Abstract: A steerable micro-endoscope comprising a cylindrical elongated member having at least a first lumen, a tensioning wire running in the first lumen and attached at the distal end of the elongated member; the elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, having respectively a first durometer and a second durometer lower than the first durometer; the first lumen being arranged such that the distal portion of the elongated body bends when the tensioning wire is pulled; wherein the elongated member comprises a second lumen; an electrode wire being arranged in the second lumen such that the distal end of the electrode wire does not protrude from the distal portion of the elongated member when the elongated member is not bent, and such that the distal end of the electrode wire protrudes from the distal portion of the elongated member when the elongated member is bent.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising: a tubular elongated member; a tensioning wire in a tensioning lumen along one side of the elongated member, between the proximal end and the distal end of the elongated member; a head arranged at the distal end of the elongated member and comprising: a tubular tensioning ring attached to the distal end of the tensioning wire and having a same external diameter as the elongated member; an imaging sensor having a rectangular cross section, arranged at a distal end of the head; and a tubular distal shell arranged longitudinally around the imaging sensor and having an inner diameter identical to or slightly larger than a diagonal of the rectangular cross section of the imaging sensor; wherein a tubular jacket sheathes the elongated member and the tensioning ring of the head.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising: a tubular elongated member; a tensioning wire in a tensioning lumen along one side of the elongated member, between the proximal end and the distal end of the elongated member; a head arranged at the distal end of the elongated member and comprising: a tubular tensioning ring attached to the distal end of the tensioning wire and having a same external diameter as the elongated member; an imaging sensor having a rectangular cross section, arranged at a distal end of the head; and a tubular distal shell arranged longitudinally around the imaging sensor and having an inner diameter identical to or slightly larger than a diagonal of the rectangular cross section of the imaging sensor; wherein a tubular jacket sheathes the elongated member and the tensioning ring of the head.

Abstract: A steerable micro-device comprising a cylindrical elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end, the elongated member comprising at least a first lumen, a tensioning wire running in the first lumen, a distal end of the tensioning wire being attached at the distal end of the elongated member and a proximal end of the tensioning wire exiting the first lumen at the proximal end of the elongated member; the elongated member having a proximal portion extending from the proximal end toward the distal end of the elongated member and a distal portion extending from the distal end to the proximal portion of the elongated member, the proximal portion having a first durometer and the distal portion having a second durometer, lower than the first durometer the first lumen being arranged such that the distal portion of the elongated body bends when the proximal end of the tensioning wire is pulled.

Abstract: A periodontal endoscope includes an imaging handle having an imaging end that supports a camera sensor and an introducer including an introducer blade such that the introducer blade is selectively rotatable about the camera sensor for engaging gingival tissue in the field of view for any rotational orientation of the introducer blade relative to the camera while illuminated by an optical fiber bundle. An automatic illuminance controller controls an illumination light source at least within each frame as the frame is scanned based on dynamic range of the camera sensor such that high intensity areas of the frame receive a reduced amount of illumination light by reducing the illumination drive signal as compared to low intensity areas of the frame which receive an increased amount of illumination light by increasing the illumination drive signal relative to the high intensity areas.

Abstract: A steerable micro-device comprising a cylindrical elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end, the elongated member comprising at least a first lumen, a tensioning wire running in the first lumen, a distal end of the tensioning wire being attached at the distal end of the elongated member and a proximal end of the tensioning wire exiting the first lumen at the proximal end of the elongated member; the elongated member having a proximal portion extending from the proximal end toward the distal end of the elongated member and a distal portion extending from the distal end to the proximal portion of the elongated member, the proximal portion having a first durometer and the distal portion having a second durometer, lower than the first durometer the first lumen being arranged such that the distal portion of the elongated body bends when the proximal end of the tensioning wire is pulled.