Abstract: A control device is provided, in particular for use in endoscopes or the like. The control device has proximal and distal end sections each comprising an area of articulation and a central section arranged therebetween. The control device also comprises outer and inner hollow cylindrical shafts and a control element arranged between the shafts. Two or more longitudinal elements extend substantially from the proximal to the distal end section and transfer force. For an optimized control function, the longitudinal elements are arranged at essentially regular angular distances in a circumferential direction of the control device and are connected to one another in the circumferential direction in the region of their respective proximal and distal ends. The distal ends of the longitudinal elements are secured in the circumferential direction in angular positions which are different to the angular positions, in which the respectively associated proximal ends are secured.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controllably traversing a tissue wall. In one embodiment, a distal end of a catheter is positioned and/or repositioned utilizing direct visualization out the distal end of the catheter, as facilitated by an imaging element disposed within the distal tip of the catheter. An inflatable balloon may comprise a portion of the distal tip of the catheter for structural and/or visualization media purposes. A tissue traversing element may be forwarded through a working lumen defined by the catheter and controllably pushed through a tissue wall as observed with the imaging element. The tissue traversing element may comprise sensors and the like to facilitate monitoring of changes in pressure, color, oxygen saturation, flow rate, and echo timing, to determine the position of the tissue traversing member relative to the tissue wall.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated tubular member defining a longitudinal axis and having a lumen extending therethrough. A light source is disposed within the elongated tubular member. The light source is configured to emit light from a distal end of the elongated tubular member. A mirror assembly is coupled to a distal end of the elongated tubular member. The mirror assembly is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the mirror assembly is positioned adjacent an outer surface of the elongated tubular member. In the extended position, the mirror assembly extends distally from the elongated tubular member to re-direct light emitted by the light source.

Abstract: An image processing system includes an orientation specifying unit that specifies orientation of the body-insertable apparatus at the time of capturing the image data with respect to a reference direction, a rotation correcting unit that performs rotation correction on image data based on the specified orientation, a screen generating unit that generates a screen displaying the image data, an average color bar generating unit that calculates an average color of the image data, generates an image of the calculated average color, and generates an average color bar in which images of the generated average colors are connected in accordance with order of the image data, and an organ image generating unit that generates an organ image obtained by superimposing the images of the average colors generated by the average color bar generating unit. The screen generating incorporates the average color bar and the organ image into the screen.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for configuring a variable direction of view endoscope, generally comprising a video display screen and an endoscope having a view controlling device for moving the view vector between predefined, discrete view vector positions. The video display screen displays a set of these view vector positions, and the view vector is moved from one of these positions directly to another in response to a command from a user via the video display screen.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope provided with an image pickup section that picks up an image of an object in a body cavity, a position setting section that sets information on a predetermined position in the object based on information obtained from the image of the object picked up by the image pickup section and a position correction section that corrects the information on the predetermined position set by the position setting section based on information on a boundary line extracted in the image of the object picked up by the image pickup section and outputs information on the corrected position.

Abstract: An endoscope system of the present invention includes an image pickup section that picks up an image of an object, a position detection section that detects a position indicating a predetermined object in the image of the object obtained by the image pickup section and a probability calculation section that calculates a probability value as a degree indicating accuracy of the position being the predetermined object using first information obtained from the image and second information on a condition of the object whose image is picked up by the image pickup section.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope that includes a capsule-shaped casing and a detecting unit that is provided inside the casing to detect a magnetic field orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the casing, the endoscope being activated when the detecting unit detects a magnetic field of a threshold or more; a capsule container that houses the endoscope; a route portion in which a route is formed on which the container moves on a planar face; an activation magnetic field generating unit that is arranged at an interval along the route, and includes magnets for generating magnetic fields in a direction vertical to a direction in which the container moves on the route, the magnets being arranged such that respective magnetization directions are different; and a response unit that has a magnetization direction orthogonal respectively to a center axis direction of the longitudinal direction and a direction of the detected magnetic field.

Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system for examining a patient's body cavity includes an endoscope having a distal end, a proximal end and a number of lumens therein. One or more distal gas ports are disposed at or adjacent the distal end of the endoscope and one or more proximal gas ports are disposed proximal to the distal gas ports. Insufflation gas is delivered to the distal gas ports and withdrawn from the proximal gas ports or vice versa such that a gas bubble is formed in the body cavity and travels with the distal tip of the endoscope.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring measurements of a portion of a patient's anatomy are provided. For example, the system includes a stereovideoscope including a scope coupled to a flexible tubing and configured to be positioned within the patient's body. The scope includes a plurality of stereoscopic lenses configured to capture data indicative of the portion of the patient's anatomy, and the flexible tubing includes a biocompatible material. In addition, the system includes a processing element that is in communication with the stereovideoscope and that is configured to generate an image based on the captured data in order to acquire at least one geometrical measurement indicative of the portion of the patient's upper airway and to determine a probabilty of the patient's response to a tongue-base treatment based on the at least one geometrical meaurement.

Abstract: A unit of equipment designed for use in endoscopic surgery includes radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry and a network interface. The RFID circuitry can be used to store information of various types, such as component usage tracking information, user preferences, usage logs, error logs, device settings, etc. The network interface allows the unit to communicate over an external network with a remote server. Information, such as information stored in the RFID circuitry or in a separate memory, may be sent over the network to a desired destination, such as a server operated by the manufacturer of the equipment.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to actively control at least one of the position and direction of the imaging field in a subject and to observe a desired observed region in the subject certainly in a short period of time. A body-insertable device system according to the present invention includes a capsule endoscope 1 introduced into a subject and a permanent magnet 3. An imaging unit of the capsule endoscope 1 for taking an image inside the subject is fixed in a casing. The capsule endoscope 1 includes a drive unit for changing at least one of the position and posture of the casing in the liquid 2a which is also introduced in the subject 100. The permanent magnet 3 controls the operation of the drive unit for changing at least one of the position and posture of the casing in the liquid 2a.

Abstract: A system and method for guiding a capsule medical device. The method includes: changing, by a control unit, a gradient distribution of a gradient magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator in a vertical direction, the magnetic field generator generating at least the gradient magnetic field in the vertical direction to guide a capsule medical device that includes a magnetic-field responding unit; detecting, by a position detector, a position of the capsule medical device in the vertical direction based on a gradient distribution of the gradient magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator, a physical parameter of the capsule medical device, and a physical parameter of a liquid when the capsule medical device starts to move; and setting, by the control unit, the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator based on the detected position of the capsule medical device in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A capsule medical device guidance system includes: a magnetic field generator that applies a magnetic field having a magnetic field gradient to the magnetic field response unit and guides the capsule medical device; a first setting unit that sets a magnetic field gradient of a magnetic field for generating a vertical magnetic attracting force which makes a resultant force of a buoyancy of the capsule medical device and a gravity force and the vertical magnetic attracting force of the capsule medical device in the liquid substantially zero as a first magnetic field gradient; an operation input unit to which guidance instruction information for guiding the capsule medical device by a magnetic field and moving the capsule medical device from a first position to a second position is inputted; a second setting unit that obtains a magnetic field gradient of a magnetic field for generating a magnetic attracting force corresponding to the guidance instruction information inputted by the operation input unit and sets

Abstract: An image diagnostic system controls a probe to perform rotational and axially-moving scanning within a body cavity and to acquire reflected signals through the probe. Based on the acquired reflected signals, the system forms and outputs tomographic image of the body cavity and biotissue surrounding the body cavity. The system is provided with a detection unit which detects a direction of movement of the probe in the axially-moving scanning and a control unit which controls the rotational speed of the probe in the rotational scanning. The control unit includes a determination unit which determines whether or not the rotational speed of the probe is to be changed upon detection of movement of the probe toward the distal direction within the body cavity, and changes the rotational speed of the probe upon determination of a change at the determination unit.

Abstract: An in-vivo imaging device including a camera may include a frame storage device. Systems and methods which vary the frame capture rate of the camera and/or frame display rate of the display unit of in-vivo camera systems are discussed. The capture rate is varied based on physical measurements related to the motion of the camera. Alternatively, the frame capture rate is varied based on comparative image processing of a plurality of frames. The frame display rate of the system is varied based on comparative image processing of a multiplicity of frames. Both the frame capture and the frame display rates of such systems can be varied concurrently.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope has a light guide for leading a light and a solid-state image sensor for capturing an image of a human body cavity during illumination. In inspecting the number of broken optical fibers in the light guide, a cap is attached to a distal portion of the electronic endoscope. The cap has a test chart. The solid-state image sensor captures an image of the test chart which is illuminated with the light transmitted through the light guide. A photometric circuit calculates an average luminance value “Y” of the test chart from a chart image signal. A broken fiber number calculator calculates the number “N” of broken optical fibers that satisfies N=M×(1?Y/I). “Y” represents an average luminance value of the test chart. “I” represents an ideal average luminance value when all optical fibers are conducting, and “M” represents the total number of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A medical operation system includes a controller for controlling a plurality of medical equipments, a communication unit for transmitting and receiving data between each of the plurality of medical equipments and the controller in two-way communications, an information recorder which records, together with time information, information regarding the plurality of medical equipments transmitted and received by the communication unit, a signal processor which extracts predetermined information from the information recorded on the information recorder and processes the predetermined information to generate time-series data, and a display output unit for visualizing the time-series data output from the signal processor and outputting the visualized time-series data to a display.

Abstract: An endoscope system of the invention includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion, a distal end portion provided on a distal end side of the insertion portion, and a bending portion which is capable of changing a position and an orientation of the distal end portion; a position detecting section for acquiring position information on a position where the distal end portion is located; a passing target position setting section for setting a passing target position for the distal end portion; a path estimating section for estimating a path through which the distal end portion is to be passed; a bending control target position setting section for setting a bending control target position such that the distal end portion reaches the passing target position along the path; and a bending control information calculating section for calculating an amount of bending and a bending direction of the bending portion.

Abstract: To realize a simplified image display apparatus that prevents electrical connection between an external monitor and a receiving device when an electric signal generated by the receiving device is transmitted to the external monitor. The simplified image display apparatus includes a photocoupler 23 formed of a light emitting unit 21 electrically connected only to an input terminal 10 and a light receiving unit 22 that receives light output from the light emitting unit 21, a demodulator 24 that demodulates a received radio signal, a switching unit 25 that outputs either one of electric signals from the photocoupler 23 and from the demodulator 24, and a data generator 26 that applies predetermined signal processing to the electric signal input from the switching unit 25 to generate image data, and outputs the image data to a display unit 9 and an output terminal 11.

Abstract: A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoscope to perform observation using a plurality of image pick up units and an endoscope system including such an endoscope, and its object is to provide an endoscope and an endoscope system having a simplified structure and a reduced cost. There is provided an endoscope including a plurality of image pick up units (24a, 24b) to pick up an observation image, a connector (28) to be connected with an external device (46) to perform signal processing, and a switching circuit portion (26) electrically connected with each image pick up unit (24a, 24b) and the connector (28) and configured to switch the plurality of image pick up units (24a, 24b) so that one of the image pick up units (24a, 24b) transmits/receives a signal to/from the connector (28).

Abstract: A robotic system for steerable tip endoscopes includes a support arm, an endoscope gripping assembly rotatably connected to the support arm by a rotation assembly, and a translation assembly operatively connected to the support arm. The endoscope gripping assembly is configured to grip any one of a plurality of differently structured endoscopes, the translation assembly is configured to move the support arm along a linear direction to thereby move an endoscope when held by the endoscope gripping assembly along an axial direction, and the rotation assembly is configured to rotate the endoscope along a longitudinal axis of rotation.

Abstract: A body-insertable apparatus includes: an illuminating unit that illuminates the inside of a subject's body; an imaging unit that takes an image of the inside of the subject's body; a first power supplying unit that supplies electric power to the imaging unit; a second power supplying unit that supplies electric power to the illuminating unit; and a switch that either connects the first power supplying unit to the second power supplying unit or disconnects the first power supplying unit from the second power supplying unit. The switch electrically separates the first power supplying unit from the second power supplying unit during at least an illuminating period of the illuminating unit.

Abstract: An in-vivo information acquiring apparatus includes an information acquiring unit that acquires in-vivo information, a transmitting unit that transmits the in-vivo information to an outside of a living body, a power source that serves to supply power to the information acquiring unit and the transmitting unit, a power supply unit that is provided between the power source and at least one of the information acquiring unit and the transmitting unit so as to supply the power of the power source to at least one of the information acquiring unit and the transmitting unit, an external signal detecting unit that detects an external control signal supplied from outside and generates a control signal according to a detected state of the external control signal, a power supply controller that controls a power supply state of the power supply unit according to the control signal supplied from the external signal detecting unit, and a masking unit that masks the control signal supplied to the power supply controller by t

Abstract: A fluorescent endoscopy apparatus includes an endoscope insertion unit that is inserted into a body cavity and that guides excitation light to illuminate a region to be observed, and an imaging unit that images a fluorescent image by receiving fluorescence that has been output from the region to be observed by illumination with the excitation light and guided by the endoscope insertion unit. Further, the fluorescent endoscopy apparatus includes a facial information detection unit that detects facial information about a person in an imaging image that has been imaged by the imaging unit by receiving light guided by the endoscope insertion unit, and an interlock unit that prohibits illumination with the excitation light when the facial information detection unit has detected the facial information.

Abstract: An endoscope system, including a plurality of processor devices, each of which having a detachably attached endoscope, and a controller device, which is communicably connected with the plurality of processor devices, is provided. The controller device is capable of outputting at least one of an activating signal to activate at least one of the processor devices and an inactivating signal to inactivate at least one of the processor devices to the at least one of the processor devices. Each of the plurality of processor devices includes a first power supplying unit to supply the processor device with activating power, a power supply controlling unit, which is driven by preparatory power and is capable of at least one of switching on the first power supplying unit and switching off the first power supplying unit, and a second power supplying unit to supply the preparatory power to the power supply controlling unit.

Abstract: A body-insertable apparatus including a capsule-like casing, an illuminating unit, an imaging unit, and an antenna is provided. The capsule-like casing is formed in a capsule-like shape and includes a transparent imaging dome. The illuminating unit is arranged in the capsule-like casing and illuminates an examined site of a subject through the imaging dome. The imaging unit is arranged in the capsule-like casing and takes an image of the examined site illuminated by the illuminating unit. The antenna is arranged in the imaging dome at a position outside an imaging field of view of the imaging dome to transmit image information obtained through imaging by the imaging unit to an outside of the subject.

Abstract: A self propelling device is attached to a front end side of an insert section of an endoscope and propels the front end side in a body. The self propelling device has an internal cylinder into which the front end side is inserted and an external cylinder surrounding the internal cylinder. A rotating body is rotatably attached to the external cylinder in an axis direction along the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the external cylinder, and the self propelling device propels by rotation of the rotating body. The inner diameter of the internal cylinder is large, and the front end side can be bendable in the internal cylinder. A coil spring formed in a circular truncated cone shape is located in the internal cylinder. The coil spring has a bottom having large diameter which is fixed to the internal cylinder and has a top having small diameter which is fit on the front end side of the insert section.

Abstract: An endoscopic system includes an insertion-section, a wire, an adjustment-unit, a memory, a shape-acquiring-unit and a controller. The insertion-section includes a tubular-section and a bending-section. The wire is inserted in the insertion-section and pulled and loosened to bend the bending-section. The adjustment-unit adjusts tensile force applied to the wire. The memory stores correspondent information including a relationship between increase/decrease information indicative of increase/decrease in the tensile force due to a shape of the tubular-section and shape information indicative of the shape of the tubular-section. The shape-acquiring-unit acquires the shape of the tubular-section.

Abstract: A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-part robotic device for positioning of a hand tool, comprising: a. a fixed base unit constantly fix to its position; b. a detachable body unit reversibly coupled to said fixed base unit, coupled to said current medical instrument; wherein said fixed base unit is adapted to provide independent movement to said hand tool, said independent movement selected from the group consisting of rotation and translation, and further wherein said detachable body unit is removable and replaceable from said fixed base unit such that upon exchange of said hand tool for a second hand tool, said second hand tool is placed in substantially the same location as the location of said hand tool prior to said exchange.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an endoscope includes a body, an elongated shaft that extends from the body, the elongated shaft ending in a distal tip, a first anchoring device that is fixed to the elongated shaft, and a second anchoring device that is extendable from the elongated shaft. In one embodiment, an endoscope advancing apparatus includes a first anchoring device adapted to be fixed to an elongated shaft of an endoscope, and a second anchoring device adapted to be mounted to an opposite side of the elongated shaft in a manner in which the second anchoring device can be axially extended from the elongated shaft.

Abstract: A magnetically guided endoscopy capsule is separated from the surface of water with the aim of immersing the capsule completely in water, using the least possible magnetic force. A brief force curve (F_mag(t)) is thereby automatically generated on the capsule by a solenoid system, by one or more force pulses. Assuming that the capsule floats on the water surface at the start of the force curve, a force curve is applied generating an odd number of force pulses having a step profile. Each odd force pulse brings about at least a partial immersion of the endoscopy capsule in the liquid, and each even force pulse bring about at least a partial emersion of the endoscopy capsule out of the liquid.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is disclosed according to one embodiment of the invention. The assembly includes a catheter body, a housing and a detector. The catheter includes a distal tip, a proximal end, and a fiber optic extending between the proximal end and the distal tip. The housing may include a channel adapted to support at least a portion of the distal tip of the catheter. The may be detector disposed within the housing so as to be spaced a fixed distance from the distal tip of the catheter. Methods for providing and calibrating a catheter supported within housing are also disclosed according to other embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A first guidewire structure includes a medical guidewire extendable beyond a distal end of a medical instrument and having first and second segments, wherein the bending moment of inertia of the first segment is less than the bending moment of inertia of the second segment. A second guidewire structure includes a medical guidewire extendable beyond a distal end of a medical instrument having a mechanized guidewire drive assembly. The medical guidewire has an exterior surface including a repetitive series of spaced-apart surface elevation features. One example of surface elevation features is external threads. The spaced-apart surface elevation features are adapted for operable engagement with the mechanized guidewire drive assembly.

Abstract: A transmitting and receiving apparatus (2) that transmits a radio signal to a capsule endoscope includes: a transmitting level determining unit (25) disposed near a transmitting resonance circuit (22); a frequency controller (26) that controls an oscillation frequency based on a result of determination executed by the transmitting level determining unit (25); and a frequency variable oscillator (16) that changes the oscillation frequency, based on the control of the frequency controller (26). By changing the oscillation frequency so that a transmission level becomes large, the oscillation frequency can be changed so as to decrease a frequency difference between the oscillation frequency and the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit (22) that changes along a variation in a self inductance value of a coil (24).

Abstract: A first and a second pumps for supplying a gas to a balloon for fixation mounted at an outer circumference portion at a tip end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope and a balloon for fixation mounted at an outer circumference portion at a tip end portion of an overtube into which the endoscope is inserted and a control portion for controlling pressure in the respective balloons by operating the first and the second pumps are provided, and the control portion controls display of balloon inflation/deflation display portions and balloon during operation display portions of a remote controller on the basis of inflation-state information detected by a state detection output portion detecting inflation states of the respective balloons.

Abstract: An endoscopic microscopic system for collecting and processing a sequence of images.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein that improve control of a shapeable or steerable instrument using shape data. Additional methods include preparing a robotic medical system for use with a shapeable instrument and controlling advancement of a shapeable medical device within an anatomic path. Also described herein are methods for altering a data model of an anatomical region.

Abstract: An encapsulated endoscope system in accordance with the present invention comprises: an encapsulated endoscope that rotates to develop a thrust; a controller that moves the encapsulated endoscope in an intended direction of advancement; an imaging unit incorporated in the encapsulated endoscope; and an image processing unit that receives image data sent from the imaging unit, and produces an image, which results from rotation of the received image data, according to the rotational phase of the encapsulated endoscope.

Abstract: A medical system includes a movable portion configured to allow an angle to be changed within a predetermined angular range, an actuator configured to drive the movable portion so as to change the angle of the movable portion when a wire is pulled, a control unit configured to perform drive control of the actuator, a slack detection unit configured to detect a driving condition as to whether or not the wire is slack, a slack adjustment unit configured to adjust slack of the wire based on a detection result produced by the slack detection unit; and a slack adjustment command input unit used to input a command to adjust the slack of the wire, wherein the slack adjustment unit adjusts the slack of the wire to a predetermined state of adjustment in response to the command to adjust the slack of the wire.

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: In a telemanipulation system for manipulating objects located in a workspace at a remote worksite by an operator from an operator's station, such as in a remote surgical system, the remote worksite having a manipulator with an end effector for manipulating an object at the workspace, such as a body cavity, a controller including a hand control at the control operator's station for remote control of the manipulator, an image capture device, such as a camera, and image output device for reproducing a viewable real-time image, the improvement wherein a position sensor associated with the image capture device senses position relative to the end effector and a processor transforms the viewable real-time image into a perspective image with correlated manipulation of the end effector by the hand controller such that the operator can manipulate the end effector and the manipulator as if viewing the workspace in true presence.

Abstract: An encapsulated endoscope system in accordance with the present invention comprises: an encapsulated endoscope that rotates to develop a thrust; a controller that moves the encapsulated endoscope in an intended direction of advancement; an imaging unit incorporated in the encapsulated endoscope; and an image processing unit that receives image data sent from the imaging unit, and produces an image, which results from rotation of the received image data, according to the rotational phase of the encapsulated endoscope.

Abstract: A lens drive control apparatus of the present invention controls a lens drive system that has a lens frame that holds a lens so as to be movable forward and backward in an optical axis direction of an optical lens, and a transmitting member that transmits to the lens frame a driving force generated by a strain deformation of a shape memory alloy member that exhibits a predetermined hysteresis characteristic between a temperature and an amount of deformation. The lens drive control apparatus includes a control section that, at a timing at which an instruction that causes the lens frame to move forward or backward stops, performs control that changes a temperature of the shape memory alloy member to a temperature belonging to a dead zone of the predetermined hysteresis characteristic.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: an insertion portion including a bending portion provided on a distal end side thereof; a bending drive section that drives bending of the bending portion; an insertion shape detection section that detects an insertion shape of the distal end side of the insertion portion as insertion shape information; a curved state detection section that detects a curved state based on the insertion shape information as curve information; a plane calculation section that performs a calculation to estimate a plane for driving bending of the bending portion from the detected curve information; and a bending control section that drives bending of the bending drive section along the estimated plane.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, a bendable bending portion provided in a distal end side of the insertion portion, a bending driving section that drives the bending of the bending portion, and a bending driving control section that controls the bending driving section based on an inputted control signal to cause a distal end of the bending portion to make a turning motion with respect to a proximal end thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating an endoscope includes an endoscope system configured to acquire a first calibration image at a first calibration focal length and determine a radius of a first calibration image boundary corresponding to the first calibration focal length for the first calibration image, wherein the radius of the first calibration image boundary corresponds to a first calibration magnification of the endoscope. A clinical image is acquired at a clinical focal length, wherein the first calibration focal length is different than the clinical focal length and a radius of a clinical image boundary corresponding to the clinical focal length for the clinical image is determined, wherein the radius of the clinical image boundary corresponds to a clinical magnification of the endoscope. The radius of the first calibration image boundary is compared to the radius of the clinical image boundary to determine a change in magnification of the endoscope.

Abstract: A curving control device to which an electrically-controlled endoscope is connected has a main CPU for primarily performing curving driving control, and a monitoring CPU for monitoring whether the operating state relating to curving actions is normal or abnormal. In the event of detecting an abnormality from the monitoring CPU, the curving control device also performs processing for handling the occurrence of the abnormality, such as outputting an emergency stop through an interlock via the main CPU, turning the main power and the like of a servo driver OFF, and so forth.