Abstract: A steerable catheter driven by a robotic controller comprises: a catheter body having a tool channel extending from a proximal to a distal end; and a positioning mechanism configured to be coupled with an imaging device and to be slidably inserted into and/or withdrawn from the catheter body through the tool channel. The positioning mechanism and/or the catheter body include an anti-twist feature configured to interlock the catheter body to the imaging device at the distal end of the catheter body so as to prevent rotation of the imaging device within the tool channel. Anti-twist features include bumps or recesses formed in the tool channel inner surface to be interlocked with one or more features formed on the positioning mechanism outer surface. Position and/or orientation of the imaging device remain substantially unchanged with respect to the tool channel when the catheter body is steered by an actuating force.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of object enhancement in endoscopy images includes capturing an image of an object within a surgical operative site via an imaging device, determining a size of the object based on the captured image of the object, displaying the captured image of the object, and displaying on the displayed captured image of the object a representation of the determined size of the object.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for determining orientation of a capsule endoscope. An external magnetic field is provided outside the capsule endoscope, and an internal magnetic field is provided inside the capsule endoscope. Magnetic field data is obtained according to the external magnetic field and the internal magnetic field, and acceleration data of the capsule endoscope is obtained. When the polarization direction of the external magnetic field is horizontal, the orientation information of the capsule endoscope is obtained according to the acceleration data. When the polarization direction of the external magnetic field is non-horizontal, the orientation information of the capsule endoscope is obtained according to the acceleration data and the magnetic field data.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system according to one or more embodiments may include: an endoscope; a manipulator configured to support a surgical instrument; a remote control apparatus including a display device and an operation handle configured to operate the surgical instrument; and a control device configured to display, on the display device, a graphical user interface on an image captured by the endoscope. The graphical user interface includes: a first area that displays a first graphical display indicating a movable range of the manipulator and an operable range of the operation handle in the movable range of the manipulator; and a second area that displays a second graphical display indicating a required operation of the operation handle to return the operation handle to an inside of the operable range of the operation handle and/or to return the manipulator to an inside of the movable range of the manipulator.

Abstract: An optical path deflecting prism for endoscope which is used for observing an object in an oblique direction, includes a first prism and a second prism, and the first prism and the second prism are cemented. The first prism has a first polished surface and a second polished surface. The first reflecting surface is a mirror surface having a mirror coating applied to a polished surface of a flat plate, and is fixed by gluing to the fifth polished surface of the second prism upon adjusting an angle so as to correct an optical-axis shift which occurs due to a manufacturing error of the first prism and the second prism.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a diagnosis and treatment integrated soft medical robot for gastrointestinal endoscopy, including a robot body, a camera, illumination devices, a flexible dielectric elastomer actuator, air cylinders, linear motors, a controller and external hoses. The robot body is a multichannel hose, and includes a central channel and circumferential channels, the central channel is configured to accommodate conducting wires and signal wires, the circumferential channels include at least three microfluid channels. The linear motors control fluid pressures in the microfluid channels by driving piston rods of the air cylinders so that the robot body steers through being driven by fluid. The camera performs real-time image acquisition. The controller controls the flexible dielectric elastomer actuator to capture a target. The disclosure realizes the real-time image acquisition on a digestive tract, particularly a lesion, and can integrally and fast complete diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract: An endoscope imaging system comprises a robotic controlled steerable catheter and an imaging device removably arranged in a tool channel of the catheter. One or more sensors or markers are configured to map a positional relation of the catheter with respect to an orientation of the imaging device. A controller drives the steerable catheter to manipulate the distal end thereof, while the imaging device acquires an image of a subject or sample. While the imaging device acquires the image, a processor calculates a change in positional relation of the catheter with respect to the orientation of the imaging device based on information provided by the one or more sensors or markers. An output unit provides an indication for remapping the orientation of the steerable catheter with respect to the orientation of the imaging device.

Abstract: An endoscope locking device comprises: a pedestal, a lock buckle and an elastic element, the pedestal is provided with a slot for mounting the lock buckle, the lock buckle is provided with an oblong hole in the center, and the lock buckle is mounted within the slot of the pedestal, and the lock buckle may reciprocate within the slot; and the lock buckle and the pedestal are elastically connected by the elastic element. The endoscope is fixed by using the elasticity of the elastic rubber ring to the endoscope locking device formed by the lock buckle and the pedestal.

Abstract: An endoscope coupler for a camera, with a proximal end of the endoscope coupler for the disposition on the camera, with a camera securement mechanism for securing the endoscope coupler on the camera and with an endoscope head-receiving region for the at least partial reception of an endoscope head when an endoscope is coupled with the camera, wherein the endoscope head-receiving region is accessible across an access for the endoscope head from the direction of a distal end of the endoscope coupler, and with a movably supported jaw that secures the endoscope on the endoscope coupler. The jaw can be loaded with a spring force such that at least one region of the jaw is pressed into the access and blocks the access.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a trocar, a control handle, a first electrical wire, and a second electrical wire. The trocar is used for insertion into an organ of a patient, and includes (i) a cannula having a longitudinal axis, (ii) a position sensor that is fitted inside the cannula, and (iii) a camera that is coupled to a movable element, which is fitted inside the cannula and configured to be moved along the longitudinal axis for moving the camera along the cannula. The control handle is coupled to a proximal end of the movable element and is configured to move the movable element and the camera. The first electrical wire is coupled between the control handle and the camera. The second electrical wire is coupled between the control handle and the position sensor, and has a slack configured to compensate for a motion of the camera.

Abstract: A detection system is adapted to perform methods for detecting defects in medical devices, during a reprocessing procedure, for example. The detection system may utilize computer-implemented instructions to determine the presence and nature of the defects, whether biological or mechanical, for example. The computer-implemented instructions may be adapted to include artificial intelligence and/or machine learning algorithms, and to process image data from digital inspection camera systems or proprietary camera systems. Upon identification of a defect present in a medical device, the detection system may notify users of the presence of the defect, as well as provide further recommended action to be taken regarding the medical device, if desirable, reducing potential instrument failure, patient injury or death. The disclosed detection system may be integrated into existing disinfection and sterilization systems currently used in medical facilities, such as hospitals and surgery centers, for example.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an automated probe system includes a probe configured to be reversibly inserted into a live body part, a robotic arm attached to the probe and configured to manipulate the probe, a first sensor configured to track movement of the probe during an insertion and a reinsertion of the probe in the live body part, a second sensor configured to track movement of the live body part, and a controller configured to calculate an insertion path of the probe in the live body part based on the tracked movement of the probe during the insertion, and calculate a reinsertion path of the probe based on the calculated insertion path while compensating for the tracked movement of the live body part, and send control commands to the robotic arm to reinsert the probe in the live body part according to the calculated reinsertion path.

Abstract: A steerable endoscope is provided with active steering control. An endoscope includes a flexible tubular body with first and second articulating segments, and a camera. In an embodiment, the endoscope includes an orientation sensor. A controller for the endoscope performs an automated analysis of an alignment between the motion axis of the endoscope and the viewing axis of the camera, and actively steers the endoscope to improve the alignment.

Abstract: A system comprises a waveguide apparatus comprising a plurality of input waveguides, a multimode waveguide, and a guided-wave transition coupling the plurality of input waveguides to the multimode waveguide. The system further comprises at least one light source configured to excite in turn each of a plurality of the input waveguides, or each of a plurality of combinations of the input waveguides, thereby generating a plurality of different light patterns in turn at an output of the waveguide apparatus. The waveguide apparatus is configured to direct each of the plurality of different light patterns to a target region. The system further comprises at least one detector configured to detect light transmitted, reflected or emitted from the target region in response to each of the different light patterns, and to output signals representing the detected light.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion observation portion including a distal end portion to be inserted into a target object; an objective lens portion disposed on the distal end portion of the insertion observation portion and includes a lens; a holding member that holds the objective lens portion; a sheath that covers the objective lens portion and the holding member; and a sealing material that is disposed on an outer circumference of the objective lens portion and that shields light. A part of the sealing material is disposed on an inner side of a recessed portion of the lens and forms a diaphragm portion that widens a depth of field of the endoscope.

Abstract: A medical-endoscopic instrument includes a distal elongate insertion section (1), for the minimal-invasive introduction into a human or animal body, with a first LED (5), a second LED (7) and a picture sensor (9). The first LED includes a first light spectrum (19), suitable for fluorescence endoscopy. The second LED includes a second light spectrum (21), suitable for white light endoscopy. A light filter (23), arranged in front of the second LED in the viewing direction (x), has a transmission spectrum (25). The second LED is configured to irradiate according to the second light spectrum on average more intensively in a first wavelength region (K) than in a second wavelength region (L). The light filter is configured to let through light, which is emitted by the second LED, according to the transmission spectrum, on average less in the second wavelength region than in the first wavelength region.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope having a position/angle sensor and an amplifying circuit, a memory configured to store output error sensitivity data and a first wiring resistance value, and a processor including a signal processing circuit configured to process an output signal from the amplifying circuit. The signal processing circuit corrects an error of the output signal based on a value obtained by multiplying a difference between the first wiring resistance value and a processor wiring resistance value by the output error sensitivity data.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a medical device may be configured for use with an endoscope and may include a tool. The tool may include an actuator, at least one extension at a distal portion of the actuator, and a distal end. The at least one extension may extend radially outward from the actuator and may have an edge configured to fragment debris within a body. The medical device may also include a cap configured for coupling to a distal end of the endoscope, and the cap may include a body defining an opening and a cavity. The opening may be configured to align with optics of the endoscope, and the at least one extension may be positioned within the cavity of the body.

Abstract: An intubation system includes a measurement apparatus that measures physiological parameter of a subject by a measuring section, an intubation apparatus that includes an imaging section placed in a vicinity of a tip end portion of an inserting section to be inserted from a mouth of the subject toward a target site, an intubation displaying section that is disposed integrally with or separately from the intubation apparatus and is connected to the imaging section and the measuring section to display an in vivo image that is taken by the imaging section along with the physiological parameter that is measured by the measuring section, and an overall storage section that stores the in vivo image and physiological parameter that are displayed on the intubation displaying section, in an associated manner.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods related to endoscopic systems suitable for hysterectomy and other purposes.