Abstract: Provided are endoscopic image acquisition system and method that make observation of images easier when images are collected. The endoscopic image acquisition system includes a wavelength pattern changing unit that changes a wavelength pattern of irradiation light with which a part to be observed in a body cavity of a patient is irradiated or returning light from the part to be observed. Images of an observation wavelength pattern are captured at a certain frame rate. In response to acceptance of an acquisition instruction, images of a plurality of wavelength patterns different from one another are sequentially captured. The images of the plurality of wavelength patterns different from one another are stored in a storage unit. An image of a wavelength pattern other than the observation wavelength pattern is set not to be displayed.

Abstract: A system for providing illumination for an endoscope device. The system includes a light source comprising light bundles, wherein each light bundle comprises light emitters. The light source sequentially pulses electromagnetic energy in individual electromagnetic partitions, where each of the plurality of light bundles corresponds to one of the individual electromagnetic partitions. The system includes an electromagnetic sensor embedded within the light source to sense electromagnetic energy emitted from at least one, but less than all, of the light emitters within each of the light bundles. The system includes a control circuit in electronic communication with the electromagnetic sensor and at least one of the light emitters, wherein the electromagnetic sensor receives electromagnetic energy from at least one of the light emitters, and wherein the electromagnetic sensor measures an amount of electromagnetic energy generated by the at least one of the light emitters.

Abstract: The invention concerns a handle for a video endoscope including a housing and an interface portion rotatably supported relative to the housing where the interface portion includes a first connector element at its distal end section that is connectable to a second connector element of an associated elongate shaft of the video endoscope. Thereby a detachable, rotatable electrical and/or mechanical connection between the handle and the associated shaft is achieved. The coupling includes an electrical connection assembly arranged at an exterior of the interface portion forming an electrical connection to a stationary electric component of the handle. The handle includes a mechanical rotation stop for a rotation of the interface portion relative to the housing such that a rotation range is limited and damage to the electrical connection assembly is prevented.

Abstract: In various aspects, a microsurgical apparatus disclosed herein includes a shaft having a shaft distal end, a shaft proximal end with a handle mounted to shaft proximal end. The microsurgical apparatus includes a tool package having an actuator at a tool package proximal end of the tool package and a tool at a tool package distal end of the tool package. The actuator cooperates mechanically with the tool. A sleeve lumen disposed within the tool package slidably receives the shaft for releasable lockable engagement of the tool package proximal end with the handle and with the shaft distal end being generally coextensive with the tool package distal end. Light source(s) and image sensor(s) located proximate the shaft distal end allow viewing of the tool when the tool package is mounted to the shaft. Exemplary methods of use of the microsurgical apparatus are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for compensating for compression in elongated shafts of medical instruments. Medical instruments can include elongated shafts that may experience compression when articulated. The medical instruments can be attached to instrument positioning devices that are configured to move the medical instruments to compensate for this compression. For example, an instrument positioning device can advance a medical instrument to compensate for compression in an elongated shaft of the medical instrument. In some instances, the amount of compression is determined using a compression compensation parameter. The compression compensation parameter can be determined during a calibration process of the medical instrument.

Abstract: An in-body image capturing device (camera unit) with high reliability is suggested. A camera unit (11) includes an image capturing unit that includes a lens (26) and a first illumination unit (27a) and is capable of being introduced into a body. The first illumination unit (27a) and the image capturing unit are housed in a casing (22) that is integrally molded with an integral light-transmitting body (22x) and an integral light shielding body (22y).

Abstract: A medical observation system, a control method, and a program are provided, which are capable of easily reducing the possibility that illumination light directly enters an eye by accident. A medical observation system 1 includes: an imaging unit 21 that captures an object and generates an image signal; a light output unit 22 that outputs illumination light in a capturing direction of the imaging unit 21; a determining unit 942 that determines the usage state of the imaging unit 21; and an illumination controller 944 that controls illumination light emitted by the light output unit 22 based on a determination result of the determining unit 942.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes a shaft portion having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis. The system also includes a first image receiver coupled to the shaft portion. The first image receiver is directed toward a first direction to receive an image of a first portion of the interior of a lumen. The system also includes a second image receiver coupled to the shaft portion. The second image receiver is directed toward a second direction to receive an image of a second portion of the interior of the lumen. The first direction is generally opposite the second direction. The system further includes a monitor, wherein the image of the first portion and the image of the second portion are displayed simultaneously on the monitor.

Abstract: One of two connector receiving parts of a processor for endoscope has a shutter mechanism configured to open a shutter by an external force, the shutter having a gap through which a connector-side connection end section passes, and being configured to partition a recessed space of the connector receiving part with respect to an outside. In addition, the processor for endoscope includes a lock mechanism configured to make the shutter into the locked state during a period when another connection end section on the connector side and a processor-side connection end section are connected, and release the locked state of the shutter when the connection between the other connection end section on the connector side and the processor-side connection end section is released.

Abstract: A distal end portion of an endoscope includes: a flexible printed circuit board on which a light-receiving unit mounting section, a first extending section, a light-emitting unit mounting section, and a second extending section are formed continuously; a stand on which the light-receiving unit mounting section is disposed in contact with the stand; a protruding portion including an inner wall surface, a protruding end surface, and an outer wall surface, in which the first extending section is disposed in contact with the inner wall surface, the light-emitting unit mounting section is disposed in contact with the protruding end surface, and the second extending section is disposed in contact with the outer wall surface; and a distal end cover that covers the stand and the protruding portion, with the second extending section being sandwiched between the distal end cover and the protruding portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to medical devices that that include the following: a flexible elongate tube having a proximal end and a distal end configured to be directed toward an opening of a body lumen; a first lumen extending from the distal end of the tube proximally along the tube and having a fluid connection for a fluid source at its proximal end; a second lumen extending from the distal end of the tube proximally along the tube, the second lumen configured to accept a guidewire extending along the second lumen; and a wire filament extending along the elongate tube, a distal end of the filament connected to the distal end of the elongate tube, a proximal portion of the wire extending at least partially along the elongate tube, and a distal portion of the wire extending external to the elongate tube.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: an endoscope including a first operation portion that is coupled to a first insertion portion to be inserted into a subject; a medical device including a second operation portion that is coupled to a second insertion portion to be inserted into the subject through the first insertion portion, the second operation portion including at least one locking member; and a belt-like body having flexibility and including at least three end portions in which at least one end portion includes a locked portion to be locked to the locking portion, the belt-like body being configured to be wound around the endoscope to hold and fix the second operation portion of the medical device in a state where the at least three end portions are connected to the second operation portion.

Abstract: To provide a method of producing an endoscope flexible tube and the like which can realize an endoscope with high insertability. A method of producing the endoscope flexible tube including: continuously discharging a liquid resin into a film shape from an annular discharge port surrounding an axis and a side surface of a cylindrical substrate; bringing the discharged film-shape resin into contact with the entire periphery of the substrate on the downstream side of the discharge port; covering a side surface of the substrate with the resin while moving the substrate in an axial direction to separate a portion where the resin and the substrate are in contact from the discharge port; and curing the resin covering the side surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A detachable endoscope includes an insertion unit including an illuminating and image pickup unit, an operation unit configured to bendingly operate a front end of the insertion unit, and a detachable unit configured to detachably couple the insertion unit and the operation unit to each other, wherein the detachable unit includes: a first detachable module disposed at the insertion unit; and a second detachable module disposed at the operation unit, wherein the first detachable module includes: a first module main body disposed within a rear end of the insertion unit and having first, second, third and fourth rectilinear guide through-bores penetratingly formed longitudinally therein, and a central opening penetratingly formed at a center of the main body in a thickness direction of the main body.

Abstract: An intraoral imaging system comprising an intraoral adapter. The intraoral adapter may be operably coupled to a mobile device. The intraoral adapter may comprise an elongated housing comprising a viewing channel. The viewing channel may define a field of view of an intraoral region of a subject's mouth for intraoral scanning using a camera of a mobile device. The elongated housing may comprise a flange that is positioned outside of the field of view of the intraoral region of the subject's mouth. The intraoral imaging system may further comprise an image processing unit configured to (i) process a plurality of intraoral images and/or videos captured using the camera of the mobile device, and (ii) determine a dental condition of the subject based at least in part on the plurality of intraoral images and/or videos.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, an imaging head, and a processor. The shaft includes a distal end sized to fit through a human nostril into a human nasal cavity. The imaging head includes an image sensor assembly, a plurality of light sources, and a plurality of collimators. At least some of the light sources are positioned adjacent to the image sensor assembly. Each collimator is positioned over a corresponding light source of the plurality of light sources. The processor is configured to activate the light sources in a predetermined sequence. The image sensor assembly is configured to capture images of a surface illuminated by the light sources as the light sources are activated in the predetermined sequence.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media relate to a handheld wireless endoscope image streaming apparatus. The apparatus may establish a wireless connection to a computer system. The apparatus may obtain, via a digital camera, video imagery via an endoscope, the video imagery including multiple frames. The apparatus may stream to a computer system video data.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope allowing two operating methods, that is, a surgeon's own manual operation and an operating method using a hand other than the surgeon regarding a hardness adjusting operation. An endoscope includes an insertion part having a flexible part; an operating part continuously provided on a proximal end side of the insertion part; a hardness adjusting mechanism serving as a first driving force input member that is provided from the operating part to the flexible part and adjusts the hardness of the flexible part; an operating ring that is provided in the operating part and is manually operated and inputs a driving force to the hardness adjusting mechanism; and a shaft serving as a second driving force input member that is provided separately from the operating ring and inputs a driving force to the hardness adjusting mechanism.

Abstract: A system comprises an instrument having a bendable portion with first and control elements extending in the bendable portion and a control system operably coupled to an actuator and a sensor. The control system operates to, while the bendable portion is in a neutral position, command the actuator to move the first control element a first amount until slack is removed from the first control element and command the actuator to move the second control element a second amount until slack is removed from the second control element. The control system also receives a first control element calibration position after moving the first control element the first amount and receives a second control element calibration position after moving the second control element the second amount. The control system also commands the actuator to bend the bendable portion from the neutral position and determine a resulting shape of the bendable portion.

Abstract: An intubation device and method of use to intubate a subject. The intubation device includes a distally deflectable and proximally flexible stylet having a malleable rod that is removable from its housing in the stylet. The malleable rod and its housing fit together to prevent movement of the malleable rod within the stylet during use. The stylet further includes a flexible proximal portion having a predetermined shape defined by the malleable rod when inserted in the stylet through a proximally located lumen opening, and a distal tip, the distal tip being capable of deflection by use of a proximally located actuator.