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: A tunable ablation delivery device is disclosed. The tunable ablation delivery device includes a housing and a detection element on the housing for detecting a physiological indication. The tunable ablation delivery device further includes an ablation element disposed within the housing. An opening in the housing is positioned relative to the ablation element to facilitate a treatment using the ablation element modality.

Abstract: A cannula assembly including a seal for an endoscopic internal magnetic camera tether. The seal may include stacked compliant membranes with an aperture in each membrane through which a camera tether may pass. The apertures may overlap. The at least one aperture may be arranged as a slit. Each of the apertures may comprise a wedge-shaped gap. The membranes may include engagement members that couple to engagement members on the cannula assembly. The cannula assembly may provide separate ports for the camera tethers and for a trocar or other endoscopic instrument passing through the cannula assembly. The cannula assembly also may include a rotating housing with two openings and a seal arranged in each opening. The cannula assembly may include a sleeve that encases a cannula tube. The sleeve may include a seal on its end and a channel on its periphery through which a camera tether may pass.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal screening includes disposing a self-contained electronic capsule in a gastrointestinal tract. The electronic capsule is adapted to acquire data that is responsive to one or more physical conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and to compare the acquired data with stored threshold data to generate a discrete output relating to the condition of the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: The present invention is a telescopic drive device of a device for holding a surgical instrument. The telescopic drive device includes a support; a first telescopic stage carried by the support; a first telescopic stage carried by the support, the first telescopic stage being able to perform a first motion with respect to the support; a second telescopic stage, which is able to perform a second motion with respect to the first telescopic stage; and a drive system, which is operable to drive the first and second motions. The first telescopic element performs the first motion and the second telescopic element simultaneously performs the second motion. The telescopic drive is operable to support a further device and to move the further device such that the movement is centered around a point or wherein each of the telescopic elements is arcuate.

Abstract: An optical obturator for penetrating tissue and being at least partially positionable within a cannula assembly. The obturator may include an obturator housing at a proximal end of the obturator and may configured to be grasped by a user. The obturator housing may define an opening for receiving an endoscope, the obturator housing including an endoscope retention mechanism adapted for securing and stabilizing an endoscope inserted therethrough. The obturator housing may also include at least one attachment mechanism for enabling selective attachment and detachment of the obturator housing to the cannula assembly. The obturator may also include an obturator shaft integrally formed with the obturator housing. The obturator shaft may define a hollow interior configured to receive the endoscope inserted through the opening. A penetrating member is disposed at the distal end of the obturator shaft. The obturator may be formed as a single component, preferably from transparent material.

Abstract: An endoscope including a catheter, a steering handle for controlling the bending of the catheter, and a pipe connector. The catheter includes an outer tube and an inner tube. The outer tube is sleeved outside the inner tube. The steering handle includes a handle sleeve and a handle cover. The handle sleeve is sleeved outside the handle cover. An axial guide rail and a sliding block are arranged between the handle sleeve and the handle cover. The guide rail and the sliding block are fixed on the handle sleeve or the handle cover respectively. The outer tube is fixedly connected with the handle sleeve. The inner tube penetrates a through hole in the center of the handle sleeve, is connected with a port of the pipe connector and fixed therein. The pipe connector is positioned in the handle cover and fixedly connected therewith.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating insertion of an endotracheal tube and/or for verifying the position of the endotracheal tube within an airway of a patient with respect to an anatomical landmark of a patient are disclosed. Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating removal of debris from the distal airways of a patient under direct visualization are also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion section including first and second bending portions, a first bending drive mechanism to bend the first portion in the upward direction, first and second distal side-traction members passing inside the insertion section and a proximal side-traction member. The first portion can bend in the upward direction. The second portion is on a proximal side of the first portion and can bend in the upward direction and in right and left directions along a circumferential direction of the upward direction. The first distal side-traction member is fixed to a position of the second portion, separated from the upward direction toward the right. The second distal side-traction member is fixed to a position of the second portion, separated from the upward direction toward the left direction. The proximal side-traction member pulls the first and second distal side-traction members in conjunction with the first bending drive mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments of a medical device and related methods of use are provided for extracting tissue. The device may include an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. Two or more channels may extend through the elongate member from the proximal end to the distal end, and a morcellating device may be included in one of the channels. In addition, one of the channels may be configured as a return channel for extracting the morcellated tissue.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed, for performing therapeutic or diagnostic procedures at a remote site. According to one embodiment, the methods include the use of a system including an introducer designed for transcervical insertion into the uterus. The introducer is constructed to include a fluid lumen, an instrument lumen, and a visualization lumen. The system may include a fluid source, which is coupled to the fluid lumen and is used to deliver a fluid to the uterus either for washing the uterus or for fluid distension of the uterus. The system additionally includes a tissue modifying device, such as a morcellator, and a distension device for distending the uterus and/or for maintaining the uterus in a distended state. The tissue modifying device and the distension device are alternately deliverable to the uterus through the instrument lumen. The system may further include a hysteroscope deliverable to the uterus through the visualization lumen.

Abstract: An endoscopic device including a control circuit that is detachably connectable to a handle, where the control circuit functions and is compatible with a wide variety of displays. The handle of the endoscopic device is provided with a connector to transmit image data from a distal end to the detachable control circuit. The control circuit may be provided with a keyed outer surface to guide and maintain the control circuit in an engaged position relative to the handle and connector.

Abstract: A steering mechanism is used as part of a medical device such as a catheter or an endoscope to allow movement of a steerable distal portion of the catheter or endoscope. The mechanism can include a elongate housing and an actuation system. The elongate housing is adapted to be coupled to the steerable portion of the medical device. The actuation system includes an actuator, a first cam, and a second cam. The actuator can move the first cam between a first position and a second position as the actuator is moved along a first axis (or about a second axis different than the first axis). Movement of the first cam between its first and second positions moves the steerable portion of the medical device along a first plane. The actuator can move the second cam between a first position and a second position as the actuator is moved along the second axis (or about the first axis).

Abstract: An insertion device includes a UD knob having an outer peripheral side notched in a concave recess with such a curvature and a size as to come in close contact with a base part of a thumb, and an RL knob placed on the UD knob with the same center of rotation, and is configured such that the thumb extends beyond the UD knob, the base part of the thumb is put in contact with a deepest part of the recess of the UD knob, and the RL knob is operably present within a movable range of the thumb beyond the UD knob. The RL knob is configured to be driven by a motor, and thereby the RL knob is rotated by a fingertip to bend a bend portion.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope objective optical system including, in order from an object side, an aperture stop, a front group having positive refractive power, and a rear group having positive refractive power, in which the rear group is formed by joining a single lens having positive refractive power and a single lens having negative refractive power and is joined to an imaging device; a joining surface between the single lenses has positive refractive power; and the endoscope objective optical system satisfies following Conditional Expression (1): 0.15<fF/fR<0.5,??(1) where fF indicates a focal length of the front group, and fR indicates a focal length of the rear group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fully integrated sterilizable one time use disposable tissue visualization device and methods for using such devices. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate the visualization of an internal tissue site while causing a minimum of damage to the surrounding tissue. Further preferred embodiments may allow for the delivery of fluids and other treatment to an internal tissue site.

Abstract: A system for graphically visualizing an orientation of a steerable distal portion of an elongate instrument is disclosed. The system includes an instrument having an elongate body. The elongate body includes a proximal portion and a steerable distal portion. The system also includes at least one tensioning member attached to said steerable distal portion, wherein the actuation of said at least one tensioning member results in an approximate y-bend and an approximate x-bend of said steerable distal portion, and wherein said approximate y-bend and approximate x-bend define an approximate overall bend of said steerable distal portion. The system further includes a graphical user interface and an icon representing said approximate overall bend on said graphical user interface.

Abstract: A bending angle adjustment mechanism for an endoscope includes a rod member that is disposed along a traveling path of a long member that is connected to a bending portion that is bendable and is pulled, a support member made of metal that is integrally provided to support both ends of the rod member, an adjustment piece that is engaged with the rod member, is movable along the rod member, and restricts movement of the long member, a guide member made of resin having a guide surface for guiding movement of the adjustment piece, wherein the guide member is fixed in a state in which the guide member is sandwiched between the adjustment piece and the support member so that the guide surface is disposed in a position capable of guiding the adjustment piece.

Abstract: A driving force transmitting unit includes a line portion extending along a driving axis in a channel, and a slider portion attached to a proximal portion of the line portion and movable relative to the line portion along the driving axis. The driving force transmitting unit includes an urging portion contracting in response to a movement of the slider portion relative to the line portion toward a distal direction and thereby applying an urging force toward the distal direction to the line portion.

Abstract: Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and reusable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. the catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree.