Abstract: A cover for preventing contamination of an operating portion covered on an operating portion of an endoscope a lower end of which is connected with an inserting portion. The cover is formed in a bag-like shape for enveloping a total of the operating portion, formed with a hole for passing the inserting portion at a lower end portion thereof and formed with a sleeve-like portion for inserting the hand to directly hold the operating portion at a rear face thereof.

Abstract: In an outer sheathed endoscope, an outer sheath (20) for shielding a flexible insertion portion (11, 12, 13) from the outside is disposed to detachably cover the flexible insertion portion (11, 12, 13). The basal end of the flexible insertion portion is connected to an operation portion (15). In the outer sheathed endoscope, A break prevention member (100) which is formed by an elastic material is disposed to surround a basal end part of the flexible insertion portion (11, 12, 13), and the outer sheath (20) is formed to cover continuously the flexible insertion portion (11, 12, 13) and the break prevention member (100).

Abstract: A guide wire assembly includes a guide wire, an optical fiber, and an insulating coating. The guide wire has a distal end, a proximal end, and a bore extending through the wire between the distal and proximal ends. The an optical fiber also includes a distal end and a proximal end and is located within the bore of the guide wire. The optical fiber extends at least between the distal and proximal ends of the guide wire. The insulating coating is around an outside diameter of the guide wire, and is applied such that the distal ends of the guide wire and optical fiber are exposed.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical surgical device includes: a housing; an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a distal end of the elongated shaft being detachably coupleable to a surgical instrument; at least two axially rotatable drive shafts disposed within the elongated shaft, a distal end of each of the drive shafts being configured to couple with the surgical instrument; a steering cable arrangement, the steering cable arrangement being configured to steer the distal end of the elongated shaft; and a motor system disposed within the housing, the motor system being configured to drive the drive shafts and the steering cable arrangement. A control system may be provided for controlling the motor system. A remote control unit may also be provided for controlling the motor system via the control system. Sensors, such as optical or Hall-effect devices, may be provided for determining the position of the elements of the surgical instrument based on the detected rotation of the drive shafts.

Abstract: A suction valve for an endoscope use includes a valve casing which is set up in the control portion of an endoscope and is connected with a suction side path having an opening as a suction inlet at the tip distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope and is also connected with a suction source side path connected with a negative pressure generation source, and a valve member which is fitted up in the valve casing to be allowed to make a slide motion inside thereof and is constituted such that it is able to switch the state in which the suction side path is cut off from the suction source side path to the state in which the suction side path is in communication with the suction source side path or vice versa in correspondence with the position of the valve member in the valve casing, wherein a groove is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the valve member in contact with the inside of the valve casing.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical surgical device includes: a housing; an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a distal end of the elongated shaft being detachably coupleable to a surgical instrument; at least two axially rotatable drive shafts disposed within the elongated shaft, a distal end of each of the drive shafts being configured to couple with the surgical instrument; a steering cable arrangement, the steering cable arrangement being configured to steer the distal end of the elongated shaft; and a motor system disposed within the housing, the motor system being configured to drive the drive shafts and the steering cable arrangement. A control system may be provided for controlling the motor system. A remote control unit may also be provided for controlling the motor system via the control system. Sensors, such as optical or Hall-effect devices, may be provided for determining the position of the elements of the surgical instrument based on the detected rotation of the drive shafts.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical surgical device includes: a housing; an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a distal end of the elongated shaft being detachably coupleable to a surgical instrument; at least two axially rotatable drive shafts disposed within the elongated shaft, a distal end of each of the drive shafts being configured to couple with the surgical instrument; a steering cable arrangement, the steering cable arrangement being configured to steer the distal end of the elongated shaft; and a motor system disposed within the housing, the motor system being configured to drive the drive shafts and the steering cable arrangement. A control system may be provided for controlling the motor system. A remote control unit may also be provided for controlling the motor system via the control system. Sensors, such as optical or Hall-effect devices, may be provided for determining the position of the elements of the surgical instrument based on the detected rotation of the drive shafts.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical surgical device includes: a housing; an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a distal end of the elongated shaft being detachably coupleable to a surgical instrument; at least two axially rotatable drive shafts disposed within the elongated shaft, a distal end of each of the drive shafts being configured to couple with the surgical instrument; a steering cable arrangement, the steering cable arrangement being configured to steer the distal end of the elongated shaft; and a motor system disposed within the housing, the motor system being configured to drive the drive shafts and the steering cable arrangement. A control system may be provided for controlling the motor system. A remote control unit may also be provided for controlling the motor system via the control system. Sensors, such as optical or Hall-effect devices, may be provided for determining the position of the elements of the surgical instrument based on the detected rotation of the drive shafts.

Abstract: This invention refers to an optical-light emitting laryngoscope, consisting of a body (1) that contains two independent ducts (3, 4), one of which is free while the other contains optical elements (12), with a straight section followed by a section that is anatomically curved, the end of which is finished by three guide walls (16) for the oral-tracheal tube that has been inserted, while it is possible to observe the movements of the same in a real image through a magnification lens (6) and the optical elements (12), the optical duct being protected by a transparent shell (30), achieving correct positioning of the oral-tracheal tube (15), this invention being designed for oral-tracheal intubation, in operating theaters, emergency wards and out-patient facilities, etc. The body of the laryngoscope (31) may contain a single duct (4) which contains the optical elements (12).

Abstract: An endoscope is provided with a pliable tube having an integument layer made of a resin constituting an insertion portion and at least one slender tube element inserted through the insertion portion. The amount of contraction of the pliable tube after application of a thermal load during a high-pressure steam sterilization step is set larger than the amount of contraction of the tube element after application of a thermal load during the high-pressure steam sterilization step.

Abstract: A portable endoscope having a probe which is inserted into a human body, comprises a tank, a flexible tube, a pump, and a weight. The flexible tube is provided to supply liquid to the tip of the probe from the tank via a connection and a nozzle. The weight is provided to bend the flexible tube so that one end of the flexible tube, inside the tank, reaches the liquid regardless of the angle of inclination. A liquid and air supply unit for the endoscope is provided with the tank which stores liquid or cleansing water.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument has a control member, a portion of the member having an outer surface with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The non-circular cross-sectional shape may be provided to the control member by providing peripheral projections or fins along the length of the portion or by providing the periphery of the portion with a polygonal shape. Where fins are used, the fins are preferably quite small and only have a minimal effect on the fluid flow cross-sectional area between the interior of the endoscope instrument shaft and the central control member. The resulting instrument has significantly reduced backlash in end effector assembly manipulation, while maintaining adequate fluid flow in the endoscope shaft.

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: An endoscope has a first bending portion and a second bending portion. The first bending portion is the distal portion of an elongated insertion member and bent in four directions substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insertion member. The second bending portion is bent in at least two directions substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insertion member. The endoscope further includes a hand-held unit having a control section that is used to bend the first bending portion and second bending portion. The control section of the handheld unit has an angling knob that is used to bend the first bending portion, and a second angling lever that is used to bend the second bending portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for placing and advancing a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument in a hollow body organ of a tortuous or unsupported anatomy, comprising a handle, an overtube, a distal region having an atraumatic tip. The overtube may be removable from the handle, and have a longitudinal axis disposed at an angle relative to the handle. The overtube may be selectively stiffened to reduce distension of the organ caused by advancement of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument. The distal region permits passive steering of the overtube caused by deflection of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument while the atraumatic tip prevents the wall of the organ from becoming caught or pinched during manipulation of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument.

Abstract: An endoscope having a guide tube is described herein. The assembly has an endoscope which is slidably insertable within the lumen of a guide tube. The guide tube is configured to be rigidizable along its entire length from a relaxed configuration. The endoscope has a steerable distal portion to facilitate the steering of the device through tortuous paths. In the relaxed configuration, a portion of the guide tube is able to assume the shape or curve defined by the controllable distal portion of the endoscope. Having assumed the shape or curve of the endoscope, the guide tube may be rigidized by the physician or surgeon to maintain that shape or curve while the endoscope is advanced distally through the tortuous path without having to place any undue pressure against the tissue walls.

Abstract: An endoscopic intubation system, in particular for babies or very small childern, comprises an endoscope and an endotracheal tube, where the endoscope includes a substantially bend-resistent shaft whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the tube, so that the tube can be slid onto the shaft and where the shaft is at least partially curved. The shaft comprises a continuously curved portion starting from the distal end.

Abstract: A probe controller is integral with a gripper for the probe's insertion tube. The gripper is easily operated with one hand, permitting a user to hold, release, and insert the insertion tube with the same hand that operates the controls on the controller, thus freeing the user's other hand to feed the insertion tube into the opening, perform other operations, or optionally to operate the controls.

Abstract: An endoscope system comprises: an endoscope main body having an insertion portion in which a lumen is formed, the insertion portion having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal end opening of the lumen being provided to the distal end of the insertion portion, and a proximal end opening of the lumen being provided to the proximal end of the insertion portion; a first fixing member provided to the distal end of the insertion portion, capable of selecting between a fixed state for fixing the distal end portion of a linear member inserted into the lumen and a released state thereof in the distal end portion of the insertion portion; a second fixing member provided to the proximal end of the insertion portion, capable of selectively fixing the proximal end portion of the linear member inserted into the lumen in the proximal end of the insertion portion; and a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen running therebetween, and removably inserted into the lumen, wherein a slit is formed fr

Abstract: Disposable loading units (DLUs) configured for mounting to a robotic arm for performing at least one surgical task are presented. Each DLU includes an attachment platform having at least one connector for engaging at least one connector on a distal end of the robotic arm for connecting the DLU to the robotic arm, a head portion connected to the attachment platform at one end and configured for housing an electro-mechanical actuation assembly therein, and at least one surgical tool member extending from the head portion and operatively associated with the electro-mechanical actuation assembly for controlling the operation and movement of the at least one surgical tool member. The at least one surgical tool member may include a cutting assembly, an aortic hole punch assembly, a lasing assembly, a coring assembly, or a vascular suturing assembly.