Abstract: A wearable continuous analyte monitoring (CAM) device includes a disposable sensor unit and a long-life reusable transmitter unit. The transmitter unit has no power source and has an enclosure that seals wireless transmitter circuitry within. The disposable sensor unit is configured to receive and provide power to the transmitter unit therein. Upon expiration of the disposable sensor unit, the transmitter unit can be removed from the disposable sensor unit and reused in another disposable sensor unit with a fresh power source. The CAM device has a cover constructed of a fabric material to improve aesthetics and feel of the CAM device. Methods of preparing and applying the CAM device to a user's skin are also provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an endoscope for use in a surgical procedure, e.g., a pediatric trans-nasal endoscopy procedure. The endoscope may include a handle for gripping by a user, and a shaft extending from the handle. The shaft may have a working channel extending longitudinally therethrough. The shaft may include an outer jacket defining an outer surface of the shaft, and an inner channel defining a working channel extending longitudinally through the shaft. The shaft defines an open space between the outer jacket and the inner channel, with an electrical wire for an illumination and/or a camera device extending longitudinally within the open space. The open space may improve the flexibility of the shaft along its entire length thereby improving patient comfort, and may also enable the steering wires to be positioned for improved up/down and left/right movement relative to the steering inputs provided by the user.

Abstract: A sensing amplifier, coupled to at least one memory cell, includes an output terminal and a reference terminal, a multiplexer circuit, and a plurality of reference cells having equal value. An output terminal of the multiplexer circuit is coupled to the reference terminal of the sensing amplifier. Each of the reference cell is coupled to each input node of the multiplexer circuit. The multiplexer circuit is controlled by a control signal to select one of the reference cells as a selected reference cell to couple to the reference terminal of the sensing amplifier when each read operation to the at least one memory cell is performed. The plurality of reference cells are selected sequentially and repeatedly, and the one of the reference cells is selected for one read operation to the at least one memory cell.

Abstract: A disposable air/water valve for an endoscope, including a shaft having a passage from an opening to a vent. The shaft has grooves and ridges and a protrusion formed at the vent. Seals are set within some of the grooves. An inner ring, having a diaphragm, extends from an outer circumference of the inner ring to an internal circumference of an outer cap. Hinges extend vertically downward from the diaphragm and ribs are formed along the internal circumference of the outer cap. A button cap has an internal ring that securely attaches to the shaft. A resilient member is securely disposed between the button cap and the diaphragm. The outer cap, inner ring, and internal ring of the button cap define a central bore to accommodate the shaft therein.

Abstract: Provided are a medical system, a communication method, an imaging device, an information processing device, and an endoscope system capable of stably transmitting sensor signals output from a sensor that obtains data in a living body by wireless communication. The medical system includes the sensor that is provided in or connected to an insertion part to be inserted into a living body via an insertion aid and obtains the data in the living body, and a sensor communication unit that serves as a communication unit that transmits, by wireless communication, a first sensor signal output from the sensor to an aid communication unit that serves as a communication unit provided in the insertion aid.

Abstract: An exemplary system is configured to access image data representative of an image of an internal space of a patient, the image depicting a physical medical element positioned over an anatomical surface within the internal space, identify a region, within the image, that depicts a fiducial marker on the physical medical element, determine, based on the identified region, an affixation target location on the physical medical element, and assist, based on the determined affixation target location, an affixation process in which the physical medical element is affixed to the anatomical surface.

Abstract: A tissue detection system and methods for use thereof are provided. The tissue detection system facilitates stimulating fluorescence via illumination in an area or areas of interest in the human body, detecting non-visible or not easily visible areas of interest subject to such stimulation, and identifying these areas of interest efficiently. The tissue detection system can employ a probe for facilitating illumination/stimulation of a tissue of interest, at least one emitter for generating radiation applied to the tissue of interest, and at least one detector for capturing radiation for the fluorescing tissues of interest.

Abstract: An articulation joint includes proximal links, distal links, and intermediate links connecting the proximal and distal links. The articulation joint has a straight configuration along a straight longitudinal axis, a first bent configuration when the articulation joint bends toward a first side of the longitudinal axis, and a second bent configuration when the articulation joint bends toward a second side of the longitudinal axis, opposite to the first side. When the articulation joint is in the straight configuration, a first gap is defined at the first side between adjacent proximal links, and the adjacent proximal links contact each other at the second side, a second gap is defined at each of the first side and the second side between adjacent distal links, and a third gap is defined at the first side between adjacent intermediate links, and adjacent intermediate links contact each other at the second side.

Abstract: A surgical alignment device including a base, a guide, and a plurality of linear actuators each extending between the base and the guide. The plurality of linear actuators include first ends connected to the base at base joints and second ends connected to the guide at guide joints. A locking arrangement is configured to simultaneously lock all of the base joints or simultaneously lock all of the guide joints.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a Q3D endoscope disposed to image a field of view and a processor that produces a Q3D model of a scene and identifies target instruments and structures. The processor is configured to display the scene from a virtual field of view of an instrument, to determine a no fly zone around targets, to determine a predicted path for said instruments or to provide 3D tracking of said instruments.

Abstract: Described here are systems, devices, and methods useful for minimally invasive surgical procedures performed by a single operator. The surgical systems may include a user interface, a display, one or more support arms each comprising an external magnet, and one or more intracavity devices. The intracavity devices may be configured to be attracted to respective external magnets. The user interface may be configured to allow the operator to control the location and orientation of the intracavity devices by control of the position of the support arms and magnetic field of the external magnet.

Abstract: A method for controlling an orientation of a steerable distal portion of an elongate instrument, said instrument comprising at least one tensioning member attached to said steerable distal portion may include receiving an input command at a controller for articulation of said steerable distal portion, the articulation correlating to an approximate y-bend and an approximate x-bend of said steerable distal portion; calculating an approximate overall bend from said approximate y-bend and said approximate x-bend; and setting a limit of said approximate overall bend beyond which said steerable distal portion is not permitted to achieve. The method may further include one of: causing actuation of said at least one tensioning member to achieve said y-bend and said x-bend on a condition of said calculated approximate overall bend being equal to or less than said limit, and repeating the receiving, calculating, and setting steps on a condition of said calculated approximate overall bend being greater than said limit.

Abstract: A medical device includes a sheath extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the sheath. The handle includes a deflection lever coupled thereto. The deflection lever is rotatable proximally and distally along the handle to deflect a distal end of the shaft to which it is operably coupled and a locking mechanism movable between an locked configuration in which the locking mechanism engages an engagement feature on the outer surface of the handle, preventing the deflection lever from rotating and locking the distal end of the shaft in a desired position, and an unlocked configuration in which the locking mechanism releases the engagement feature to allow rotation of the deflection lever and deflection of the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: An endoscope distal end frame includes: a holder including a first through hole, the holder being a primary molding made of a colored resin; and a distal end part including a second through hole that is concentric with the first through hole, the distal end part being a secondary molding made of a transparent resin layered on the holder. The first through hole has a diameter larger than a diameter of the second through hole.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope including a cap that can suppress deformation due to a load and that is easily removable. The endoscope incudes a distal-end-portion body and a cap that is removably attached to the distal-end-portion body and that has an open window. The cap includes a cantilever piece that is formed on a wall portion on at least one of sides facing each other with the open window therebetween and that elastically bends, the cantilever piece having a fixed end and a free end and the cantilever piece including a stopper-target portion that is provided at the free end. The distal-end-portion body includes a stopper portion on a side facing the cantilever piece, the stopper portion engaging with the stopper-target portion. The stopper-target portion is removable from the stopper portion.

Abstract: An insertion device includes: a tube having a channel hole and a communication hole; a frame member having a tube insertion hole and a forceps channel and disposed to cover a periphery of the communication hole; and a closing member configured to close the channel hole in the tube at a position closer to a proximal end side than the communication hole and having a distal end surface disposed to face the communication hole.

Abstract: An endoscope tip part including an exterior housing including a circumferentially extending side wall with a proximal opening, the circumferentially extending side wall defining an interior space with an air volume; a camera assembly positioned in the interior space so that the air volume envelops at least the distal portion of the camera assembly; and an interior housing part including a circumferentially extending closure surface and a circumferentially extending attachment surface, the interior housing part being positioned in the proximal opening; wherein the exterior housing and interior housing part are formed as separate prefabricated components, wherein the closure surface is configured for closing the proximal opening of the exterior housing so as to liquid-seal the air volume in the tip part, and wherein the attachment surface extends proximally from the proximal opening and is configured for attaching the interior housing part to another element of the tip part.

Abstract: A medical system is provided comprising a medical device including a handle and a mechanism for moving a distal end of the medical device; an auxiliary medical device comprising a basket retrieval device including a basket sheath disposed over a basket wire and received into a working channel of the medical device; a knob assembly in communication with the basket retrieval device, the knob assembly rotatable so that the basket sheath, wire, or both move within the working channel; and a base removably connecting the auxiliary medical device to the handle wherein the handle and the base are configured to be simultaneously gripped with a hand, and wherein the mechanism is configured to be moved with a first finger to move the distal end of the medical device and the knob assembly is configured to be rotated with a second finger to move the basket sheath wire, or both.

Abstract: An endoscope system for use with a light guide having an endoscope; and a reflector configured for placement between the endoscope and the light guide. The reflector has a translucent portion for transmitting light from the light guide and a reflective portion for reflecting light from the light guide back into the light guide.

Abstract: An image transfer arrangement (1) for the wireless transfer of image information items between a transmitter (4) and a receiver (8), wherein at least two communication channels (11) which are physically independent of one another are formed between the transmitter (4) and the receiver (8) and enable impairment and interference-free communication.