Abstract: The invention refers to a housing sheath attachable to and detachable from an endoscope head body, which is provided on a distal side of an insertion portion of an endoscope. The housing sheath comprises: a sheath that is a hollow cylinder open at an attachment opening provided along a longitudinal direction of the hollow cylinder, and is provided with a tool opening cut out in a U-shape at a location facing the attachment opening; and an Albarran lever that is rotatably supported inside the sheath.

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: A camera head includes: a mounting portion having an abutting surface on which an eyepiece portion of an endoscope abuts in a direction along an optical axis of a subject image emitted from the eyepiece portion; and an elastic portion including elastic material and detachably attached to the mounting portion, the elastic portion being configured to sandwich the eyepiece portion with the abutting surface, and bias the eyepiece portion toward the abutting surface.

Abstract: A medical instrument system includes an imaging probe and an elongated medical instrument. The imaging probe includes a first sealing feature comprising a first tapered profile formed on an external surface of the distal tip. The elongated medical instrument has a working channel extending to an opening in the distal portion. The distal portion includes a second sealing feature comprising a second tapered profile formed on an internal surface of the channel. A distal end surface of the distal tip extends through the opening and distally of a distal end surface of the elongated medical instrument when the first sealing feature is engaged with the second sealing feature. The first tapered profile and the second tapered profile form a seal that prevents fluid from passing through the opening when the imaging probe is within the working channel of the elongated medical instrument and the first and second sealing features contact.

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: The endoscope system includes: a laser diode for an endoscope that emits illumination light whose amount can be controlled; an image pickup device that outputs an image pickup signal of an image obtained by receiving reflected light of the illumination light; a photodiode that receives a part of the illumination light of the laser diode; a thermistor that detects a temperature of the laser diode; a thermistor that detects a temperature of the photodiode; a detection light amount temperature correction circuit that corrects an amount of light received by the photodiode based on the temperature of the photodiode; and a laser diode control circuit that controls driving of the laser diode so that an amount of the illumination light becomes a set value based on a corrected amount of received light corrected by the detection light amount temperature correction circuit and the temperature of the laser diode.

Abstract: An endoscope aid is attachably and detachably attached to a treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope where a suction tube joins. The endoscope aid includes a flexible tubular member having a length equal to or larger than a length ranging from at least an inlet-side end part of an outlet portion of the treatment tool insertion channel, which is maintained in the shape of a straight pipe regardless of bending of a bending part of the endoscope, to an inlet of the treatment tool insertion channel. The tubular member has a distal end part that has an outer periphery in sliding contact with an inner peripheral surface of the outlet portion of the treatment tool insertion channel and is disposed at the outlet portion, and a communication part that allows an outlet of the treatment tool insertion channel and the suction tube to communicate with each other.

Abstract: A medical image processing device includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire an image signal obtained by capturing a subject image; and an image processor configured to set, in the image signal, a first area for displaying an image, and a second area having a smaller average luminance than the first area, set the second area on a screen according to a depth of field at a time of capturing the subject image.

Abstract: A tip section of a multi-camera endoscope includes a front-pointing camera on a planar surface of a distal end of the tip section and two side-pointing cameras positioned on a cylindrical surface in proximity to the planar surface such that the side field of view provided by the two side-pointing cameras partially overlaps with the front field of view provided by the front-pointing camera. The tip section further includes a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a main body portion that has a housing recession portion that houses an elevator, a drive member arrangement space that houses a drive member and is closed off from the housing recession portion, a lid insertion space that puts the drive member arrangement space and an outer space into communication, and a lid member that can be inserted into the lid insertion space and liquid-tightly closes off the lid insertion space when inserted. Also provided is a fitting/holding member that is fitted to the lid member inserted into the lid insertion space and is fixed to the main body portion, wherein the lid member has a protruding portion, and the fitting/holding member can be inserted into the drive member arrangement space in a direction that is different from a protruding direction of the protruding portion of the lid member.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to closed-loop medical imaging for a medical environment. Various embodiments provide for a surgical camera, such as an endoscopic camera, comprising one or more image sensors. The image sensors may be configured to capture multispectral image data including one or more images of biological tissue (e.g., surfaces), and may be specifically configured to capture imagery within a surgical environment. For some embodiments, different biological tissues may be visible when illuminated by different wavelengths of a multispectral light source. The wavelength setting for the multispectral light source may be determined based upon a first wavelength setting associated with a first set of multispectral image data and a second wavelength setting associated with a second set of multispectral image data.

Abstract: Navigation of an instrument within a luminal network can include image-based branch detection and mapping. Image-based branch detection can include identifying within an image one or more openings associated with one or more branches of a luminal network. Image-based branch mapping can include mapping the detected one or more openings to corresponding branches of the luminal network. Mapping may include comparing features of the openings to features of a set of expected openings. A position state estimate for the instrument can be determined from the mapped openings, which can facilitate navigation of the luminal network.

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 handheld surgical endoscope has a disposable, single-use handle, cannula and an imaging module at a distal tip. A multiple-use display unit is removably mounted on and supported by the handle and includes a touch-sensitive display screen configured to respond to touch commands to control taking of images with the imaging module and further configured to display the images. The display unit and the handle include respective mechanical connectors that engage each other to removably mount the display unit on the handle by sliding motion relative to each other, and the display unit is removable tool-free from said handle for disposal of the handle and cannula after a medical procedure therewith.

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: Endoscopic viewing systems for use in diagnostic and therapeutic medical procedures. More specifically, an imaging and control system and coupler that allows for control of imaging and fluid management from a hand-held unit coupled to a conventional multiple-use, sterilizable endoscope.

Abstract: An image of a field of view is captured by the endoscope and a portion of the image is displayed on a display. A popup image is generated and displayed upon image analysis identification of an occurrence of bleeding or motion of edges of an incision that is within the field of view, but outside the portion of the field of view displayed on the display.

Abstract: In some embodiments, endoscopy systems and/or methods of using endoscopy systems are described. In some embodiments, an endoscopy system comprises a shaft having an image sensor within a distal tip of the shaft. The shaft can have an expandable cuff disposed on an outer surface of the shaft. The expandable cuff can be moved from a contracted configuration to a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, an outer surface of the expandable cuff can inhibit, reduce, or prevent fluid (e.g., blood) flow in the vessel. Inhibiting or preventing the fluid flow can permit direct visualization of the interior of the vessel by the image sensor without interference from the fluid.

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: The connector device includes a metal internal member, a metal light guide rod and metal fixing bases and, which are connected to the internal member, a resin sheathing member that accommodates the internal member and includes leading-out holes, which lead the light guide rod and the fixing base to the outside, and fluoro rubber O-rings, which are provided on the light guide rod and the fixing bases, the O-rings being respectively placed in gaps between the light guide rod and the fixing bases and the leading-out holes and sealing the inside of the sheathing member.