Abstract: The present invention discloses an insertion unit, a bending section and an intubation system for use in a body lumen of a patient. The insertion unit comprises an inner elongated shaft structure being capable of torque transmission around its length axis and having spring-like and flexibility properties and an outer elongated shaft structure at least partially surrounding the inner elongated shaft structure and having spring-like properties and a continuous and flat outer surface. The inner elongated shaft structure has a distal end, and is capable of being connected to an optical head. The insertion unit is configured to transmit pushing and rotation forces along a length of the insertion unit. The integral insertion unit is configured and operable to bend the distal tip in all directions and to fully rotate the distal tip.

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: The present invention discloses an insertion unit, a bending section and an intubation system for use in a body lumen of a patient. The insertion unit comprises an inner elongated shaft structure being capable of torque transmission around its length axis and having spring-like and flexibility properties and an outer elongated shaft structure at least partially surrounding the inner elongated shaft structure and having spring-like properties and a continuous and flat outer surface. The inner elongated shaft structure has a distal end, and is capable of being connected to an optical head. The insertion unit is configured to transmit pushing and rotation forces along a length of the insertion unit. The integral insertion unit is configured and operable to bend the distal tip in all directions and to fully rotate the distal tip.

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: The present invention discloses a sealing device comprising a sealing tube having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being adapted to be inserted through an anus of a patient; and a rectal surface mounted at the distal end of the sealing tube and positioned substantially perpendicularly to a cross section of the sealing tube. The rectal surface is configured and operable to create a pressure on the anus externally and activate anal muscles, wherein the rectal surface is placed in contact with the anus when in use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus comprising an elongated carrier adapted to be inserted through a proximal opening of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract lumen; a piston head, coupled to a distal portion of the carrier, and configured to: be inflated so as to form and maintain a pressure seal with a wall of the GI tract lumen, and be advanced distally through the GI tract in response to pressure from a fluid pressure source; a distal balloon coupled to the carrier distal to the piston head and configured and operable to be inflated so as to dilate the lumen thereby creating a working space; and a control unit, configured and operable to control simultaneously a pressure level within the piston head and a pressure level within the distal balloon.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal apparatus (200) is provided for use with a fluid pressure source (240). The gastrointestinal apparatus (200) includes a guiding element (214), adapted to be inserted into a colon, and a piston head (220) coupled to a distal portion of the guiding element (214). The piston head (220) is adapted to be inflated to form a first pressure seal between the piston head (220) and a wall of the colon after the guiding element (214) has been inserted into the colon, and be advanced distally through the colon in response to pressure from the fluid pressure source (240) applied to an external surface of the piston head (220). The apparatus (200) further includes a gastrointestinal tool (210) adapted to be advanced along the guiding element (214), and an annular balloon (228) coupled around a distal portion of the gastrointestinal tool (210), the balloon (228) expandable to form a second pressure seal between the distal portion of the gastrointestinal tool (210) and the wall of the colon.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a steering device for use in a body lumen of a patient. The steering device comprises a flexible tube; a plurality of spaced-apart elements positioned along at least a portion of the tube; wherein the plurality of spaced-apart elements and the tube form a single integrated unit; and at least two steering wires having at least a portion passing through the spaced-apart elements and at least a portion passing within the tube. According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering device for use in a body lumen of a patient, comprising: a flexible tube; at least two steering wires having at least a portion passing within the flexible tube; at least two spring-like sleeves; each spring-like sleeve at least partially enclosing a steering wire respectively; wherein the spring-like sleeve has a variable pitch along its length; such that the flexible tube comprises at least two portions having different bending properties.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided, including an elongate carrier (24), configured to be advanced through an esophagus (20) of a subject. An anchor member (30) is coupled to a distal end of the carrier, and configured to be mounted in a stomach (32) of the subject in a vicinity of a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (34) of the subject. An imaging capsule (26) is configured to move with respect to the carrier when the anchor member is in the vicinity of the LES. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented for use with a biologically-compatible-fluid pressure source.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) is provided for use in a gastrointestinal tract (40) of a patient, including an inflatable device (22) configured to be moved through the gastrointestinal tract (40) to a treatment site in response to a difference between fluid pressure proximal to the inflatable device (22) and fluid pressure distal to the inflatable device (22). An optical system (24) coupled to the inflatable device (22) configured to image the gastrointestinal tract (40). A working channel (32) coupled to the inflatable device (22) and shaped to define a channel lumen therein to provide access from outside of the patient to the treatment site. A tool (34) configured to be passed through the channel lumen and to emerge from a distal end of the working channel (32). The tool (34) comprises a tool steering mechanism (44) to facilitate steering of the tool (34) from outside of the patient. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monitoring system and method for use with a body of a subject. The system comprises a medical device, having a portion thereof configured to be placed inside the subject's body, said portion of the medical device being configured to be propelled by fluid pressure through a body lumen; at least two pressure sensors accommodated remotely from the subject's body at two different spaced-apart positions outside the subject's body and configured and operable to detect pressure at the two spaced-apart remote positions; said at least two pressure sensors being in fluid communication with at least one site inside the subject's body, a relation between the pressure at said at least one site and the pressures at said two spaced-apart remote positions being thereby indicative of the fluid pressure at said at least one site.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal apparatus (10) is provided, including a guiding element (16) and an inflatable mechanical device (96), adapted to pull the guiding element (16) through a colon of a patient. A gastrointestinal tool (12) is shaped to define a bore (14) therethrough, and the guiding element (16) is adapted to pass through the bore (14). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus including an optical system (20) for use in an endoscope is provided. The optical system has distal and proximal ends, and includes an image sensor (32), positioned at the proximal end of the optical system. The optical system also includes an optical member (34) having distal (36) and proximal ends, and shaped so as to define: (a) a lateral surface, at least a distal portion of which is curved, configured to provide omnidirectional lateral viewing, (b) a distal indentation (44) in the distal end of the optical member, and (c) a proximal indentation (48) in the proximal end of the optical member. The optical system also includes a convex mirror (40), coupled to the distal end of the optical member, and shaped so as define an opening through which the distal indentation passes. A distal lens (52) is positioned distal to the mirror. The optical member, the mirror, and the distal lens have respective rotational shapes about a common rotation axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a body lumen is provided including an introducer tube configured to be advanced into a gastrointestinal tract of a subject. A guide member is coupled to a distal end of the introducer tube and is configured to be mounted in a vicinity of a valve of the subject. The apparatus also includes a capsule removably coupled to a distal portion of the introducer tube, and configured to be decoupled from the introducer tube and propelled through a small intestine of the subject once the guide member has been mounted in the vicinity of the valve. The apparatus also includes a gas supply configured to propel the capsule distally through the small intestine by generating positive gas pressure proximal to the capsule. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a biologically-compatible-fluid pressure source, the apparatus includes an elongate carrier, adapted to be inserted through a proximal opening of a body lumen, and a piston head coupled to a distal portion of the carrier. The piston head is adapted to form a pressure seal with a wall of the lumen after the carrier has been inserted into the lumen, and to be advanced distally through the body lumen in response to pressure from the fluid pressure source. The apparatus is configured to facilitate distal advancement of the piston head by facilitating passage of fluid out of the lumen from a site within the lumen distal to the piston head.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented for use with a biologically-compatible-fluid pressure source.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided for use with a biologically-compatible-fluid pressure source (16), the apparatus (10) including an elongate carrier (26), adapted to be inserted through a proximal opening (18) of a body lumen (20), and a piston head (30) coupled to a distal portion of the carrier (26). The piston head (30) is adapted to form a pressure seal with a wall of the lumen (20) after the carrier (26) has been inserted into the lumen (20), and to be advanced distally through the body lumen (20) in response to pressure from the fluid pressure source (16). The apparatus (10) is configured to facilitate distal advancement of the piston head (30) by facilitating passage of fluid out of the lumen (20) from a site within the lumen (20) distal to the piston head (30). The apparatus (10) additionally includes an optical system (32), coupled to the carrier (26) in a vicinity of the distal portion, the optical system (32) having distal and proximal ends.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided, including an elongate carrier (24), configured to be advanced through an esophagus (20) of a subject. An anchor member (30) is coupled to a distal end of the carrier, and configured to be mounted in a stomach (32) of the subject in a vicinity of a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (34) of the subject. An imaging capsule (26) is configured to move with respect to the carrier when the anchor member is in the vicinity of the LES. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system including a guide member at least partially insertable into a proximal opening of a body lumen, the guide member including a first passageway connectable to a source of fluid pressure, an elongate carrier arranged for sliding movement through the guide member, and a piston head mounted on the carrier, wherein a greater fluid pressure acting on a proximal side of the piston head than on a distal side of the piston head propels the piston head and the carrier in a distal direction in the body lumen.