Abstract: An endoscope having an insertion tube with a distal optical module and a releasable handle. In a semi-robotic embodiment, the handle comprises haptic controllers and a computer configured for steering and/or adjusting physical properties of the insertion tube in response to one or more command inputs from the haptic controllers. The computer may also convert image data received from the optical module into two-dimensional images displayable on a monitor. The endoscope may have inertial measurement units (IMUs) for providing data to the computer for creating a digital three-dimensional image representation of an anatomy model and/or for facilitating handling properties of the endoscope.

Abstract: A bending tube is constructed of a first bending piece including a first upper-side opening and a first lower-side opening formed on an outer surface in a longitudinal axis direction, and a first upper-side wire accommodating groove and a first lower-side wire accommodating groove continuous with a first upper-side opening and a first lower-side opening respectively and formed in a direction crossing two up and down bending directions at an angle of 90 degrees, and a second bending piece including a second upper-side opening and a second lower-side opening formed on an outer surface in the longitudinal axis direction, and a second upper-side wire accommodating groove and a second lower-side wire accommodating groove continuous with a second upper-side opening and a second lower-side opening respectively and formed in a direction crossing the two up and down bending directions at an angle of 270 degrees.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a distal tip with a sterile cap disposed on the distal tip. The sterile cap reduces the exposure of the distal tip to contamination and includes an integrating sphere that enables calibration of an image sensor disposed in the endoscope. By enabling calibration of the image sensor while the sterile cap remains on the distal tip of the endoscope, the image sensor can be calibrated while maintaining the sterility of the endoscope. The sterile cap can be disposed on the distal tip of the endoscope under sterile conditions, placed in a sterile packaging, and can be removed just before a medical procedure to reduce the risk of exposing the endoscope to contamination.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope that allows improving assembly workability to assemble various types of conduits inside an insertion portion and facilitating maintenance. The endoscope includes an insertion portion, a hand operating unit coupled to the insertion portion, a plurality of conduits disposed inside the insertion portion and the hand operating unit, a base plate as a fixing member fixedly disposed to the hand operating unit, and a relay portion (a first relay portion and a second relay portion) that relays the plurality of conduits. The relay portion has a structure fixable to the base plate.

Abstract: Violet light and green light are mixed and emitted at a first light amount ratio. A contrast difference value ?C1 of first mixed color light emission between a blood vessel contrast of a blue image of first mixed color light emission and a blood vessel contrast of a green image of first mixed color light emission at a specific blood vessel depth satisfies a first condition, and a cross-point blood vessel depth VD1 of first mixed color light emission corresponding to a cross-point CP1 between the blood vessel contrast of the blue image of the first mixed color light emission and the blood vessel contrast of the green image of the first mixed color light emission satisfies a second condition.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying composition of an anatomical target using a series of different colored light sources are provided. In an example, a method can include emitting light from multiple illumination sources, receiving an illumination response from an anatomical target at an optical sensor, providing an image representative of the anatomical target, and providing spectral intensity information of the illumination response in addition to the image. Each illumination source can emit light having a range of frequencies centered about a different frequency than each other illumination source.

Abstract: A camera head for an endoscope includes a casing that forms exterior, and an imaging unit that is housed in the casing and images a subject image. The casing includes a metal exterior unit that forms at least a part of the exterior and is formed by hydroforming.

Abstract: A multifiber assembly and methods of using the same in an endoscopic procedure for transmitting illumination light to, and a response signal reflected from, a target is disclosed. An exemplary device comprises a proximal end, and distal end, and a transition section between the proximal and distal ends. The proximal end includes a first connector to be connected to a light source and a second connector configured to be connected to a spectrometer. The distal end includes a shaft including at least two first optical fibers to transmit light and at least one second optical fiber to transmit a spectroscopic signal. The transition section can couple the first connector to the at least two first optical fibers, and to couple the second connector to the at least one second optical fiber.

Abstract: A medical observation system according to the present invention includes: an observation optical system configured to guide an observation light from a subject; an imaging unit configured to receive an observation light from the observation optical system and generate an image signal; and an image processing unit configured to apply signal processing to the image signal generated by the imaging unit, wherein the image processing unit includes a filter detection unit configured to detect, based on a signal value of a color which includes a wavelength band of a specific light in a preset wavelength band of the image signal, whether or not an observation-side filter for cutting the specific light is disposed on an optical path of the observation light.

Abstract: A device for performing surgical procedures, such as intracardiac procedures or neurosurgical procedures, includes a solid optical window formed of a transparent, compliant material, wherein the solid optical window includes a proximal side and a distal side, wherein a distal face of the solid optical window is configured to approach tissue during a surgical procedure; an imaging system embedded into the solid optical window and positioned to obtain an image through at least a portion of the distal face of the solid optical window; and a tool channel formed through the solid optical window from the proximal side to the distal side of the solid optical window, wherein the tool channel is configured to receive a tool for performing the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A medical system comprising a guidewire that is connectable to a catheter is described. The guidewire has a housing connected to the distal end of a core wire. A printed circuit board (PCB) electrically connected to a camera chip resides in the housing. An atraumatic lens is supported by the housing with the camera chip residing between the atraumatic lens and the housing so that light rays entering the atraumatic lens are refracted to a focal plane aligned along a distal face of the camera chip. A proximal connector powered by a controller is wired to a visual display. With the proximal end of the guidewire connected to the proximal connector, the controller provides electrical power to the camera chip via a power cable extending along the core wire to the PCB. The catheter has an axially-extending primary lumen and a plurality of optical fibers extending to respective light-emitting lenses. During a medical procedure, the guidewire is first inserted into the vasculature of a patient.

Abstract: An insertion instrument includes: a holding member at a distal end of an insertion portion; a first hole formed in the holding member; a second hole that is formed in the holding member and that communicates with the first hole; a long member that is mounted to the holding member and that includes a distal end part and a main body portion; a partitioning member configured to narrow a space in which the main body portion is arranged; and a filler filling a gap around the long member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a video endoscope (10) with an endoscope (20) comprising endoscope optics (22) and a camera head (30) comprising camera electronics (35) and a display and control unit (36), wherein a vacuum pump (40) is arranged in the video endoscope (10) for aspiration of air from the environment of the video endoscope (10). Further, the invention relates to an envelope (70) suitable to receive a video endoscope (10) comprising a hollow tube (71) having a distal end (71a) and a proximal end (71b), wherein the distal end (71a) is closed by means of an optically transparent window (72), wherein a flexible pouch (73) having an inlet opening (74) is arranged at the proximal end (71b), wherein the inlet opening (74) of the pouch (73) is implemented to be closable by means of a closure (75).

Abstract: A medical device includes a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an articulation member integral with or attached to a distal end of the shaft. The articulation member includes a first portion coupled to a second portion, the second portion is receivable in a slot defined by the first portion, and the handle is coupled to each of the first portion and the second portion and to articulate the first portion independently of articulating the second portion.

Abstract: A medical control apparatus includes a circuitry configured to: generate an irradiation image represented by illuminating-light irradiation, based on a brightness distribution of a captured image captured by an imaging device; and control generation of a projection image and projection of the projection image onto a subject by an image projector provided in an optical member based on the irradiation image and a rotation angle for rotation of the optical member rotatably coupled to the imaging device about a longitudinal axis of the optical member relative to the imaging device.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling an endoscope to an endoscopic camera head is configured for removably mounting to a portion of the camera head that houses at least one imaging sensor and includes a housing assembly forming a sealed chamber that houses at least one optical component for focusing light for the at least one imaging sensor, and at least one desiccant component that is in air communication with the sealed chamber for absorbing moisture from the sealed chamber, wherein the at least one desiccant component comprises a desiccant that is at least partially covered by at least one covering to prevent desiccant particulates from entering the sealed chamber.

Abstract: A detection package structure-includes an exterior tube; a detection assembly, a flexible printed circuit (FPC), a module base, and lighting members which are all disposed inside the exterior tube. The FPC includes a main flexible plate and minor flexible plates. The invention uses detection conductive materials and detection wiring parts to implement electric conduction-directed soldering, whereby to prevent from direct soldering of cables and detection assembly and enlarge soldering spots.

Abstract: A stylet and method of use to intubate a subject. The stylet includes a malleable rod removably housed within the stylet, as well as a flexible proximal portion having a predetermined shape defined by the malleable rod when inserted in the stylet, and a distal tip, wherein the distal tip is capable of deflection when the malleable rod is inserted in the stylet. The stylet further includes a manually operable actuator configured to receive a force from a user at the proximal end of the stylet to control a deflection angle of the distal tip.

Abstract: A resectoscope for endoscopic surgery, having a tubular shaft which includes an elongated sheath tube, and an irrigation tube arranged in the sheath tube for supplying irrigation fluid, as well as a rod-shaped lens and an electrode instrument, characterized in that the lens and the electrode instrument are arranged between the outer wall of the irrigation tube and the inner wall of the sheath tube. In addition, an electrosurgical system including the resectoscope and an irrigation fluid supply device.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope tube that has flexibility to withstand use in a flexible endoscope even in a case where the diameter is increased and easily detects damage to a fluororesin layer that forms an inner peripheral surface. The endoscope tube 100 includes an airtight inner layer tube member 101 that is made of a fluororesin, a permeable outer layer member 102 that has a hardness lower than that of the inner layer tube member 101 and covers an outer peripheral surface of the inner layer tube member 101, and a coil-shaped reinforcing member 103 that is wound around a spiral groove part 104 formed on an outer peripheral surface of the outer layer member 102. The endoscope 2 includes a treatment tool insertion channel 23 formed by the endoscope tube 100 in an insertion part 10.