Abstract: An implant for use in spinal surgery comprises a resilient element having an inflatable cavity. It is formed of a biologically compatible material and is arranged for placement between end plates of adjacent vertebra. The implant may also include a wound disc replacement element. A method of performing spinal surgery on a patient comprises securely mounting a patient onto a patient support table; imaging a spinal region of the patient; building up a three-dimensional image file of the spinal region of the patient; storing the image file; and utilizing the image file for planning and carrying out computer controlled spinal surgery on the patient utilizing the implant. A computer-controlled surgical implant system comprises a steerable endosurgical implanting assembly operative to install the implant at a desired location in a patient; and a computerized controlled, which operates the steerable endosurgical implanting assembly.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting, variably-flexible, locking insertion device includes a hollow body having a proximal end with an entrance for receiving an instrument, a distal end with a tip for protrusion of the instrument, and a handle to be gripped by an operator. A device locks the handle to and unlocks the handle from the instrument, which is at least partly disposed within the hollow body. A device transitions the hollow body between a relatively flexible condition and a relatively stiff condition. A method for operating a torque-transmitting, locking insertion device includes placing the instrument at least partly within the hollow body and locking the handle to and unlocking the handle from the instrument. The hollow body is transitioned between a relatively flexible condition and a relatively stiff condition.

Abstract: A control system for allowing a user to control the orientation of a medical device or a medical instrument in a variety of directions. An actuator selectively tensions one or more control cables having ends secured at or adjacent a distal tip of the medical device in order to bend the distal tip in a desired direction. In one embodiment, a physician can adjust the movement of the distal tip in a desired direction without affecting the orientation of the medical device in other directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adaptor that is suitable for attachment to an endoscopic device for delivery of a secondary gas. The adaptor can comprise a substantially cylindrical body with a two, opposing closed ends, two fluid transport channels extending through the cylindrical body and opening at the closed ends, and an inlet port extending outward from the cylindrical body and being in fluid connection with one of the fluid transport channels. The adaptor may be used in endoscopy methods and is particularly useful for adding a secondary gas source in an endoscopy procedure.

Abstract: An insertion portion, a bending portion, an inner guide sheath, an operation portion, a fixing lever, a guide member, a crank member, a pair of link members, and cam members that are rotatable to a second rotation position where the cam members simultaneously press exposed sites of moving members to wall surfaces in a vertical direction, and a first rotation position where the cam members are separated from the exposed sites, by either one of opening and closing of the respective link members are included.

Abstract: A control system for allowing a physician to control the orientation of a medical device or a medical instrument in a variety of directions with one hand. An actuator selectively tensions one or more control cables having ends secured at or adjacent a distal tip of the medical device in order to bend the distal tip in a desired direction. In one embodiment, a physician can adjust the movement of the distal tip in a desired direction without affecting the orientation of the medical device in other directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capsule-type medical apparatus and a method of manufacturing a capsule-type medical apparatus which can prevent a contact between a burr formed on an optical dome which is a part of a capsule-like casing and a living body in a subject. The capsule-type medical apparatus has a capsule-like casing which can be introduced inside the subject. The casing is configured with optically transparent optical domes and a cylindrical trunk member having an outer diameter dimension larger than an outer diameter dimension of the optical domes. The cylindrical trunk member is fitted onto an outer circumferential surface of the optical domes so as to cover each of the optical domes up to a portion near the burr formed thereon. The cylindrical trunk member has a step higher than the burr so as to prevent a contact between the burr and a living body in the subject.

Abstract: Endoscopic instrument with a control element, an instrument shaft, an adjustment element, a pull element and an actuator, and also with an intermediate element which is operatively connected to the control element and to the adjustment element, wherein the intermediate element has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is connected to the second portion, the second portion has a greater bending resistance than the first portion, and the first portion has a measurement element for measuring a flexion of the first portion, wherein the adjustment element has a first abutment device, which defines a first movement range of the first portion relative to the adjustment element, and a second abutment device, which defines a second movement range of the second portion relative to the adjustment element, and the first movement range is smaller than the second movement range.

Abstract: A self-propelled device for locomotion through a lumen, comprising a set of serially arranged inflatable chambers, adjacent chambers being fluidly connected, and a fluid source attached to one end of the set, such that the chambers inflate sequentially. The chambers are constructed of an elastic material and have a wall thickness and dimensions such that they have a characteristic with a non-monotonous relationship between the inflation pressure within the chamber and the chamber's inflated size. The characteristic is such that after an initial inflation pressure peak, the non-monotonous relationship adopts a negative slope, such that the volume of the chamber increases more rapidly than the volume of fluid flowing into it, and the inflation pressure of the chamber falls. This effect causes the chamber to inflate and anchor rapidly, while essentially slowing down the inflation of the succeeding chamber until inflation of the first is complete.

Abstract: An objective lens unit for endoscopes, with an objective lens having at least one lens and with an objective lens frame that is mounted in an endoscope housing in such a way that the insertion depth in the distal direction is restricted by a covering glass established in the endoscope housing and the objective lens frame that can be fastened in the endoscope housing forms the proximal end. In order to provide an objective lens unit for endoscopes that is simple to assemble and can be positioned in stationary manner in the endoscope housing, it is proposed according to the invention that the objective lens frame should be capable of being removably fastened in the endoscope housing.

Abstract: An endoscope with a variable direction of view is provided, which includes an endoscope shaft and imaging optics arranged inside the endoscope shaft. These image an object located before the distal end of the endoscope and produce an image of the object in the proximal area of the endoscope in which a field stop is arranged. The produced image is larger than the field stop. In the proximal area of the endoscope an image module is arranged with which the relative position between the produced image and the field stop can be changed for changing the section of the produced image visible after the field stop in order to change the direction of view of the endoscope.

Abstract: Medical devices are described and illustrated herein. In particular, steerable guide members and catheters useful in the identification and treatment of bodily passages are provided. Methods of identifying and treating bodily passages are also provided.

Abstract: A system for graphically visualizing an orientation of a steerable distal portion of an elongate instrument is disclosed. The system includes an instrument having an elongate body. The elongate body includes a proximal portion and a steerable distal portion. The system also includes at least one tensioning member attached to said steerable distal portion, wherein the actuation of said at least one tensioning member results in an approximate y-bend and an approximate x-bend of said steerable distal portion, and wherein said approximate y-bend and approximate x-bend define an approximate overall bend of said steerable distal portion. The system further includes a graphical user interface and an icon representing said approximate overall bend on said graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for presenting three-dimensional data to a physician is provided to facilitate the flexible navigation of an endoscope and surgical instruments with respect to anatomical structures. In accordance with a first embodiment a first set of data corresponding to a three dimensional model of a patient's anatomy is received. This three-dimensional model may be rendered from images taken in CT or MRI scanning, as discussed above. In accordance with this embodiment, this model is then combined with a second set of data corresponding to a view obtained from an endoscope. In another embodiment, the view from the illustrative endoscope is displayed as an inset image on the display of the three-dimensional image. In yet another embodiment, the three-dimensional image comprises a graphical representation of at least a first surgical instrument, such as said endoscope. The surgeon may select among various combinations of views and may zoom in or out from any particular view.

Abstract: Computer systems and software for controlling an endoscope integrity tester. The pressurization and humidity measurement and calculations, and the resulting determination of passage or failure is automated and controlled to eliminate concerns of human error in the detection process. Further, the computer system is capable of adapting its calculations to specific endoscopes and particular testing changes to further improve accuracy by being context-sensitive.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a medical device for accessing a patient's body portion and used for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Embodiments of the invention may include a particular endoscopic positioning mechanism for placing an endoscope and an additional treatment device within desired body portions in order to assist in diagnosis and treatment of anatomical diseases and disorders. In particular, a medical device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a positioning mechanism configured for movement through at least two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device. In one embodiment, methods and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and/or cutting. In other embodiments, a single cable actuator is provided and is movable between a first position, in which it is effective to rotate an end effector without actuating (i.e., closing and firing) the end effector, and a second position, in which it is effective to actuate the end effector without rotating the end effector. In other aspects, methods and devices are provided for moving a flexible neck formed on a distal end of an accessory channel for use with an endoscope.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a jaw portion and a shaft portion that is pivotably coupled to the jaw portion. The shaft portion defines an interior space having first and second openings on respective radially-opposite sides of the shaft portion. A camera assembly is coupled to the shaft portion and is moveable between a first position, in which the camera assembly is positioned within the interior space of the shaft portion, and, for example, second and third positions, in which the camera assembly extends through a respective one of the first and second radially-opposite openings of the shaft portion. In this manner, the camera assembly may be positionable on, and may provide imaging data of, either side of the surgical device, irrespective of which lateral side the jaw portion is articulated relative to the shaft portion.

Abstract: A sleeve for simple assembly of in-vivo devices, such as endoscopy capsules, is provided. The sleeve comprises grippers and leaf springs at either end to hold the rigid portions of a rigid-flex PCB (printed circuit board) in a folded configuration before the PCB is inserted into an in-vivo device's housing. A method of assembly of the rigid-flex PCB into the sleeve is provided.

Abstract: An image sensing system includes: a light emitting device; a pixel configured to capture an optical signal and to convert the optical signal into an analog image signal; an analog circuit configured to selectively filter the analog image signal; an analog-to-digital converting circuit configured to convert the analog image signal to a digital image signal; a digital circuit configured to receive the digital image signal and to switch the light emitting device on and off; wherein the digital image signal includes a dark image frame if the optical signal is captured when the light emitting device is off; wherein the digital image signal includes an effective image frame if the optical signal is captured when the light emitting device is on and the analog circuit is configured to filter the analog image signal; and wherein the digital image signal includes a punctured image frame if the optical signal is captured when the light emitting device is on and the analog circuit is not configured to filter the analog i