Abstract: A reprocessing method for balloon endoscopes, the method including introducing a balloon endoscope to be reprocessed into an endoscope reprocessing system, performing reprocessing on the balloon endoscope to be reprocessed while a balloon of the balloon endoscope is deflated, thereafter inflating the balloon of the balloon endoscope, thereafter deflating the balloon of the balloon endoscope and thereafter performing further reprocessing on the balloon endoscope to be reprocessed while the balloon of the balloon endoscope is deflated.

Abstract: An endoscope system including an endoscope including an endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly having a leak test port, an endoscope electro-optic subsystem which is connectable to the endoscope via the endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly in a manner which precludes access to the leak test port when the endoscope electro-optic subsystem and the endoscope are connected at the electro-pneumatic connection assembly and an electro-pneumatic adaptor, which is connectable to the endoscope at the electro-pneumatic connection assembly and includes an adaptor electro-pneumatic connection assembly, including a leak test port connector for connection to the leak test port of the endoscope, an adaptor electrical port assembly to which the endoscope electro-optic subsystem is connectable and a pneumatic port.

Abstract: A catheter having a tube having at least one lumen, at least one elongate element, the at least one elongate element having a bendable portion at a predetermined bendable portion location therealong forward of a distal end of the tube, and at least one selectably inflatable balloon communicating with at least one of the at least one lumen, the at least one selectably inflatable balloon having a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end of the balloon being located rearwardly of the predetermined bendable portion location.

Abstract: A retrofitted credit card including a certified smart card chip, a display and retrofitted emulation circuitry operative to enable the certified smart card chip to communicate information to the display notwithstanding that the certified smart card chip is configured for communication only with an external read/write device.

Abstract: A user-operable controlled furling balloon assembly including a furlable balloon sheath, an elongate furling driving element which is retractable and rotatable about an elongate axis thereof relative to a base element for furling the furlable balloon sheath about the elongate axis, the furlable balloon sheath surrounding the elongate furling driving element and coupled at a first end thereof to the elongate furling driving element and at a second end thereof to the base element and a furling/retraction controlling assembly coupled to the elongate furling driving element and to the base element for limiting an extent of retraction of the elongate furling driving element to be a function of an extent of furling of the balloon sheath, thereby limiting a maximum outer diameter of the balloon sheath when furled and preventing stacking of the balloon sheath.

Abstract: An endoscope system including an endoscope having an instrument channel and an anchoring assembly including an inflatable/deflatable balloon assembly, the inflatable/deflatable balloon assembly being deflatable to a cross-sectional size sufficiently small to enable it to pass through the instrument channel and being positionable and inflatable without substantial stretching to have a dimension sufficiently large to enable it to anchor in the large intestine.

Abstract: An enhanced flexibility auxiliary endoscope assembly for use with an endoscope, the assembly including at least one flexible elongate element and a flexible sleeve having a first lumen for accommodating a distal portion of an endoscope capable of assuming at least a first curvature and a second lumen for accommodating the at least one flexible elongate element, the second lumen being configured to allow the at least one flexible elongate element to assume the at least first curvature as well as at least a second curvature about the first curvature, thereby to enhance flexibility of the auxiliary endoscope assembly.

Abstract: An endoscope system including an endoscope, an auxiliary endoscope assembly, and multiple stretchable resilient endless mounting bands engaging the endoscope and auxiliary endoscope assembly at spaced locations along the length thereof.

Abstract: an endoscope system including an endoscope having an instrument channel and an anchoring assembly including an inflatable/deflatable balloon assembly, the inflatable/deflatable balloon assembly being deflatable to a cross-sectional size sufficiently small to enable it to pass through the instrument channel and being positionable and inflatable without substantial stretching to have a dimension sufficiently large to enable it to anchor in the large intestine.

Abstract: An insertable stiffener for use with an endoscope having an instrument channel extending along a predetermined distance between an instrument channel port and a forward end of the endoscope, the insertable stiffener having a cap and an elongate stiffener element of length less than the predetermined distance, mounted onto the cap, whereby upon full insertion of the elongate stiffener element in the instrument channel, the cap abuts the instrument channel port and a forward end of the elongate stiffener lies inside the instrument channel at a location rearwardly spaced from the forward end of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly including an endoscope, a selectably inflatable balloon mounted onto a distal portion of the endoscope and an external tube extending alongside the endoscope and traversing the selectably inflatable balloon.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly including an endoscope, a selectably inflatable balloon mounted onto a distal portion of the endoscope and an external tube extending alongside the endoscope and traversing the selectably inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A method for reprocessing a balloon endoscope, the method including the steps of deflating a balloon of a balloon endoscope to a negative pressure state following clinical use thereof and thereafter maintaining the interior of the balloon in a negative pressure state during at least part of reprocessing the balloon endoscope.

Abstract: An expander for mounting a resilient outer tubular article over an elongate article including a chassis element having associated therewith at least one outwardly movable element which is selectably engageable with at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article, a driver which is movable with respect to the chassis element and is operative to selectably engage the at least one outwardly movable element, when the outwardly movable element is in engagement with the at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article, for producing corresponding outward motion and outward expansion thereof and an engagement element, associated with the driver, for insertion into the at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article upon expansion thereof by operation of the driver, the engagement element being configured to accommodate at least a portion of the elongate article.

Abstract: A locomotive endoscope assembly including a locomotive endoscope head, including a main portion extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first selectably inflatable balloon associated therewith and a selectably positionable portion, selectably axially positionable along the main portion and having a second selectably inflatable balloon associated therewith and a locomotive endoscope head controller controlling the operation of the locomotive endoscope head and being operative for controlling positioning of the selectably positionable portion relative to the main portion and selectable inflation of the first and second selectably inflatable balloons.

Abstract: An expander for mounting a resilient outer tubular article over an elongate article including a chassis element having associated therewith at least one outwardly movable element which is selectably engageable with at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article, a driver which is movable with respect to the chassis element and is operative to selectably engage the at least one outwardly movable element, when the outwardly movable element is in engagement with the at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article, for producing corresponding outward motion and outward expansion thereof and an engagement element, associated with the driver, for insertion into the at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article upon expansion thereof by operation of the driver, the engagement element being configured to accommodate at least a portion of the elongate article.

Abstract: A tubular body portion lining assembly adapted for insertion into a tubular body portion of a patient, the assembly including a flexible tubular liner including at least one generally circumferentially disposed attachment portion on its outer surface adapted to face the internal walls of the tubular body portion and to attach the liner thereto, and liner placing functionality adapted to place at least a portion of the tubular liner between first and second locations within the tubular body portion.

Abstract: A tubular body portion lining assembly adapted for insertion into a tubular body portion of a patient including a flexible tubular liner, liner placing functionality adapted to place at least a portion of the tubular liner between first and second locations within the tubular body portion, and at least one anchor adapted for anchoring the tubular liner to the tubular body portion at least a first selectable anchoring location.

Abstract: An endoscope system having an endoscope, an external tube associated with said endoscope and extending alongside said endoscope, an endoscope tool extending through said external tube and having formed along at least part of an elongate surface thereof a hydrophilic coating; and a liquid communication port associated with said external tube for providing liquid communication with the interior of said external tube.

Abstract: A retrofitted credit card including a certified smart card chip, a display and retrofitted emulation circuitry operative to enable the certified smart card chip to communicate information to the display notwithstanding that the certified smart card chip is configured for communication only with an external read/write device.