Abstract: A teleoperated endoscopic capsule for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes inside an animal body cavity, comprising a body (1) with a plurality of locomotion modules (5) placed on its surface, suitable for moving said body in the body cavity. The capsule also comprises an energy source inside said body and a microcontroller in the body (1) for actuating the locomotion modules (5) on the basis of commands teletransmitted by an operator. A video camera is then provided for capturing images controlled by said microcontroller and a transceiver system for receiving the commands teletransmitted by the operator and for transmitting the images gained through the video camera.

Abstract: A self-propelled endoscopic device with anchor system, comprising a tubular body of variable length extending between front end and rear end sections with respective anchors for securing the ends, temporarily and alternately, to a wall of a body cavity in synch with corresponding axial contractions and elongations of the tubular body that result from injection of compressed air and, hence, creation of a vacuum therein. Also provided is a pneumatic actuator of a mobile jaw of the anchors sliding axially on a multichannel support, wherein at least one suction hole is formed for generating a vacuum suitable for drawing surrounding tissue of the body cavity into the anchors. A relatively evenly perforated diaphragm is placed, coaxially with the support, at the suction hole and in a spaced relationship from the surface of the support, the width of the perforations being generally smaller than that of the suction hole.

Abstract: An endoscopic device for autonomous locomotion through a body cavity with a predetermined direction, the device comprising a tubular body constructed of a relatively elastic material that extends between two, preferably, the front and rear, end portions, respectively. The tubular body includes an anchor for temporarily and alternately attaching the end portions to a wall portion of the body cavity in synch with corresponding axial extensions and contractions of the tubular body. The tubular body incorporates a reinforcement structure distributed along its length that is substantially rigid in a radial direction and yields in an axial direction, the structure specifically comprising either a plurality of relatively rigid rings or at least one helical spring.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgery device for the insertion and recovery of a haemostatic plug at the surgical site. The device comprises a tubular body suitable for slidingly housing the plug and a plunger slidingly engageable within the tubular body so as to push the plug outside thereof, and to place it in the surgical site. The plug is connected to a locator being of a suitable color, radio-opaque and floating relative to the internal organs, blood or other fluids present at the surgical site. At a distal end of the plunger, a handle is provided for gripping the locator for recovering the plug after use and retracting the plunger within the tubular body.

Abstract: An endoscope system with a hollow cylinder and bellows moving mechanism is provided. The system includes a cylinder having a head unit mounted by a camera devices, a front fixing unit connected to the head unit which is installed to an outer circumference of the cylinder and fixed to an inner wall of an organ, a rear fixing unit slidably installed at the outer circumference of the cylinder and fixed to the inner wall of the organ, and a moving unit between the front fixing unit and the rear fixing unit for moving the head unit in the organ by an extension and contraction when the front fixing unit or the rear fixing unit fixes the head unit to the inner wall of the organ. The moving unit includes a double bellows and forms a hermetic space with the outer circumference surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: An endoscopic device for locomotion in a body cavity according to a prefixed advancing direction (A) comprising at least a variable length intermediate section (1a, 21a) extending between a front end section (1b, 21b) and a rear end section (1c, 21c). First and second clamping means (7, 12, 27, 32) are integral to the front and rear section, for alternately grasping respective surrounding portions of wall (P) of the body cavity. Sucking means (13, 14, 37, 38) are associated to the first and second clamping means for creating a depression sufficient to cause the body cavity wall portions to collapse within the first and second clamping means while they are in an open condition.

Abstract: A proportional valve is disclosed for controlling the outlet pressure of a fluid flowing therethrough. The valve comprises a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port for the fluid. The valve also has an inner chamber, within which there is formed a valve seat that may be opened and closed variably by a shutter axially movable from and towards the valve seat. Movement of the shutter is controlled by a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuating member operating antagonistically to an elastic member, the temperature of the fluid being lower than the transition temperature of the shape memory alloy. The actuating member and the elastic member are connected to the body valve at opposite sides relative to the valve seat. A power control circuit is also provided for circulating an electric current through the actuating member so as to heat the same by Joule effect from a temperature lower than the transition temperature to one that is higher.

Abstract: An auxiliary forceps for video-assisted minimally-invasive surgery, such as the hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery, intended to be operated by the surgeon's non-dominant hand inserted in an incision for entering a patient body natural cavity, comprising: two actuating plates (1a, 1b) elastically hinged to each other and having a shape and size suitable for being operated by holding them with the tips of two fingers: two jaws (2a, b; 20a, b) each extending from a respective of the actuating plates; means (14) for temporarily connecting the forceps to the surgeon's hand for maintaining the forceps at an adjustable distance from the hand not greater than a prefixed value; means (15, 22) for housing the jaws close to each other, within which the jaws are engaged when, during operation, said forceps is not used.

Abstract: A proportional valve for the control of the outlet pressure of a fluid flowing therethrough comprising a valve body (1) with an inlet port (15) and an outlet port (17) for the fluid and an inner chamber (8), within which there is formed a valve seat (9) whose opening is varied by means of a shutter (10) axially movable from and towards the valve seat, the movement of the shutter being controlled by a SMA actuating member (11) acting antagonistically to elastic means (12), the temperature of the fluid being lower than the transition temperature of the shape memory alloy. The actuating member and the elastic means are connected to the valve body (1) at opposite sides with respect to the valve seat and power means (105) are provided to be activated for circulating an electric current through said actuating member to heat it by Joule effect from a temperature lower than the transition temperature to an higher one.

Abstract: Disclosed is an endoscope system having a body comprising: a cylinder having a head unit mounted by a camera device at one side thereof and connected to a tube which is connected to an external device out of a human body at the other side thereof; a front fixing unit connected to the head unit, installed to an outer circumference of the cylinder, and thereby fixed to an inner wall of an organ; a rear fixing unit slidably installed at the outer circumference of the cylinder and fixed to the inner wall of the organ; and a moving unit connectedly installed between the front fixing unit and the rear fixing unit for moving the head unit in the organ by an extension and contraction when the front fixing unit or the rear fixing unit fixes the head unit to the inner wall of the organ.

Abstract: An endoscopic robot (1), designed for being inserted into a body cavity (C) f a patient and advanced therein in a prefixed direction (A) with a so-called inchworm-like motion, comprising a variable length segment (2) and aspiration means (12, 13) for selectively producing a pneumatic vacuum (V) between the robot (1) and the body cavity (C) at the robot ends (3, 4) sufficient to produce a substantial anchorage to the body cavity walls, thereby allowing the inchworm-like motion and avoiding, at the same time, any pushing action against the body cavity walls which causes discomfort and pain to the patient.

Abstract: A radiation sensitive device comprising several rings and a middle section formed by a conventional charge coupled device. Drain means for radial draining of the charges generated in the circular sections by the incident radiation and drain means for the charge coupled device are provided. The device has a retina-like structure and can be advantageously applied in robotics.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed for use in regenerating a severed nerve, including a tubular, biocompatible, electrically-charged membrane or guidance channel, having openings adapted to receive the ends of the severed nerve and defining a lumen through which the nerve can regenerate. The electrically-charged membrane can further include a polymeric electret material that is electrically poled. A method for repairing a severed nerve is also disclosed and includes placing severed nerve ends in proximity to each other within the lumen of the guidance channel of the present invention and securing the nerve ends to the device.

Abstract: A device is provided through which a set of information concerning tactile interaction between a manipulator and an object to be recognized is provided to the user. Several configurations are described, based on the piezo- and pyro-electric (ferroelectric) properties of polymeric materials, such as the polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF.sub.2 or PVDF), different polypeptides and copolymers of PVF.sub.2 and TrFE. By arraying in a proper way various sensing layers, each featured by different sensory capabilities, a laminated sensor structure is obtained, able to provide a set of tactile information. The multilayered structure of the proposed device is inspired to that of the human skin, which includes superficial (epidermal) and deep (dermal) sensors.

Abstract: A catheter including a support suitable for insertion into a body organ, a transducer carried by the support, the transducer including a flexible piezoelectric polymeric membrane, and a pair of surface electrodes mounted on the membrane, the support including a rigid portion defining a flexure cavity inside the catheter, the membrane being mounted on the rigid support portion to permit free flexing of the membrane into and out of the cavity, one surface of the membrane communicating with the cavity, the other surface of the membrane being exposed to the exterior of the catheter to receive and flex in response to pressure variations in the organ, and an electrical cable for transmitting from the electrodes to external circuitry electrical signals produced by said flexure.