Abstract: An arthroscopical surgical method using an ultrasonic treatment device for a joint includes: transmitting ultrasonic vibration to a treatment portion of the ultrasonic treatment device, removing an injured region of an articular cartilage so that a subchondral bone is exposed, and forming a cartilage edge which is nearly angled at 90° with the exposed surface of the subchondral bone to form a pool-shaped depression; forming a hole which pierces up to a cancellous bone of the subchondral bone through the depression, and scratching blood vessels in the cancellous bone; causing bleeding from the blood vessels so that blood is retained in the depression via the hole.

Abstract: A system for generating a mechanical wave is disclosed. The system comprises a camshaft having plurality of rotatable cams, serially mounted on a shaft along an axis of an elastic tubular shell to form a varying phase angle along the shaft. The system further comprises a plurality of cam followers arranged circumferentially about each cam, such that a rotary motion of the cams generates a linear motion of the cam followers to radially bias in internal wall the shell. The variation of the phase angle is selected to generate a three-dimensional traveling wave along the shell.

Abstract: A blocked end portion of a cylinder is provided closer to a distal end side in a direction of insertion of the piston into the cylinder than a minimum diameter portion. The blocked end portion includes a minimum diameter uniform portion which has the same inside diameter as the minimum diameter portion and a partial diameter increased portion which has an inside diameter that is increased as compared to the inside diameter of the minimum diameter portion.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a flexible-wire traction-type capsule endoscope and a manufacture method thereof, which mainly includes a capsule endoscope housed in a pockety body and leads out a flexible wire for traction. The manufacture method of the flexible-wire traction-type capsule endoscope includes steps of mold integrating, film coating, adhering, shaping, assembling, sealing and wire fixing. According to the present invention, a finished product of the flexible-wire traction-type capsule endoscope is prepared by assembling a conventional capsule endoscope with a processed pockety body, and finally sealing and fixing. The manufacturing technique of the product is simple and easy, raw materials used are natural without pollution and are cheap, and the processing procedure is easy to be automatized, i.e.

Abstract: Visualization apparatus and methods for transseptal access are described herein where intravascular access across a septal wall is facilitated via devices which provide for direct visual viewing of tissue area. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to the tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. Any number of therapeutic tools or a guidewire can be passed through the catheter and into the imaging hood for crossing the septal wall and passing the guidewire or instruments therethrough.

Abstract: A closed-loop endoscopic capsule including a sensor recording biological information reflecting the inner condition of a gastrointestinal tract, an expander which is inflatable and holds the endoscopic capsule in the gastrointestinal tract, a medication releaser releasing medication for treatment, and a controller for processing the recorded biological information to generate control signals for the expander and the releaser. An endoscopic system that includes the endoscopic capsule, an external station for data processing, and a mobile device for human-machine interaction.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.

Abstract: A view definition enhancement system for gastrointestinal endoscope diagnosis and treatment (ESCGV) comprises a washing bottle (1) and a liquid delivery pipe (2) led out from the washing bottle (1). The liquid delivery pipe (2) pumps washing liquid to a liquid inlet system of a gastrointestinal endoscope or an observation window of the gastrointestinal endoscope through a first peristaltic pump (3); and the washing bottle (1) is further provided with a stirring and heating subsystem capable of stirring and heating the washing liquid. A view definition enhancement method for gastrointestinal endoscope diagnosis and treatment comprises steps of: 1) adding the washing liquid into the washing bottle (1); 2) magnetically stirring the washing liquid in the washing bottle (1), and heating the washing liquid at the same time; 3) setting the temperature of the washing liquid to 25-38° C.; and 4) delivering the washing liquid into the observation window of the gastrointestinal endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion tube having a distal end and an imaging device with a steerable extension. The proximal end of the extension is attached to the distal end of the insertion tube. An endoscope includes an insertion tube having a distal end region and a rear-viewing imaging device at least partially disposed inside the distal end region. An endoscope includes an insertion tube having a distal end cap, an imaging device, and a link that couples the imaging device to the distal end cap of the insertion tube.

Abstract: An endoscope having an adjustable viewing direction. The endoscope including: an endoscope shaft having a longitudinal axis, a first optical unit disposed in the endoscope shaft, the first optical unit having a first prism pivotable about a pivot axis in order to deflect light, a second optical unit having at least a second prism for deflecting light, which is again deflected by the first prism, the second prism being arranged in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft, wherein the first prism has a light exit surface facing the second prism, and the second prism has a light admission surface facing towards the light exit surface of the first prism, and a lifting mechanism for lifting the first prism such that upon actuating the lifting mechanism the first prism executes a lifting movement in the direction of the pivot axis.

Abstract: A method of inserting a treatment tool includes: making a puncture needle project from a first channel of an endoscope and puncturing an upper digestive tract to place a distal end of a needle tube of the puncture needle inside a biliary tract while observing an ultrasound image; inserting a guide wire into the biliary tract via the needle tube and making a distal end of the guide wire extend out from a duodenal papilla into a duodenum; placing a distal end portion of the endoscope in vicinity of the duodenal papilla while keeping the distal end of the guide wire extending out from the duodenal papilla while observing a captured image; pulling the guide wire extending out from the duodenal papilla into a second channel having a raised angle of the treatment tool larger than that of the first channel; and inserting the treatment tool inside the biliary tract via the guide wire.

Abstract: A rotational device for rotating an endoscope having an operating element for moving a movable assembly of the endoscope includes a rotatable assembly, to which an endoscope is connectable, a stationary assembly, relative to which the rotatable assembly is rotatable, a first drive means for rotating the rotatable assembly relative to the stationary assembly in order to put a shaft of an endoscope connected to the rotatable assembly into rotational motion about a longitudinal axis of the endoscope, and a second drive means for moving an operating element of the endoscope connected to the rotatable assembly relative to the shaft of the endoscope in order to move an assembly of the endoscope, which assembly is movable by means of the operating element.

Abstract: An arthroscope having an elongated core with a square radial cross section.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are discussed herein for an endoscope. The endoscope has a distal tip with an oblique portion and a flat portion, the oblique portion defines a plane that forms an angle between and including 20 and 40 degrees to a central axis of the endoscope. A related sheath may have similar features at the distal tip.

Abstract: A manipulator system including a manipulator that includes an insertion part having a main section and a bending section, a bending-section driving portion, and a linear member inserted through a sheath fixed to the main section at one end thereof, the linear member connecting the bending section and the bending-section driving portion through the main section and transmitting a driving force generated by the bending-section driving portion to the bending section; an operation input unit via which an operation instruction to the bending section is input; a sheath-tension detecting portion that detects the tension in the sheath; a compensation-value setting portion that sets a compensation value for a bending control signal on the basis of the tension in the sheath, and a control unit that generates the bending control signal and sends the bending control signal corrected with the compensation value to the bending-section driving portion.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a device comprising a port assembly, instrument arm assembly, and camera arm assembly. The port assembly includes an outer and inner body. The outer body includes a first access port, first end, second end, and anchoring portions. The inner body is positionable in the first access port to form a second access port. The instrument arm assembly is configurable in a serial arrangement of arm segments, joint portions, and end instrument. The instrument arm assembly is configurable to attach to an anchoring portion. The camera arm assembly includes a camera, and configurable to attach to an anchoring portion. The port assembly is configurable to provide at least one degree of freedom, and configurable to allow insertion of the instrument arm assembly and camera arm assembly into an abdominal cavity. The port assembly is configurable to allow insertion of instruments into the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: A warming device (30) for warming the lens portion (2) of an optical instrument (I), such as a laparoscope, to a temperature above ambient to prevent lens fogging comprising: a double walled cylindrical tube (3) having an intemal wall (3b), and an external wall (3a), an upper surface and an open distal portion (7) with a central cavity (4) therebetween; a protrusion (9) extending from said upper surface, sized and shaped to receive the lens portion; a circular cap (5) sized to attach to said distal portion of said double walled cylindrical tube; and, a heating element (15) enclosed within said central cavity and thermally coupled to said insulation layer.

Abstract: The distal end of a surgical instrument is movable in all six Cartesian degrees of freedom independently of other components of a telemanipulated surgical system. The surgical instrument extends through a guide tube. The distal end is moved by actuators that are telemanipulatively controlled.

Abstract: A control mechanism for an endoscope (1) comprising a Bowden cable. the Bowden cable has an outer guide tube (9) having a first length between a proximal end and a distal end of said outer guide tube (9) and an inner pull-wire (15) having a second length between a proximal end and a distal end of said inner pull-wire (15). The second length is longer than the first length. The outer guide tube (9) comprises a first guide tube section (9?) and a second guide tube section, where said first guide tube section (9?) has plastic and elastic properties, which are different from the plastic and elastic properties of said second guide tube section (9?).

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for performing surgical procedures is disclosed including a flexible entry guide tube, and a first steering device. The flexible entry guide tube has one or more lumens extending along its length from a proximal end to substantially at or near a distal end. At least one of the one or more lumens is an instrument lumen with open ends to receive a flexible shaft of a surgical tool to perform surgery near the distal end of the flexible entry guide tube. The first steering device is insertable into the instrument lumen to shape the flexible entry guide tube as it is inserted through an opening in a body and along a path towards a surgical site. The apparatus may further include a flexible locking device to couple to the flexible entry guide tube and selectively rigidize the flexible entry guide tube to hold its shape. The flexible entry guide tube may be steered by remote control with one or more actuators.