Abstract: The present invention relates to a specialized laparoscopic device and method used for attachment of instrument heads to thin shafts in the abdomen of a patient. The device allows quick attachment of oversized instrument heads minimizing the scaring and recovery time of the patient. A specialized instrument head having a tether and a grabbing device are used to perform this process.

Abstract: Improved fluoresced imaging (FI) endoscope devices and systems are provided to enhance use of endoscopes with FI and visible light capabilities. An endoscope device is provided for endoscopy imaging in a white light and a fluoresced light mode. A chromatic adjustment assembly, typically implemented with prisms, compensates for a chromatic focal difference between the white light image and the fluoresced light image caused by the dispersive properties of the optical materials or optical design employed in the construction of the optical channel. The assembly is placed optically between the most proximal rod lens of the endoscope and the focusing optics, typically at an internal telecentric image space, to improve the chromatic correction. The prism assembly directs incoming light with different spectral content along separate paths which compensate for chromatic aberration.

Abstract: Described herein is a video laryngoscope apparatus for inspection of an oral cavity region of a patient is disclosed. The video laryngoscope includes an apparatus body, a camera arm unit configured to receive and releasably attach thereto a disposable laryngoscope blade, a light source coupled to the camera arm unit, a communication unit, and a power source. The apparatus body includes a proximal end and a distal end, and the apparatus body is elongate and configured to be hand-held by an operator of the video laryngoscope. The camera arm unit includes a proximal end and a distal end with a camera, and the proximal end of the camera arm unit is connected to the distal end of the apparatus body utilizing an adjustable rotary position linkage member. The communication unit is connected via a linkage device to the proximal end of the apparatus body, and the power source is housed by the apparatus body.

Abstract: A biopsy support device that supports an inspection using a living tissue sampled by a sampling instrument which is used by being inserted into an endoscope having an imaging element, the biopsy support device including a processor configured to recognize that the living tissue has been sampled by the sampling instrument on the basis of captured image data obtained by capturing an image using the imaging element; and generate identification information corresponding to the living tissue in a case where the living tissue is recognized to have been sampled.

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: 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: An endoscope provides a connector substrate of an endoscope connector to be connected to a processor with a temperature sensor for directly measuring a temperature of the connector substrate, performs control to restrict a power supply (in other words, limit and stop a power supply) from an endoscope power supply circuit according to the measured temperature of the connector substrate (in other words, the endoscope connector), and thereby appropriately manages the temperature of the endoscope connector in the endoscope.

Abstract: An otoscope and method for visualizing compliance of the tympanic membrane in response to a pressure stimulus. The otoscope includes a handle, a housing, a laser assembly configured to selectively project a grid array of dots on a tympanic membrane of a patient, a camera configured to selectively capture activity of the tympanic membrane, a pressure transducer configured to selectively apply a stimulus to the tympanic membrane, a display pivotably coupled to the handle, and a controller. The display is configured to display the tympanic membrane in true color and a two-dimensional interpolated surface plot representing activity of the tympanic membrane in response to the stimulus.

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: A control device includes an image quality control unit configured to control image quality of an image for display on a basis of optical axis angle information with reference to a scope axis of an endoscope and an image signal acquired by an image sensor. The optical axis angle information is information detected by information obtained by acquiring light source angle information controlled by an imaging device.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: a processor that generates first and second feature amount distribution images of a living tissue from an imaged image of the living tissue and generates a second feature amount distribution processed image from these distribution images; and a display that displays the second feature amount distribution processed image. The processor generates a mask image of the second feature amount distribution image by, in the first feature amount distribution image, setting a pixel whose pixel value representing the first feature amount is less than a lower limit value as a non-transmissive pixel having a transmittance of zero and setting a pixel between an upper limit value and the lower limit value as a transmissive pixel while giving the pixel a transmittance determined continuously or stepwise in accordance with the pixel value in the first feature amount distribution image.

Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system (10) employing an endoscope (20) and an endoscope guidance controller (30). In operation, endoscope (20) generates an endoscopic video (23) of an anatomical structure within an anatomical region. Endoscopic guidance controller (30), responsive to a registration between the endoscopic video (23) and a volume image (44) of the anatomical region, controls a user interaction (50) with a graphical user interface (31) including one or more interactive planar slices (32) of the volume image (44), and responsive to the user interaction (50) with the graphical user interface (31), endoscopic guidance controller (30) controls a positioning of the endoscope (20) relative to the anatomical structure derived from the interactive planar slices (32) of the volume image (44).

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: a light source that is configured to emit primary light; plural illuminators that are configured to be irradiated with the primary light to emit plural respective illumination light generated based on the radiated primary light toward an observation object so that at least part of the plural illumination light overlap on the observation object; and an adjuster that is configured to desirably adjust a ratio of light quantities of the primary light that travels from the light source to the respective illuminators, so as to distribute the primary light to the respective illuminators.

Abstract: A video processing system including a video processing apparatus (VPA) including: a housing having a top wall with a top wall periphery, a top surface extending to the top wall periphery, and a central area; an input port adapted to receive video input signals from a videoscope; an output connector adapted to transmit video output signals; and a bracket interface supported by the housing and adapted to support a support bracket including a first retention feature, bracket interface located within the central area of the top wall and comprising a bracket base receptacle and a second retention feature, the bracket base receptacle sized and shaped to receive a base end of the support bracket, and the second retention feature sized and shaped to cooperate with the first retention feature to removably retain the base end of the support bracket.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are safety devices that are positioned on the end of a fiberoptic cable, such as those used in surgical procedures, to prevent patients and other objects from the risk of burn from light or heat emitted from the end of the cable when not connected to an optical instrument. The disclosed safety devices can be added to the ends of existing cables and/or can be included at the end of cables during manufacture. In some embodiments, the safety device replaces an existing connector at the end of a cable, and in some embodiments the safety device is added in addition to a connector at the end of the cable. In some embodiments, a slit end cover is included over an open end of an adaptor that is mounted on a distal connector of a fiberoptic cable.

Abstract: A flexible tube insertion apparatus includes a flexible tube having flexibility and configured to be inserted into an object to be inserted, one or more external force detectors disposed on the flexible tube and configured to detect a force of an external force applied to the flexible tube when the flexible tube is twisted in at least one direction, and a providing device configured to provide twisting information regarding a twisting direction of the flexible tube for releasing a loop section formed in the flexible tube, according to a direction in which the flexible tube is twisted and the detected force of the external force.

Abstract: A reversal system for an endoscope, the reversal system including: first and second outer achromats each comprising at least two lenses, wherein the first and second outer achromats have an outer diameter; first and second inner achromats arranged between the first and second outer achromats, wherein each of the first and second inner achromats comprises at least two lenses; and a holding sleeve for accommodating the at least two lenses of one or more of the first and second inner achromats, wherein the holding sleeve with the at least one of the first and second inner achromats is arranged between the first and second outer achromats.

Abstract: A video endoscope, in particular a video mediastinoscope, comprises an elongate rigid shaft and a handle detachably attached to a proximal end section of the shaft, wherein the shaft comprises an optics shaft comprising an imaging optics and an electronic image sensor, wherein the optics shaft and a plug connector housing arranged at a proximal end of the optics shaft form a hermetically sealed unit enclosing the imaging optics and the image sensor, and wherein the handle comprises a handle housing in which an electronics unit is accommodated, wherein the electronics unit is hermetically sealed. The invention also relates to a method for configuring a video endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope comprises a light splitting device for transmitting a first illuminating light and reflecting a second illuminating light emitted by a light source. The first illuminating light passes through a first color filter transmitting a first color. The second illuminating light passes through the second color filter transmitting a second color. The first color is different from the second color. The light splitting device combines a first incident light of the first color and a second incident light of the second color. The first incident light of the first color and the second incident light of the second color pass through an imaging lens and form images of the first color and the second color on an image sensor, respectively. A CFA (color filter array) comprising a plurality of first CFA components of the first color and a plurality of second CFA component of the second color covering the image sensor.

Abstract: A monitor device for a medical visualisation system including a visualisation device having an image sensor configured to generate image data indicative of a view, the monitor device including a display; a graphical user interface; and a power unit including a rechargeable battery and a power connection to connect an external power supply, the monitor device being operable to receive the image data as the image data is being generated by the image sensor, wherein the monitor device displays within a first portion of the graphical user interface a live representation of the image data, and wherein the monitor device displays a battery indicator indicative of a remaining charge of the rechargeable battery, wherein the battery indicator indicates an expected remaining battery time if the visualisation device is not connected and a measured power consumption if the visualisation device is connected.