Abstract: A video endoscope includes a tube fitted at its distal end with an affixed objective lens, a video camera mounted behind the objective lens in the tube, the camera together with an elongated rotation element constituting a swivel unit that is supported both at the distal and proximal end zones in each case by swivel bearing at the tube. The swivel element being rotationally adjustable relative the tube by a swivel drive system. The distal swivel bearing is axially and radially bearing and the proximal swivel bearing is only radially bearing.

Abstract: In transmitting images picked up by an intrabody introduced device to outside a test body, synchronizing signals of the image signal are set to signal patterns in the same high-frequency band as for the image signal and not used for the image signal. This enables a receiver to stably binarize the synchronizing signal and thus to acquire favorable image signal. For example, in a clipping circuit provided in a signal processing circuit in a capsule type endoscope (an example of an intrabody introduced device), image information of a high-intensity portion is clipped out of image information acquired by an imaging section and a pattern generation circuit allocates signal patterns within the clipped intensity range as horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals.

Abstract: A visual means of an endoscope comprising at least one optical system or composite optical system arranged at a front area of the endoscope. The at least one optical system or the at least one composite optical system realizes an aperture angle of more than 180° and is arranged such that the field of vision thereof reaches both beyond the normal to the direction of movement and beyond the longitudinal axis of the endoscope pointing ahead.

Abstract: An endoscope connector device comprises: a first cable of an endoscope, including a light guide for supplying illumination light and an electric wire for obtaining video signals from an image pickup device; a light guide connector connected to the first cable; and a second cable of the endoscope, including the electric wire led out of the light guide connector, wherein the second cable is attached diagonally from the light guide connector at an angle ? within a range of 0°<?<90° from a first cable side of an axial direction of the first cable.

Abstract: An innovative one-piece videolaryngostroboscope that provides slow motion visualization and detailed analysis of the vocal cords movements, which are imperceptible to the naked eye due, by means of a video camera with stroboscopic; said apparatus is used to perform examinations in patients, aiming to assess the incidence of larynx cancer. The invention including a processor base; an optics tube with a built-in light sources, a built-in video camera; a microphone, an auxiliary pedal and software.

Abstract: An endoscope electric connection device accommodated within a scope connector for connecting an electronic endoscope and an external apparatus, the device including a first band having a first contact portion to which a signal line of a transmission cable for transmitting an image signal from an image pickup unit of the electronic endoscope is connected and a second contact portion to which a ground line of the transmission cable is connected, a second band having a third contact portion connecting to a connector for electrically connecting to the external apparatus and having flexibility, and a transmitting portion provided in the first band and second band for electrically connecting the first contact portion and second contact portion to the third contact portion, wherein the transmitting portion can keep electric connection between the first contact portion and second contact portion and the third contact portion even with the second band bent.

Abstract: A capsule medical apparatus inserted in the body cavity includes a spiral projected portion on the outer peripheral surface of a body cavity inserting portion. The pitch, height, and cross section of the projected portion and the like are set to have proper values and shapes suitable to the advance thereof. The body cavity inserting portion has a magnet. An external magnetic guiding device applies a rotating magnetic field to the magnet and the magnetic torque acts on a magnet for rotation. Thus, the medical apparatus stably advances.

Abstract: An optical adaptor for endoscope according to the present invention includes, in an outer casing, a light emitter, serving as a light source for illumination, and two terminals connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the light emitters to be externally projected from the inside of the outer casing. The connection of a diode between the positive and negative electrodes of the light emitters prevents the static electricity from being applied to the light emitter.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system used for observing living tissues inside a body cavity includes a single imaging device configured to output image signals corresponding to a received optical image, an illuminating apparatus having a white light source emitting white light and an excitation light source emitting excitation light, an image forming system configured to form the optical image of the living tissues illuminated with each of the white light and the excitation light on the imaging device, a display device, an image processing system that receives the image signals output from the single imaging device, the image processing system transforming the received image signals into signals which are allowed to be displayed on the display device, and a control system configured to control the whole of the electronic endoscope system, the image processing system employs image signals, obtained from an image, output from the single imaging device as a first field of image signals of an interlaced image, and empl

Abstract: A universal contact port for receiving contacts of various cross-sectional dimensions and cross-sectional profiles of an electrosurgical component is provided. The universal contact port includes a plurality of rollers each defining a corporal axis, the corporal axes being at least substantially parallel to one another; and a plurality of shafts eccentrically supporting a respective roller, each shaft defining a longitudinal axis, wherein each corporal axis is spaced a radial distance from a respective longitudinal axis and wherein the rollers are rotatable about the longitudinal axes. The rollers define an opening therebetween, wherein the opening is expandable and constrictable upon rotation of the rollers about the longitudinal axes, whereby the contact port can accommodate receipt of contacts, from electrosurgical components, of varying cross-sectional diameter therein.

Abstract: An insertion device comprises a long-sized insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, a propulsion force generating portion provided on the outer peripheral face of the insertion portion, a rotating portion for rotating the propulsion force generating portion on the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion, an image capturing device for observing the image of the subject, provided at the tip of the insertion portion so as to be rotatable according to the rotation of the propulsion force generating portion, a first electric contact which is connected electrically to the image capturing device and moves rotationally according to the rotation of the propulsion force generating portion provided on the insertion portion, and a second electric contact, on which the first electric contact which moves rotationally according to the rotation of the propulsion force generating portion, is provided slidably, and is connected electrically to the first electric contact.

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: Methods and devices are provided for attaching one or more ancillary devices to an endoscope. The ancillary device can be any device that is used in conjunction with endoscopic procedures, such as, by way of non-limiting example, an accessory channel, tube, or sleeve, an indwelling tube or feeding tube, and surgical tools such as graspers, snares, etc. The ancillary device(s) can be positioned adjacent to and along side an external surface of an insertion portion of an endoscope for inserting into a body lumen, and one or more attachment devices can be used to mate the ancillary device(s) to the endoscope at one or more attachment locations. In use, the attachment device(s) will allow the ancillary device to move in coordination with the endoscope, thus allowing the endoscope and the ancillary device(s) to be introduced and guided through a tortuous pathway. In certain exemplary embodiments, the attachment device(s) can be configured to prevent radial movement, i.e.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a catheter having a distal end insertable within a body lumen and having longitudinally spaced apart and circumferentially-protruding first and second pods. The first pod has a first exterior surface with a first surface portion. The first surface portion includes an energizable first electrode pair of circumferentially-spaced-apart electrodes. The first surface portion has a shape adapted to advance the first pod within the lumen upon contraction of muscular lumen tissue contacting an energized first electrode pair. The second pod has a second exterior surface with a second surface portion. The second surface portion includes an energizable second electrode pair of circumferentially-spaced-apart electrodes. The second surface portion has a shape adapted to advance the second pod within the lumen upon contraction of muscular lumen tissue contacting an energized second electrode pair.

Abstract: An optical system for an endoscope can be used by being disposed in the distal end portion of the endoscope, the optical system having a plurality of illumination optical systems, which allow light emitted from a light source to diverge, and an observation optical system, in which at least one of the plurality of illumination optical systems satisfies the following formula (1): 0??df(?)/d??0.025, 10°???85°??(1), wherein ? denotes an angle of emission from a center of the illumination optical system, and f(?) denotes a value obtained by standardizing, at an illuminance at a time when the angle ? of emission is 0°, an illuminance distribution (spherical light distribution characteristics) at a time when a spherical object is illuminated by the illumination optical system.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope has an outer cover including a transparent cover, a surface light emitting device, and a photographing optical system. The outer cover seals an inside space of the capsule endoscope. The light emitting device, which is disposed in the inside space of the capsule endoscope, emits light to an object through the transparent cover. The photographing optical system, which is disposed opposite to the transparent cover in the inside space, captures light reflected from the object which passes through the transparent cover.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a medical procedure includes an invasive probe having opposite distal and proximal ends. The probe includes a transmitter, which is arranged to transmit an energy field, and a receiver, which is arranged to receive the energy field, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are disposed at the opposite ends of the probe. A control unit is adapted to determine an orientation of the distal end relative to the proximal end responsively to the energy field received by the receiver.

Abstract: An endoscope optics receiving a fiber tube to separate optic fibers running between the tubes from an image guide fitted with a distal objective lens, the objective lens being configured to look downward at an oblique angle relative to the axis of the outer tube, the distal end face of the endoscope optics being configured perpendicularly to the line of sight, where a lateral bundle portion of the optic fibers, which is to the side of the fiber tube, terminates at distally bonded fibers substantially parallel to the line of sight, in the end face. The bundle portion is enclosed at its distal end zone by a guide duct.

Abstract: An ultrasonic endoscope comprises an insertion portion comprising a distal hard portion which has: an endoscopic observation unit; and an ultrasonic observation unit having ultrasonic transducers arranged circumferentially on an outer circumferential section of the distal hard portion, wherein the ultrasonic observation unit comprises an ultrasonic-wave transmission/reception unit having an tunnel-shaped path which has an inner circumferential surface formed as a backing layer; a distal block is arranged on a distal side in an axial direction of the distal hard portion with respect to a location where the ultrasonic-wave transmission/reception unit is arranged, and distal ends of respective members constituting the endoscopic observation unit are fixed to the distal block; and part of the members which constitute the endoscopic observation unit are fitted so as to be partially protruded from an inside diameter of the tunnel-shaped path toward an outer circumferential side thereof.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope light source unit for making illumination light from a light source incident on an incident end face of a light guide of a scope which is detachably connected to a processor, the endoscope light source unit being built in the processor; a main switch for turning ON the processor; a scope lock lever for activating a lock mechanism for preventing the connected scope from coming off the processor; a light source switch for turning ON and OFF the endoscope light source unit; and a controller for turning ON the endoscope light source unit when one of the main switch and the scope lock lever is operated before the light source switch is operated while the endoscope light source unit is OFF.