Abstract: An illuminated medical instrument comprises an insertion portion (1) for insertion into a body opening and defining an elongate passageway (2), the passageway extending along a longitudinal axis (3) and having a proximal end (4) and a distal end (5). An obturator (19) is fitted into the passageway (2). A light emitting structure (7) has a distal end arranged to direct light from the insertion portion (1) into the body opening. The obturator (19) is movable in the passageway (2) between a first position within the passageway and a second position proximal of the first position and is constructed and arranged so that when in its first position it substantially covers in the direction of the longitudinal axis the distal end of the light emitting structure (7).

Abstract: A hand manipulated endoscopic medical device is disclosed. The medical device includes a body having a proximal end, which is hand manipulated, and a distal end which includes a manipulator. A light emitting device is centrally disposed at the distal end. An imaging device is centrally disposed at the distal end for imaging at least a portion of the region illuminated by the light emitting device. Also disclosed is a tool for extracting an artificial lumbar disc from between a pair of vertebral plates. The extraction tool includes a handle, a member for transmitting force, and a sharpened end, specially configured to be placed between the artificial disc and the vertebral plate. Further disclosed is a tool for implanting or explanting a ball to or from an artificial lumbar disc. The implanter/explanter includes a pinion shaft and a pinion shaft enclosure. A tightening knob is disposed at the proximal end of the shaft enclosure and coupled to the pinion shaft.

Abstract: There is provided a living body observing apparatus capable of reducing time period to be spent on observation of a subject in a living body. The living body observing apparatus of the invention includes: illumination means including one or a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements for emitting illumination light to illuminate a subject; image pickup means for picking up an image of the subject illuminated by the illumination light emitted from the illumination means, and outputting the picked-up image as an image pickup signal; color separation means for separating the image of the subject into red, green, and blue components; and image processing means for performing a predetermined processing on the image pickup signal outputted from the image pickup means, and outputting the processed image pickup signal as a video signal to display the image of the subject on display means.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscope capable of observing cells at a desired position existing in the depth direction with a simple structure as compared to the conventional configuration. The endoscope includes an insert unit to be inserted into a biological body, a low-scaling observation system for observing an observation position in a biological body with a low scaling, and a high-scaling observation system for observing a target position of the aforementioned observation position as a local position with a high scaling. The high-scaling observation system includes a plurality of illumination units for applying illumination light for high-scaling observation of the target position. The illumination units are arranged at predetermined positions of the end face of the insert unit.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for delivery, then photo-activation of photo sensitive material has a photo-sensitive substance-delivery part and an activation part. The catheter delivers substances such as biomaterials to a target site, followed by illumination of the target using optics located at the distal tip of the catheter which are optically coupled to an extracorporeal light source. In another aspect a deployable light-delivery catheter is disclosed that can illuminate a large area of tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed medical devices for illuminating and viewing a patient's internal body portion. The device may include an elongated flexible tube including a distal end and a proximal end. The tube defines a channel extending from the proximal end to an aperture at the distal end. An illumination device is housed within the channel and configured to emit a distally directed path of light. A light source is provided at the distal end of the flexible tube and configured to emit a laterally directed path of light. In one embodiment the light source is a organic light emitting diode.

Abstract: An endoscope (1) is provided having a handle (2) and a probe part (3) that can be connected thereto, with an illumination system comprising at least one light emitting diode (6) and a video system having an image receiver being arranged in the handle (2). A carrier element (12) made of a heat-conducting material is provided for at least one light emitting diode (6) inside the handle (2), to which the light emitting diode (6) is directly connected. The carrier element thermally contacts the housing parts and/or installation parts of the handle (2) and the probe part (3) for heat conductivity and/or dissipation.

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: Systems and methods for achieving stabilization of medical devices, both invasive and non-invasive, are provided for human and veterinary subjects. The stabilization device comprises a platform for being positioned on a body part, a hooking apparatus positioned within an inner surface of the platform, and at least one securing strap attached to the platform. The durable stabilization device can be rapidly deployed under sterile and field emergency conditions to provide a high level of stability to medical appliances, and is easily removable from a body part of a subject without causing discomfort or damage to the integument or other tissues.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a vehicle, comprising providing at an inspection site a hand-held inspection wand that transceives audio-visual information with a command/remote site a safe distance from the inspection site and that is staffed by law enforcement personnel, stopping the vehicle at the remote site, instructing an occupant of the vehicle to exit the vehicle and grasp the wand, transmitting instructions from the command site to the occupant via the wand, that direct the occupant to capture video of the vehicle at the remote site using the wand, capturing video of the vehicle using the wand, transmitting the captured video from the wand to the command site, and displaying the transmitted captured video at the command site.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an arc-shaped flexible printed circuit film type endoscope using an imaging device. The endoscope includes an image photographing means and an object insertion means. The image photographing means includes a head housing to which an imaging device and an illumination means are mounted, and functions to photograph an image. The object insertion means includes an arc-shaped flexible thin foil, an insulating adhesive film, a circuit film and an insulating protective film which are layered and inserted into an interior of an object to be inspected. The object insertion means is connected at one end thereof to the image photographing means and connected at the other end to a transmission cable via a connector.

Abstract: This endoscope device includes: an LED adaptor that has a plurality of LED chips and that can be removably fitted onto a distal end of an insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity of an endoscopy subject; an LED supporting block that is provided on the LED adaptor and that supports the plurality of LED chips; and a heat removal portion that removes heat from the LED supporting block.

Abstract: A device including at least one image sensor and a circuit board having a plurality of rigid sections and a plurality of flexible sections. The image sensor is disposed an a rigid section of the circuit board. The circuit board may be folded into a housing configured for in vivo sensing. An illumination source is electrically connected to a ring shaped rigid section and at least one battery is positioned between two of the rigid sections.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope has a video-scope with an image sensor, a light source, a signal reading processor, a shading member, a driver, and a driving controller. The signal reading processor alternately reads odd-line image-pixel signals and even-line image-pixel signals over one-frame reading interval, when forming a still image on the basis of one frame worth of image-pixel signals generated by a one-time exposure. The shading member blocks the illuminating light. The driver selectively arranges the shading member at a non-shading position that enable the illuminating light to pass and at a shading position that blocks the light. The driving controller controls the driver by a sequence of pulse signals so as to position the shading member at the shading position for a shading-interval in the one-frame reading interval, and so as to position the shading member at the non-shading position for a remaining reading-interval.

Abstract: A portable, low power, low cost, endoscope having a removable probe with a miniature digital CCD imager, single white LED illuminator and an imaging lens on the distal end and a miniature multi pin connector on the proximal end; both ends connected with a multi trace flexible circuit hidden inside of the protecting flexible sleeve; and a full color LCD monitor and associated image signal processing electronics and powered by the small battery cells.

Abstract: An improved endoscopic device which is introduced into the intestinal tract of a living organism and which operates autonomously therein, adapted to obtain and store or transmit one or more types of data such as visual image data, laser autofluorescence data, or ultrasonic waveform data. In another aspect of the invention, an improved endoscopic device useful for implanting the aforementioned endoscopic smart probe is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for delivering agents including nanostructures, radionuclides, medication, and ligands is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for obtaining a biopsy of intestinal tissue is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for detecting the presence of one or more molecular species within the intestine is disclosed. Methods for inspecting and/or treating the interior regions of the intestinal tract using the aforementioned apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: First and second illumination and image pickup units are provided in the container body having opposite reference view field directions and are respectively freely tilted in an arbitrary direction within predetermined inclination angles from the reference view field direction.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an adaptor detachably mounted on a distal end of an insertion section; a mounting base provided in said adaptor; illumination section attached to the front of said mounting base; front electrode terminals provided at the front end of the mounting base and connected to the illumination section; rear electrode terminals provided at the back of the mounting base, connected to the front electrode terminals, and abutting electrode terminals provided at the distal end of the insertion section when the adaptor is mounted on the distal end of the insertion section; and insulating plates where the front and rear electrode terminals are provided in a manner such that they are exposed from the surface and coupling lines to couple the front and rear electrode terminals are embedded.

Abstract: An endoscope device includes an objective lens group that is provided at a distal end of an insertion portion that is inserted into a lumen of a subject and is used to observe or photograph the subject, and an illumination device that is provided at a distal end of the insertion portion and illuminates the subject using LED. The illumination device is provided with LED chips and an LED chip supporting block that supports these LED chips, and at least a portion of the objective lens group is mounted on the LED supporting block.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes, in order to automatically detect a type of optical adapter and to generate to display an excellent image according to an intended purpose by performing an image signal processing control corresponding to the type of the optical adapter, a signal processing circuit for performing various image signal processings on an image signal from an image-pickup element, a plurality of optical adapters each including an image-formation optical system, adapter discriminating section, and LED, the optical adapters being detachably and selectively provided to the distal end of the endoscope section, and an apparatus main body including an image processing section for performing predetermined signal processing on the image signal from the signal processing circuit, an adapter detection section for detecting the adapter discrimination section, and a controller for controlling the whole endoscope system.

Abstract: An innovative one-piece videolaryngostroboscope that provides slow motion visualization and detailed analysis of the vocal cords movements, which are imperceptible to the naked eye due, by means of a video camera with stroboscopic; said apparatus is used to perform examinations in patients, aiming to assess the incidence of larynx cancer. The invention including a processor base; an optics tube with a built-in light sources, a built-in video camera; a microphone, an auxiliary pedal and software.

Abstract: An intraperitoneal cleaner to allow cleaning of a scope lens used in minimally invasive surgery is presented. Using existing super elastic alloys in combination with a standard spring, a purely mechanical cleaning action is provided, eliminating the reservoirs, vacuum pumps, or extra ports found in other cleaner designs. The scope body is inserted into the device prior to commencement of surgery, and the wiper of the cleaner rests just outside of the field of view of the lens of the scope. When debris or fluid obscures the field of view, a spring in the handle is compressed, allowing the cleaner to flex and provide a cleaning action. A cordless laparoscopic light source using LEDs and a pair of aspherical condensing lenses to focus the resulting light to a usable point is presented. By using battery power, the entire device is considerably smaller than the current xenon light source standard.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope has an outer cover including a transparent cover, a surface light emitting device, and a photographing optical system. The outer cover seals an inside space of the capsule endoscope. The light emitting device, which is disposed in the inside space of the capsule endoscope, emits light to an object through the transparent cover. The photographing optical system, which is disposed opposite to the transparent cover in the inside space, captures light reflected from the object which passes through the transparent cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light source apparatus for a laryngoscope. The light source apparatus is remotely operated. In an embodiment, it comprises a magnetically operated reed switch. A co-operating magnet in the laryngoscope blade actuates the reed switch when the blade is brought into proximity with the light source apparatus mounted in the laryngoscope handle.

Abstract: A medical wireless imaging device comprises an image sensor, a transmitter, a receiving device, and a plurality of light sources. The transmitter transmits data through a wireless communication link to a processing device. The receiving device wirelessly receives control data from a control unit. Each light source is configured to be individually controlled according to the control data. A reference image is stored for each light source. Intensities of each light source are calculated based on a reference image and on an input image.

Abstract: Videoendoscope including a distal endpiece, a laser source generating a laser beam and an optical formation device arranged to produce from the laser beam a calibrated light spot near a target of which the size is to be measured, wherein the laser source is housed in a distal endpiece, while the optical formation device is housed at least partially in a removable optical head that can be fitted on the distal endpiece.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a light emitting diode provided at a tip end of an insertion part, and an electrical power supplying circuit of the light emitting diode which is detachably connected to a main power supply, the electrical power supplying circuit having an energizing controlling device of the light emitting diode, which operates upon being connected and disconnected to the main power supply.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope, including an omnidirectional lateral view optical system allowing observation of all directions as the objective optical system and also being capable of illuminating all the image pickup range satisfactorily, is provided. On a positioning plate inside the capsule, six LEDs are arranged at even angular intervals (60 degrees) with their light emitting surfaces facing a transparent cover of the capsule. The light emitting surface of each LED is placed at a position that is a prescribed distance ? inwardly apart from the interior surface of the transparent cover of the capsule.

Abstract: An illuminating system scatters light into the mucosal lining of the stomach adjacent to an ulcerated area, an area containing a lesion, or ather area of interest. A light detector positioned on the opposite side of the area of interest uses detected light patterns to identify the location of circulatory structures beneath the mucosal lining adjacent to the area of interest.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope apparatus includes an illuminating device, an image pick-up device which picks up an image of an illuminated portion, and a radio transmitting device. The illuminating device in the capsule endoscope apparatus has a switching device which switches two or more light-emitting amount or light-emitting time. The radio transmitting device in the capsule endoscope apparatus transmits by radio waves image data obtained by the image pick-up device upon sequentially switching the two or more light-emitting amount or light-emitting time.

Abstract: An endoscope that has an integrated light source and camera mounted at the distal end of the endoscope. The light source is a class of LED devices constructed of high-efficiency LEDs that emit narrow-band blue light coupled with phosphors, which cause a nearly natural “white” light to be emitted. The LEDs are coupled to a waveguide for transmission of the light to the distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: An optical instrument, in particular an endoscope, has a shaft and an inter-changeable head. The interchangeable head is detachably connected to the distal end of the shaft at a coupling point. The instrument also has a first transmission system for distal transmission of illuminating power, and a second transmission system for proximal transmission of image information, the first transmission system and the second transmission system passing through the coupling point. The interchangeable head and/or the coupling point are/is designed in such a way that upon loosening of the interchangeable head image information of perceptively modified quality is transmitted by the second transmission system.

Abstract: An inserting portion has, at the proximal end thereof, an operating portion having a bending lever for bending operation. The operating portion has, on the front end side thereof, a grip portion gripped by an operator. The grip portion has therein a plate frame as an internal structure for ensuring predetermined strength. At the notch portion formed by partly notching the frame, an image pick-up unit is mounted to form an optical image transmitted by image guiding fibers to a CCD via a relay optical system. The image pick-up unit is fixed to the frame via an attaching member. Thus, predetermined strength is assured and the image pick-up unit is compactly accommodated with simple structure. A predetermined image pick-up function using the image pick-up unit is held without the action of high tension to the image guiding fibers by mounting a bending portion to the image guiding fibers.

Abstract: A dental/medical instrument is provided for use in diagnostic and related patient inspection/examination. The device includes a body having an integral speculum with a video image capture device, a power supply and a display. These components, and user actuatable controls, are integral with the body. The body is adapted for convenient engagement and manipulation by a user's hand to provide a unitary, hand-held device capable of illuminating and capturing an image of a patient, and displaying the image. An autofocus device moves an image sensor relative to a fixed lens array. Components of the image capture device, such as a lens and light emitter, are disposed on a nose portion of the speculum, which is modularly replaceable with alternate nose portions sized and shaped to facilitate various discrete medical/dental examination procedures. Embodiments also includes a tube and controller configured to apply material, capture data, and/or effect movement of the speculum.

Abstract: A portable, low power, low cost, endoscope having a removable probe with a miniature digital CCD imager, single white LED illuminator and an imaging lens on the distal end and a miniature multi pin connector on the proximal end; both ends connected with a multi trace flexible circuit hidden inside of the protecting flexible sleeve; and a full color LCD monitor and associated image signal processing electronics and powered by the small battery cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides, according to some embodiments, an in vivo imaging device, comprising a mount having at least one illumination source. The mount may be in electrical communication with the illumination source. The device may further include a circuit board and a contact clip for securing the mount to the circuit board and for providing electrical communication therebetween.

Abstract: An autonomous in vivo sensing device may include a polarizing filter to polarize light emitted by an illumination unit, and to block light specularly reflected from a turbid media from reaching an imager of such device. An autonomous in vivo sensing device with monochromatic illumination units to alternatingly illuminate a target area with light of different wavelengths, and to subtract an image illuminated by light in a first wavelength from an image illuminated by light in a second wavelength, to produce an image of a sub-surface layer of such target area.

Abstract: A bronchoscope with wireless image transmission has a power device, a wireless transmitter and a flexible snake camera. The snake camera electrically connects to the power device and has a first end and a second end. The first end of the snake camera connects to the transmitter. The second end of the snake camera is a camera end. Hence, the picture can be seen on a screen to smooth operation.

Abstract: In a capsule endoscope illuminating units are disposed around an image capturing unit in such a manner that an optical axis of the illuminating units do not intersect with an optical axis of the observation unit, and illumination areas of the illuminating units overlap at substantially a central portion of an image capturing area of the image capturing unit.

Abstract: A body cavity observation apparatus comprising: a treatment tool to be inserted into a body cavity of a subject with an insertion tool as a guide, an observation section attached to an opening of a body wall of the subject, a monitor for displaying the body cavity captured by the observation section, and a marker position-detecting device for detecting a position of a marker part applied to the treatment tool or insertion tool from an image showing the body cavity captured by the observation section; wherein the marker position-detecting device comprises: a pixel extracting device for extracting a group of pixels in the same color as color of the marker part from the image, and a calculation device for calculating a position of the barycenter of the group of pixels as a position of the marker part.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed medical devices for illuminating and viewing a patient's internal body portion. The device may include an elongated flexible tube including a distal end and a proximal end. The tube defines a channel extending from the proximal end to an aperture at the distal end. An illumination device is housed within the channel and configured to emit a distally directed path of light. A light source is provided at the distal end of the flexible tube and configured to emit a laterally directed path of light. In one embodiment the light source is a organic light emitting diode.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope includes a capsule portion. The capsule portion includes at least an observation optical unit having an image pick-up element and an optical lens that forms an objective optical system, an illuminating unit having an illuminating substrate, an electroluminescence light source, and a light-emitting control circuit, a peripheral-circuit part which forms various circuits having a signal processing circuit, a receiving and transmitting circuit, and a control circuit, and a power source unit which supplies power to the observation optical unit, the illuminating unit, and the peripheral-circuit part.

Abstract: A direct view rigid video-endoscope (11) supported by an articulated and compensated arm (2), equipped with a grip (3) crossed by an air flow (92) originating from a generator (93) upstream of the device. The air flow (92) comes out of small holes (8) made in the distal end (28) of the grip (3), at the base of an optical tube (10).

Abstract: A dental/medical instrument is provided for use in diagnostic and related patient inspection/examination. The device includes a body having an integral speculum with a video image capture device, a power supply and a display. These components, in addition to user actuatable controls, are disposed integrally with the body. The body is adapted for convenient engagement and manipulation by a user's hand to provide a unitary, hand-held device capable of illuminating and capturing an image of a patient, and displaying the image. Components of the image capture device, such as a lens and light emitter, are disposed on a nose portion of the speculum. The nose portion is modularly replaceable with alternate nose portions sized and shaped to facilitate various discrete medical/dental examination procedures. The instrument also includes a tube and controller configured to apply material, capture data, and/or effect movement of the speculum.

Abstract: An endoscope system has an electronic endoscope, a signal processing section and a data transmitting and receiving section. The electronic endoscope has an image pickup element at a distal end portion of an insert section thereof to be inserted in a body. The other end portion of the endoscope is located outside the body. The signal processing section processes an image signal obtained by the image pickup element. The data transmitting and receiving section transmits and receives data to and from a network environment by radio.

Abstract: A video endoscope system for fluorescence observation includes a video endoscope, an illumination probe, a power supply unit, a signal processing unit and a display. The video endoscope has a part configured to be inserted in a body cavity, an objective optical system that forms an image of a subject based on a visible component of the light emitted through the distal end of the insert part, and a cut filter that filters out from the light incident onto the objective optical system, a component of light having a predetermined wavelength. An image pickup device picks up an image of the subject formed by the objective optical system to output an image signal. A light emitting device is provided to emit excitation light having a wavelength so as to excite tissue of a living body to cause the tissue to emit self-fluorescence. The excitation light has the predetermined wavelength that is filtered by the cut filter. The light emitting device is configured to emit light associated with the predetermined wavelength.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope is disclosed that includes means for illuminating an object, means for imaging the object, and a transparent cover having a center of curvature. The transparent cover covers the illumination means and the imaging means, and the imaging means includes an objective optical system and an image detecting element. The illumination means is positioned relative to the image detecting element, as viewed axially from the object side of the capsule endoscope, so that an area that is symmetrically positioned about the optical axis of the objective optical system from a light emitting area of the illumination means overlaps an area of the image detecting element, but does not overlap any areas of the image detecting element that are used for image detection.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope is provided with lighting means for illuminating the interior of a living body, an image pickup means for capturing an image of a site illuminated by the lighting means, and a transparent cover which houses the image pickup means and the lighting means within a sealed, cylindrical-shaped capsule case. The image pickup means includes an objective optical system having a depth of field. An object within the depth of field of the objective optical system is illuminated more evenly than possible with a single lighting means by arranging multiple lighting means at the periphery of the objective optical system and causing the beams from individual lighting means to overlap in specified ways so that a nearly uniform illumination of an object of interest is achieved. Light diffusers may be employed to diffuse the light from the light sources, and a color correction filter may be used.

Abstract: An endoscope in accordance with the present invention comprises an inserting unit main body, and a head unit that is freely detachably attached to the distal end of the inserting unit main body and that includes an image pickup device which picks up an image of an object and a light emitting element which irradiates illumination light to the object.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope is disclosed that includes means for illuminating an object, means for imaging the object, and a transparent cover having a center of curvature. The transparent cover covers the illumination means and the imaging means, and the imaging means includes an objective optical system and an image detecting element. The illumination means is positioned relative to the image detecting element, as viewed axially from the object side of the capsule endoscope, so that an area that is symmetrically positioned about the optical axis of the objective optical system from a light emitting area of the illumination means overlaps an area of the image detecting element, but does not overlap any areas of the image detecting element that are used for image detection.