Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method and system for controlling a telesurgical tool is disclosed. The method and system for controlling a telesurgical tool includes moving a monitor displaying an image of a robotic surgical tool; sensing motion of the monitor; and translating the sensed motion of the monitor into motion of the robotic surgical tool.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising an elongate member including a proximal region and a distal region. The elongate member can further include a handle at the proximal region and a tip at the distal region. The tip can include one or more openings, wherein one of the one or more openings at least partially houses an illumination unit. The illumination unit may further comprise a light source, a near-field diffuser proximate to the light source, and a far-field aperture proximate to the light source.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly transmitting a video image signal from an endoscopic camera to a receiver or control unit for storage and/or display on a video monitor. Use of a frame-specific, variable compression algorithm capable of progressively encoding a data stream provides for a better performing and higher quality wireless endoscopic camera system capable of generating images at varying resolutions. Use of a short-range, high-performance wireless technology, such as Ultrawideband (UWB), improves the performance capabilities of the system, while minimizing power consumption and extending battery life. Implementations of error correcting codes, as well as the use of multiple transmitting and receiving antennas, further improve the fidelity of the wireless communication.

Abstract: A medical instrument (1) designed in particular as an endoscope (2) has a main body (3) and, formed on the main body (3), an electrical and/or electronic switching device (4) with at least one button (5) for actuating the switching device (4) and the medical instrument (1). The switching device (4) is provided on its outside (6) with a cover (7), which is integrally bonded to the main body (3) of the medical instrument (1) in order to produce a tight connection. Provision is further made that the cover (7) has at least one outwardly directed bulge (8), on which the at least one button (5) of the switching device (4) is formed.

Abstract: A system for controlling movement of a remotely controlled steerable instrument comprises a flexible instrument. The flexible instrument comprises a steerable distal portion and a passive proximal portion. The steerable distal portion is configured to articulate to change a shape of the steerable distal portion. The system further comprises a shape sensing device comprising an optical fiber that spirals around the steerable distal portion. The optical fiber is configured to provide a signal indicative of the shape of the steerable distal portion. The system further comprises a controller in signal communication with the optical fiber. The controller is logically coupled to the flexible instrument and is configured to output a control signal to articulate the steerable distal portion of the flexible instrument in response to receiving at least the signal from the optical fiber.

Abstract: An imaging module includes an electrical cable; a solid-state imaging element having an imaging unit orthogonal to an axis direction of a tip of the electrical cable; and a flexible wiring substrate in which the solid-state imaging element and the electrical cables are electrically connected together. The flexible wiring substrate includes an element mounting portion mounting the solid-state imaging element, and two rear pieces that are bent at both end portions of the element mounting portion and extend in a direction away from the element mounting portion. An internal space of the flexible wiring substrate surrounded by the element mounting portion and the two rear pieces is filled with adhesive resin in which a glass-transition temperature is 135° C. or less.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image forming optical system which includes an aperture stop that sets an axial light beam, and a diffracting optical surface disposed at a position different from a position where the aperture stop is disposed, and an imager which is disposed on an image side of the image forming optical system, and has a light-receiving surface which is not flat and is curved to be concave toward the image forming optical system, wherein the diffracting optical surface satisfies the following conditional expression (1). 0.1<|DSD/TL|?1.

Abstract: An imaging module includes: an image sensor; a substrate having a conductor layer and extending from the image sensor; a multi-layer substrate having therein conductor layers on the substrate; electronic components mounted on/in the multi-layer substrate; an image signal electrode pad and a drive signal electrode pad on the image sensor; an image signal cable; a drive signal cable; an image signal wiring pattern through which an image signal is transmitted from the image signal electrode pad to the image signal cable; and a drive signal wiring pattern through which a drive signal is transmitted from the drive signal cable to the drive signal electrode pad. At least one of the electronic components is embedded inside the multi-layer substrate. The image signal wiring pattern and the drive signal wiring pattern are separated into different conductor layers of the substrate and the multi-layer substrate due to the embedded electronic component.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an illumination section, a color component ratio measurement section and a light quantity ratio adjustment circuit. The illumination section including a light source sequentially or simultaneously radiates an illumination light being a plurality of narrow-band lights having wavelengths different from each other and having light quantities which are independently controllable each other, on an observation object. The color component ratio measurement section measures a color component ratio of the illumination light. The light quantity ratio adjustment circuit adjusts a light quantity ratio of the narrow-band lights based on an output from the color component ratio measurement section and performs color correction to cause the illumination light to be a desired color.

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 methods and systems to periodically monitor the emotional state of a subject comprising the steps of: exposing the subject to a plurality of stimuli during a session; acquiring objective data from a plurality of monitoring sensors, wherein at least one sensor measures a physiological parameter; transferring the data to a database; and processing the data to extract objective information about the emotional state of the subject.

Abstract: Methods and devices for improving the interface between a surgeon and an operating medical assistant or between the surgeon and an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery. A device is useful for controlling an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery and includes a wearable interface for enhancing the control of an endoscope system during laparoscopic surgery.

Abstract: The disclosed optical scanning endoscope apparatus includes a scanner that scans an object with illumination light from a light source, a light amount detector that detects a light amount of the illumination light from the light source, and a controller that controls output of the light source based on the light amount detected by the light amount detector. The controller controls the output of the light source based on an integral value of the light amount detected by the light amount detector during an immediately prior predetermined period.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope system includes: a capsule endoscope configured to be introduced into a subject and having a magnetic field response unit configured to respond to a magnetic field and having an imaging unit configured to image an object; a magnetic field generating unit configured to generate the magnetic field to guide the capsule endoscope; an input unit configured to input commands for changing at least one of a position and a posture of the capsule endoscope; a setting unit configured to set a reference distance between the imaging unit and the object; a detection unit configured to detect a distance between the object and the imaging unit; and a magnetic field controller configured to control the magnetic field generating unit to generate the magnetic field based on the distance and the commands while a difference between the distance and the reference distance is maintained within a certain range.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an imaging unit having an image sensor to image a subject, a light source emitting illumination light for illuminating the subject, and a laser treatment instrument which can emit laser light for treating the subject during emission of the illumination light. A control device for the endoscope system includes a determination unit which determines a state of use of the laser treatment instrument, and a brightness adjustment circuit which adjusts at least one of exposure time in imaging by the imaging unit and the amount of emitted light of the light source based on the result of determination by the determination unit.

Abstract: A cart or man-portable system and method for performing endoscopic procedures is provided. A portable display device, such as a laptop computer, is coupled to a handle comprising a miniature camera and fiber optic illumination subsystem. A sterile disposable portion is fitted over the illumination subsystem and inserted into a target area on a patient. Images of the target area are conveyed from the camera to the display device while an endoscopic procedure is performed, thus facilitating real-time diagnosis during the procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus including at least one illumination source configured to emit illumination energy and an illumination control system to receive the illumination energy. The illumination control system is configured to control the illumination energy to output a sequence of different illumination wavelengths using the illumination energy. The apparatus also includes a plurality of optical fibers connected to the illumination control system and configured to sequentially output the different illumination wavelengths. Each optical fiber is configured to transmit a different illumination wavelength of the sequence to output the sequence of different illumination wavelengths from the optical fibers toward an object.

Abstract: A hand operated endoscope for medical purposes, the endoscope including a separate, modular unit consisting of a camera system with an associate lens system, light source and a transmission system. This unsterilized modular unit can be used in a sterilized housing.

Abstract: Medical device, system, method for capturing medical images includes an image capture and processing portion and an interchangeable medical tool portion. The image capture and processing portion is configured to capture and process a photo image, a video stream of images, or a coded image. The interchangeable medical tool portion is configured to connect to the image capture and processing portion. The image capture and processing portion further includes a configuration module configured to detect a connection of the medical tool portion to the image capture and processing portion, determine the type of the interchangeable medical tool portion connected, and adapt the image capture and processing portion to the detected type of the medical tool portion. The medical device may transmit medical images to an external device for interpretation by an expert, providing coaching to the user of the medical device, and for asset management, decision support, and/or other purposes.

Abstract: A light source apparatus irradiates an observation target with first light in a wavelength region which does not include a wavelength region where an absorption peak of a target substance included in the observation target is present and second light in a wavelength region where the absorption peak is present. An image acquiring circuit includes an emphasized image information generating circuit which generates emphasized image information on the basis of first image information acquired by an imaging apparatus when the observation target is irradiated with the first light and second image information acquired by the imaging apparatus when the observation target is irradiated with the second light.