Abstract: An endoscope includes an endoscope operation unit; an insertion observation unit extending forward from the endoscope operation unit in a longitudinal direction of the endoscope; a coupling portion between the endoscope operation unit and the insertion observation unit; and an elastic body that covers at least a coupling portion.

Abstract: An endoscope control system for performing a bending operation in a disposable insertion endoscope, the endoscope control system including a control wheel connected to a wire drum for connection to a steering wire of the endoscope, whereby rotation of the control wheel controls the bending operation, and a multi-disc brake including a stack of at least three brake discs, wherein activation of the multi-disc brake changes the multi-disc brake from a released state to a braking state, a brake torque generated by the multi-disc brake in the braking state braking rotation of the control wheel, the brake torque in the released state being at least partially released.

Abstract: Articulating medical instruments and corresponding techniques can be utilized using a robotically enabled medical system. In a surgical method, a clinician can insert a distal end of a medical instrument into a treatment area of a patient. Once inserted, a first bending section of the medical instrument can be articulated by driving one or more motors of an articulation handle that is positioned at a proximal end of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: The specification describes endoscopes that enable varying stiffness of an insertion portion in an endoscope assembly. In one example, an actuator operates either a spring or a flexible tube to vary stiffness of the insertion portion. In alternative examples, an elliptical wheel arrangement or screw mechanism provides a means to increase stiffness of the insertion portion of an endoscope assembly. In further examples, fluid and gas may be used inside the insertion portion to vary stiffness by varying pressure of the fluid/gas.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an insertion section; an operation section; a bending portion; a longitudinal member for maintaining a constant distance from the operation section to a distal end portion of the insertion section along a longitudinal axis of the insertion section; and a flexible tube portion provided in a movable manner with respect to the operation section and the longitudinal member in a longitudinal axis direction, and making the bending portion extend and contract with movement of the flexible tube portion with respect to the operation section in the longitudinal axis direction.

Abstract: A medical tool includes a rotatable hollow tube and one or more electrical wires. The rotatable hollow tube is defining a working channel therein for insertion of a medical instrument into a cavity of a patient body. The one or more electrical wires traverse the working channel for exchanging electrical signals with one or more electronic devices located at a distal end of the rotatable hollow tube. The working channel has a non-circular cross section for passing both the medical instrument and the one or more electrical wires, and for allowing rotation of the rotatable hollow tube relative to the medical instrument located inside the working channel in the presence of the one or more electrical wires.

Abstract: A probe includes an articulating member with at least two vertebrae elements sequentially arranged along a long axis of the elongate ultrasound imaging probe. The articulating member includes pivots located between the at least two vertebrae elements. The pivots are disposed off-center relative to the at least two vertebrae elements. The pivots are spatially oriented to provide a pivot point for a different articulation direction of a vertebra element. The probe further includes a plurality of guides, including at least one guide for each of the respective different pivot directions. The probe further includes an actuator with a set of controls, each control configured to actuate a different pair of the plurality of guides for controlling opposing articulation directions, wherein the actuator reduces stress induced on at least one of a pushed guide or a non-activated guide, wherein the stress is induced in response to the actuator pulling a guide.

Abstract: An endoscope camera head 6 includes a first and a second members 8, 9 that are relatively rotatable about a first axis Ax1. The first member 8 has a first rotation-sliding surface 84 that extends in an annular shape about the first axis Ax1 as its center. The second member 9 has a second rotation-sliding surface 93 that engages with the first rotation-sliding surface 84 in a state in which movement to a direction of the first axis Ax1 relative to the first member 8 is restricted, and that rotation-slides relative to the first rotation-sliding surface 84 about the first axis Ax1. The second rotation-sliding surface 93 abuts only on a part of the first rotation-sliding surface 84, to expose a part of the first rotation-sliding surface 84 outside.

Abstract: Provided are a handle for an endoscope comprising an endoscope housing and a lens tube and wherein on the endoscope housing at least one operating element for changing a setting of the endoscope is provided, wherein the handle comprises a receiving section for receiving and retaining the endoscope and a grip section connected with the receiving section for retaining the endoscope, in which the handle further comprises at least one manipulator for operating the operating element when the handle is disposed on the endoscope, wherein the manipulator is movable relative to the receiving section and relative to the grip section, an endoscope with such a handle and a method for disposing such a handle on an endoscope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intubation system comprising insertion unit to be connected to a bending section of a medical instrument comprising an inner elongated shaft structure being capable of torque transmission around its length axis and an outer elongated shaft structure surrounding the inner elongated shaft structure and having a continuous outer surface, and an orientation controller being attached to the inner elongated shaft, such that when the orientation controller rotates, the bending section turns around itself.

Abstract: A detachable endoscope includes an insertion unit including an illuminating and image pickup unit, an operation unit configured to bendingly operate a front end of the insertion unit, and a detachable unit configured to detachably couple the insertion unit and the operation unit to each other, wherein the detachable unit comprises: a first detachable module disposed at the insertion unit in such a manner as to be connected to respective one ends of first and second operating wire and third and fourth operating wires juxtaposedly arranged in the insertion unit; and a second detachable module disposed at the operation unit in such a manner as to be connected to respective both ends of upper and lower chains wound around upper and lower sprockets of the operation unit.

Abstract: A handle for an endoscope has a handle housing, an operating member (7) accommodated in said handle, at least one pull wire (17) attached to said operating member (7), and at least one guide tube (16) surrounding and supporting said at least one pull wire (17). The guide tube (16) is fixed with respect to said handle housing at at least a first location. A direction guide (24) adapted for directing the free end of the pull wire (17) in a desired direction during assembly of the endoscope is provided at said first location.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope, and an insertion auxiliary tool into which the endoscope is inserted. A flexible portion of the insertion section of the endoscope includes, from a distal end side toward a proximal end side, a low flexural rigidity portion, a flexural rigidity varying portion in which a flexural rigidity increases from the distal end side toward the proximal end side, and a high flexural rigidity portion with flexural rigidity higher than that in the low flexural rigidity portion. When at least a part of the flexible portion projects from a distal end opening of the tube body, a position of the proximal end of the low flexural rigidity portion is positioned closer to a proximal end of the insertion auxiliary tool than the distal end opening of the tube body from the proximal end of the insertion auxiliary tool.

Abstract: A medical system includes a medical instrument, at least one actuator, and a controller. The medical instrument defines a central axis and includes a steerable tip. The controller is configured to command the at least one actuator to cause active steering control of the medical instrument according to an insertion control mode after movement of the medical instrument is detected and exceeds a first threshold value in an insertion direction and to deactivate the at least one actuator to cause the steerable tip of the medical instrument to move freely, without the active steering control, in reaction to forces exerted against the medical instrument by a wall of the anatomic passageway after axial movement of the medical instrument is detected by the medical system and exceeds a second threshold value in a retraction direction. At least one of the first or second threshold values comprises a velocity threshold value.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, an elongated shaft, an end effector, a rotation mechanism, and an articulation mechanism is disclosed. The rotation mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly and effects rotation of the end effector about the second longitudinal axis. The articulation mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly and effects movement of the end effector from a first position where the first longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the second longitudinal axis to a second position where the second longitudinal axis is displaced from the first longitudinal axis. The articulation mechanism comprises a first articulation control disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly, a first cable and a second cable. Actuation of the first articulation control in a first direction causes the first cable to move distally and causes the second cable to move proximally.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to medical devices and systems with control knobs designed for improved usability and ergonomics. For example, the control knobs of the present disclosure may include surface features for improved gripping, surface features for improved perception of medical device orientation within a patient and/or knobs dimensioned for improved thumb reach and reduced torque.

Abstract: A transluminal sheath is advanced into a femoral vein of a subject, through an inferior vena cava of the subject, into a right atrium of a heart of the subject, and transseptally into a left atrium of the heart. A surrounding-sheath is advanced out of a distal end of the transluminal sheath, into the left atrium, and toward a commissure of a mitral valve of the heart. A commissural helix is implanted at the commissure by advancing the commissural helix out of the surrounding-sheath and through the commissure into a left ventricle of the heart, such that the commissural helix wraps around at least some chordae tendineae at the commissure and facilitates sealing of the commissure. Subsequently to the implantation of the commissural helix, the surrounding-sheath is extracted from the heart. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is directed to an endoscope having respective first and second operations, a movable member, respective support and friction members, a cam member and a click mechanism all of which are engaged with one another to operate the endoscope during an operation. First and second operation members are disposed in the endoscope and are rotationally operated around a predetermined axis to carry out operation of the endoscope. A movable member is disposed inside the first operation member and is movable between a first position and a second position. A cam member having a cam surface that is made with an inclination with respect to the predetermined axis and abuts against part of the movable member. A click mechanism holds the cam member at the first position or the second position.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a flexible member and a variable stiffness apparatus installed in the flexible member. The variable stiffness apparatus includes a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member movable along the first longitudinal member. The first longitudinal member includes a first high bending stiffness portion and a first low bending stiffness portion. The second longitudinal member includes a second high bending stiffness portion, a second low bending stiffness portion, and a soft member arranged in the second high bending stiffness portion and the second low bending stiffness portion. Stiffness of part of the variable stiffness apparatus in a longitudinal axis direction is varied by changing a relative position of the first and second longitudinal members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ergonomic bidirectional self-locking mechanism for endoscope angulation control knob operation, which allows for easier access to the endoscope control knobs, reduced muscle exertion for knob operation, and real-time locking of the position of the knobs when turned, as disclosed herein. The invention has benefits for the operator thereof from ergonomic and patient safety perspectives.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a bending portion bendable in all directions including four directions: an up direction, a down direction, a left direction, and a right direction, a bending operation lever configured to bend the bending portion by being tilted, and a wire pulling mechanism provided integrally on the bending operation lever and including a lever tilting angle adjustment mechanism configured to set a first tilting angle at which the bending operation lever is tilted in order to bend the bending portion to at least one direction in the four directions by a predetermined bending angle and a second tilting angle at which the bending operation lever is tilted in order to bend the bending portion in a direction different from the at least one direction by a predetermined bending angle to different angles when the bending operation lever is tilted so as to bend the bending portion.

Abstract: An endoscope including: a bending portion; a first traction member and a second traction member that causes the bending portion to bend; a first rotary member that pulls the first traction member; a first plate member on which the first rotary member and the first traction member are disposed; a first protrusion; a first positioning part that comes into contact with the first rotary member; a second rotary member that pulls the second traction member; a second plate member; a second protrusion; and a second positioning part that comes into contact with the second rotary member.

Abstract: A control unit that includes a braking system for fixing the position of an endoscope tip is provided. The control system includes an up-down control knob and a right-left control knob. The brakes are engaged by rotating the control knob itself counter-clockwise from a free wheeling position. After the brakes have been engaged, a sufficient amount of force applied to the control knobs will move the endoscope tip slightly in the corresponding direction, allowing for fine tuning of tip position after braking.

Abstract: An endoscopic probe extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and configured to be inserted in a tubular lumen to observe a sample is disclosed. The probe includes a first waveguide enclosed within an inner sheath and extending from the proximal end to the distal end along an axis of the inner sheath; and a plurality of second waveguides having at least the distal ends thereof arranged in one or more rings around the inner sheath to surround the distal end of the first waveguide. At the distal end, the axis of each of the second waveguides is tilted with respect to the axis of the first waveguide by a tilt angle which can be adjustable. This novel endoscopic probe has a resultant numerical aperture larger than the numerical aperture of each of the second waveguides, and it may be applicable to forward-viewing spectrally encoded endoscopes (SEE).

Abstract: A bending operation device includes a bending operation member, a bendable part, an operation wire, a pulling wire, and a connection member. The bending operation member is disposed in an operation unit and is supported tiltably in a preset direction. The bendable part is disposed on a side of a distal end of the operation unit. The operation wire is connected at an end thereof to the bending operation member and is pulled or relaxed according to displacement of the bending operation member. The pulling wire is connected to the bendable part and bends the bendable part. The connection member is connected to the operation wire at a first position and is connected to the pulling wire at a second position. The second position is shifted from the first position by a preset angle in a turning direction about a longitudinal axis of the operation unit.

Abstract: An endoscopic system may include an endoscope including a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated sheath extending therebetween. The elongated sheath may define at least one lumen. The proximal end of the endoscope may include a handle operably coupled to a proximal portion of the elongated sheath. The endoscopic system also may include a clip coupled to the handle of the endoscope. The clip may include at least one retaining arm configured to receive a handle of an auxiliary tool. The at least one lumen may be configured to receive a distal portion of the auxiliary tool. Associated devices and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An operation lever type (joystick type) endoscope including an operation lever capable of adjusting a bending angle of a bending portion in response to a tilting operation of an operation portion, and an exterior cover an outer periphery portion of which is watertightly fixed to an operation portion body (an operation portion), and an inner periphery portion of which watertightly covers an outer circumference of the operation lever, the exterior cover being capable of deforming by pressure fluctuation inside the operation portion (that is, pressure fluctuation of a sealed space formed inside the endoscope), is provided with a restricting member 90 configured to restrict expansion of the exterior cover by the fluctuation of the internal pressure.

Abstract: A dilation catheter system includes a body, a guidewire, and a dilation catheter having an elongate shaft. The dilation catheter system may include a locking mechanism to prevent the guidewire from moving relative to the elongate shaft or to lock the guidewire to the dilation catheter to form a fixed wire unit. The dilation catheter system may include a stabilizing tube extending from an actuator, to provide rigidity to the guidewire. The dilation catheter may include a grip element having a plurality of grip features disposed thereon. The dilation catheter may include a cap biased toward a first longitudinal position and movable to a second longitudinal position. A guide catheter secured to the cap is prevented from changing angular orientation in the first longitudinal position and is free to change angular orientation in the second longitudinal position.

Abstract: Methods of inserting a tube through the nasopharynx of a patient are disclosed. The methods of inserting a tube through a nasopharynx of a patient includes the steps of inserting the tube through a naris of the patient; and when a distal end of the tube is proximate a rear surface of the nasopharynx, pulling on or holding in place a thread-like member attached to a tube portion of the distal end of the tube so as to alter an initial direction of the distal end of the tube and point the distal end of the tube towards a throat of the patient. Kits for inserting a tube through the nasopharynx of a patient are also disclosed. The kits include a tube sized so as to move through a nasopharynx of a patient; and a thread-like member that is attachable to a tube portion of a distal end of the tube and can be tensioned so as to alter an initial direction of the distal end of the tube and point the distal end of the tube towards a throat of the patient.

Abstract: Embodiments include a catheter shaft (12) having an elongated structure with a distal portion (18) and proximal portion (16). The distal portion (18) can include a distal tip (36), a proximal connector (38), and a plurality of pivoting hollow cylindrical segments (40) disposed between the proximal connector (38) and distal tip (36) along a longitudinal axis extending through the elongated structure. A plurality of connections (42, 44) can be disposed along diametrically opposed sides of the distal portion (18) and configured to connect the distal tip (36), the pivoting hollow cylindrical segments (40), and the proximal connector (38). A diametrically opposed pair of tabs (54-1, 54-2) can extend from an inner wall of each of the pivoting hollow cylindrical segments (40) to form first and second pullwire tunnels (81-1, 81-2). First and second pullwires (52-1, 52-2) can extend through the first and second pullwire tunnels (81-1, 81-2).

Abstract: A medical device control handle has with a distal component which is adjustable by an actuator assembly by means of a puller member or wire. The actuator assembly includes a user interface rotational dial, a detent tab washer and a spool, where the dial is rotationally coupled to the detent tab washer which transmits rotational movement of the dial to the spool. The spool has a shaft body and a drum end onto which an proximal end portion of the puller member can be wound to manipulate or adjust the distal component. Rotational movement of the detent washer is limited to prevent overrotation and breakage of the puller member. At least one washer is mounted on the shaft body of the spool to help apply compression load on the actuator assembly in friction-inducing contact with one or more components of the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A modular handle assembly for supporting and controlling a steerable catheter having at least one deflection wire includes a handle portion which extends along an axis for being secured about a portion of the steerable catheter. The modular handle assembly includes at least one barrel that is rotatably connected to the handle portion for rotation about said axis and at least one actuation screw shaft that is disposed within said handle portion and which extends through the barrel for connection with the deflection wire of the steerable catheter. At least one pinion gear is disposed radially between the actuation screw shaft and the barrel and is threadedly interconnected with the actuation screw shaft and the barrel for translating rotational movement of the barrel about the axis into axial movement of the actuation screw shaft to provide for movement of the deflection wire to curl the steerable catheter.

Abstract: An endoscope having an operating handle comprising a handle housing arranged at a proximal end and an insertion tube extending from said handle towards a distal end of the endoscope and terminating in a steerable tip part at the distal end of the endoscope, the endoscope further comprising a control mechanism with a Bowden cable having an outer guide tube having a first length between a proximal end and a distal end of said outer guide tube and an inner pull-wire having a second length between a proximal end and a distal end of said inner pull-wire, said second length being longer than said first length, the proximal end of the outer guide tube is affixed to the operating handle by means of an adhesive.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system comprising a first rotatable driver and a second rotatable driver is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector, a shaft assembly, and a control system. The an end effector comprises a staple cartridge. The shaft assembly comprises a longitudinal axis and a cutting instrument movable along the longitudinal axis between a starting position and an ending position. The control system comprises a cutting drive configured to displace the cutting instrument toward the ending position in response to the first rotatable driver of the robotic system, and a shaft rotation arrangement configured to rotate the shaft assembly about the longitudinal axis in response to the second rotatable driver on the robotic system. The rotation of the shaft assembly does not displace the cutting instrument within the shaft assembly. The cutting drive and the shaft rotation arrangement are separate and distinct.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deflection movement transmission means including a control pivot member for effecting a deflection movement, and a base body including a ball head on which the control pivot member for effecting a deflection movement is arranged such that a pivot movement of the control pivot member can be performed relative to the base body. The control pivot member includes an inner shell, which is elastic or made of several movable pieces and has an inner surface facing towards the ball head. At the outer surface of the inner shell facing away from the ball head, at least one press-on body is provided, by which the inner shell can be pressed against the base body to lock a deflection position of the control pivot member. The invention further relates to an endoscope and an endoscope bending control means including such a deflection movement transmission means.

Abstract: A surgical device capable of interconnecting to an external motorized hand pieces, bending a distal end segment, rotating a window element positioned distal to the distal end segment and rotating independently of it, and actuating a cutting element positioned within the outer window element and rotating independently of it.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus determines whether a first instruction input by an operation section is detected, performs first operation control on a bending section when determining that the first instruction input is detected, determines whether a second instruction input by a touch panel is detected, and performs second operation control different from the first operation control on the bending section when determining that the second instruction input is detected.

Abstract: Elongate, steerable devices for insertion into a subject's body, including very narrow (small diameter) devices that may be configured as steerable catheters and guidewires for use in interventional cardiology and neuroradiology. Also described are methods of making and using these devices, and controllers for controlling these steerable devices. These steerable devices may have a bendable distal region, a plurality of tendons each attached to the distal bendable region and extending from the distal bendable region to a proximal handle region with a plurality of axial translation regions. The axial translation regions may be arranged along an outer surface of the proximal handle region and each axial translation region may be coupled to a tendon for bending the distal region. The axial translation regions may be elastically connected to each other, and configured to translate the tendon and thereby steer the distal bendable region.

Abstract: A steerable catheter includes a brake mechanism with a knob mounted to a catheter handle body. The knob is rotatable around a knob axis, and the catheter handle body includes at least one steering control spool rotatable around a spool axis that is orthogonal to the knob axis. The knob contacts and rotates in a limited arc along a recessed handle body surface between stop surfaces. A frictional braking element in mechanical communication, along the knob axis, with the knob is disposed adjacent the at least one steering control spool and actuatable into and out of contact with a contact surface of the at least one spool upon rotation of the knob around the knob axis.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a flexible polymer catheter body including a proximal shaft section and a distal working section, a wire support structure embedded within the distal working section of the catheter body, a proximal adapter mounted to the proximal shaft section of the catheter body, and a wire disposed within the catheter body. The wire has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the wire being operably connected to the proximal adapter, and the distal end of the wire is anchored to the wire support structure.

Abstract: An introduction device includes an operation main body, a bending section capable of bending in a first direction and a second direction, a first rotary body configured to be operated at a time of bending the bending section in the first direction, and a second rotary body configured to be operated at a time of bending the bending section in the second direction, the second rotary body being configured such that a part of an outer edge is located on an extension plane which is defined by extending the first surface, or the part of the outer edge is located more on the distal-end direction side of the first shaft portion than the extension plane.

Abstract: A rotational scanning endoscope for rotationally scanning to capture a circumferential image

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a medical device comprising a deflecting assembly configured to assist in deflecting a distal portion of a catheter shaft. The deflecting assembly may include a first rotatable member having a first diameter and a first pull wire coupled thereto and a second rotatable member having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter and a second pull wire coupled thereto, wherein the second rotatable member is coupled to the first rotatable member such that a center point of the second rotatable member is offset from a center point of the first rotatable member. The first and second rotatable members are configured such that rotation of the first rotatable member via the first pull wire causes rotation of the second rotatable member and second pull wire, thus resulting in deflection of a distal portion of the medical device.

Abstract: A bi-directional catheter with nearly double the throw in its catheter tip deflection defines a puller wire travel path having a U-turn a pulley which minimizes the offset angle between the puller wire and the longitudinal axis of the control handle while maximizing the travel distance of that puller wire for any given distance traveled by the pulley drawing the puller wire. In particular, the control handle of the catheter which includes a steering assembly having a lever arm carrying a pair of pulleys for drawing corresponding puller wires to deflect the tip section of the catheter. The pulleys are rotatably mounted on opposing portions of the lever arm such that one pulley is moved distally as the other pulley is moved proximally when the lever arm is rotated.

Abstract: A steerable-catheter handle includes an outer housing with a multilumen catheter body extending generally distally therefrom. An internal track, including at least one track-defining lateral edge element, is disposed between distal and proximal terminal ends of the outer housing, which also houses a manifold engaged with the catheter body, a working-channel port member in fluid and mechanical communication with at least a first catheter lumen, a vacuum channel port member in fluid communication with at least one catheter lumen via one or both of the working channel port member and the manifold, and a generally proximal catheter port open to the internal track, where a distal endmost portion of the catheter mechanically communicates with one or more control surfaces so that the distal endmost portion of the catheter is deflectable along at least two intersecting axes, and where a portion of the catheter body extends removably through the internal track.

Abstract: A steerable multi-linked device. The device includes a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. The first mechanism defines a first plurality of grooves. The second mechanism defines a second plurality of grooves. The first and second pluralities of grooves cooperate to define at least two working ports along a length of the device. At least one of the first and second mechanisms are steerable.

Abstract: A secure attachment method and structure for a wire (including non-metallic fiber, yarn, cable, etc.) is provided within a steerable catheter that includes a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate catheter body length therebetween, with at least a first catheter lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter body, at least a first elongate wire disposed longitudinally through the first catheter lumen, and a first adhesive having a first viscosity, the first adhesive disposed substantially within, and securing the wire to, the first longitudinal catheter lumen, where at least a lengthwise portion of the wire is frayed or otherwise at least partially disaggregated. The structure and method provides for robustly secure affixation that will allow steering/deflection control by manipulation of another portion of the wire.

Abstract: A flexible tube includes a helical tube having a first sparsely wound region, a closely wound region, a change region, and a second sparsely wound region. In a state where the change region is arranged between the closely wound region and the second sparsely wound region, the change region changes an unbendability such that the unbendability of the distal end portion of the third flexible portion is closer to the unbendability of the second flexible portion and the unbendability of the proximal end portion of the third flexible portion is closer to the unbendability of the fourth flexible portion.

Abstract: A control section outputs a control signal. An actuator is connected to a drive section and operates based on the control signal. An operation information acquisition section acquires operation information related to an operation status of the actuator. A storage section stores correction information included in control information which includes a relationship between an operation status and the control signal. The correction section determines whether or not the control signal and the operation status are consistent with the control information, and when inconsistent, corrects correction information for consistency.

Abstract: A control unit that includes a braking system for fixing the position of an endoscope tip is provided. The control system includes an up-down control knob and a right-left control knob. The brakes are engaged by rotating the control knob itself counter-clockwise from a free wheeling position. After the brakes have been engaged, a sufficient amount of force applied to the control knobs will move the endoscope tip slightly in the corresponding direction, allowing for fine tuning of tip position after braking.