Abstract: An operation body for use with an insertion instrument. The operation body including: a pulley having a first outer circumferential surface, the pulley configured to rotate about a rotational axis to bend a bending portion; a lock operation member; and a brake member including an inner circumferential brake surface disposed between the first outer circumferential surface and the lock operation member. Wherein when the lock operation member is actuated, the inner circumferential brake surface is configured to contact with the first outer circumferential surface of the pulley along a circumferential length of the inner circumferential brake surface to restrict rotation of the pulley.

Abstract: A treatment tool can include an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade, a tubular portion coupled to the end effector, and a driver coupled to a proximal end of the tubular portion. The driver can be configured to actuate the end effector via the tubular portion. The treatment tool can further include a pusher configured to support a coupling between the tubular portion and the driver in order to prevent a movement of the tubular portion in a longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: An image pickup unit includes: an image pickup device; a flat circuit board; a three-dimensional circuit board; plural electronic components; and plural cables, in which the three-dimensional circuit board includes: a first surface; a second surface; a third surface; a fourth surface; a fifth surface; and a sixth surface, in which on one of the first surface to the sixth surface, a recessed portion is formed and a connection terminal portion is formed in an inner surface of the recessed portion, one of the plural electronic components or the plural cables is mounted on or connected to the connection terminal portion, the recessed portion is formed, in a site where the first surface and the sixth surface cross each other, from the second surface toward the third surface, the recessed portion having a wall surface parallel to the second surface, and one of the electronic components is mounted.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a processor comprising hardware. The processor calculate based on an endoscope image of a subject, the endoscope image being acquired by an endoscope, three-dimensional position information regarding a first treatment tool and a first portion in the endoscope image. Additionally, the processor measures a distance between the first measurement point on a distal end side of the first treatment tool and a second measurement point associated with the first portion based on the three-dimensional position information regarding the first treatment tool and the first portion, and perform a determination of whether a measurement of the distance is in a stable state and control a display to display a result of the determination.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system including an electrosurgical instrument and generator to which the electrosurgical instrument is connected. The electrosurgical generator has a processor, one generator data memory and optical and our acoustic signaling and/or display providing optical and/or acoustic notifications to a user during the operation of the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical instrument has one instrument data memory in which a data set with structured data is stored, wherein some of this data represent signaling instructions, based on which the processor can control the output of optical and/or acoustic notifications for a user during the operation of the electrosurgical generator.

Abstract: A bending mechanism extending along an axis from a first side to a second side includes a first tube bendable by a wire being pulled, a cylindrical first guide disposed in the first tube along the axis to guide the wire, a second guide coupled to the first tube to hold the first guide, a second tube disposed along the axis closer to the first side than the first tube, and a third guide disposed in the second tube along the axis. The first guide is inserted into the third guide and extends beyond a first-side end of the first tube to an intermediate position in the third guide. A portion of the first guide inside the third guide has, when the first tube is straight, a length sufficient to maintain a first-side end of the first guide inside the third guide even when the first tube is bent.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a processor that generates a three-dimensional image of a subject from a first image acquired by an endoscope before an acquisition of a second image, associates a position of boundary information of a lesion included in the second image with the second image, and associates the position of the boundary information associated with the second image with the three-dimensional image. The first and second images are two-dimensional images of the subject. The processor: calculates a relative position between a treatment tool in a two-dimensional third image acquired by the endoscope after the acquisition of the second image and a camera of the endoscope; calculates a position of the camera in the three-dimensional image; calculates a position of the treatment tool in the three-dimensional image; determines a positional relationship between the treatment tool and the boundary information; and outputs support information based on a determination result.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an insertion section including a distal end and a proximal end, the insertion section configured for insertion into a subject; an operation section main body connected to the proximal end of the insertion section and, the operation section main body configured to be grasped by a user. The operation section main body includes an operation knob and a switch button. The operation knob is rotatable about a center axis to move the distal end of the insertion section. The switch button is translatable in a translating direction. In a view in a longitudinal direction of the operation section main body, the center axis of the operation knob is configured to be tilted with respect to a direction that is perpendicular to each of the longitudinal direction of the operation section main body and the translating direction of the switch button.

Abstract: An endoscope puncture needle including a tubular portion that includes first and second needle tip portions at a distal end thereof. The first needle tip portion includes a first needle tip at a distal end, and first and second blade surfaces extending towards the first needle tip. The second needle tip portion includes a second needle tip at a distal end, and third and fourth blade surfaces extending towards the second needle tip. The first blade surface and the third blade surface face in directions approaching each other, and the second blade surface and the fourth blade surface face in directions approaching each other.

Abstract: An information processing system, including a processor comprising hardware. The processor being configured to: acquire an endoscope image from an endoscope, the endoscope image showing a papillary portion, determine route information of a lumen based on the endoscope image, the lumen being at least one of a biliary duct or a pancreatic duct, generate a display image based on a result of the determination of the route information of the lumen, the display image having a route guide image to provide guidance of a route of the lumen leading to the papillary portion superimposed on the endoscope image, and display the display image on a display.

Abstract: Provided is a laminated optical system that has a wide angle of view and is environmentally resistant by suppressing changes in performance due to temperature changes. The laminated optical system includes four lens portions, and in each lens portion, a parallel flat plate and a plano-concave lens or a plano-convex lens having a partially curved surface are adhered to each other. In each lens portion, the linear expansion coefficient of the plano-concave lens or the plano-convex lens is greater than the linear expansion coefficient of the parallel flat plate.

Abstract: A rigidity control apparatus includes a processor and controls a variable-rigidity apparatus. The variable-rigidity apparatus includes a variable-rigidity member, flexural rigidity of which increases when the variable-rigidity member is heated, and a heater configured to be able to heat the variable-rigidity member. The processor calculates information about temperature of the heater, and estimates information about temperature of the variable-rigidity member based on the information about the temperature of the heater.

Abstract: A method for documenting a reprocessing of a reusable medical device. The reusable device comprising at least one temperature sensor configured to provide temperature data representing a temperature of the medical device, a real time clock (RTC) configured to provide timestamps and one or more processors including hardware configured to process the temperature data and the timestamps. The method includes: monitoring the temperature of the medical device during the reprocessing; and a) upon detecting the temperature exceeding a first predefined threshold, the one or more processors receiving and saving a first current timestamp provided by the RTC, and setting the one or more processors into a low-power mode, and b) upon detecting the temperature falling below a second predefined threshold, setting the one or more processors into an active mode, and the one or more processors receiving and saving a second current timestamp provided by the RTC.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a processor comprising hardware. The processor calculate based on an endoscope image of a subject, the endoscope image being acquired by an endoscope, three-dimensional position information regarding a first treatment tool and a first portion in the endoscope image. Additionally, the processor measures a distance between the first measurement point on a distal end side of the first treatment tool and a second measurement point associated with the first portion based on the three-dimensional position information regarding the first treatment tool and the first portion, and perform a determination of whether a measurement of the distance is in a stable state and control a display to display a result of the determination.

Abstract: A supply cart includes a transceiver, a processor, at least one sensor and at least one indicator. A transceiver receives endoscope procedure data from a server. A processor is configured to read the endoscope procedure data and determine an instrument and one or more consumables needed for a procedure associated with the endoscope procedure data. At least one sensor is configured to determine a presence or absence of the instrument at the supply cart. At least one indicator is configured to provide an indication relating to the presence or the absence of the instrument at the supply cart.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a subject; a distance measurement unit configured to measure a distance between the insertion portion and an object by transmitting and receiving millimeter waves or submillimeter waves; and a flexible waveguide that has one end that is connected to the distance measurement unit and another end that is exposed to outside from a distal end of the insertion portion, the flexible waveguide being configured to propagates the millimeter waves or submillimeter waves transmitted and received by the distance measurement unit.

Abstract: A control device includes a processor. The processor controls an image sensor to read out first imaging signals in a first readout period, the first imaging signals being signals from a first quantity of pixels, and read out second imaging signals in a second readout period, the second imaging signals being signals from a second quantity of pixels, the second quantity being smaller than the first quantity, the second readout period being shorter than the first readout period. The processor controls a light source to emit first illumination light in a first exposure period before the first readout period, and emit second illumination light in a second exposure period before the second readout period. The processor generates a display image from the first imaging signals. The processor generates a support image from the second imaging signals. The processor generates support information based on the support image.

Abstract: An energy and/or ultrasonic wave treatment device includes a sheath including a hollow portion and having a central axis along which the sheath extends; a probe inserted into the hollow portion; a fixed handle provided at a proximal end of the sheath; a movable handle configured to move relative to the fixed handle; a jaw provided at a distal end of the movable handle; a metal member provided at a position including a rotation axis; and a preventing member which prevents the metal member from falling out from its position. The jaw has a jaw side hole portion centered on the rotation axis, the sheath has a sheath side hole portion centered on the rotation axis, and a diameter of the jaw side hole portion on an outer surface of the jaw away from the sheath is larger than a diameter of the sheath side hole portion.

Abstract: A medical observation system includes: a light source configured to emit, to body tissue, at least one of first narrow band light and second narrow band light; an imaging element that includes: a pixel portion including plural pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix; and a color filter including red filters, green filters, and blue filters that are provided on light receiving surfaces of the plural pixels, each of the light receiving surfaces including any one filter of the red, green, and blue filters on each of the light receiving surfaces; and a cut filter that is provided on a light receiving surface side of at least the pixels provided with the green filters, the cut filter being configured to shield light of a shorter wavelength band including the wavelength band of the second narrow band light, and transmit therethrough the first narrow band light.

Abstract: The treatment tool including: a tube including a lumen extending in a longitudinal axis of the tube; a wire inserted into the lumen and extending along the longitudinal axis of the tube; a first handle connected to a proximal end portion of the wire; a second handle attached to a proximal end portion of the tube. In a first configuration, the first handle is rotatable relative to the second handle about a rotation axis. In a second configuration, the first handle is non-rotatable relative to the second handle when an applied force applied to the first handle in a rotation direction is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The first handle is rotatable relative to the second handle when the applied force is greater than the predetermined amount.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical tool including a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing having a central axis and a first aperture forming an opening disposed at the distal end, an insulator disposed within the housing and having a central bore and a second aperture, the insulator configured to extend distally from the first aperture along the central axis, and a knife disposed within the first aperture and including a tip. The knife having a retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the extended position, the knife is extended distally from the first aperture along the central axis and in the retracted position, the knife is retracted proximally towards the proximal end along the central axis. The endoscopic surgical tool including a biasing element coupled to the knife and biasing the knife toward the retracted position when the knife is in the extended position.

Abstract: An electrode unit of the invention includes: an electrode including one end and another end, the other end including a free end; and an electrode supporting portion that supports the one end of the electrode. The electrode is disposed in a second plane that is different from a first plane in which the electrode supporting portion is moved to advance or withdraw when the electrode supporting portion is moved to advance or withdraw in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the electrode supporting portion, and the electrode is supported by the electrode supporting portion via a flexed portion projecting from the first plane to the second plane.

Abstract: A medical procedure preparation guide apparatus includes one or more processors comprising hardware, wherein the one or more processors configured to: acquires an examination type which is a type of examination or treatment using medical equipment; searches a database for layout information about candidate equipment corresponding to the examination type, where the database stores layout information about spaces necessary for the examination or the treatment in relation to a plurality of sets of the medical equipment necessary for the examination or the treatment; and outputs the layout information about the candidate equipment including dynamic human body measurements information about a person concerned with the examination or the treatment using the medical equipment.

Abstract: A method for operating an electrosurgical generator and an according electrosurgical generator. Electrosurgical generator is configured to supply power to electrosurgical instrument. Electrosurgical generator is identifiable by serial number and includes at least two modules. Modules are embodied as hardware and or software modules. Each module functions according to operation mode wherein at least partially specified by license key. In initializing process of electrosurgical generator, identification information being indicative of serial number is available or made available at at least one module and license information being indicative of license key is available or made available at at least one module. Each module provides any identification and license information being available or being made available to it to at least one other module. At least one module generates a link of identification and license information and provides generated link to each of the other modules.

Abstract: An image pickup unit includes: an image pickup substrate; a first wiring plate bonded to the image pickup substrate; and a second wiring plate having a fifth principal surface, a sixth principal surface, and a second side surface, a fifth electrode on the fifth principal surface and a sixth electrode on the second side surface being bonded to a fourth electrode on the fourth principal surface of the first wiring plate by using solder, the sixth electrode being extended from the fifth electrode. A first conductor block is embedded in the second wiring plate, an exposed surface of the first conductor block on the fifth principal surface being the fifth electrode, an exposed surface of the first conductor block on the second side surface being the sixth electrode. The solder bonding the fourth and sixth electrodes forms a fillet.

Abstract: A manipulator system includes: a manipulator; a driving device to which the manipulator is detachably connected and which electrically drives the manipulator; a control device; a first sensor provided in the driving device; and a second sensor provided in the manipulator or the driving device. The control device is configured to perform a first step of confirming that the driving device operates normally according to electric power on the basis of an output of the first sensor, and a second step of confirming that the manipulator is connected to the driving device on the basis of an output of the second sensor. The first step includes checking whether the first sensor is normal, and the second step includes checking whether the second sensor is normal on the basis of the output of the first sensor that has been confirmed to be normal and the output of the second sensor.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an insertion portion formed along a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a light guide having an optical characteristic that enables transmitting lithotriptic light and illuminating light having respective wavelength bands that are different from each other, from the proximal end toward the distal end of the insertion portion; and a treatment instrument insertion channel provided in the insertion portion, the treatment instrument insertion channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: A learning support device includes a processor. The processor is configured to: form a foreground image containing at least one treatment instrument by placing an image of the at least one treatment instrument within an image region; form a superimposed image by superimposing the foreground image on a background image; and form a training image by adjusting at least one of hue, saturation, or brightness of the superimposed image.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes a direct-view endoscope configured to capture images, a treatment tool configured to be inserted into the endoscope, and a controller comprising hardware, the controller being configured to control a drive device to drive the endoscope and the treatment tool, to control driving of the endoscope to locate the endoscope inserted into a lumen in the vicinity of a nipple, to control driving of the treatment tool to move the nipple using the treatment tool, to acquire a first captured image of the nipple from the endoscope, and to predict a shape of a biliary duct connected to the nipple in the first captured image based on biliary duct shape information comprising a standard image of the nipple that is associated with a standard shape of the biliary duct.

Abstract: An illumination system for fluorescence imaging in open surgery including an illumination light source for generating illumination light including white light and fluorescence excitation light, and illumination optics for illuminating an operating area with the illumination light. The illumination optics including a light guide configured for guiding illumination light from the illumination light source into a light entry end of the illumination optics along a light path to a light exit end of the illumination optics. The light guide includes a light guiding taper arranged in the light path comprising a light entry surface oriented towards or at the light entry end and a light emitting surface oriented towards or at the light exit end, wherein an area of the light emitting surface is larger than an area of the light entry surface.

Abstract: A processing system includes a processor including hardware. The processor acquires an endoscope image in which a duodenal papilla including an oral protrusion is imaged, estimates a depth map of a region including the duodenal papilla from the endoscope image, estimates a summit line of the oral protrusion from the estimated depth map, and performs display processing so as to superimpose a guide display based on the estimated summit line on the endoscope image.

Abstract: A bending tube of an insertion appliance includes a first region including a first plurality of slits, a second region provided proximally relative to the first region and including a second plurality of slits, and a guiding surface on an inner circumferential surface of the bending tube, the guiding surface extending in a circumferential direction, and including a channel configured to slidably house a wire. Each slit of the first plurality of slits is at different position in the circumferential direction, and at different positions in a longitudinal direction. Each slit of the second plurality of slits is provided at different position in the circumferential direction, and at different position in the longitudinal direction. The first plurality of slits is distributed over a first angle in the circumferential direction, and the second plurality of slits is distributed over a second angle smaller than the first angle in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A laser scanning method that is a method for scanning a laser beam emitted from a distal end of an optical fiber in a liquid medium. The laser scanning method includes emission of a pulsed laser beam from the distal end in the medium, wherein the emission of the pulsed laser beam includes: generating a bubble that is to come into contact with the distal end and an operation member by means of the laser beam emitted from the distal end, the operation member being disposed only at one side of the distal end in a radial direction of the optical fiber; and contracting the bubble by stopping the emission of the laser beam from the distal end.

Abstract: An endoscope of the disclosure includes an insertion section including a conduit having an inner surface. The inner surface comprises a first projecting portion provided at a first position, and a second projecting portion provided at a second position. In a longitudinal direction of the insertion section, the first position is different from the second position.

Abstract: An image acquisition unit acquires an endoscopic image photographed by an endoscope. A segmentation unit partitions the endoscopic image into a plurality of regions. A depth information generator generates depth information indicating a depth of the endoscopic image. A recognition unit specifies a direction in which the endoscope is advanceable based on region information indicating a result of segmentation by the segmentation unit and depth information of the endoscopic image generated by the depth information generator.

Abstract: A reusable rotating ultrasound capsule for mounting to a distal end of a catheter. An exemplary device includes a motor compartment having a proximal face and a distal end. A sensor compartment includes a cap that seals with the motor compartment. A motor located within the motor compartment includes a drive component and a shaft rotatably coupled to the drive component and extending distally from the motor compartment into the sensor compartment. The shaft includes an ultrasound transducer. A plurality of electrical contacts are mounted on the proximal face. At least two of the electrical contacts are electrically coupled to the motor. A rotational electrical coupler includes a rotational component mechanically coupled to the shaft and electrically coupled to the ultrasound transducer and a stationary component mechanically coupled to the motor compartment and electrically coupled to one or more of the plurality of electrical contacts.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion section extending along a longitudinal axis and including a distal end portion, the distal end portion includes a distal end structural member including a conduit integrally formed as a through hole with the distal end structural member, the conduit configured so that a fluid flows through the conduit, the conduit includes a nozzle and a supply conduit located proximally relative to the nozzle, wherein a cross-sectional area of the supply conduit is greater than a cross-sectional area of the nozzle.

Abstract: A surgical tool, which can be identified in a simple and at the same time unambiguous manner. This is achieved in that a surgical tool has an electrical conductor element having a tool-specific electronic signature. An unambiguous identification of the tool is possible via this tool-specific electronic signature. Each surgical tool of the claimed type thus has a signature, using which it can be unambiguously identified.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion, an operation portion, and a fitting mechanism coupling the insertion portion and the operation portion so as to be decouplable. The fitting mechanism includes a plate portion and a convex portion, and a fitted-shape portion and a hole. The convex portion is fitted to the fitted-shape portion. The hole exposes at least one of the plate portion or the convex portion to outside. The fitting mechanism is provided at a position around a center axis, corresponding to a bending wire.

Abstract: Provided is phototherapy progress measuring method for measuring a progress of a phototherapy of an affected portion by employing a fluorescent agent. The method includes: detecting a first fluorescence intensity, which is an intensity of fluorescence generated in the affected portion as a result of radiating therapeutic light beam onto the affected portion; and calculating, by employing the first fluorescence intensity and reference data, progress information representing the progress of the phototherapy of the affected portion. The reference data are determined on the basis of a fluorescence intensity associated with the fluorescent agent that is in the affected portion and that is not involved in the phototherapy.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator including housing and an internal circuitry to generate a high-frequency voltage and to output the generated high-frequency voltage to an electrosurgical instrument, further including at least one output socket for connection of a plug of the electrosurgical instrument. The output socket is configured as self-contained unit including: a casing configured for mounting at a front plate of the housing; a plug socket mounted at a frontal face of the casing for plugging of the electrosurgical instrument; a conductor board inserted into the casing and being configured to provide internal connections of the output socket; and a connector provided at the conductor board for a connection to the internal circuitry. Thereby the output socket is modularly exchangeable. Being self-contained, the output socket can be easily exchanged against another output socket of different functionality, allowing for easy re-configuration.

Abstract: An overtube for an endoscope includes: a tube body having a main lumen through which the endoscope is inserted and an air-supply lumen through which gas flows; a fixing balloon provided on an outer peripheral surface of a distal end of the tube body, expandable outward from the outer peripheral surface and contractible toward the outer peripheral surface; an air supply device configured to send the gas to the air-supply lumen; and an airtight valve unit having a tubular portion communicating with the main lumen at a rear end of the tube body, the airtight valve unit closing the gap between the endoscope inserted through the tubular portion into the main lumen and an inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion.

Abstract: An optical device includes: an optical system including a moving lens that moves in a direction along an optical axis; a moving frame including a first magnetic body and configured to hold the moving lens; a holding frame formed into a cylindrical shape by a non-magnetic body and configured to movably hold the moving frame on an inner circumferential surface along the optical axis; a drive unit including a magnet and configured to cause the moving frame to move in the direction along the optical axis; and second magnetic bodies arranged between the drive unit and the moving frame and configured to transmit a magnetic force of the magnet to the first magnetic body of the moving frame.

Abstract: An insertion device comprising an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a subject and having a longitudinal axis in a state of forming a straight line. A bending portion is provided at a distal end side of the insertion portion. A bending tube is provided in the bending portion. A traction member is disposed in the bending portion. The bending tube includes a first joint ring and a second joint ring. The first joint ring is joined to the second joint ring in an adjacent manner. The first joint ring has a first contact portion where the traction member contacts an outer peripheral portion of the first joint ring. The second joint ring has a second contact portion where the traction member contacts an inner peripheral portion of the second joint ring. Application of tension on the traction member bends the bending portion.

Abstract: An image pickup unit includes: a bonded device provided with a light receiving surface, an undersurface, and four side faces, the bonded device including a light receiving element provided with a light receiving circuit, and a circuit element provided with a peripheral circuit and direct-bonded to the light receiving element; a first protective layer covering the four side faces, the first protective layer being made of an inorganic material; a second protective layer covering the first protective layer, the second protective layer being made of metal; and a third protective layer covering the second protective layer, the third protective layer being made of an organic material.

Abstract: A channel replacement method to replace a first channel of an endoscope, the first channel including a first distal end and a first rear end, the channel replacement method including: sealing a flow path of the first channel by arranging a first plug at the first distal end and arranging a second plug at the first rear end, and withdrawing the first channel from inside the endoscope.

Abstract: An optical unit includes: a fixed portion; a movable portion arranged movably inside the fixed portion; a first slider arranged between the fixed portion and the movable portion, the first slider being configured to slide with a movement of the movable portion; a second slider arranged between the fixed portion and the movable portion, and at a position different from a position of the first slider, the second slider being configured to slide with the movement of the movable portion; a driver that includes a coil and a magnet; and a biasing part that is arranged outside the movable portion, the biasing part being configured to cause the magnet to generate a biasing force to push the movable portion toward the fixed portion.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an endoscope including an imager which captures an endoscopic image, a medical manipulator with an injection needle at a distal end section thereof, a drive device which controls the medical manipulator to control a position of the injection needle, and a processor. The processor is configured to: control to inject a target amount of a injection fluid into a syringe connected to the injection needle; acquire, from the imager, the endoscopic image in which a treatment target is captured; and perform a prescribed determination to determine success/failure of injection using the endoscopic image, and control the drive device to change the position of the injection needle based on a determination result of the prescribed determination.

Abstract: An ultrasonic treatment tool comprises: a blade including a treatment portion at a distal side of the blade, the blade configured to transmit an ultrasonic vibration from a proximal side of the blade to the treatment portion and the treatment portion configured to treat a body tissue, a grasper movable relative to the treatment portion between an open position and a closed position to grasp the body tissue between the grasper and the treatment portion, a coating provided on the grasper, the coating is formed by a first resin, when the grasper is in the closed position, the coating contacts the treatment portion.