Abstract: The present invention provides a protective sheath, a hysteroscope equipped therewith, and a nephroscope equipped with the same, used to prevent contaminants from contaminating electrical connecting lines connected to the endoscope.

Abstract: An insertion assist system includes a guide member and a shift member. The guide member brings an outside bend of a peripheral surface of an insertion body into contact with a guide surface of the guide member. The shift member shifts a direction of the distal end of the insertion body. The shift member comes into contact with an inside bend of the peripheral surface of the insertion body when the insertion body is bent. The shift member bends the insertion body toward the guide surface about the guide surface as a fulcrum when the shift member comes into contact with the inside bend and bends the insertion body.

Abstract: An endoscope (1) having a suction channel and a suction connector in communication with said suction channel, and a working channel through which a liquid may pass. A valve for diverting the suction through the sampling device through a sample container is provided. The endoscope (1) further includes an actuator (7) for propelling the liquid through said working channel.

Abstract: An endoscope has a cannula, one and only one translucent or transparent cover at a distal end of the cannula, a light source and imaging system, both inside the cannula. The light source delivers light into the cover. At least some of that light passes through the cover to illuminate an inspection site inside the patient's body; some of that light is internally reflected at an outer surface of the cover to travel back toward an inner surface of the cover. The imaging system receives the light that has been reflected off the inspection site and returned to the endoscope through the cover. The components are configured such that none of the light that is internally reflected at the outer surface of the cover reaches an optical input of the imaging system directly (e.g., without being further reflected).

Abstract: A variable stiffness device includes a shape-memory unit formed of at least two hollow shape-memory members connected together. Each of the shape-memory members is transitionable in phase between a first phase in which the shape-memory member is in a low stiffness state and a second phase in which the shape-memory member is in a high stiffness state. The shape-memory member in the high stiffness state has a higher level of stiffness than in the low stiffness state. Hollow portions of the shape-memory members are connected together so that the shape-memory unit has a lumen-like inner space configured to allow fluid for cooling the shape-memory members to flow. The variable stiffness device also includes a heating member configured to heat the shape-memory members.

Abstract: A variable stiffness actuator includes a shape-memory member, and a heater configured to receive power to heat the shape-memory member so as to cause the shape-memory member to change from a first phase as a low stiffness state to a second phase as a high stiffness state showing a higher stiffness than the low stiffness state. The actuator also includes a first conductive wire having one end connected to the heater and constituting a part of a power supply line for the heater, and a second conductive wire having one end connected to the other end of the first conductive wire, thicker than the first conductive wire, and having an electrical resistance per unit length lower than that of the first conductive wire.

Abstract: A method for providing light to an endoscope includes emitting light from a plurality of light emitting diodes, filtering the light with a plurality of dichroic filter elements, collimating and mixing light received from the dichroic filter elements into a combined light, sensing the combined light at a color sensor and determining a sensed color balance of the combined light, comparing the sensed color balance with a predetermined color balance, and varying at least one power signal to control a light intensity output by at least one of the plurality of light emitting diodes so that the sensed color balance corresponds to the predetermined color balance.

Abstract: A system for propelling a magnetic robotic device through a human comprises a magnetic actuator device operable to generate a rotating magnetic field, and a magnetic robotic device comprising a compliant body and at least two permanent magnets supported by and spatially separated about the compliant body. A non-magnetic region can also be oriented between the at least two permanent magnets. The at least two permanent magnets can be alternating or non-alternating in polarity with each other. In response to application of the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic actuator device and that is situated proximate the magnetic robotic device, the rotating magnetic field effectuates undulatory locomotion of the magnetic robotic device to propel the magnetic robotic device through a human, such as through a natural lumen. Further, the magnetic robotic device can optionally be supported by a catheter or endoscope to assist with propelling a distal end through a human.

Abstract: A system for modularly assembling a scope device includes an optical module which has an optical housing and a longitudinal member extending distally therefrom. A distal end of the member includes a camera for visualizing a target area, electric wires and a light source extending from the camera to the optical housing. The system also includes a deflector module coupleable with the optical module. The deflector module includes a deflector housing and a deflector shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft includes a first channel sized, shaped and configured to receive the member therein and a deflectable portion extending along a distal portion of the shaft. The deflector housing includes an actuator for deflecting the deflectable portion, the optical and deflector housings including corresponding connecting elements to engage one another when the member is inserted through the first channel and the deflector and optical housings are coupled.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is directed to an insertion assist system for an endoscope. The insertion assist system comprises a tube configured to control movement of an insertion portion of the endoscope during an advancing direction and a restrictor being disposed inside the tube and configured to restrict a protruding direction of the insertion portion. The tube includes an opening configured to receive the insertion portion to protrude therefrom. A guide surface is configured to control the advancing direction of the insertion portion and to restrict the protruding direction of the insertion portion. The restrictor is disposed facing the guide surface and is configured to press the insertion portion against the guide surface.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a device, method, and wireless endoscope. The wireless endoscope includes a light integrated in a first portion. The wireless endoscope also includes a lens positioned proximate the light in the first portion. The light and the lens are inserted into a body. The first portion is interchangeable. The wireless endoscope also includes a connector physically securing the first portion to the second portion. The second portion is not inserted into the body. The wireless endoscope also includes a camera capturing video content received through the lens. The wireless endoscope also includes a wireless transmitter transmits the video content to a receiver associated with a displaying device.

Abstract: An insertion apparatus includes: a bend preventing member having a first opening and a second opening; an exterior member connected to the bend preventing member in a state where the exterior member abuts against a second surface side, and a projection which is formed on the second surface circumferentially in a protruding manner toward the exterior member, the projection being elastically deformable such that the projection is inclined in an outside direction of the bend preventing member by making the projection abut against the exterior member.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: a first endoscope including an insertion section, an operation section, and a bending operation device; a second endoscope including an insertion section, an operation section, and a bending operation device; and a fixing member configured to connect and fix the operation sections to each other such that the bending operation device of the first endoscope is made to protrude toward the operation section of the second endoscope, the bending operation device of the second endoscope is made to protrude toward the operation section of the first endoscope, and the bending operation device of the second endoscope is spaced apart from the bending operation device of the first endoscope toward an insertion section side.

Abstract: The invention consists in a product for the closed reduction and, more specifically, in a new type of an intramedullary cannulated guide for fracture reduction with an endoscopic camera for use in intramedullary nailing surgeries. The intramedullary cannulated guide for fracture reduction is consisted of a flexible, unbreakable, modular and cannulated shaft, a T-handle with a hole in the upper surface, a camera, which is located at the edge of the guide, bears a lightning source and is connected wired or wireless to an image reproduction device, a sealing flange with a slot or spout, an input/output cannula for liquid suction and/or washing of the camera glass. The intramedullary cannulated guide for fracture reduction with an endoscopic camera is inserted in a bone that has suffered a fracture. The intramedullary image that the camera transmits, when it encounters the fracture point, is shown on the screen.

Abstract: An endoscope device is provided, including: a first light source section, a second light source section, an imaging section, and a light cut filter. The first light source section is configured to project illumination light to an object. The second light source section is configured to project treatment light to the object. The imaging section is configured to capture an image of the object using reflected light from the object. The light cut filter is arranged between the object and the imaging section and has a transmittance greater than zero and less than a transmittance upper threshold for the treatment light, where the transmittance upper threshold is predetermined based on a rule of avoiding image overexposure.

Abstract: A variable stiffness device includes a first elongated member including high-bending stiffness portions and a low-bending stiffness portion between adjacent high-bending stiffness portions, a second elongated member arranged along the first elongated member and including shape-memory members and a connecting member between adjacent shape-memory members, a heater to heat a shape-memory member in the low-bending stiffness portion to increase the bending stiffness, and a moving mechanism to move the second elongated member relative to the first elongated member. When the heater heats a first shape-memory member in the low-bending stiffness portion, a second shape-memory member next to the first shape-memory member is arranged in a high-bending stiffness portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include an endoscope tip assembly for use on an endoscope, during procedures. The endoscope tip assembly may include a base configured to receive an endoscope tip configured to not disengage from the endoscope tip during a procedure. The endoscope tip assembly may also include a plurality of struts which is connected by a webbing, may fold flat during insertion, and may assume a balloon-like shape during withdrawal.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a flexible member and a variable stiffness apparatus installed in the flexible member. The variable stiffness apparatus includes a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member movable along the first longitudinal member. The first longitudinal member includes a first high bending stiffness portion and a first low bending stiffness portion. The second longitudinal member includes a second high bending stiffness portion, a second low bending stiffness portion, and a soft member arranged in the second high bending stiffness portion and the second low bending stiffness portion. Stiffness of part of the variable stiffness apparatus in a longitudinal axis direction is varied by changing a relative position of the first and second longitudinal members.

Abstract: A playback processing unit causes a display device to display an endoscopic image recorded in an endoscopic image recording unit. A display time setting unit sets a display time of endoscopic images displayed by the playback processing unit on the display device in the order of imaging. A display time measurement unit measures the display time of each endoscopic image. A time information storage unit stores information related to the display time measured by the display time measurement unit. An acknowledgment unit acknowledges a user operation input. The playback processing unit causes the display device to display the endoscopic image in accordance with the user operation input acknowledged by the acknowledgment unit. The time information storage unit stores information related to a cumulative display time of each endoscopic image.

Abstract: An instrument connector comprises a housing, a first connector, and a second connector. The housing includes a proximal face at a proximal end of the instrument connector, and the proximal face is coincident with a reference plane. The first connector extends proximally away from the proximal face and includes a rod and a first interface for a first transmission channel. The rod is configured to mate with a first socket of a console connector. The second connector is recessed within the housing, includes a second interface for a second transmission channel, and is configured to mate with a second socket of the console connector. The proximal end of the second connector is distal to the reference plane. The rod is configured to engage with the first socket to at least partially align the second connector with the second socket before the second connector engages with the second socket.