Abstract: An anatomical probe system comprises an elongated flexible body and an elongated probe extending within the flexible body. The probe has a distal end and includes an outer wall defining a channel. The probe also includes an access port in the outer wall in communication with the channel. The access port is spaced proximally of the distal end.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling a robotic surgical tool is disclosed. The method for controlling a robotic surgical tool includes moving a monitor displaying an image of a robotic surgical tool; sensing motion of the monitor; and translating the sensed motion of the monitor into motion of the robotic surgical tool.

Abstract: A needleless injector including a body including a fluid chamber; an outer shaft extending from an outer shaft proximal end to an outer shaft distal end, wherein the outer shaft includes an outer shaft lumen to accommodate an injection shaft; an injection shaft located within the outer shaft lumen and moveable lengthwise and/or rotationally within the outer shaft lumen, wherein the injection shaft includes an injection shaft proximal end, an injection shaft distal end, an injection shaft terminus, and an injection lumen. The injector further includes an injection orifice at the distal end of the injection shaft and in fluid communication with the fluid chamber through the injection lumen; a pressure source in communication with the fluid chamber; and an optical device that allows viewing a location at a distal end of the device.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a condition within a patient's body includes locating a scanned beam imaging unit at an imaging location for a period of time to observe and characterize a portion of the patient's anatomy over at least a portion of the period of time. The scanned beam imaging unit is located at the imaging location using a locating instrument. The locating instrument is removed from the patient's body with the scanned beam imaging unit remaining at the imaging location. With the scanned beam imaging unit at the imaging location, a beam of light is scanned across the portion of the anatomy and light is received from the portion of the anatomy. A video image of the portion of the anatomy is produced from imaging data generated using detected light received from the portion of the anatomy.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a distal end rigid portion that configures a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope and has a through hole; an LED ceramic substrate including an LED light source mounted on a distal end side thereof, and arranged in the through hole so as to emit light from the through hole; an LED cable configured to be inserted in the insertion portion of the endoscope and to supply electric power to the LED light source; a ceramic cutout portion that configures a proximal end side of the LED ceramic substrate, and allows a conductive pattern for electrically connecting the LED light source and the LED cable to be exposed from inside the LED ceramic substrate and connected to the LED cable; and a reinforcement member having rigidity and fixed to the LED ceramic substrate and configured to cover the ceramic cutout portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a rotating magnetic field to drive a magnetically actuated device where the source of the rotating magnetic field is not constrained to a particular orientation with respect to the device. In one embodiment a rotating permanent magnet is utilized to actuate a magnetically actuated device where the magnet is not constrained to any position relative to the magnetically actuated device, such as the radial or axial position. Accordingly, the rotating permanent magnet may be directed in a manner to avoid collisions or other obstacles in a workspace while still effectively driving the magnetically actuated device.

Abstract: An in-vivo self-assembly capsule system is disclosed, where the in-vivo capsule system comprises a first primary capsule, at least one second capsule, and a self-connection means for connecting the first primary capsule and said at least one second capsule by providing holding force when the first primary capsule and said at least one second capsule are in contact in human GI tract. The self-connection means comprises an interlocking means disposed on the first primary capsule and said at least one second capsule. The interlocking means may correspond to hooks disposed on one connecting side and loops disposed on another connecting side, or hooks disposed on both connecting sides. The interlocking means may also correspond to a first magnet and an interaction piece affixed to two corresponding capsules respectively, and the interaction piece corresponds to a second magnet or a ferromagnetic component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tool having a wrist mechanism that provides pitch and yaw rotation in such a way that the tool has no singularity in roll, pitch, and yaw. In one embodiment, a minimally invasive surgical instrument includes an elongate shaft having a working end, a proximal end, and a shaft axis between the working end and the proximal end; and an end effector. A wrist member has a flexible tube including an axis extending through an interior surrounded by a wall. The wall of the flexible tube includes a plurality of lumens oriented generally parallel to the axis of the flexible tube. The wrist member has a proximal portion connected to the working end of the elongate shaft and a distal portion connected to the end effector.

Abstract: The diameter of an endoscope insertion portion is reduced, and a wide field angle of an endoscope insertion portion is obtained. An endoscope objective optical system includes, from an object side, a first lens formed of a plano-concave lens having a concave surface facing an image side, a second lens formed of a plano-concave lens having a concave surface facing the object side, an aperture stop, and a third lens formed of a plano-convex lens having a plane surface facing the object side, and satisfies 0.7?|fab/f|0.9 1.7?|fe/fab|?2 2?fb/fa?4 where f: focal length of the entire system; fa: focal length of the first lens; fb: focal length of the second lens; fe: represents focal length of the third lens; fab: combined focal length from the first lens to the second lens.

Abstract: A coupling attachment includes a position stabilization portion and a laparoscopic instrument restraint portion, the latter which is configured to at least partially surround a shaft or one or more other portions of a laparoscopic instrument in a manner which positionally restrains or inhibits movement of the instrument and/or a portion or portions thereof when the position stabilization portion is supportably engaged, for example, by a clamp.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing mechanism includes a shaft having a linear member wound therearound, a base having a relative position fixed to a first end of the linear member and formed with a shock-absorbing space which spreads toward the radial outside from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft, and a passage formed in the base in communication with the shock-absorbing space and the outside of the base and causing a second end of the linear member to extend to the outside of the base.

Abstract: An apparatus and a computer-implemented method are provided for determining a location in a target image (T) of a site on a surface of a physical object using two or more reference images (I1, I2) of said physical object that have been obtained with a reference imaging device. Each of said two or more reference images includes said site on the surface of the physical object and was obtained with the reference imaging device having a different position and/or orientation relative to said physical object. The target image is obtained by a target imaging device and includes the site on the surface of the physical object. For each reference image, a set of feature mappings from the reference image to the target image is used to determine the epipolar geometry between the reference image and the target image, and a projection of the site from the reference image onto the target image is calculated from said epipolar geometry.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically detecting villi texture in in-vivo images. In-vivo images may be received from an in vivo imaging capsule, and at least one image may be selected for analysis. Textural details may be extracted, for example using morphological top hat transforms. The image may be divided into segments or patches. The patches may be pruned using a set of threshold conditions, which are calculated based on grayscale or color statistics of the patches. The patches may be classified as containing villi texture or not based for example on rotation-invariant textural features computed in the Fourier domain. A sum, score or rating for the image may be calculated based on the classification of each patch. The final score of the image may be averaged over a number of, for example, consecutive images, and the score may be used for detecting entry into the small bowel and segmenting the image stream to anatomical regions.

Abstract: An endoscopic system may include a catheter or tubing and at least one optical sensor disposed along the catheter or tubing and configured to capture image information from a body lumen when disposed within the body lumen and activated. The system may further include an untethered module operatively arranged with the at least one optical sensor and configured to store or transmit image information captured by the at least one optical sensor. The catheter or tubing, at least one optical sensor and module may be portable during use.

Abstract: An apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to inserted into the bodily passageway; a drive tube including a lumen configured to receive the endoscope; a helically-wound thread disposed on an outer wall of the drive tube and configured such that rotation of the drive tube causes the drive tube with the endoscope to move along the passageway; a flexible drive shaft configured to transfer rotary motion generated by a power supply; and a rotatable drive collar disposed on the endoscope and configured to rotate the drive tube relative to the endoscope, the rotatable drive collar including a stator, a rotor rotatable over the stator and detachably coupled to the drive tube, a rotary gear configured to transfer the rotary motion from the flexible drive shaft to the rotor to rotate the drive tube, and a watertight seal disposed between the stator and the rotor.

Abstract: An endoscope testing apparatus including a base, a main rail coupled to the base, a first centering mount coupled to the main rail, an optical test target holder coupled to the main rail, a second centering mount coupled to the optical test holder, the second centering mount being coaxially alignable with the first centering mount, and an optical scanning device coupled to the main rail and coaxially alignable with the first centering mount and the second centering mount. The test target holder includes an optical test target having a selectively adjustable distance between the optical test target and the second centering mount and a selectively adjustable angle formed between an axis formed by the centering mounts and the test target.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a head portion and an elongated channel. The elongated body portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The head portion is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion and includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The elongated channel includes a proximal opening and a distal opening. The proximal opening is disposed distally of a proximalmost end of the handle assembly and proximally of the shell assembly. The distal opening is disposed on the shell assembly.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an endoscopic heart surgery method with which it is possible to observe an endoscopic image with a stable field of view in the pericardial space. Provided is an endoscopic heart surgery method including an inserting step of inserting an inserted portion of an endoscope into a body from the subxiphoid area and inserting the inserted portion into the pericardial space by penetrating the pericardium in the vicinity of the heart apex; a moving step of advancing the inserted portion toward the base of the heart so that the inserted portion passes through the roof of the pericardial space and is moved toward the heart apex to a treated area in the pericardial space; and an observing step of observing the treated area with the endoscope.

Abstract: A method of displaying images taken by a capsule endoscope and record media of storing program for carrying out that method, wherein the method comprises generating the capsule-endoscope image using image stream data transmitted from a capsule endoscope inserted into a living body, and generating a time bar corresponding to the generated capsule-endoscope image; displaying the generated capsule-endoscope image on a main-display area of a diagnosis screen; displaying at least one capture image on a sub-display area of the diagnosis screen when the capsule-endoscope image displayed on the main-display area is captured; and shifting the capture image on the sub-display area in such a way that the capture image is linked with a movement of a time slider positioned on the time bar, or moving the time slider on the time bar in such a way that the time slider is linked with a movement of the capture image.

Abstract: A position information estimation system includes: a body-insertable apparatus that is inserted into a subject and moves through an inside of the subject; a receiving unit that receives information from the body-insertable apparatus; and an information processor that performs processes on the information acquired from the receiving unit. The receiving unit includes an acquisition antenna that includes a plurality of receiving antennas and acquires information from the body-insertable apparatus.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator includes a shape memory alloy wire portion, a non-deformable portion, a wire portion which is formed by the shape memory alloy wire portion and the non-deformable portion, and which is inserted into a tube member, a movable body which is movable in a direction in which the length of the shape memory alloy wire portion changes, an elastic member which exerts an external force in a direction in which, the shape memory alloy wire portion elongates, and a fixed member to which, one end of the tube member and one end of the shape memory alloy wire portion are fixed. One end of the non-deformable portion which forms the wire portion is connected to the movable body, and the tube member includes therein the shape memory alloy wire portion, and includes therein at least a part of the non-deformable portion.

Abstract: A treatment is described for delivering oxygen to tissue, especially hypoxic tissue. A medium saturated with gas is delivered to the tissue. Dissolved gas is transferred from the medium to the tissue. Ultrasound is transmitted to the tissue to enhance the transfer of gas to the tissue.

Abstract: The adhesive composition used in a medical instrument containing: a main agent which is an epoxy resin selected from the group consisting of bisphenol A-type epoxy resins, bisphenol F-type epoxy resins, and phenol novolac type epoxy resins; a curing agent comprising one or both of meta xylylene diamine and a derivative thereof; acrylic rubber, a filler which contains alumina.

Abstract: An exoscope serves for observing and illuminating an object field on a patient from a position set apart from the patient's body. A lens system serves to observe the object field and an illumination serves to illuminate the object field. A distance between the lens system and the object field can be modified by a bracket. A shaft comprises on its distal end a head member that is widened in comparison to it, so that the illumination reaches into the distal-side head member. Positioned in the head member is at least one radiating illumination unit whose radiant characteristic can be adjusted in such a way that the object field can be illuminated homogeneously at all possible distances from the lens system. Supply lines for the at least one illuminating unit are positioned in the shaft.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an elongate substantially rigid probe and an elongate tubular sheath member. The probe is operatively connected at a proximal end to a source of ultrasonic mechanical vibrations and has a distal tip configured for transmitting ultrasonic vibration energy into organic tissues. The probe longitudinally traverses the sheath member. The sheath member has a distal edge with a first portion on one side of the probe and a second portion on an opposite side of the probe. The first portion of the distal edge of the sheath member is disposed substantially closer than the second portion of the sheath's distal edge to the distal tip of the probe. The second portion of the distal edge is so spaced from the distal tip as to permit effective visualization of the distal tip during use of the instrument.

Abstract: An in-vivo information acquisition system is an in-vivo information acquisition system including an in-vivo information acquisition apparatus provided with a configuration capable of transmitting a wireless signal which includes in-vivo information about an inside of a subject, and a terminal apparatus provided with a configuration capable of receiving the wireless signal transmitted from the in-vivo information acquisition apparatus outside the subject, wherein the terminal apparatus includes a reception confirmation signal transmission section generating and transmitting a reception confirmation signal when the wireless signal which includes the in-vivo information about the subject can be received; and the in-vivo information acquisition apparatus includes a storage section, and a control section causing the wireless signal which includes the in-vivo information about the subject to be transmitted and at the same time, causing the same in-vivo information as included in the transmitted wireless signal to b

Abstract: An endoscope and an illuminator are safely placed in a body cavity without generating a noticeable postoperative scar. A method of placing medical insertion instruments into a body cavity includes a first step of inserting, into the body cavity through a first opening formed on a body wall, an endoscope together with a first illuminator; and a second step of inserting, into the body cavity through a second opening formed at a position different from the first opening, a second illuminator. Preferably, the method further includes a third step of pulling out the first illuminator from the first opening and inserting the first illuminator into the body cavity through a third opening formed at a position different from the first and second openings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tool having a wrist mechanism that provides pitch and yaw rotation in such a way that the tool has no singularity in roll, pitch, and yaw. In one embodiment, a minimally invasive surgical instrument includes an elongate shaft having a working end, a proximal end, and a shaft axis between the working end and the proximal end; and an end effector. A wrist member has a flexible tube including an axis extending through an interior surrounded by a wall. The wall of the flexible tube includes a plurality of lumens oriented generally parallel to the axis of the flexible tube. The wrist member has a proximal portion connected to the working end of the elongate shaft and a distal portion connected to the end effector.

Abstract: A treatment method on tissues in a body cavity includes: a first step of forming a hole for communicating first body tissue with second body tissue while both are in close contact with each other; and a second step of endoscopically inserting a treatment device into the second body tissue through the hole.

Abstract: A surgical method of treating morbid obesity via bariatric procedures, carried out endoluminally and transluminally using endoscopic devices that are introduced through natural body openings without the necessity of creating any incisions in the abdominal wall.

Abstract: A cable guide re-orders a plurality of cables. A first guide plate has a plurality of first guide holes that receive a plurality of cables in a first order. A second guide plate has a plurality of second guide holes that receive the plurality of cables in a different second order. An intermediate guide plate is located between the first and second guide plates. The intermediate guide plate has a plurality of intermediate guide holes. Each of the intermediate guide holes receives one of the plurality of cables and causes a change of direction in the cable to facilitate the change from the first to the second order. The intermediate guide plate may further include cable passages to allow some cables to pass through without changing direction. There may be more than one intermediate guide plate. The cables may change from a generally linear to a generally circular arrangement.

Abstract: In an endoscope apparatus, a first color separation section separates an image picked up by an image pickup section into a first luminance signal and a first color difference signal, then a first color conversion section and a second color separation section convert the first luminance signal and the first color difference signal to first three primary color signals and second three primary color signals respectively, a signal intensity ratio calculation circuit calculates a signal intensity ratio among the first three primary color signals, matrix coefficients of the second color separation section are changed based on the calculated signal intensity ratio and the second color separation section converts the first luminance signal and the second color difference signal to the second three primary color signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for distending a body tissue cavity of a subject by continuous flow irrigation such that minimal or negligible fluid turbulence is present inside the cavity, such that any desired cavity pressure can be created and maintained for any desired outflow rate. The present invention also provides a method for accurately determining the rate of fluid loss, into the subject's body system, during any endoscopic procedure without utilizing any deficit weight or fluid volume calculation or flow rate sensor. The system and the methods of the present invention described above can be used in any endoscopic procedure requiring continuous flow irrigation few examples of such endoscopic procedures being hysteroscopic surgery, arthroscopic surgery, trans uretheral surgery, endoscopic surgery of the brain and endoscopic surgery of the spine.

Abstract: A method for treating lung tissue of a patient is provided. A pathway to a point of interest in a lung of a patient is generated. An extended working channel is advanced transorally into the lung and along the pathway to the point of interest. The extended working channel is positioned in a substantially fixed orientation at the point interest. A tool is advanced though the extended working channel to the point of interest. The lung tissue is treated at the point of interest.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes first and second irradiation units that emit first light and second light, respectively, an image pickup unit that outputs, as pixel information, an electrical signal after photoelectric conversion from a pixel arbitrarily designated as a read target among pixels, a setting unit that arbitrarily sets a pixel as the read target and a read order in the image pickup unit, a control unit that controls irradiation processes in the first and second irradiation units and changes the pixel as the read target and the read order according to a type of an irradiation unit that emits light, a reading unit that reads the pixel information by causing the pixel information to be output from the pixel set as the read target, in accordance with the read order, and an image processing unit that generates an image from the pixel information read by the reading unit.

Abstract: A steerable device, such as a steerable catheter, may include a control handle and an insertion shaft extending outwardly therefrom. In use, the insertion shaft is navigated to an area of interest for examination and/or treatment thereof. The steerable device may include a steering system that controls the deflection angle of the distal end of the insertion shaft in two or more non-planar directions for navigating the insertion shaft to the area of interest. The steering system may also include a locking mechanism for arresting or partially arresting the movement of the distal end of the insertion shaft in a first direction independent of arresting or partially arresting the movement of the distal end in a second non-planar direction.

Abstract: A medical apparatus is detachably connected with a disposable medical device to be inserted into a subject, and performs a specified treatment. The medical apparatus includes an alteration unit that performs an alteration process of altering the medical device, and a control unit that causes the alteration unit to perform the alteration process at the end of the treatment by the medical apparatus.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to battery unit for use with surgical instruments. The battery units may comprise a plurality of cells and include a translatable discharge drain. When attached to the surgical instrument, the discharge drain may electrically connect an anode of the battery unit to a cathode of the battery unit, for example, via a resistive element in order to drain the battery unit.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device employs one or more energy emitters (21) and one or more photoacoustic sensors (22) in a cooperative arrangement for applying a tissue ablation therapy to a tissue (60). In operation, the energy emitters (21) emit a tissue ablation beam (TA) into a target portion of the tissue (60) to form a lesion (61) therein, and alternatively or concurrently emit a photoexcitation beam (PE) into the target portion of the tissue (60) to excite a photoacoustic response from the tissue (60). The photoacoustic sensor(s) (22) sense the photoacoustic response of the tissue (60).

Abstract: A capsule medical apparatus system includes a rotating magnetic field generation apparatus that generates a desired rotating magnetic field in three-dimensional directions, a capsule medical apparatus that includes a magnet and a needle for puncture that can be projected and retracted in a rotation direction of the rotating magnetic field and is rotated in the direction of the rotating magnetic field when the rotating magnetic field is applied to the magnet, a step-out operation detecting unit that detects a step-out operation by which the capsule medical apparatus is inversely rotated when a luminal surface is punctured with the needle, and a magnetic-field control instructing unit that controls the rotating magnetic field generation apparatus on the basis of a detection result performed by the step-out operation detecting unit.

Abstract: In a tracing mode of an electronic endoscope system, a target designating frame is displayed on a monitor to enable designating a tracing target in an endoscopic image captured from an interior of a body cavity illuminated with a broadband light. After the tracing target is designated, narrowband rays of different wavelength ranges from each other are sequentially projected into the body cavity, to acquire biological information on the designated tracing target from image signals obtained under these narrowband rays. On the basis of the biological information on the tracing target, an area corresponding to the tracing target is detected from endoscopic images newly captured after the designation of the tracing target.

Abstract: Present invention describes a swallowable device with a soft, compliant exterior, whose shape can be changed through the use of magnetic fields, and which can be locomoted in a rolling motion through magnetic control from the exterior of the patient. The present invention could be used for a variety of medical applications inside the GI tract including but not limited to drug delivery, biopsy, heat cauterization, pH sensing, biochemical sensing, micro-surgery, and active imaging.

Abstract: A disposable air/water valve may include a main stem providing an air passage through the center bore of the main stem. A method for manufacturing a disposable air/water valve may include several steps. The main stem is molded, and placed in a mold for over-molding seals onto the main stem. Prior to the next steps, the retaining ring, button cap, and boot may be molded. The back end of the main step is placed through the center of the retaining ring and resilient member (e.g. spring). The button cap is then placed on and secured to the main stem.

Abstract: According to the invention, a processor CPU includes a scope information extracting section, a light source information extracting section, a main white balance searching section, a sub-white-balance extracting section, a main white balance update section, a sub-white-balance update section, and an image processing control section.

Abstract: An optical head includes: a point source producing an excitation beam, optical elements adapted to converge the optical beam into an excitation point located in a subsurface plane relative to the surface of a sample, the plane being perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical head; and elements for scanning the excitation point so as to define an observation field in the subsurface plane along two perpendicular scanning directions, a rapid online scanning and a slow columnar scanning. The invention includes micro-electrical mechanical systems designed to move in translation along a selected displacement at least one of the optical elements, which is mobile along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis so as to obtain at least one of the scanning directions. The invention provides the advantages of maintaining an axial illumination of the sample and of using a miniature head.

Abstract: Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as presbyopia, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement non-corneal manipulations. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye, such as the conjunctiva and sclera, to treat presbyopia. The treatments can affect at least one property of the eye and enhance an accommodation of the eye.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to make it possible for a patient to take in a plurality of ingesta materials accurately and easily in a specific order. A capsule housing apparatus 6 according to the present invention houses a capsule endoscope 3 and a first fluid 7 in a housing area 12 of a package 10 and a second fluid 8 in another housing area 11 of the package 10. A partition wall 13 that penetrably separates the housing areas 11, 12 is provided between the housing areas 11, 12 of the package 10. The capsule housing apparatus 6 having such a configuration makes the first fluid 7, capsule endoscope 3, and second fluid 8 suppliable to the patient in the specific order based on numbers marked on the package 10 over the housing areas 11, 12.

Abstract: A steerable structure of the catheter or endoscope type is disclosed. The structure includes an elastically or deformable longitudinal body including at least one actuator of material of the shape memory type incorporated longitudinally with the body together with a Joule-effect heater enabling the actuator to be contracted longitudinally in order to cause the longitudinal body to bend. The actuator extends over at least one portion of the body that presents varying stiffness.

Abstract: A medical device for placing a medical lead in the human body using minimally invasive techniques is described. One lead includes a lead body connected to a lead head having an aperture for providing fiber optic access to the interior of a helical electrode. The fiber optic shaft may be disposed within or along-side a drive shaft releasably coupled to the head to rotate the head. The drive shaft and lead body may be delivered using a delivery catheter. The delivery catheter can be advanced though a small incision to the target tissue site, and the site remotely visualized through the fiber optic scope extending through the lead head aperture. Some catheters include a distal mapping electrode readable from the catheter proximal portion or handle. The lead head can be rotated, rotating the helical electrode into the tissue, and the catheter, drive shaft, and fiber optic probe removed.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly transmitting a video image signal from an endoscopic camera to a receiver or control unit for storage and/or display on a video monitor. Use of a frame-specific, variable compression algorithm capable of progressively encoding a data stream provides for a better performing and higher quality wireless endoscopic camera system capable of generating images at varying resolutions. Use of a short-range, high-performance wireless technology, such as Ultrawideband (UWB), improves the performance capabilities of the system, while minimizing power consumption and extending battery life. Implementations of error correcting codes, as well as the use of multiple transmitting and receiving antennas, further improve the fidelity of the wireless communication.