Abstract: A three-dimensional information generation unit generates a three-dimensional map (D(X, Y, Z)) (three-dimensional information) regarding a surgical field, based on a surgical field image (K(x, y)) captured by an imaging device. A region-of-interest setting unit (setting unit) then sets at least one region-of-interest in the surgical field image (K(x, y)) captured at a predetermined timing. Based on the three-dimensional map (D(X, Y, Z)) and the position of the region-of-interest set by the region-of-interest setting unit, a region-of-interest estimation unit (estimation unit) estimates an existence position of the region-of-interest from within the surgical field image (K(x, y)) captured at a timing different from the predetermined timing.

Abstract: Fluorescence videostroboscopy imaging is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a controller configured to cause the emitter to emit the pulses of electromagnetic radiation at a strobing frequency determined based on a vibration frequency of vocal cords of a user. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm and from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.

Abstract: An endoscope including: a handle, a distal tip unit, an endoscope shaft connecting the handle and the distal tip unit, a working channel provided in the endoscope shaft, and a suction valve configured to control a suction through the working channel and having a valve closed state and a valve open state. The suction valve includes a housing having an inlet opening connected to the working channel and an outlet opening; and a piston unit inserted in the housing. The piston unit comprises a movable piston, a button attached to the piston, a fixation ring arranged stationary in the housing and a spring arranged and acting between the fixation ring and the button or piston. The button is a one-piece or integral part having an integrated sealing portion contacting the housing and providing a sealing between the button and the housing in the valve open state.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for producing an image in light deficient environments and associated structures, methods and features is disclosed and described. The features of the system may include controlling a light source through duration, intensity or both; pulsing a component controlled light source during the blanking period; maximizing the blanking period to allow optimum light; and maintaining color balance.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a medical diagnosis support device, an endoscope system, and a medical diagnosis support method where the visibility of a recognition result of a medical image is high. A medical diagnosis support device according to an aspect of the invention includes an image acquisition section that acquires medical images in time series, a detection section that detects a region of interest included in the medical images, a discrimination section that performs the discrimination of the medical images, a display control section that causes a display device to display any one of a result of the detection or a result of the discrimination, and a setting section that sets a waiting time required until the display is performed after the detection or the discrimination is performed.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion, an operation portion, a power transmission unit, a power relay unit, a power generation unit configured to apply power to the power relay unit in a second power transmission shaft direction which is non-parallel to a first power transmission shaft direction, an elastic member configured to perform either one of urging the power relay unit against the power generation unit or urging the power generation unit against the power relay unit, and a cable configured to extend from the operation portion in the second power transmission shaft direction which is a direction different from a longitudinal direction, wherein the power generation device is attached such that the power generation device is disposed to extend in an extending direction of the cable after being mounted.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes a light source apparatus, an illumination-light setting section capable of setting, as illumination light for illuminating an object including a biological tissue, first illumination light obtained by combining light in one or more wavelength bands selected from the light in plural wavelength bands and second illumination light obtained by combining light in one or more wavelength bands different from the first illumination light, selected out of the light in the plural wavelength bands, a light-source control section, and an image analyzing section configured to acquire an analysis result related to presence or absence of an abnormal finding. The illumination-light setting section sets, based on the analysis result of the image analyzing section for the first image acquired by the first illumination light, a combination of light in wavelength bands included in the second illumination light to be irradiated next.

Abstract: A current having a light emission period current value for emitting first illumination light or second illumination light is caused to flow through a V-LED in a first light emission period for emitting the first illumination light or a second light emission period for emitting the second illumination light. A current having a light non-emission period current value for applying a VF voltage is caused to flow through a pseudo load in a light non-emission period that is provided between the first light emission period and the second light emission period, or between the second light emission periods and in which the first illumination light and the second illumination light are not emitted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting visible and infrared light using a medical imaging system, said medical imaging system comprising a camera module configured to receive a visible light signal and at least one infrared light signal from an object image. The medical imaging system for detecting visible and comprises an input for visible light for illuminating a tissue; an input for excitation light for exciting a fluorescence agent in the tissue; a camera module configured to receive a visible light signal and at least one infrared light signal from an object image in the tissue. The camera module comprises at least a first, second, and third optical path for directing light from the object image to a first, second, and third filter and sensor combination respectively. In any order, the first, second, and third filters are a green filter, an infrared filter, and a red/blue patterned filter comprising red and blue filters in alternating pattern.

Abstract: A dermatoscope or endoscope inspection device which can be calibrated at high accuracy to be able to focus at a certain depth, e.g. below the top surface of the skin. A calibration pattern is provided or can be located at a reference viewing surface of an inspection device such as a dermatoscope or endoscope. It is important for a dermatoscope to know with the best accuracy available at what absolute depth below the top of the skin the device is focused. The dermatoscope or endoscope inspection device includes focusing means and by knowing a relationship between a digital driving level which shifts the focus position of the focusing means and the corresponding absolute change in focus depth, it is possible to know how deep the device is focused in absolute terms below the top of the skin.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes a light source that irradiates a predetermined first and second narrowband light; an imaging sensor that captures an image of return light of the first narrowband light and the second narrowband light from the subject, and generates an image signal of the image; and a processor being configured to identify a first color of a first portion and a second color of a second portion based on a difference of an optical density with respect to hemoglobin in the image signal in every frame of the image, the first portion corresponding to a bleeding area, and the second portion corresponding to an area other than the bleeding area within the subject, and correct the first color and the second color based on the identified first and second color while maintaining a color difference between the identified first and second color in a predetermined range.

Abstract: A distal end portion of a medical device may comprise: a first portion having a groove around a perimeter of an outer surface of the first portion; a cover disposed around the outer surface of the first portion, and disposed within the groove; and a second portion having a tab protruding radially inward from an inner surface of the second portion. The tab may be received within the groove, radially outward of the cover.

Abstract: A rigidity variable device includes: a main body unit having an elongated shape; a plurality of higher rigidity portions made of metal, the higher rigidity portions being included in the main body unit and arrayed in a separated manner in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the main body unit; and one or a plurality of lower rigidity portions included in the main body unit and including a shape memory alloy coil disposed between adjacent ones of the higher rigidity portions and formed by winding a wire around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. A rigidity of the shape memory alloy coil increases when heated.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a capsule endoscope is provided. The control method includes: measuring a magnetic field value of the environment in which the capsule endoscope is subjected; obtaining a critical magnetic field value for suspension of the capsule endoscope according to the magnetic field value; adjusting a traction force on the capsule endoscope according to the critical magnetic field value for suspension; and controlling the movement of the capsule endoscope in a horizontal and/or vertical direction, wherein the movement of the first magnet is controlled by moving the second magnet, and the capsule endoscope is in a quasi-suspended state as moving in the horizontal and/or vertical direction. The system and method reduce friction between the capsule endoscope and wall of the target area during movement by controlling the capsule endoscope in a quasi-suspended state, which makes the scanning of the target area more accurate.

Abstract: A disposable endoscope with a tip part including a vision sensor, an exterior housing having a front wall and a circumferential wall, an interior spacing of the exterior housing accommodating the vision sensor, and a camera window positioned at least partly in front of the vision sensor, the housing further comprising a nozzle provided at the distal end of the tip part and configured to flush an exterior surface of the window, wherein the front wall and the nozzle are integrally formed in one piece from one polymer material.

Abstract: Systems for liquid biopsy and/or drug delivery may include a capsule endoscope and a tether coupled to the capsule endoscope. The tether may include a flexible member with a lumen in fluidic communication with a port configured to permit passage of fluid, and the port may be, for example, on the capsule endoscope or the tether. In methods for liquid biopsy and/or drug delivery, the capsule endoscope may be advanced into a gastrointestinal tract of a patient, and navigated to a region of interest, where a patient sample may be withdrawn and/or a therapeutic substance may be administered through the lumen (e.g., through the port).

Abstract: An optical unit for endoscope includes: a moving barrel which is a soft magnetic body, configured to hold a lens; a fixed barrel which is a non-magnetic body, configured to movably hold the moving barrel on an inner circumferential face; a pair of yokes arranged on an outer face of the fixed barrel; a coil wound around the outer face of the fixed barrel and a magnet arranged on a part in the circumferential direction, between the pair of yokes; and a magnetic body member with magnetism stronger than magnetism of the moving barrel, the magnetic body member being arranged on a part of the moving barrel in the circumferential direction, corresponding to the magnet.

Abstract: A subject observation system includes a light source, a light sensor, an image pickup device, a light source controller configured to cause the light source to alternately perform low-luminance illumination and high-luminance illumination at a predetermined luminance ratio, and a video processor configured to generate an HDR image, and sets a target sensor value S(n) in a temporarily succeeding n frame based on a sensor value S(n?1) in a temporarily preceding (n?1) frame and the luminance ratio.

Abstract: A medical image processing device includes a processor configured to: acquire a first captured image captured based on light from an observation target irradiated with light in a first wavelength band, the observation target emitting fluorescence upon being irradiated with excitation light in a second wavelength band; acquire a second captured image captured based on the excitation light and the fluorescence from the observation target irradiated with the excitation light; specify a target area in which a pixel level is not lower than a predetermined threshold, in the first captured image; and generate, for an area at a same position as the target area, a superimposed image only including pixels in the target area in the first captured image, among pixels in the area at the same position as the target area in the second captured image and pixels in the target area in the first captured image.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes a light source apparatus to generate an illumination light including a first light in a red to near infrared region, a second light in a green region, and a third light in a blue region, an image pickup device to pick up an image of an object and output an image pickup signal, and a processor to generate a first to third color components corresponding to the first to third lights based on an image generated according to the image pickup signal. The processor generates two of three color components that are blue, green, and red included in an observation image by using a second color component, and generates one remaining color component by using a first color component, and generates respective color components of red, green, and blue included in a white light observation image by using the first to third color components.