Abstract: A cabinet for drying a surgical instrument including: a body defining an interior space; a mounting device in the interior space, the mounting device configured to hold the surgical instrument such that a control section is arranged at a holding position and in an orientation, and a nozzle corresponding to the mounting device. Wherein the nozzle connects to a gas source by a supply line. The gas source supplies a drying gas stream to the nozzle via the supply line. The nozzle guides the drying gas stream directly towards the specified holding position such that a direction that the drying gas stream runs is along and in between control knobs of the control section when the control section is arranged at the holding position and in the orientation.

Abstract: A control device, comprising: a processor including hardware, the processor being configured to: control a laser light source to emit a first instance of a laser light, calculate an overlap information related to an overlap area of an irradiation area of an irradiation target that is irradiated with the first instance of the laser light, and control the laser light source to emit a second instance of the laser light based on the overlap information.

Abstract: An endoscope system for controlling a field of view of an endoscope on a basis of a control parameter, the endoscope system including: a storage configured to store history data on the control parameter during a surgery in association with subsidiary information on the surgery, the subsidiary information including information related to at least one of a surgeon, an operative method, or a patient of the surgery; and one or more processors including hardware, wherein the one or more processors are configured to calculate a recommended value of the control parameter on a basis of the history data, and wherein the history data is an operation log of a user interface for changing the control parameter.

Abstract: An image processing system includes one or more processors comprising hardware configured to sequentially acquire time-series images captured by an endoscope, a dispose an evaluation mesh including a plurality of analysis points in a freely-selected timing image out of the time-series images, deform the evaluation mesh in each image of the time-series images so that each analysis point in each image of the time-series images tracks a characteristic point of an object located on each analysis point in the freely-selected timing image in which the evaluation mesh is disposed, calculate a deformation quantity of each cell of the evaluation mesh based on magnitude and a direction of a movement quantity of each analysis point in each image, and present information regarding deformation of the evaluation mesh based on the calculated deformation quantity.

Abstract: An optical unit includes: a lens unit including a fixed lens and a movable lens; a frame; a movable portion located inside the frame; a first slider slidably arranged in a space between the frame and the movable portion; and a stopper arranged in the space, the stopper made of a non-metal material. The fixed lens is located in a distal section of the frame. The movable lens is located in the movable portion and the movable portion is movable relative to the frame along an optical axis of the optical unit between a biased state and an unbiased state. In the biased state: the stopper is spaced apart from the frame. In the unbiased state: the stopper contacts the frame.

Abstract: A guide wire holder includes a sheath having a lumen, an operation wire which is inserted through the lumen to be able to advance and retract, and a hook which is continuous with a distal end of the operation wire and protrudes from a distal end of the sheath, wherein the sheath has an inner wall surface which forms a groove configured to extend from the distal end of the sheath to a proximal end side of the sheath, the groove has an opening portion which opens to an outer peripheral surface of the sheath, the hook has a guide wire engagement surface which is engageable with a guide wire, and the guide wire is able to be held between the guide wire engagement surface and the inner wall surface.

Abstract: Radiofrequency instruments such as the resectoscope described here are used in medicine for treating body tissue and in particular for removing or manipulating this tissue. A particular disadvantage of the known instruments is that an irrigation liquid is disturbed by an electrode instrument in such a way that the resulting turbulence limits the view of the operator. The invention makes available an electrode instrument by which this problem is solved. This is achieved by the fact that two electrode casing tubes run from an electrode to the proximal end region of the electrode instrument and each have a respective electrical contact, namely an active contact and a return contact.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a processor, in which the processor is configured to receive a picked-up image of a swallowing motion in a swallowing test in which a swallow object is provided to a subject to observe the swallowing motion, detect a color of the swallow object in the picked-up image, and perform processing for improving an image quality of the picked-up image according to a detection result of the color of the swallow object.

Abstract: A voltage generation circuit includes a booster circuit, a control buffer circuit, and a driving buffer circuit. The booster circuit includes a capacitance element and a transistor. The booster circuit generates a higher first voltage than the power source voltage, and the control buffer circuit controls the transistor by using a third voltage that is lower than the first voltage and is higher than a ground voltage. Alternatively, the booster circuit generates a lower second voltage than the ground voltage, and the control buffer circuit controls the transistor by using a fourth voltage that is higher than the second voltage and is lower than or equal to the ground voltage.

Abstract: An image recording device includes a processor. The processor acquires time-series images of endoscopy, temporarily records all of the time-series images of the endoscopy in a buffer memory, retrieves the time-series images temporarily recorded in the buffer memory and identifies an appearance of a lesion from the retrieved time-series images, and records in a memory a predetermined image of the time-series images temporarily recorded in the buffer memory, according to the identified appearance of the lesion.

Abstract: A flow control unit for use with an endoscope reprocessing device, the flow control unit including: a main fluid supply line coupled to an inlet, the inlet receives processing fluid from a fluid source, at least one supply channel supplying the processing fluid to an internal channel of an endoscope, the at least one supply channel is coupled to the main fluid supply line, a dedicated switchable valve in the supply channel for opening the supply channel to pass the processing fluid through the supply channel or closing the supply channel to block the flow, and a processor for operating the switchable valve according to a reprocessing routine, and upon termination of the reprocessing routine, set the switchable valve to a safe switching state in which a flow rate through the main supply line is lower than a maximum flow rate through the main supply line.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at an endoscope contamination prevention method and an endoscope storage and/or transportation device. The endoscope contamination prevention method comprises using blue light to prevent contamination of surfaces of a compartment of an endoscope storage and/or transportation device that can come into contact with an inserted endoscope, such blue light can have a wavelength between 400 nm and 470 nm, such as, 405 nm.

Abstract: A field-of-view control apparatus includes a processor configured to execute: determining a procedural scene; presenting a user with information related to library data for realizing a field of view associated with the procedural scene as an execution candidate for field-of-view adjustment; outputting, if the user wishes to execute the field-of-view adjustment based on the presented library data, an instruction to change a position, an attitude, or a field-of-view direction of an electric scope based on the library data; and presenting, if the user does not wish to execute the field-of-view adjustment based on the presented library data, the user with information related to other library data classified in a same procedural scene as the library data being the execution candidate as an other of the execution candidate. The library data includes at least one relative parameter related to relative positions and attitudes of the electric scope and an observation object.

Abstract: An optical unit capable of curbing penetration of moisture into the optical unit is provided. The optical unit includes a plurality of lenses constituting an optical system, a cylindrical first lens frame that holds at least a first lens disposed closest to an object side among the plurality of lenses and has a first screw portion formed thereon, and a cylindrical holding frame on which a second screw portion is formed, wherein the first screw portion and the second screw portion are fitted to each other such that the first lens frame is fixed to the holding frame.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes comprises a processor. The processor causes the light source device to produce narrow band light as illumination light, and the narrow band light has a peak wavelength between a wavelength band including a local maximum of a hemoglobin absorption characteristic and a wavelength band including a local minimum of the hemoglobin absorption characteristic. The processor receives an image signal from the imaging device that outputs the image signal based on return light. The processor uses an image produced in response to the image signal to identify a state of the living body by identifying at least one of whether or not stomach mucosa is in a sterilized state, or whether or not the stomach mucosa is inflamed mucosa, outputs state identifying information indicating the state of the living body, and controls wavelength characteristics of the illumination light based on the state identifying information.

Abstract: A lesion resection method includes a marking step of forming a three-dimensional marking in peripheral tissues of a lesion; a grasping step of grasping the lesion by a grasping forceps; a retracing step of pulling the marking to a hand side of a staple ejection position of a stapler by pulling the grasping forceps grasping the lesion; a ligating step of ejecting a staple from the stapler to ligate the peripheral tissues of the lesion; and a resecting step of resecting the lesion.

Abstract: A medical image data creation apparatus for training acquires a first medical image, acquires a second medical image that is different from the first medical image and is obtained by photographing a substantially same spot as in the first medical image, creates lesion region information concerning a lesion part in the second medical image, and creates medical image data for training in which the first medical image and the lesion region information are associated with each other.

Abstract: A control device includes: a processor, the processor being configured to acquire a first, second and third images from an imaging device including an optical system configured to change a focal length, an imaging element configured to expose an image formed by the optical system to generate a still image, and a focus adjustment mechanism configured to move the optical system along an optical axis direction of the optical system to change the focal length, input the first image, the second image, and the third image as input parameters to a learned model configured to output a depth map indicating a distance from the optical system to the subject as an output parameter, to infer a depth map of the subject, and output the depth map of the subject.

Abstract: A diagnosis support apparatus includes a processor including at least one piece of hardware. The processor identifies, based on physical information including one or more kinds of information capable of estimating a state of a diagnosis target organ of a subject, one abnormal symptom appearing in the diagnosis target organ, performs, as lesion extraction processing for extracting a lesion candidate region from an endoscopic image, different processing specialized for each abnormal symptom that appears in the diagnosis target organ, and performs the lesion extraction processing corresponding to the identified one abnormal symptom.

Abstract: A handheld surgical instrument and a bridge for a handheld surgical instrument, through which bridge a plurality of working instruments can be inserted in an ideal manner into a shaft of the handheld surgical instrument. This is achieved by the fact that a bridge for a handheld surgical instrument has a channel-like guide bore for an optical unit. This bore extends through the entire bridge, specifically from a proximal end to a distal end. The guide bore is segmented from the proximal end to the distal end of the bridge and that the segments have longitudinal axes offset with respect to one another.

Abstract: A light source device for an endoscope includes a plurality of excitation laser light sources, a plurality of first condensing optical systems, a plurality of first optical fiber bundles, an illumination light source that generates white light, a second condensing optical system that condenses the white light emitted from the illumination light source, a second optical fiber bundle, and a first glass rod of which a first end surface is connected to emission end surfaces of the first and second optical fiber bundles and first emission ends of the first optical fiber bundles and a second emission end of the second optical fiber bundle are bundled. A connecting portion of an illumination optical system of an endoscope is provided on a second end surface of the first glass rod opposite to the first end surface.

Abstract: What is provided is an endoscope capable of improving the quality of a stereoscopic image of a subject. The endoscope includes a lens frame configured to hold each of a first objective optical system and a second objective optical system and to extend in an optical axis direction, an imaging unit having an imaging element, and a heat dissipation member in contact with each of the lens frame and the imaging unit.

Abstract: A guide wire holder includes a sheath including a lumen, a central axis of the sheath extending along a longitudinal axis; an operation wire configured to be inserted into the lumen and configured to advance and retract in the lumen along the longitudinal axis; and a hook including a first end portion, a second end portion and a convex bending region, wherein the first end portion is connected to a distal end of the operation wire, and extends along the longitudinal axis on a first plane, wherein the second end portion extends along the longitudinal axis on the first plane, wherein the convex bending region includes a protruding end portion that curves on a second plane along a radial direction, wherein the second plane is not parallel to the first plane.

Abstract: A storage hook for storing a flexible endoscope. The storage hook including: a receptacle for storing the flexible endoscope, an endoscope presence sensor configured to detect a placement or removal of the flexible endoscope in the receptacle, and a controller including a processor comprising hardware. The processor being configured to receive an input signal from the sensor and to output an output signal based on the input signal from the sensor.

Abstract: An endoscopic image processing apparatus is configured to generate a display image including one main screen and one or more sub-screens smaller than the main screen for displaying an endoscopic image obtained by picking up an image of an object in a subject with an endoscope. The endoscopic image processing apparatus includes a processor. The processor receives the endoscopic image and detects one or more lesion candidate regions included in the endoscopic image, highlights a position of the lesion candidate region, and sets, based on any one of a state of the lesion candidate region, a work state of a user who performs work using the endoscope, or a display state of the display image, a highlighting method in highlighting a position of the lesion candidate region included in at least one of the main screen or the sub-screen.

Abstract: An endoscope clip has a clip unit having an arm member configured from a plurality of arms; an operation wire connected to the arm member and configured to move toward a distal end side to cause the arm member to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration; and a restrictor, wherein the clip unit applies a biasing force to the operation wire toward the distal end side when the arm member is in the closed configuration, and when the arm member is in the closed configuration, the restrictor is configured to restrict the arm member from transitioning from the closed configuration to the open configuration by applying a force being opposite to the biasing force to the operation wire to restrict the movement of the operation wire toward the distal end side.

Abstract: An image processing device combines a plurality of time-series images to generate a composite image with a higher resolution than a resolution of the plurality of images. The image processing device includes a processor that includes hardware and that is configured to: detect depth information of at least one image of the plurality of images; and set the number of images to be combined for generating the composite image on the basis of the detected depth information. The depth information indicates a depth of a captured scene of the at least one image. The processor is configured to reduce the number of images as the depth of the captured scene increases.

Abstract: An optical system includes a plurality of lenses. The plurality of lenses have refractive index distributions in which a refractive index changes in directions orthogonal to optical axes. The optical axes of the plurality of lenses are disposed on the same straight line as each other. The plurality of lenses are manufactured on the basis of same design values relating to an on-axis refractive index and a refractive index distribution constant. When rotation positions around the optical axes of the plurality of lenses at which a total aberration amount of the plurality of lenses reaches a maximum are set as reference rotation positions for the plurality of lenses, any one of the plurality of lenses is arranged at a position acquired by relatively rotating the reference rotation position around the optical axis.

Abstract: An overtube including: a connector body defining a lumen through which an insertion section of an endoscope is insertable along a longitudinal axis extending through a distal opening and a proximal opening of the lumen; and a connecting mechanism including: a connector movably attached to the connector body, wherein the connector is configured to define a stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis, and to be moved by a radial force from the stable equilibrium first position to a second position radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the first position, and wherein, in the second position, the connector is configured to engage the insertion section to limit relative movement of the connector body and the insertion section along the longitudinal axis while allowing the connector body to be rotated by a drive force relative to the insertion section along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A clip device includes a clip, including a plurality of arms having sliding grooves; and an intermediate member inserted into the sliding grooves for connecting the plurality of arms; a pressing tube accommodating a proximal end portion of the clip; a connection member connecting with an operation wire at a proximal end side and including an engaging portion engaging with the intermediate member; and a locking mechanism for lock the plurality of arms when the clip is pulled toward the proximal end side by a predetermined distance by the connection member, wherein the clip includes a contact portion formed on a side surface of the arm to be in contact with the engaging portion from a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the intermediate portion for preventing a deformation of the engaging portion when the intermediate portion slides along the sliding groove before the plurality of arms are locked.

Abstract: An endoscope distal end frame includes: a holder including a first through hole, the holder being a primary molding made of a colored resin; and a distal end part including a second through hole that is concentric with the first through hole, the distal end part being a secondary molding made of a transparent resin layered on the holder. The first through hole has a diameter larger than a diameter of the second through hole.

Abstract: A gas feeding apparatus configured to supply the gas to a lumen of a patient through a gas feeding conduit provided in an endoscope, the gas feeding apparatus including: a flow rate sensor configured to measure a flow rate of the gas in the gas feeding conduit; and a control circuit configured to time-sequentially calculate an integrated amount of the gas fed to the lumen in a period from a first timing to a second timing, the first timing being a timing when the gas starts to be fed from the gas feeding conduit to the lumen by an operation of a gas feeding button of the endoscope, the second timing being different from the first timing. The control circuit controls a notification unit to activate an alarm, when the integrated amount of the gas reaches the first threshold.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: an insertion section; a flow passage; a closed space forming member configured to form a closed space in at least a portion of an intestine; a pump configured to apply pressurization and depressurization to a liquid in the closed space a plurality of times through the flow passage in a state where the liquid is retained in the closed space; a flow passage allowing the liquid in the closed space to which the pressurization and the depressurization are applied the plurality of times through the flow passage to flow out to an outside of the intestine, and a liquid discharge opening.

Abstract: An endoscope processor comprises a processor. The processor causes a light source to generate, as illumination light, light in a first wavelength band in which hemoglobin absorption is smaller than that in a green band and light in a second wavelength band which is different from the first wavelength band. The processor causes an endoscope to image a return light so as to output an image signal. The processor acquires a first image obtained by the light in the first wavelength band from the image signal and detects unevenness information on mucosa from the first image. The processor acquires a second image obtained by the light in the second wavelength band from the image signal and synthesizes the unevenness information with the second image so as to generate a display image in which an uneven region in the second image is emphasized.

Abstract: A control device includes at least one processor having hardware. The processor acquires rigidity setting information that is information relating to rigidity setting of a variable rigidity member and, based on the rigidity setting information, sets a target voltage of a variable voltage power supply that applies a voltage to a constant current circuit for flowing a constant current through a heater that heats the variable rigidity member.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for use with an endoscope, and including a processor comprising hardware. The processor is configured to obtain an object distance, calculate dimensional characteristics defining apparent dimensions of an object in an image acquired by the endoscope, calculate scale information defining a relationship between the apparent dimensions and actual dimensions based on the object distance and the dimensional characteristics, and generate an indication pattern representing the actual dimensions based on the scale information.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes first and second optical lenses that are separately provided at a distal end portion of an endoscope, and form first and second optical images, respectively, an optical path length changing filter that makes optical path lengths of the first and second optical images different, an image pickup device that performs image pickup of the first and second optical images to generate first and second image pickup signals, and a processor that generates first and second images from the first and second image pickup signals, corrects parallax, removes an area including a figure present only in one of the first and second images, and combines respective focusing areas of the first and second images to generate an endoscope image.

Abstract: An electrode instrument for use in a resectoscope, the electrode instrument having an elongate shaft portion with two support arms through which a conductor extends that forms an electrode at the distal end of the electrode instrument that can be subjected to high-frequency current and is arranged between the distal ends of the support arms, wherein at least one of the support arms has in its distal end region a tissue contact part for holding tissue fragments that is arranged on the outer wall of the support arm and angled in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm; and to a corresponding resectoscope.

Abstract: Provided is a cooling device of an endoscope device. The cooling device includes: a box; a first communicating hole that is a hole provided in the box; a second communicating hole that is a hole provided in the box; a second fan that is provided at the second communicating hole, the second fan being configured to guide gas to an exterior of the box through the second communicating hole to generate an airflow in the box, the gas having introduced into the box from the first communicating hole; and a duct configured to house a heat generator to be cooled, the duct being positioned in the box to allow the airflow to pass through an inside of the duct.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a sensor that can detect a conductive member. Based on a detection result of the conductive member by the sensor, the endoscope can switch between a normal operation mode and an energy-saving operation mode in which power consumption is smaller than power consumption in the normal operation mode.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes: an ultrasound transducer including plural piezoelectric elements; an acoustic lens layer configured to radiate the ultrasound emitted from the plural piezoelectric elements to outside; a back layer that faces the acoustic lens layer with the ultrasound transducer interposed between the back layer and the acoustic lens layer; and a wiring member having at least a part that is arranged at a first position between the acoustic lens layer and the ultrasound transducer or at a second position that faces the ultrasound transducer with the back layer interposed between the second position and the ultrasound transducer. The wiring member includes: a resin layer having electrically insulating; and an electrically conducting layer that is provided on the resin layer and includes plural signal wirings.

Abstract: A treatment device has an arm member having a plurality of arms to have an open state and a closed state; a wire having a distal end connected to the arm member and the distal end is attachable and detachable to the arm member; a sheath through which the wire is inserted; an operator connected to a proximal end of the sheath; a slider connected to the wire and attached to the operator to be slidable toward a distal end or a proximal end of the operator, wherein the slider makes the plurality of arms to be in the closed state when the slider is disposed in a first range, and the slider makes the plurality of arms to be in the open state when the slider is disposed in a second range; and a slider restriction mechanism provided between the distal end of the operator and the slider.

Abstract: A central control apparatus that centrally controls a plurality of medical devices as controlled devices includes a processor. The processor is configured to: set a function allocated to one or more switches provided in the controlled devices, detect occurrence of an error of the controlled devices and a state of the occurred error, and change, based on a detection result of the error, the function allocated to the one or more switches to a function for restoration from the detected error.

Abstract: An elongated access device used in a medical system. The elongated access device slidably receives a medical tool and an ultrasound probe. The elongated access device includes a sheath and an intraluminal tip attached to the distal end of the sheath. The intraluminal tip includes ramp and nose donuts being spaced apart from one another and configured to be attached to one or more elongated sleeves. One or more orientation pins are engaged with the respective ramp and nose donuts and may be anchored within the sheath. The medical tool is engaged with a ramp formed in the ramp donut or a ramp received within the ramp donut. The ultrasound probe is configured to engage with the intraluminal tip so as to ensure that the medical tool directionality is oriented toward a target during a procedure.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: an imaging device; a light source device; an illumination light control circuit; a first processing circuit; and a second processing circuit. The light source device emits first support illumination light in a first time period. The first processing circuit acquires a first support image obtained with the first support illumination light. The second processing circuit extracts first diagnosis support information on the basis of the first support image. The light source device emits second support illumination light being as a result of dimming control on the basis of the first diagnosis support information in a second time period. The first processing circuit acquires a second support image with the second support illumination light. The second processing circuit acquires support display information on the basis of the second support image. The first processing circuit executes image processing, based on the support display information, on the display image.

Abstract: A method for pre-cleaning an endoscope including: connecting a liquid source, a suction pump, and a sealing element each to first, second and third channel openings. The channel openings are connected to the liquid source, suction pump, or sealing element. The first channel opening is at an end of a first channel section and at a distal end of the endoscope. The second channel opening is at an end of a second channel section and is a connection port. The third channel opening is at an end of a third channel section and is a connection port. The liquid source provides a gas-tight seal, has a holding chamber with a volume for holding liquid, and the holding chamber volume is changeable. The suction pump is activated for drawing liquid from the liquid source, wherein the holding chamber volume reduces during drawing of liquid from the liquid source.

Abstract: A method for pre-cleaning an endoscope. The method including: fluidly connecting channels for transporting fluids within an endoscope to each other at a distal end of the endoscope, the channels extending from a respective connection port to the distal end of the endoscope; connecting a suction pump, to at least one of the connection ports or to the distal end of the endoscope; connecting at least one vessel that holds liquid to the at least one of the connection ports; and flushing at least one of the channels with liquid by activating the suction pump so that liquid is drawn from the at least one vessel through the at least one channel towards the suction pump.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an observation window disposed in a distal end portion of an insertion portion; a nozzle disposed in the distal end portion; and a cover configured to cover the distal end portion, a distal end surface of the cover includes: a first surface surrounding the observation window, the first surface having a first planar shape when viewed in a cross-section taken about a line connecting the observation window and the nozzle; a second surface disposed radially outside the first surface, the second surface having a curved shape when viewed in the cross-section; and a third surface disposed radially outside of the second surface, the third surface having a second planar shape.

Abstract: A method for pre-cleaning an endoscope. The method including: fluidly connecting channels for transporting fluids within an endoscope to each other at a distal end of the endoscope by arranging a container onto the distal end of the endoscope such that the channels are fluidly connected to each other at the distal end of the endoscope, the channels extending from a respective connection port to the distal end of the endoscope; connecting a suction pump to at least one of the connection ports; connecting at least one liquid source to the at least one of the connection ports; and flushing at least one of the channels with a liquid by activating the suction pump so that the liquid is drawn from the liquid source through the at least one channel via the distal end towards the suction pump.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a processor. The processor acquires a medical image, identifies the acquired medical image and acquires an identification result, analyzes a motion relating to interpretation of the medical image by a user to acquire a motion analysis result, and compares the identification result and the motion analysis result and acquires a comparison result relating to coincidence or noncoincidence of the identification result and the motion analysis result.