Abstract: A surgical visualization system for use with a robotic surgical system that includes a surgical tool movable with respect to a tissue of a patient in response to an instrument motion control signal is disclosed. The surgical visualization system includes a camera and a control circuit coupled to the camera. The control circuit is configured to determine a distance between the surgical tool and the tissue and adjust a magnification of the camera based on the distance between the surgical tool and the tissue.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly includes a base module, an injection needle, and an image sensing unit. The base module includes an illumination input end. The injection needle is tubular, is connected to the base module, and has a needle shaft. The needle shaft has a bevel surface that is formed on a distal end thereof. The image sensing unit includes a tube portion that extends inside the needle shaft, and an image sensor that is connected to a distal end of the tube portion and that is adjacent to the bevel surface of the needle shaft. Additionally, a passage is formed between the tube portion and an inner surface of the needle shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoscope including a connector configured to be coupled to an external device to receive power from the external device, wherein the connector comprises: a power receiving part comprising a slider configured to move by receiving power from the external device and a sliding rail on which the slider moves; a main frame supporting the power receiving part; power transmission cables disposed on one side of the main frame and configured to transmit power to a bendable section; a rotating structure rotatably coupled to the main frame and configured to receive rotational force in response to a movement of the slider; and a chain-slider assembly configured to work in concert with the rotating structure to transmit power to the power transmission cables.

Abstract: Universal laryngoscope blades and associated methods are disclosed. A universal laryngoscope blade includes a blade body. The blade body includes a first end and a second end. The second end is configured for insertion into a larynx. The universal laryngoscope blade further includes a viewer connected to the blade body. The viewer is configured to function independently from each of a conventional handle and a fiber-illuminated handle. The universal laryngoscope blade further includes a blade fitting disposed at the first end of the blade body. The blade fitting is removably connectable to, one at a time, each of a hook-on fitting of the conventional handle and a hook-on fitting of the fiber-illuminated handle. The hook-on fitting of the conventional handle has at least one physical dimension that is different from at least one physical dimension of the hook-on fitting of the fiber-illuminated handle.

Abstract: An endoscope reprocessor includes a bottle connecting instrument and a nozzle. The bottle connecting instrument includes a first advancing and retracting member which shuts off a first flow path at a first position and opens the first flow path at a second position; a first fitting member; and a first retaining member which retains the first advancing and retracting member. The nozzle includes a second advancing and retracting member which shuts off the nozzle at a third position and opens the nozzle at a forth position, a second fitting member to be fitted with the first fitting member, and a second retaining member which retains the second advancing and retracting member.

Abstract: Data characterizing a mother video feed acquired by an endoscopic video capture device can be received. The mother video feed can be for characterizing an operative field within a patient. One or more predefined markers can be identified within the mother video feed. Each of the one or more predefined markers can be associated with a surgical instrument in the operative field. Using the data characterizing the mother video feed, a daughter video feed comprising a sub-portion of the mother video feed can be generated. At least one of a location of the daughter video feed within the mother video feed and a zoom of the daughter video feed can be based on the identified one or more predefined markers. The daughter video feed can be provided. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: An endoscope having an elongate shaft, an objective arranged in a distal end region of the shaft for generating an image of an object field in an image plane. The objective having a beam splitter, and an image recorder for recording the image of the object field and an optical waveguide for forwarding illumination radiation from a proximal region to the distal end region of the shaft. The endoscope being embodied as a contact endoscope, a sensor area of the image recorder arranged in the image plane and an emergence portion of the optical waveguide adapted to forward at least some of the illumination radiation to the beam splitter to illuminate the object field.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical device including an adapter assembly for selectively interconnecting an end effector and the device housing. The adapter assembly includes at least one drive converter assembly that converts and transmits a rotation of the rotatable drive shaft to an axial translation of at least one axially translatable drive member of the end effector. A first drive converter assembly includes a first drive element, a nut, an articulation sleeve, an articulation bearing, and an articulation link. Rotation of the rotatable drive shaft results in rotation of the first drive element. Rotation of the first drive element results in axial translation of the nut, the articulation sleeve, the articulation bearing, the articulation link, and the at least one axially translatable drive member of the end effector.

Abstract: A medical system includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion inserted into a subject, an image pickup device configured to output an image signal of the subject being arranged in the insertion portion; a video processor configured to process the image signal to generate image data; an insertion length acquisition apparatus configured to acquire information on an insertion length when the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted into the subject; and an image recording apparatus including a storage device configured to record the image data as a moving image. The image recording apparatus includes an image generation apparatus configured to edit the moving image and generate a moving image for saving, based on the information on the insertion length supplied from the insertion length acquisition apparatus.

Abstract: A medical handling device comprises an instrument holder for holding an observation instrument that is equipped with an image capturing unit for capturing an image section. The handling device further comprises a robotic handling unit that supports the instrument holder and a control device that comprises a handling control unit for controlling the robotic handling unit and an instrument control unit for controlling the observation instrument. An input device is coupled to the control device for selecting an image section to be reproduced. The control device is adapted to control the robotic handling unit in response to user inputs at the input device to change the captured image section. The control device is adapted to convert operating commands at the input device into movement instructions, depending on a present orientation of the image capturing unit.

Abstract: A small gauge surgical instrument is shown with advantages such as diminished “play” at the tip. A surgical instrument assembly is also shown with support along a length of the instrument that can be selected by the surgeon. Devices and method described provide adjustability of the instrument without protruding into a gripping surface of the instrument.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlling an endoscope, comprising a. an endoscope adapted to provide real time images of FOV within a body cavity; said FOV defines FOVx-axis, FOVy-axis and FOVz-axis, b. a maneuvering system for maneuvering said endoscope; said maneuvering system defines an X-axis, a y-axis; and, a z-axis; c. control means adapted to receive commands of motions from a user to maneuver said endoscope; and d. a data processing system in communication with said control means, adapted to instruct said maneuvering system to maneuver said endoscope according to said commands of motions; wherein said data control means instructs said maneuvering system to maneuver said endoscope according to said commands of motions relative to said FOVx-axis, said FOVy-axis and said FOVz-axis, regardless of said X-axis, said y-axis and said z-axis as defined by said maneuvering system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a medical device. The medical device may include an elongate member, having a proximal end and a distal end and at least two lumens extending therebetween. At least one of the lumens may be an imaging lumen configured to hold an imaging device, and an imaging device may be disposed inside the imaging lumen. A signal transmitting device may extend longitudinally through the imaging lumen. A distal end of the signal transmitting device may be operably coupled to the imaging device and a proximal end may be operably coupled to a processor. The processor may be located outside of the imaging lumen. The signal transmitting device may transmit signals between the imaging device and the processor. A grounded, braided catheter may be disposed within and extend the length of the elongate member, surrounding the imaging lumen.

Abstract: A needle holder includes: a flexible sheath portion which is capable of being inserted into an instrument channel of a flexible endoscope; a first grasping member which is rotatably coupled with a distal end portion of the flexible sheath portion; and a second grasping member which is provided in the distal end portion of the flexible sheath portion. In a state where a curved needle is grasped by a first grasping surface of the first grasping member and a second grasping surface of the second grasping member, the second grasping surface inclines such that a grasped region of the curved needle that is grasped by the first grasping surface and the second grasping surface is positioned between a distal end of the second grasping member and a needle tip of the curved needle in a direction of a center axis of the second grasping member.

Abstract: Provided are a flexible portion shape estimating device and an endoscope system having the same. According to the present disclosure, the flexible portion shape estimating device includes a probe adapted to be inserted into a flexible portion and having a torque transmission wire transmitting a torque applied to one end thereof to other end thereof, and a rotation information measuring part coupled to other end of the probe to measure rotation information on the other end of the torque transmission wire.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a casing that forms an exterior, a single manipulation ring rotatably provided on an outer surface of the casing, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to detect rotation of the single manipulation ring; calculate a rotation direction and a rotation angle of the single manipulation ring based on a detection result; execute a first function or a second function depending on the rotation direction and the rotation angle of the single manipulation ring calculated, wherein the first function is a different type of adjustment than the second function; and switch a function executed by the control circuitry to the first function or the second function.

Abstract: Controlled motion capsules and associated systems and methods are described. Controlled motion capsules can decelerate, and stop, without damaging epithelial walls. If any components fail, a controlled motion capsule, without added energy, becomes its most compact shape, passing harmlessly through the GI tract. Controlled motion capsule may include a shape changing material, comprising a reversible soft copolymer, in a container in the capsule, with a nonionizing radiation emitter, and a controller to activate the nonionizing radiation to expand and contract the shape changing material, on detection of certain conditions or instructions. Expansion of the shape changing material, including contact with epithelial walls, decelerates and can stop the controlled motion capsule movement. Motion control allows scientists to study the microbiome, doctors to deliver intestinal drugs at precise locations, and to closely examine signs of precancerous growth.

Abstract: A surgical system includes at least two laparoscopic instruments having distal portions positionable in a body cavity. An endoscopic camera is carried by a robotic automated assistant and is positionable in the body cavity to capture images of a surgical site and the distal portions of the laparoscopic instruments. At least one computerized platform is configured for receiving input from a user input device indicating a user selection of a selected one of the laparoscopic instruments, visually identifying the selected one of said laparoscopic instruments using a graphic designator on said displayed images of the surgical site, tracking the selected laparoscopic instrument using image information received from said endoscopic camera, and causing the automated assistant to maneuver the endoscopic camera so as to focus said endoscope on s the selected laparoscopic instrument.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus relays communication of control signals between a controller and a plurality of processing modules, and includes: a communication device configured to perform communication of the control signals with the plurality of processing modules; a plurality of first storages provided respectively to correspond to the plurality of processing modules, the plurality of first storages being configured to store the control signals written by the controller; a second storage configured to store: address information indicating each communication address assigned to each of the plurality of processing modules; and correspondence information indicating correspondence relationships between the plurality of first storages and a plurality of module-side storages respectively included in the plurality of processing modules; and a synchronization processor configured to synchronize the plurality of first storages with the plurality of corresponding module-side storages via the communication device bas

Abstract: A flexible tube insertion support apparatus includes a generation section configured to generate propriety information regarding a propriety of a twisting operation of a flexible tube in accordance with a force quantity of an external force applied to the flexible tube when the flexible tube is twisted in a counterclockwise direction or a clockwise direction around a central axis of the flexible tube. The external force is detected by at least one external force detector that is disposed on the flexible tube to be inserted into the subject and configured to detect the external force. The flexible tube insertion support apparatus also includes an output section configured to output the propriety information generated by the generation section.