Abstract: Guide wire fixing means is provided for an insertion portion of an endoscope, and a guide wire is releasably engaged when inserting/removing a therapeutic instrument running on the guide wire with a distal end portion of the guide wire inserted into a therapeutic instrument insertion channel of the endoscope being led out from a distal end opening portion of the channel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an endoscopic surgery apparatus for performing treating operation in a body cavity of a patient with the use of treating tools in combination with an endoscope, in which insertion sections allowing the insertion of treating tools are externally arranged in a side-by-side fashion with an insertion section of the endoscope set between these insertion sections and a balloon is provided near a distal end of the insertion section of the endoscope to adjust a relative distance between the insertion sections relative to the insertion section of the endoscope. The balloon is provided on the insertion section of the endoscope and, when the endoscope and treating tools are introduced into the body cavity of the patient, it is possible to easily and properly lead the endoscope and treating tools to a region of interest of the patient.

Abstract: A treating instrument erecting device for use in an endoscope includes a treating instrument erecting member for changing the direction of projection of the distal end portion of a treating instrument inserted in a treating instrument inserting channel. The treating instrument erecting member is provided at the distal end of an insert part of the endoscope. A control wire for operating the treating instrument erecting member is axially movably inserted in a wire guide provided in the insert part to extend over the entire length of the insert part. A wire driving member for advancing or retracting the control wire is provided in a control part connected to the proximal end of the insert part. The control wire and the wire driving member are electrically isolated from each other.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within an organ or vessel. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a method of closed-chest surgical intervention within an internal cavity of a patient's heart or great vessel. According to the method, the patient's heart is arrested and cardiopulmonary bypass is established. A scope extending through a percutaneous intercostal penetration in the patient's chest is used to view an internal portion of the patient's chest. An internal penetration is formed in a wall of the heart or great vessel using cutting means introduced through a percutaneous penetration in an intercostal space in the patient's chest. An interventional tool is then introduced, usually through a cannula positioned in a percutaneous intercostal penetration.

Abstract: A hysteroscope for carrying out endoscopic operations in the uterus by way of an auxiliary instrument, consists of an inner shank and an outer shank surrounding the inner shank whilst forming a longitudinal channel, of a first fitting for supplying rinsing fluid to be led through the inner shank into the uterus and of a second fitting for removing rinsing fluid from the uterus via the longitudinal channel. Furthermore there are provided a third fitting on which the auxiliary instrument is introducable into the hysteroscope and is further distally movable through a working channel, and deflection means with which the distal end region of the auxiliary instrument is elastically laterally deflectable.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument with cutting tool has a shaft for introduction into duct-like body passages such as a rectum, trachea, or esophagus, and has an endoscopic optical system. Arranged in said shaft is a cutting tool, for introducing an incision in the circumferential direction of said body passage, that by way of a displacement mechanism can be extended out of said shaft beyond the periphery of said shaft and retracted back thereinto.

Abstract: An endoscope comprises a hollow shank, optic viewing means positioned in the hollow shank for observing a body cavity, and a separate adjustable instrument channel which is axially, slidably arranged in an internal guiding region of the hollow shank. The instrument channel has a flexible curvature section and a laterally running end section with an end portion that is pivotably and articulably mounted in a radial passage in the distal circumferential wall region of the hollow shank. Sliding the instrument channel axially in the hollow shank results in flexing of the curvature section and pivoting of the end portion, such that an auxiliary instrument provided in the instrument channel is laterally deflected when guided through the hollow shank.

Abstract: A surgical endoscopic instrument for surgery in a region directly underneath a layer of tissue covering a body cavity and traversed by the instrument which has a tubular sleeve with an operating duct and an optical system. The optical system image guide exits through a lateral outlet, the operating duct is mounted in a cross-sectional zone adjacent to the outlet and the optical system is mounted in a cross-sectional zone of the sleeve substantially opposite the outlet. The image guide of the operating duct extends laterally around the sleeve.

Abstract: In a front end structure of a side-view type endoscope in which a treatment tool raising piece is swingably held in a raising piece receiving groove formed in the front end body, a bridge is provided on the front end surface of the front end body and extends to bridge a front opening of the raising piece receiving groove.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an operating portion placed outside a living body, an insertion portion having a proximal end portion coupled to the operating portion, a distal end portion inserted in the living body, and an instrument insertion channel extending through the insertion portion, a raising mechanism having an operation wire and designed to direct the distal end portion of an instrument, caused to extend through the channel, to a predetermined position, and an operation means for operating the operation wire. The endoscope includes a distal end body portion arranged at the distal end portion of the insertion portion and incorporating an observation means for observing the interior of the living body, a support member for forming at least a portion of the outer surface of the distal end portion. The support member is detachable from the distal end body portion.

Abstract: In an endoscope, a curvature indicating element for curvature-indicating a curvable curvature section provided adjacent to a distal end of an elongated inserting section having elasticity is arranged at a location close to a thumb of a hand grasped by an operator in the operating section provided at a proximal end portion of an inserting section. An operating element for controlling operation of fluid such as outflow, inflow or the like is arranged at location opposite to the curvature indicating element in the operating section. Thus, operations of the curvature operation, outflow and inflow of the fluid and the like can be executed simultaneously under a condition where the operating section is grasped.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an operating portion placed outside a living body, an insertion portion having a proximal end portion coupled to the operating portion, a distal end portion inserted in the living body, and an instrument insertion channel extending through the insertion portion, a raising mechanism having an operation wire and designed to direct the distal end portion of an instrument, caused to extend through the channel, to a predetermined position, and an operation means for operating the operation wire. The endoscope includes a distal end body portion arranged at the distal end portion of the insertion portion and incorporating an observation means for observing the interior of the living body, a support member for forming at least a portion of the outer surface of the distal end portion. The support member is detachable from the distal end body portion.

Abstract: An endoscope having a tool guide member which is pivotable in the longitudinal direction of an insert part of the endoscope by remote control to change the direction of projection of a tool for an endoscopic procedure, which is projected outwardly from the distal end of the insert part. A pair of inner and outer walls are formed on the distal end of the insert part so as to be in contact with both side surfaces of the tool guide member. A control wire is driven to move back and forth by remote control to pivot the tool guide member. The distal end of the control wire is disposed at the outside of the outer wall. A driving force transmitting member is disposed to extend through a bore formed in the outer wall so as to transmit the motion of the control wire to the tool guide member.

Abstract: A cover-system endoscope comprises the main body of an endoscope and an endoscope cover assembly for covering the main body of the endoscope. The endoscope cover assembly includes a direction changing means such as a tube body, an erecting base having a hinge section or a balloon for erecting the erecting base in order to change the direction of a medical treatment instrument which is inserted through the medical treatment instrument channel.

Abstract: An endoscope cover with a channel covers at least an inserted portion of an endoscope. The endoscope cover has a treatment tool channel into which a treatment tool is inserted and incorporates a treatment tool raising device for moving, to a predetermined position, the treatment tool inserted into the treatment tool channel and protruding from a distal end portion of the treatment tool channel. The endoscope cover includes an endoscope operating portion fixing port portion provided at a proximal end portion of an inserted portion covering portion which covers the inserted portion of the endoscope. The port portion fixes an operating portion of the endoscope inserted into the inserted portion covering portion. A treatment tool raising device operating member connected to the treatment tool raising device for operating the treatment tool raising device is disposed in the endoscope operating portion fixing port portion.