Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscopic instrument (1) having an elongate body with a distal end (4) designed to be introduced into the body of the patient so as to come into proximity with an internal organ, the distal end carrying a tool (7) for intervention on the internal organ. The endoscopic instrument has a fool (10) rigidly connected to the distal end and designed to bear on the internal organ, and also controllable means (13) for conferring movements on the tool, at least in directions transverse to a longitudinal axis (X) of the distal end of the endoscopic instrument, when the foot is bearing against the internal organ.

Abstract: A method to inspect a solid organ in a subject includes introducing a needle in a predetermined area of the solid organ, inserting an optical probe through a lumen of the needle, and imaging the predetermined area using the optical probe. An optical probe to inspect a solid organ in a subject, the optical probe being intended to be positioned in the solid organ through a needle, the optical probe includes an optical fiber bundle, a ferule to protect the distal tip of the optical fiber bundle, the ferule comprising a shank and a head, and a sheath wrapping the fiber bundle and the shank, wherein the head of the ferule has a length adapted for the optical probe to image the solid organ while keeping the sheath inside the needle.

Abstract: A method for observing the morphology of a biological tissue is disclosed. The method involves administering a combination of fluorescent dyes into the biological tissue. The combination of fluorescent dyes includes two or more fluorescent dyes selected from a group consisting of: patent blue V, isosulfan blue, toluidine blue, hypericin, indocyanine green, MVAC, and doxorubicin. The method further involves using a microscopic imaging system to form an image of the biological tissue. The microscopic imaging system forms the image based on a contrast resulting from the combination of fluorescent dyes. A concentration of the first fluorescent dye depends on an administration route. A fluorescence of the combination of fluorescence dyes reveals the morphology of the biological tissue at a cellular scale. The fluorescence is observed by means of one of: ex vivo microscopy and in vivo microscopy.

Abstract: According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method to support clinical decision by characterizing images acquired in sequence through a video medical device. The method comprises defining at least one image quantitative criterion, storing sequential images in a buffer, for each image (10) in the buffer, automatically determining, using a first algorithm, at least one output based on said image quantitative criterion and attaching said output to a timeline (11).

Abstract: According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method to support clinical decision by characterizing images acquired in sequence through a video medical device. The method comprises defining at least one image quantitative criterion, storing sequential images in a buffer, for each image (10) in the buffer, automatically determining, using a first algorithm, at least one output based on said image quantitative criterion and attaching said output to a timeline (11).

Abstract: According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method to support clinical decision by characterizing images acquired in sequence through a video medical device. The method comprises defining at least one image quantitative criterion, storing sequential images in a buffer, for each image (10) in the buffer, automatically determining, using a first algorithm, at least one output based on said image quantitative criterion and attaching said output to a timeline (11).

Abstract: An intracranial implant to position a fiber bundle to a specified region of a brain of an animal. The implant may include a base support to be fixed to a skull of the animal over an orifice drilled in the skull, a hollow conduit arranged through the base support to guide the fiber bundle to the brain of the animal through the drilled orifice and a first locking member arranged on the base support, to cooperate with a ferrule of the fiber bundle, the first locking member configured to lock the fiber bundle to the specified region of the brain of the animal.

Abstract: A miniaturized scanning system to generate movement of a flexible device positioned at a distal part of a medical tool. The miniaturized scanning system includes an inner shaft with a longitudinal axis, adapted to guide said flexible device along the longitudinal axis, an abutment comprising an external surface and adapted to maintain said device, and a pusher mechanism adapted to engage with said abutment. The miniaturized scanning system includes at least one end portion adapted to contact said external surface of the abutment at a contact point, wherein said end portion is configured to translate along said longitudinal axis of the inner shaft and wherein the translation of said end portion results in a bending of the device in a bending plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the inner shaft and said contact point.

Abstract: According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method to support clinical decision by characterizing images acquired in sequence through a video medical device. The method comprises defining at least one image quantitative criterion, storing sequential images in a buffer, for each image (10) in the buffer, automatically determining, using a first algorithm, at least one output based on said image quantitative criterion and attaching said output to a timeline (11).

Abstract: An intracranial implant to position a fiber bundle to a specified region of a brain of an animal. The implant may include a base support to be fixed to a skull of the animal over an orifice drilled in the skull, a hollow conduit arranged through the base support to guide the fiber bundle to the brain of the animal through the drilled orifice and a first locking member arranged on the base support, to cooperate with a ferrule of the fiber bundle, the first locking member configured to lock the fiber bundle to the specified region of the brain of the animal.

Abstract: An intracranial implant to position a fiber bundle to a specified region of a brain of an animal. The implant may include a base support to be fixed to a skull of the animal over an orifice drilled in the skull, a hollow conduit arranged through the base support to guide the fiber bundle to the brain of the animal through the drilled orifice and a first locking member arranged on the base support, to cooperate with a ferrule of the fiber bundle, the first locking member configured to lock the fiber bundle to the specified region of the brain of the animal.

Abstract: A method for processing images acquired by image detectors with non-uniform transfer functions and irregular spatial locations includes the steps of accumulating data from multiple images, defining an affinity graph which edges define pairs of detectors that measure related signal, performing statistical analysis on the accumulated data with respect to each pair of detectors, and solving a system of equations constructed from the results of the statistical analysis to estimate each detector transfer function, a set of solutions to the system of equations comprising a calibration of an imaging system.

Abstract: A miniaturized scanning system to generate movement of a flexible device positioned at a distal part of a medical tool. The miniaturized scanning system includes an inner shaft with a longitudinal axis, adapted to guide said flexible device along the longitudinal axis, an abutment comprising an external surface and adapted to maintain said device, and a pusher mechanism adapted to engage with said abutment. The miniaturized scanning system includes at least one end portion adapted to contact said external surface of the abutment at a contact point, wherein said end portion is configured to translate along said longitudinal axis of the inner shaft and wherein the translation of said end portion results in a bending of the device in a bending plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the inner shaft and said contact point.

Abstract: A method for imaging a tissue includes collecting a light signal from at least part of said tissue, using a fiber optic probe for fluorescence imaging, wherein the fiber optic probe comprises a plurality of optic fibers, and wherein a distal tip of the fiber optic probe is placed at a distance from said tissue, said imaging being made confocal at a proximal tip of said fiber optic probe. A fluorescence imaging system includes an endoscope equipped with a working channel, in which a fiber optic probe has been inserted, wherein the fiber optic probe is movable between a retracted position and at least one position of extension, said fiber optic probe comprising a plurality of optic fibers for performing imaging of a tissue, said imaging being confocal via a processor located at a proximal tip of said fiber optic probe.

Abstract: An endoscopy device includes several light guides (1, 2, 3), each light guide having one or more optical fibers. The light guides are coupled with a sweeping system (4) arranged to direct an excitation light beam in alternation in one of the fibers of the guides from the proximal end of the guide including the one of the fibers. In this way, the proximal ends of the guides may make use of the same sweeping system, whereas the distal ends of the guides may be installed simultaneously in different zones of interest of an object or animal (10) under study for an almost simultaneous observation of the zones of interest. The invention also relates to an endoscopy method used in a device according to the invention. A device and a method according to the invention may be applied to quasi-simultaneous reflectance, fluorescence, multi-photon imaging of several areas of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscopic instrument (1) having an elongate body with a distal end (4) designed to be introduced into the body of the patient so as to come into proximity with an internal organ, the distal end carrying a tool (7) for intervention on the internal organ. The endoscopic instrument has a fool (10) rigidly connected to the distal end and designed to bear on the internal organ, and also controllable means (13) for conferring movements on the tool, at least in directions transverse to a longitudinal axis (X) of the distal end of the endoscopic instrument, when the foot is bearing against the internal organ.

Abstract: A connector to connect a fiber bundle probe to a light injection module including a tightening cam having an opening of a specified shape adapted to receive the fiber bundle probe, a cam driving coupled to the tightening cam, wherein the tightening cam is configured to translate in response to rotation of the cam driving until the tightening cam is blocked, at least one spring extending between the tightening cam and the cam driving, wherein the at least one spring is configured to resist when the cam driving is actuated by rotation and the tightening cam is blocked, and a locking mechanism to lock the cam driving into a selected position.

Abstract: A method to process an image acquired through an optical-fiber guide includes acquiring a first reference image through the optical-fiber guide, acquiring a second calibration image through the optical-fiber guide, spatially identifying each fiber of the optical-fiber guide of the second calibration image in a first detection map, acquiring a recalibration image through the optical-fiber guide, determining a geometrical transformation to make the recalibration image coincide with the first reference image, deriving a new detection map spatially identifying each fiber of the optical-fiber guide of the recalibration image, wherein the new detection map is derived using the geometrical transformation and the first detection map, and individually processing zones of an acquired image corresponding to each fiber of the optical-fiber guide using the new detection map.

Abstract: According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for processing images acquired by means image detectors with non-uniform transfer functions and irregular spatial locations, comprising: accumulating data from multiple images; defining an affinity graph linking individual detectors that measure related signal; performing statistical analysis on the accumulated data from the linked detectors; and solving a system constructed from the results of the statistical analysis to estimate each detector transfer function, the set of which compose a calibration of an imaging system.