Abstract: A surgical access port comprises an instrument guide. The instrument guide comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of instrument guide channels between the proximal and distal ends, and an outside surface that fits closely to an inner wall surface of a cannula into which the instrument guide is inserted. The instrument guide also comprises a first guide channel opening defined along a length of a first guide channel of the plurality of instrument guide channels. The instrument guide also comprises a second guide channel opening defined along a length of a second guide channel of the plurality of instrument guide channels. The instrument guide also comprises an insufflation channel defined between the first and second guide channel openings. The insufflation channel extends from a position between the proximal and distal ends of the instrument guide to the distal end of the instrument guide.

Abstract: Introduced here is an ingestible device comprising a capsule having a central axis therethrough, at least one propulsion component, and at least one motor configured to supply motive power to the propulsion component(s). The propulsion component(s) may be disposed at locations radially offset from the central axis. Upon receiving input indicative of a request to alter a position and/or an orientation of the ingestible device, the motor(s) can supply motive power to some or all of the propulsion component(s) to cause movement of the ingestible device.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion that is covered with an exterior tube with an outer diameter of 1 mm or less, an observation optical system that includes a rectangular image sensor fixed to a tip of the insertion portion and having a length of one side of 60% or less of the outer diameter of the insertion portion, an illumination fiber that is arranged between an inner surface of the exterior tube and an edge of the observation optical system and penetrates the exterior tube, a cable bundle that is connected to the image sensor and penetrates the exterior tube, and a connector that is connected to the cable bundle and the illumination fiber.

Abstract: An endoscopy device is configured with a flexible cannula or tube for nasal insertion and has multiple parallel and adjacent lumens that provide sub-chambers configured to provide means to diagnose and treat Barrett's esophagus, such as by spray cryo-therapy with no further insertion of tubes. The lumens are configured to impart a small diameter with sufficient flexibility for nasal insertion into a patient's esophagus and accommodate a means any treatment modality. In the case of cryo-therapy, a lumen provides gas pressure relief, and is along the tube, with separate lumens for the delivery of a liquid freezing agent and an imaging means, which includes a source of illumination. Outer lumens may support guide wires used to steer the tube tip and aim the camera to determine the where to immobilize tip before the start of the treatment and/or to correct strictures formed in prior procedures.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an objective optical system including a lens, allowing light from an imaging subject to be incident on a distal end surface, and focusing the light onto an image-capturing surface of an image-capturing element; an elongated light guide provided adjacent to a side of the system and guiding illumination light to be emitted from a distal end; and an optically transparent distal end cover disposed at a position where the distal end of the guide is covered, wherein the distal end surface is located farther forward than the distal end of the guide, a notched portion is provided at a distal-end outer edge of a side surface of the system, the side surface being adjacent to the guide, so that the system is narrower toward a front side from the distal end of the guide, and the cover is provided so as to bulge toward the notched portion.

Abstract: A handheld end of an endoscope includes a housing, an insertion end positioning assembly and a self-locking assembly. The self-locking assembly is hinged to the housing. The housing includes an insertion port. The insertion end positioning assembly includes a positioning member, a first positioning nut and a threaded steel tube. The positioning member is inserted into the insertion port. The threaded steel tube is in threaded fit with the first positioning nut. The first positioning nut is fixed in the positioning member. The insertion end positioning assembly further includes a through hole and a fixing member. The fixing member is fit with the through hole to abut against the threaded steel tube. The threaded steel tube is fit with the positioning member to fix an axial position of the positioning member. A second nut is fit with a fixing screw to fix a rotational position of the positioning member.

Abstract: An endoscope device includes a hollow tube, a thermal-conductive member, an image-capturing module, and a heat-dissipation tube. The hollow tube includes an insertion end. The thermal-conductive member is in the hollow tube and adjacent to the insertion end. The thermal-conductive member includes a first end, a second end, and a receiving groove. The first end is near to the insertion end as compared with the second end, and the receiving groove is between the first end and the second end. The image-capturing module includes a camera module and a circuit board in the receiving groove. The camera module is at the insertion end and electrically connected to the circuit board. The first end contacts the camera module. The heat-dissipation tube is in the hollow tube. One end of the heat-dissipation tube contacts the thermal conductive member, and the other end of the heat-dissipation tube extends away from the insertion end.

Abstract: A tissue detection system includes a probe having a body and an emission optical fiber extending from an input end through the probe body to an output end at a distal end portion of the probe body. The emission optical fiber defines a Numerical Aperture (NA). The tissue detection system further includes an emitter configured to output electromagnetic radiation and an optical coupler optically coupling the emitter with the input end of the emission optical fiber such that, in response to receiving the output from the emitter, electromagnetic radiation is input to the input end of the emission optical fiber. The optical coupler modifies the electromagnetic radiation such that the electromagnetic radiation input to the input end of the emission optical fiber defines an NA about equal to or less than the NA of the emission optical fiber.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optical system is disclosed, which comprises a lens having an input surface for receiving light from at least one light source and an output surface through which the light exits the lens, said lens further comprising a peripheral surface extending between said input surface and said output surface and configured to direct, via total internal reflection, at least a portion of the light incident thereon through said output surface to an output focal point. The optical system can further include a tapered light pipe optically coupled to the lens and a light guide (e.g., one or more optical fibers) that is optically coupled to the tapered light pipe. The lens directs the received light to an output focal point that is disposed within the tapered light pipe.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting whether an illumination source of an endoscope is in use (inside the body of a patient) versus not in use (outside the body of a patient). The disclosure relies on the fact that the working environment is lit solely by the endoscope and its components. Thus, communication between the illumination or light source controller and the imaging device, such as a surgical camera, is required. When the illumination or light source is turned off and the endoscope is outside the body, a sensor will detect ambient light alerting the illumination source controller that it is outside the body, which then keeps the illumination source off or at a low intensity level. Conversely, when the illumination source is turned off and the endoscope is inside the body, the sensor will not detect any light (or will detect only a very low level of light).

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: An endoscope can include a substantially rigid elongate body. A visualization channel can extend through the elongate body. An elongate viewing instrument that can advance distally and retract proximally through a visualization channel of the elongate body. The elongate viewing instrument can include a distal portion that is pre-biased to assume a curved shape when the distal portion is unconfined. The distal portion can curve when the distal portion is advanced distally to exit the visualization channel and can straighten when the distal portion is retracted proximally to enter the visualization channel. A distal end of the elongate viewing instrument can further include a light port that is configured to illuminate a target and provide an image of the illuminated target.

Abstract: A channel unit for an endoscope includes a conduit, a mounting member and a connection member having one end connected to the mounting member and another end connected to a distal end of the conduit, the connection member having flexibility and a variable length in a longitudinal direction, and a proximal end side fixing portion of the connection member is movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction with respect to a distal end side fixing portion of the connection member as the conduit moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The intraoral imaging system described herein may comprise 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: A medical image processing device includes a processor, in which the processor acquires an examination image of a subject captured by an endoscope, and identifies an incision suitable site in the subject included in the examination image and performs control for outputting incision suitable site information regarding the incision suitable site on the basis of the examination image, and the identification of the incision suitable site information is performed by using a learning image associated with a position of a muscular layer in the subject.

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: An optical system for an endoscope, the optical system including: a distal optical assembly; a proximal optical assembly; and at least one elongated bar-shaped fixing element; wherein the proximal optical assembly is fastened to the distal optical assembly by the fixing element.

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 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: Devices and methods of use for an endoscopic accessory device that can be assembled and advanced over an endoscope positioned at a site within the body, the endoscopic accessory device including a body structure having seam structures on opposite sides of an elongate body structure, where the seam structures can be releasably joined to transform the body structure from a planar configuration to a tubular configuration.