Abstract: A large area thermal ablation apparatus for use with an endoscope includes a housing and at least one electrode. The housing is removably attachable to a distal terminating end of the endoscope. The housing includes an outer surface and a cross-sectional area that is at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the distal terminating end of the endoscope. The electrode is supported by the outer surface of the housing. The electrode is capable of delivering energy to a tissue region inside a body to ablate the tissue region.

Abstract: An endoscope sheath includes a web member disposable in a tubular configuration in engagement with an endoscope insertion member, the member being provided with a tear string in the form of a tensile member. The tear string preferably extends longitudinally along the web member. In addition, the tear string preferably extends from one end of the web member to an opposite end thereof and is disposed along a weakened area of the web member. The web member is provided in a plurality of regions with a layer of adhesive material. The adhesive material of at least one of the regions is permanent adhesive, whereas the adhesive material of at least another of the regions forms a separable bond. These regions extend along opposing longitudinal edges of the web member.

Abstract: A treatment electrode of a resectoscope apparatus is substantially semicircular-shaped. A length a of a first segment and a length b of a second segment satisfy a relationship of (a>2·b). The first segment is in parallel with the plane on which a parallel lead member exists and has the maximum width of the treatment electrode. The second segment is vertical to the first segment and has the maximum distance between an intersection to the first segment and an intersection to the treatment electrode.

Abstract: In an endoscope apparatus, an air/water switch (15) that is provided in an operating section (9) of an endoscope (5) each generate an air feed on/off signal and a suction on/off signal, and air feed flow and suction flow signals that are responsive to the amount of depression of each of the switches, these signals being sent to a signal processing circuit (33). The signal processing circuit (33) controls a air/water feed control valve 40 and a suction force control valve 50, so as to control air/water feed flow and suction flow, a flow display being made by an indicator (65) on the screen (63) of a TV monitor (35).

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus which is used in conjunction with an endotracheal tube to provide visual information during intubation. The visual information is used by a medical practitioner in order to successfully insert and position the endotracheal tube into the trachea of a patient who is being intubated.

Abstract: In a method and operating system for conducting a surgical intervention, respective position sensors are mounted at a laparoscope and a surgical instrument used to conduct the intervention, and a navigation system is supplied with orientation information from these position sensors. Based on this orientation information, the navigation system automatically controls a robot arm, to which the laparoscope is mounted, to always maintain the surgical instrument in the field of view of the laparoscope.

Abstract: An illuminational optical system and an observational optical system mounted to lens frames are arranged at the tip part of an insertion portion. The observational optical system has resistance to high-temperature steam sterilization, and is sealed steam-tight in order to avoid entering of steam into the inside. On the other hand, the illuminational optical system is sealed liquid-tight with an adhesive, and even when steam enters into the inside, the entered steam can be discharged by the heat accompanying illumination light during an endoscope inspection. Consequently, cost reduction can be achieved and repairability, etc., can be ensured with almost no degradation in observation performance.

Abstract: An elongated sheath body for an endoscope has a channel provided in the sheath body to allow the endoscope to be inserted into the sheath body. The endoscope channel has a first opening at a distal end of the sheath body and a second opening at a proximal end of the sheath body. The endoscope-covering sheath is provided with a wiper provided near the first opening and a mechanism which drives the wiper. The wipers can wipe adhering matter which hinders the viewing field of the endoscope.

Abstract: A multifunctional medical tool for use in proctologic applications, during which a surgeon has to manipulate a surgical instrument, brought within the anal canal. The tool comprises a pistol-grip portion (10) to carry the surgical instrument, an endoscopic means (30?) for insertion within the anal canal and surgical instrument (56), which can be brought in the anal canal through the endoscopic means (30?). The tool can be used for endoscopic examination or for various invasive proctologic treatments within the anal canal, rectum or distal colon.

Abstract: An endoscopic cleaning device capable of properly removing wet cerumen from an auditory canal while the interior of an auditory canal is illuminated. The device allows an image of the interior of the auditory canal to be acquired while the auditory canal is being cleaned. The device has an ear picking main body that also serves as a light guide to provide the illumination. The ear picking main body rotates about a light guide containing the micro lens used to acquire the image, so that the image remains stable. The ear picking main body is inserted through a removable, elastically deformable tubular ear picking part having a through hole and an outer layer made of fibrous material. In this way light can be delivered to the end of the ear picking main body, and the fibrous material of the ear picking part can be used to remove wet cerumen.

Abstract: A tip end part (22) of an outer sheath (20) is rotatable about an axis in a predetermined range with respect to a tip end part (13) of a flexible insertion portion (11). A channel deformation space (19) which enables a part in the vicinity of the tip end of a channel tube (23) to be rotated with following the rotation while being elastically deformed is disposed. A locking mechanism (18, 28) is engaged or disengaged by rotating the tip end part (22) of the outer sheath (20) about the axis in the predetermined range with respect to the tip end part (13) of the flexible insertion portion (11).

Abstract: A transesophageal probe shaft has a cover which is formed by a plurality of separate layers joined by a pressure sensitive adhesive. In a preferred embodiment the cover forms the outer cover of an articulating section of the probe. The layers are chosen to be thin enough so that the stiffness of the cover does not significantly restrain the bending of the articulating section. The adhesive viscosity is chosen to enable the joined layers to be able to move relative to each other as the probe is bent, and to be able to flow to fill any small cut in the cover caused by biting through the cover.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for accessing the abdominal cavity of a patient in order to perform a medical procedure therein. The method can include the steps of introducing a medical device into the body cavity; providing a percutaneous incision to access the body cavity; and steering the medical device through the percutaneous incision. In one embodiment, a hollow steering element is advanced through the incision to guide a flexible endoscope postioned in the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: A tubular suction tool for accessing an anatomic surface or anatomic space and particularly the pericardium to access pericardial space and the epicardial surface of the heart to implant cardiac leads in a minimally invasive manner are disclosed. The suction tool incorporates a suction pad concave wall defining a suction cavity, a plurality of suction ports arrayed about the concave wall, and a suction lumen, to form a bleb of tissue into the suction cavity when suction is applied. The suction cavity extends along one side of the suction pad, so that the suction pad and suction cavity can be applied tangentially against a tissue site. The suction tool can incorporate light emission and video imaging of tissue adjacent the suction pad. A working lumen terminating in a working lumen port into the suction cavity enables introduction of tools, cardiac leads, and other instruments, cells, drugs or materials into or through the tissue bleb drawn into the suction cavity.

Abstract: A resectoscope apparatus includes a high-frequency generating device which generates high-frequency current, a hollow sheath which can be inserted in the celom, a scope which is arranged in the sheath and which can observe the celom, an active electrode which transmits the high-frequency current to the body organ, and a solution supply device which supplies a solution to the hollow sheath. At least one of the sheath and the scope has conductivity. The sheath or the scope having the conductivity is connected to high frequency generating device via a connecting member so as to collect return current.

Abstract: An endoscope hood of the present invention is provided with a cylindrical main hood body attached to an endoscope. The main hood body includes a fixing portion located substantially in a center. The fixing portion allows the inner circumferential surface of the main hood body to be forcibly fixed to the outer circumference of the distal end portion of the endoscope. The main hood body also includes a projection projected from the distal end portion of the main hood body and a non-fastened portion located at the rear end of the main hood body. The non-fastened portion is fitted with the outer circumference of the distal end portion of the endoscope without being fastened.

Abstract: An endoscope device in accordance with the present invention consists mainly of an endoscope, a light source apparatus, a video processor, and a monitor. The endoscope includes an insertion unit, an operation unit, a linkage cord, a connector unit, and an electric connector. The insertion unit is flexible and elongated. The operation unit is coupled to the proximal end of the insertion unit. The endoscope can undergo at least one of cleansing, disinfection, and sterilization that is performed at a high temperature. Furthermore, a drop in the temperature of at least part of the external surface of the operation unit of the endoscope occurring when the endoscope is cooled within a predetermined domain of temperatures is substantially equal to or larger than a drop in the temperature of at least part of the external surface of the insertion unit.

Abstract: To assess the sensitivity of a subject's pharynx, an open mouthpiece (1) fitted with a thin guide tube (2), having an articulated end (4), is inserted into the subject's mouth. A pipe (9) is inserted into the guide tube, under visual observation through the mouthpiece, until it touches the subject's palate. The position on a measurement scale (11) provided on the pipe facing a second end of the guide tube is noted, and the pipe is withdrawn over a preset distance, for example 1 cm, and fixed in this position onto the guide tube. A variable gas flow is injected into the pipe and reaches the pharyngeal mucous situated facing the pipe. The sensitivity of the subject's pharynx, measured by the threshold of sense perception, is determined by the lowest flow value perceived by the subject.

Abstract: Combination of an endoscope and a sheath for covering an inserting tube of the endoscope, the sheath includes an elastic tubular member having an open proximal end and a closed distal end, and the endoscope is provided with an air feeding tube for feeding air from a distal end of the inserting tube to inflate the tubular member when the inserting tube is inserted into the tubular member to be covered therewith.

Abstract: A suction valve for an instrument includes a valve insert secured in a valve housing. A first sleeve connects the interior of the valve housing to a first suction channel of the instrument; and a sealing membrane seals a first portion of the interior of the valve housing from the valve insert. The sealing membrane is fixed in the valve housing by the valve insert that includes a valve plunger for opening and closing the sealing membrane by movement in a first direction.