion portion; a second insertion portion having a base end joined to the first offset portion and an element extending parallel to the axis of the first insertion portion; a second offset portion which is joined to a head of the second insertion portion and reaches an extension of the axis of the first insertion portion; a third insertion portion which is joined to the second offset portion and has a portion arranged on an axis which is substantially the same as at least a part of the axis of the first insertion portion; and an inner hole formed through the first insertion portion, the first offset portion, the second insertion portion, the second offset portion, and the third insertion portion.

Abstract: An obesity treatment system has a first treatment region sized and configured for deployment in a duodenum and a second treatment region sized and configured for deployment in a stomach. The first and second treatment regions are spaced apart a distance sized and configured to permit simultaneous deployment of the first treatment region in the duodenum and deployment of the second treatment region in the stomach. The first and second treatment regions each carry at least one electrode, which can deliver energy to ablate tissue in and the duodenum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for diagnosing and treating digestive or other organs (as well as other parts of the body) endoluminally and transluminally, via instruments passed into the GI tract per-orally and/or per-anally. The instruments may, for example, pass transluminally out of the stomach and/or the colon through a breach formed therein in order to conduct diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, such as gastroenterostomy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises a catheter having an access port leading to an interior lumen through which an image transmission member is routed, and an endoscope having an access port leading to an interior lumen through which the catheter is routed. The catheter and endoscope are connected by an endoscope attachment device such that a handle of the catheter is mounted distal of the endoscope access port and the catheter access port is distal to the mounted position.

Abstract: A steerable imaging catheter is provided, including an elongated catheter tube, at least one steering cable extending along the catheter tube to control the movement of the distal end thereof, and a fiber optic cable extending along the catheter tube. The fiber optic cable transmits illumination light from its proximal end to its distal end and transmits an image from its distal end to its proximal end. In one embodiment, two or more steering cables are used, and the catheter tube is configured to have greater flexibility near its distal end than its proximal end so as to concentrate the movement (flexing) of the catheter tube at its distal end. The use of two or more steering cables, together with the catheter tube having varying flexibility, permit better control of the distal end of the catheter tube while reducing undue twisting of the remainder of the catheter tube.

Abstract: An endoscope according includes a treatment instrument riser which guides a distal end of a treatment instrument projected from a distal end opening provided in a channel for inserting the treatment instrument in an insertion portion to a desired position; a driving mechanism which is rotatably fitted onto an axis provided in an operation portion covered with an outer packaging member, and drives the treatment instrument riser; a guide-wire securing unit which secures a position of a guide wire projected from the distal end opening provided in the channel in the insertion portion; a guide-wire securing operation member which operates the guide-wire securing unit; and a securing unit which secures a position of the guide-wire securing operation member in a state where the position of the guide-wire is secured.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope for medical and non-medical purposes having a housing and a shaping element positioned in the housing containing a hygroscopic substance. To design a medical instrument of the aforementioned type in such a manner than the hygroscopic substance can be integrated into the housing simply and securely with the greatest possible drying effect, it is proposed in keeping with the invention that the binding agent is also a hygroscopically active substance.

Abstract: A zoom lens for use in endoscopic devices, in which a plurality of lens units is arranged in a lens cylinder perpendicular to the center line thereof. Among the plurality of lens units at least one lens unit may be hydraulically adjustable in the axial direction of the lens cylinder so as to vary the focal length of the zoom lens. Furthermore, the focal length of individual lenses of the lens unit may be varied by pneumatically varying the shape of the lenses in order to vary the total focal length of the zoom lens in this way.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchor device comprising an elongated tubular body having an expandable member disposed on its distal end portion. The invention also relates to a system adapted to position and anchor the distal end of an ablation device at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from the atrium.

Abstract: The invention is an articulation section for an endoscope (10). The articulation section (50) is characterized in that each one of its vertebrae (52) is comprised of several pieces that can be easily assembled or disassembled. This arrangement allows the replacement of individual ones of the vertebrae and/or the replacement of individual ones of the wires, cables, fibers, and tubes that pass through the vertebrae section without having to disassemble and reassemble the entire articulation section.

Abstract: A thin sheath of flexible, flaccid material is introduced through openings in the body of an animal or human patient to permit surgical tools or fluids to be inserted and removed, or debris removed, during surgeries anywhere in the body to protect the tissue of the body from the instruments used. The sheath is inserted by an obturator which holds the sheath thereon by suction through an aperture in the obturator at its distal end. Once the sheath is inserted, suction is removed to release the sheath. Then a balloon on the distal end of the sheath is expanded to hold the sheath in place in the body while the obturator is removed. The sheath then remains in place with the balloon holding the distal end in the open position to enable fluids to flow through the sheath. After a procedure, the balloon is deflated and the sheath removed.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and method useful for positioning a device, such as an endcap, on an end of an endoscope, is disclosed. The apparatus can exert a pulling force on the endoscope through the endcap while a pushing force is applied to the endcap. The apparatus can be used to press an endcap onto the distal end of an endoscope without grasping by hand a sheath in those applications where the endoscope is disposed in a sheath.

Abstract: A flexible shaft for an endoscope comprises a shaft body which, in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, has a first portion with a first degree of flexibility, and, proximally from the first portion, has at least a second portion with a second degree of flexibility which is less than the first degree of flexibility, the shaft body having, in the first portion, at least a first spring element, and, in the second portion, at least a second spring element. A spring hardness of the second spring element is increased by a permanent pretensioning of the second spring element, as a result of which the flexibility of the shaft body is reduced in the second portion.

Abstract: Instrument introducers are disclosed which facilitate the insertion of a surgical instrument into a cavity or a body of a patient. In one embodiment, the instrument introducer includes a hollow elongate cylindrical body including a distal end portion terminating in a distal edge and a proximal end portion, the cylindrical body defining a central longitudinal axis, and an elastomeric cap secured to the distal end portion of the cylindrical body, the cap including a distal end wall having an outer terminal edge and an annular side wall depending from the outer terminal edge thereof. The distal end wall includes an aperture formed therein, wherein a center of the aperture is coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for positioning a tool. In one embodiment, an endoscopic rotation device is provided having a rotatable collet, a flexible elongate translating mechanism, and an actuating mechanism. The rotatable collet can be configured to receive and engage a tool disposed therethrough, and the translating mechanism can be coupled to the collet. The actuating mechanism can be operatively associated with the translating mechanism and can be effective to cause the translating mechanism to apply a rotational force to the collet to rotate the tool disposed therethrough.

Abstract: Where two axes X and Y using the axial center position as the origin are set on a section orthogonal to the axial line of the distal end hard portion, the observation portion and the treatment equipment lead-out portion are disposed at both side positions between which the Y-axis is placed, the surface on which the solid-state image pickup device of the substrate is incorporated is disposed in a direction parallel to the X-axis, the center of the treatment equipment lead-out port is disposed between a plane parallel to the X-axis including the center of the optical axis of the object lens and a plane including the plane of the substrate, the line connecting the centers of both the illumination portions are roughly parallel to the Y-axis, and is drawn near the center of the optical axis of the object lens, and the distances between the center of the optical axis and both the illumination portions are made as equal to each other as possible.

Abstract: An optical access apparatus for receiving an endoscope to permit visualization during passage through tissue includes an access member dimensioned for insertion through body tissue. The access member defines a longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal opening for receiving an endoscope. The access member has a closed penetrating end adapted to pass through tissue. The closed penetrating end is transparent to permit visualization of tissue with the endoscope. The optical access apparatus further includes a locking collet coaxially mounted relative to the longitudinal axis of the access member and a manual member mounted adjacent the locking collet and operatively engageable therewith. The locking collet has internal surfaces defining an internal passage to permit passage of the surgical instrument.