Abstract: A method may comprise storing a first waypoint corresponding to a first position of a tip of a steerable medical device including an articulatable segment. The controller may perform a motion pause check operation to determine that an insertion motion of the articulatable segment into a patient anatomy has been paused, while the tip is at a second position. The controller may determine that the articulatable segment has resumed the insertion motion into the patient anatomy. After determining that the articulatable segment has resumed the insertion motion, a second waypoint corresponding to the second position of the tip of the steerable medical device, may be stored. A boundary region may be defined to form a three-dimensional volume enclosing the positions of the stored waypoints. The articulatable segment may be constrained to remain within the boundary region as the articulatable segment is inserted in the patient anatomy.

Abstract: An endoscope pipe with a central, elongated observation window on the distal end, whereby several light outlet openings for fiberoptic end surfaces are positioned close to the observation window for illuminating the angle area observed through the observation window and the light outlet openings are positioned asymmetrically in relation to the longitudinal extension of the observation window and/or the fiberoptic end surfaces are held in the light outlet openings in such a way that light is beamed from the fiberoptic end surfaces into the angle area in various directions.

Abstract: An instrument port for introducing an instrument into a surgical site includes a port body, a bulb disposed on the distal end of the port body, and a channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the instrument port. The channel includes an instrument channel defined in the port body and a bulb channel defined in the bulb. An imaging system is disposed at or near the distal end of the instrument port. The imaging system is fluidically isolated from the surgical site.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling cooperative surgical instruments with variable surgical site access trajectories are provided. Various aspects of the present disclosure provide for coordinated operation of surgical instruments accessing a common surgical site from different approach and/or separate body cavities to achieve a common surgical purpose. For example, various methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein can enable the coordinated treatment of tissue by disparate minimally invasive surgical systems that approach the tissue from varying anatomical spaces and must operate differently, but in concert with one another, to effect a desired surgical treatment.

Abstract: A handheld endoscope has a disposable, single-use portion that includes a distal tip, cannula, housings, and a proximal port that is connected to a substantially straight working channel. The cannula is rotatable about the main longitudinal axis of the cannula. The endoscope also includes a re-usable portion that has a handle and display module. The single-use and re-usable portions mate and un-mate with each other via physical side-mounting arrangement as well as separate electrical connectors. The handle can house imaging system electronics that support manual and auto imaging modes which can be selected via touch screen control on the display module. The re-useable portion is sealed with various o-rings and/or gaskets and can be highly fluid resistant to facilitate disinfecting and/or sterilization.

Abstract: A medical system may comprise an endoscope, including a handle and a sheath having a first illumination source, a second illumination source, and an imaging device at a distal tip of the sheath. The first illumination source may be configured to emit white light. The second illumination source may be configured to emit a non-white light. The system may also comprise a display device, a controller configured to interface with the endoscope and the display device, and a carrying case configured to contain the endoscope, the display device, and the controller.

Abstract: An endoscope system is provided with a graphical orientation indicator. An endoscope includes a flexible tubular body with a steerable distal end having a camera. A controller for the endoscope presents a user interface that displays a view from the camera and a graphical orientation indicator visually representing an orientation of the distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a capsule endoscope, which comprises an enclosure, and an imaging unit, a data processing unit and an antenna unit arranged in the enclosure. The enclosure comprises a cylindrical middle enclosure and two hemispherical covers connected to both ends of the middle enclosure, and the antenna unit is arranged close to the inner surface of the middle enclosure. The antenna unit is arranged close to the inner surface of the middle enclosure. Such arrangement can save internal space and improve the space utilization, and also, the arrangement of the antenna unit does not affect the layout of the imaging unit.

Abstract: A method includes: delivering a biodegradable expandable member into a body cavity of a patient; insufflating the biodegradable expandable member in the body cavity to expand the body cavity; sealing the biodegradable expandable member against an inner wall of the body cavity to seal the body cavity internally; and delivering an endoscope into the body cavity.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a shaft having a distal end and a cap at the distal end that defines a reservoir for storing a material. The medical device includes a deployment mechanism configured to eject the material from the reservoir, and the deployment mechanism is configured to apply a force to the reservoir. The cap includes a seal or a perforation that is configured to contain the material in the reservoir in the absence of the force applied by the deployment mechanism to the material.

Abstract: Pliability of a tube is ensured while preventing deformation of the tube, occurrence of air leakage, and the like. An endoscope includes an insertion portion and a tube arranged inside the insertion portion. The insertion portion includes a bending section that is bendable based on an operation, a distal tip connected to a distal tip of the bending section, and a flexible tube portion that is bendable by external force independent of the operation. The tube includes an inner layer and an outer layer formed outside the inner layer. The inner layer is formed from polytetrafluoroethylene having solid structure. The outer layer is positioned at an end portion on a side of the distal tip and includes a first portion formed from polytetrafluoroethylene having solid structure and a second portion formed from polytetrafluoroethylene having porous structure.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a shaft having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft, and an image sensor is carried on the distal end of the shaft. A channel extends through at least a distal shaft portion and has a channel diameter, and a section of the channel is re-configurable between a constricted shape and a non-constricted shape to accommodate tools introduced therethrough. The combined diagonal dimension and channel diameter is usually greater than the outer shaft diameter. The image sensor may be connected to a connector on the housing by a first slack flex circuit and a lights source on the shaft may be connected to a connector on the housing by a second slack flex circuit.

Abstract: A method for supplementing a shaft tube and an assembly of a medical instrument with a plastic component comprises a step of providing a shaft tube with a distal end; a step of mechanically connecting an assembly to the distal end of the shaft tube by way of a connecting device; a step of inserting the shaft tube with the assembly into a casting mold and closing the casting mold, a predetermined region of the outer surface of the assembly contacting a mold surface of the casting mold; a step of supplying a liquid plastic into the casting mold, the liquid plastic wetting the distal end of the shaft tube and the outer surface of the assembly; and a step of solidifying the liquid plastic, the solidified plastic forming the plastic component and creating a further mechanical connection of the assembly to the end of the shaft tube.

Abstract: An endoscope bonding structure includes a distal end rigid member, a tubular body, and a bonding agent. The distal end rigid member includes a first outer diameter part and a second outer diameter part. The tubular body includes a first inner diameter part and a second inner diameter part. An outer diameter of an outer periphery of the second outer diameter part decreases as a distance increases toward a proximal end side. The tubular body is fitted to an outer periphery in a state in which the tubular body is pressed to a distal end side.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope head comprising an endoscope head body in which at least one working channel is formed, wherein a pivot member actuatable from the proximal side is provided on the distal side of the endoscope head body, wherein an Albarran lever capable of being pivoted is provided at the distal end portion of the working channel.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes an endoscope, a robotic arm including a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism coupled to the endoscope. The surgical robotic system further includes a controller configured to receive a command to move the endoscope using the robotic arm, access a set of calibration parameters associated with the endoscope, generate an adjusted command based on the command and the set of calibration parameters, and provide the adjusted command to the robotic arm to move the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope with flexible cable is described having a first set of means to facilitate travel of an imaging capsule down the esophagus, a second set of means to enable proper orientation and optical clarity of the capsule, and a third set of means to enable ease in retrieval of the device. In most embodiments, there is an overlap of these sets of means, the combination of which assures optimal exam effectiveness while maintaining a high degree of patient comfort. The endoscope can target low cost, high volume screening for diseases of the upper digestive tract.

Abstract: An attachment for an imaging device may include a first sheath including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; a second sheath positioned around an exterior of the first sheath; and a connector coupled to the first sheath and configured to be coupled to the imaging device.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope cap or the like with an elevator which is easily attached to and detached from the distal end of an endoscope. An endoscope cap attachable to and detachable from an endoscope including a lever pivotally provided at a distal end of an insertion part of an endoscope and a pivot part causing the lever to pivot comprises: a cylindrical cover; and an elevator which is pivotally supported at the inside of the cover, is connected to the lever when the endoscope is attached to the cover, and pivots in response to pivoting of the lever.

Abstract: A system for visualizing an anatomical target includes an imaging device (105) configured to collect real-time images of an anatomical target. A three-dimensional model (136) is generated from pre- or intra-operative images and includes images of structures below a surface of the anatomical target not visible in the images from the scope. An image processing module (148) is configured to generate an overlay (107) registered to the real-time images and to indicate the structures below the surface and a depth of the structures below the surface. A display device (118) is configured to concurrently display the real-time images and the overlay.