Abstract: A light transmission optical member for endoscope includes an incident surface provided at a distal end portion of an insertion section, light being made incident on the incident surface as incident light from a proximal end side of the insertion section, and an emission surface for emitting the light as illumination light. The emission surface includes a diffusing section that diffuses the emitted light. The diffusing section includes a plurality of convex-shaped sections extending in a predetermined direction on the emission surface. Each of the convex-shaped sections includes a first slope section having a first angle with respect to the emission surface, and totally reflecting the incident light, and a second slope section having a second angle smaller than the first angle with respect to the emission surface, and transmitting and emitting reflected light totally reflected on the first slope section and the incident light.

Abstract: An exemplary medical system includes a first electrical circuit (204-1) on a PCB (206), a second electrical circuit (204-2) on the PCB and electrically isolated from the first electrical circuit, and a free space optics interface assembly (302) on the PCB. The free space optics assembly includes a housing (402) defining a free space chamber (404) in the housing, an optical transmitter (416) having an input (426) that is electrically coupled to the first electrical circuit, and an optical receiver (418) in optical communication with the optical transmitter via the free space chamber and having an output (432) that is electrically coupled to the second electrical circuit. The optical transmitter and the optical receiver are hermetically sealed within the housing.

Abstract: A multifunctional laryngoscope is provided that includes a handle comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a display screen on the handle. The laryngoscope includes a laryngoscope camera at the distal end of the handle and connects to an introducer comprising an orientation sensor at a distal end of the introducer. The laryngoscope includes a processor programmed to execute instructions for receiving from a steering input a steering command in a first reference frame, and mapping the steering command to a second reference frame oriented to the distal end of the introducer based on an orientation signal from the orientation sensor.

Abstract: An image capturing device comprises an elongated body, an imaging window coupled to a distal end of the elongated body, and a heat source within the elongated body. The heat source is configured to apply heat to the imaging window to remove condensation from or prevent condensation from forming on the imaging window.

Abstract: A control device includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire first and second image signals generated by an imaging device having an autofocus function by capturing an observation target irradiated with first light and second light having different wavelength bands, respectively; a signal processor configured to detect detection information of the first and second image signals; and a controller configured to calculate a first focal length based on the detection information of the first image signal, calculate a second focal length based on the detection information of the second image signal, and set a focal length of the imaging device to capture the observation target irradiated with the second light to either the first or second focal length at least based on the detection information of the second image signal.

Abstract: An inflatable in-vivo capsule endoscope and method of operation is provided. The inflatable in-vivo capsule endoscope may include a sensing device for capturing in-vivo images and one or more permanent magnets for magnetically guiding the endoscope, housed interior to a capsule-shaped body. The inflatable in-vivo capsule endoscope may include an inflatable buoy attached externally to the capsule-shaped body. An inflation device may inflate the in-vivo capsule endoscope to reduce its specific gravity by injecting gas into the inflatable buoy, such that when the inflatable buoy is injected with an above threshold volume of gas, the inflatable in-vivo capsule endoscope floats in liquid. The inflatable in-vivo capsule endoscope may be magnetically guided via its permanent magnets when exposed to an externally generated magnetic field. A reduced magnetic field strength and external magnet size may be used to magnetically navigate an inflated capsule floating in liquid than a conventional uninflated capsule.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscope imaging unit including parallel electric wires, an image sensor located on a front end side by being separated from front ends of the respective electric wires, and having a light incident surface substantially perpendicular to the electric wires, a flexible substrate located between the electric wires and the image sensor, having a circuit, and conductively connecting the respective electric wires to the circuit, an image sensor mounting peninsula portion bent with respect to the substrate, and mounting the image sensor thereon by conductively connecting the image sensor to the circuit, and a circuit mounting peninsula portion extending from the substrate, located by being bent to a side opposite to the image sensor before the image sensor mounting peninsula portion, and mounting and conductively connecting an electronic component or the circuit pattern to the circuit.

Abstract: A deflection prism assembly for an endoscope having a lateral viewing direction, the deflection prism assembly including: a prism holder; and a deflection prism accommodated in the prism holder; wherein the deflection prism has a light outlet surface and an opposite light inlet surface arranged obliquely to the light outlet surface, the deflection prism further having a lateral surface extending between the light inlet surface and the light outlet surface; and the prism holder accommodates the deflection prism such that the prism holder surrounds less than all regions of the lateral surface of the deflection prism.

Abstract: An articulated tip part suitable for an endoscope, where the articulated tip part includes a distal end segment, a proximal end segment and a number of intermediate segments arranged between the distal end segment and the proximal end segment, the segments being joined together to form an articulated assembly of segments, a passage running along the length of the articulated tip part, and a bending element, the bending element being fastened to at least two segments and being arranged along a path which is essentially parallel to a centerline of the articulated tip part.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an endoscope including an insertion section, a distal end member disposed on a distal end portion of the insertion section, and a ring-shaped insulation member disposed on a proximal end side of the distal end member and a distal end cover including an opening that allows exposure of a portion of the distal end member and an inner peripheral surface disposed on a proximal end side with respect to the opening and in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of the insulation member. The outer peripheral surface of the insulation member and the inner peripheral surface of the distal end cover in close contact with the outer peripheral surface are formed in a shape formed by connecting a plurality of curved surfaces having different curvatures about the axis over an entire circumference about the axis.

Abstract: Medical imaging camera head devices and methods are provided using light captured by an endoscope system or other medical scope or borescope. Afocal light from the scope is manipulated and split by a beamsplitter. At least one polarizing optical element manipulates the polarization properties of one or both of the beams. The resulting first and second beams are passed through focusing optics to different image sensor areas to produce images with different intensity. The resulting images are combined with high dynamic range techniques.

Abstract: A device having an optical element with a conductive coating. The device may include an optical element, a conductive material and at least one connector. The conductive material is disposed on at least a portion of the optical element. The optical element, for example, may be an object lens of an endoscope or an optical coupler. The connectors (acting as terminal(s)) are capable of providing energy (such as electrical energy) to the conductive material. In one aspect, the conductive material is an optically transparent material. Advantageously, the device may allow visualization of an object—such as body tissue or other matter—concurrent with the application of energy to the object via the conductive coating. This allows the user to observe the alteration of tissue and other matter in real time as the energy is delivered.

Abstract: A Raman endoscope for use in obtaining in vivo Raman spectra in the peripheral airways of the lungs and a method of constructing the Raman endoscope are disclosed. The endoscope has a tubular sheath containing a fiber bundle. The sheath has an outer diameter of less than 1.35 mm. The sheath is made of fluorinated ethylene propylene. The sheath is flexible along its length from a first end to a point along the sheath so that it can navigate sharp turns within the peripheral airways. A layer of coating covers the sheath along a terminal length and a probe tip of the fiber bundle. The terminal length extends along a length of the sheath extending from a second end opposite to the first end to the point. Terminal length is rigid to facilitate advancement of the endoscope towards the lesion of interest. Terminal length is 5 mm or less.

Abstract: A front end of an endoscope includes both a lens and an image sensor. There is provided a guide wire hole. The endoscope is easily inserted along a guide wire while a diameter is reduced in the front end in an insertion direction. The endoscope includes a lens which is disposed in the front end in the insertion direction, and receives incident imaging light, an image sensor disposed in a rear portion of the lens, and on which an image of the imaging light is formed, a holder which covers the lens and the image sensor, and having the guide wire hole through which the guide wire penetrates, and a flexible tubular sheath connected to a rear end portion of the holder, and into which a cable conductively connected to the image sensor is inserted.

Abstract: A medical instrument for providing access to the interior of the body comprises a shaft having an elongated base body and a handle. The base body extends between a distal end and a proximal end of the shaft. The handle is coupled to the base body of the shaft at the proximal end. The shaft defines at least a first channel and a second channel that extend through the shaft. The first channel provides a passage for surgical instruments through the shaft. The second channel is adapted to accommodate an observation optics. The second channel is adjacent to at least one secondary channel that is connected to the second channel.

Abstract: An endoscope having a camera and a tubular enclosure. A distal end of the camera may be movable from a first position in line with a longitudinal axis of the tubular enclosure to a second position lateral of the longitudinal axis of the tubular enclosure. Some embodiments are configured such that no portion of the endoscope obstructs a view from the distal end of the camera as the distal end of the camera is moved from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A medical endoscope including: an elongated shaft with a distal end region having a non-circular cross-section and a shaft main section arranged proximally from the distal end region, an at least one light guide having a plurality of individual fibres disposed longitudinally through the shaft, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of individual fibres in the distal end region are bonded over a length of at least 50% of the distal end region with an inflexible adhesive.

Abstract: An imaging unit used in an oblique-viewing endoscope in which an endoscope axis along a longitudinal direction of a distal end portion of the endoscope and an optical axis of a lens unit cross along an observation direction includes: a semiconductor package including a light receiving surface arranged perpendicularly to the optical axis of the lens unit, an imaging device converting an optical image formed by the lens unit into an image signal, and a sensor electrode on a rear surface; a first circuit board including a first connecting electrode on a front surface and connected to the sensor electrode, and a second connecting electrode on a rear surface on which an electronic part is mounted; and a second circuit board including a first region including a third connecting electrode connected to the second connecting electrode, and a second region including a cable connecting electrode connected to a cable.

Abstract: A visualization device for a robotic surgery apparatus includes a housing configured to be removably attached to a mounting interface of the apparatus and be positioned adjacent an insertion device of the apparatus. The housing includes first and second openings positioned on an exterior of the housing. The housing includes a substantially flexible camera tube with a first end attached to the housing and a second end including at least one camera. The second end is inserted through the first opening in the housing, pass through interior of the housing, and exit the housing through the second opening in the housing. The second end extends away from the housing toward a region of interest outside the housing or retract away from the region of interest and back toward the housing. The camera tube forms a loop around a portion of the housing.

Abstract: Provided are a handle for an endoscope comprising an endoscope housing and a lens tube and wherein on the endoscope housing at least one operating element for changing a setting of the endoscope is provided, wherein the handle comprises a receiving section for receiving and retaining the endoscope and a grip section connected with the receiving section for retaining the endoscope, in which the handle further comprises at least one manipulator for operating the operating element when the handle is disposed on the endoscope, wherein the manipulator is movable relative to the receiving section and relative to the grip section, an endoscope with such a handle and a method for disposing such a handle on an endoscope.