Abstract: An improved interface between the surgeon and an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery, holding a laparoscopic camera and/or controlling an automated endoscope assistant includes at least one wireless transmitter with at least one operating key, at least one wireless receiver, at least one conventional laparoscopy computerized system loaded with conventional surgical instrument spatial location software, and conventional automated assistant maneuvering software, software loaded onto the conventional laparoscopy system that enables a visual response to the depression of at least one key on the wireless transmitter as well as an interface with the conventional automated assistant maneuvering software so as to achieve movement of the endoscope, and at least one video screen.

Abstract: A control section outputs a control signal. An actuator is connected to a drive section and operates based on the control signal. An operation information acquisition section acquires operation information related to an operation status of the actuator. A storage section stores correction information included in control information which includes a relationship between an operation status and the control signal. The correction section determines whether or not the control signal and the operation status are consistent with the control information, and when inconsistent, corrects correction information for consistency.

Abstract: A V-LED, B-LED, G-LED and R-LED for an endoscope are all driven to apply normal light to an object of interest in a body. An image sensor images the illuminated object and outputs an RGB image signal. A measurement sensor measures a light amount of red light from the R-LED. A light source controller acquires a current value for the R-LED according to a light amount signal from the measurement sensor and a target light amount signal for the R-LED. A normal color converter and the R-LED receive a current of the current value. Each LUT_Mij in the normal color converter is referred to for outputting a matrix coefficient according to the current value of the R-LED. The RGB image signal is converted into a processed image signal by matrix operation according to the matrix coefficient.

Abstract: A visualization system includes a surgical microscope assembly for viewing a surgical region under magnification. The surgical microscope assembly is provided with a computer unit having a display for displaying image data. A detection arrangement is configured to detect endoscopic images in the surgical region and is operatively coupled to the surgical microscope assembly. A circuit actuable by a viewing person is configured to detect actuation data. The circuit is configured to set an operating state of the surgical microscope assembly matched to the detection arrangement in response to a presence of the actuation data for the surgical microscope assembly.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an insertion portion to be inserted into a predetermined luminal organ in a subject; an image pickup section provided in a vicinity of a distal end of the insertion portion, the image pickup section picking up an image of a predetermined range; an image pickup information acquiring section acquiring position information and gaze information about the image pickup section; a model image generating section generating a planar model image of the predetermined luminal organ; an image pasting processing section generating a pasted image obtained by pasting a subject image of an inside of the predetermined luminal organ onto the planar model image based on the position information and gaze information about the image pickup section; and an image pasting/presentation processing section presenting an image pickup range of the image pickup section on the pasted image based on the position information about the image pickup section.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: a light reception unit; first transfer lines; a constant current source; second transfer lines; a reading unit; a control unit; a dielectric interposed between the first and second transfer lines formed in pairs; a first chip including at least the light reception unit, the plurality of first transfer lines, and the constant current source, each being mounted on the first chip; and a second chip including at least the second transfer lines mounted on the second chip. The first chip is configured such that the second chip is stacked on a back surface of a light receiving surface of the light reception unit, and each of the second transfer lines is arranged at a position facing one of the first transfer lines with the dielectric interposed between the first and second transfer lines.

Abstract: The present specification describes a method for determining the distance of an object from the tip of an endoscope during an endoscopic procedure, wherein at least one lens is configured to converge light from outside the tip onto a sensor that includes a plurality of photodiodes a portion of which are adjacent pairs of photodiodes configured to be phase detection pixels. The method includes receiving light into each adjacent pair of photodiodes, wherein said light is reflected off a surface of said object; determining a first response curve to said light for a first photodiode of said adjacent pair of photodiodes and a second response curve to said light for a second photodiode of said adjacent pair of photodiodes; identifying an intersection between the first response curve and the second response curve; and using data derived from said intersection to determine said distance to the object.

Abstract: An endoscopic pedicle probe for use during spinal surgery to form a hole in a pedicle for reception of a pedicle screw has an enlarged proximal end for cooperation with the hand of the surgeon and an elongate shaft terminating in a distal tip that may be pushed through the pedicle to form the hole. The tip may be detachable for replacement. An endoscope extends through the shaft and is connected with a monitor to enable the surgeon to visually observe the area being treated. In a preferred form a light means extends through the shaft to illuminate the area being treated, and in a further preferred form a conduit extends through the shaft to convey a fluid to flush the area being treated. In a further embodiment, two endoscopes are associated with the probe.

Abstract: A system and method of recentering imaging devices and input controls includes a medical device having one or more end effectors, an imaging device, one or more input controls for teleoperating the one or more end effectors, and a control unit including one or more processors coupled to the end effectors, the imaging device, and the input controls. The control unit suspends teleoperated control of the end effectors by the input controls in response to a recentering request, determines a view recentering move for the imaging device so that the end effectors are contained within a view space of the imaging device, determines one or more input control recentering moves to provide positional and orientational harmony between each of the input controls and a corresponding one of the end effectors, executes the view and input control recentering moves, and reinstates teleoperated control of the end effectors by the input controls.

Abstract: A medical manipulator includes an insertion portion, an arm portion, a light irradiation section irradiating a luminous flux having an optical axis parallel to an arm axial line, an imaging section imaging a locus of an optical image, a rotational movement portion rotating the arm portion around a reference axial line, and an initialization control unit performing initialization control to aligning the arm portion with the reference axial line, in which the initialization control unit includes: a locus acquisition control section controlling the light irradiation section, the rotational movement portion, and the imaging section to acquire a locus of the luminous flux, a convergence determination section computing a diameter of the locus and determines whether or not the diameter of the locus has converged, a driving amount correction section obtaining a driving amount of the first redundant joint and performs driving, and a convergence operation control section.

Abstract: There is provided a camera head for endoscope which enables to achieve a favorable fluorescent image in any wavelength band when the observation is switched over from a normal white-light image observation to an observation of fluorescent images of different wavelength bands.

Abstract: A system for detecting the location of an endoscopic device inside a patients' body comprises an endoscope assembly with an insertion tube having a set of codes indicative of an insertion depth and a rotational direction of the endoscopic device and a detector to detect the set of codes and calculate the location information. The images captured by the endoscopic device are automatically tagged with corresponding location information. Optionally, the endoscope assembly further comprises a system for generating three dimensional images and videos without increasing the number of cameras. Optionally, the endoscope assembly further comprises a system having a plurality of sensor devices for generating a real time image map of an endoscopic tip portion traversing a lumen. Optionally, the endoscope assembly further comprises a special garment for colonoscopy patients to preserve the modesty of the patients and to protect a physician from spraying fecal matter.

Abstract: A flexible circuit assembly for an endoscope or borescope having an image sensor. The flexible circuit assembly has a flexible circuit with a first end, a second end, and a length between its first and second ends, the first end of the flexible circuit electrically connectable with the image sensor. A strengthening member is adjacent to the flexible circuit and along the length of the flexible circuit. An electrically insulated layer retains the strengthening member adjacent to the flexible circuit and encloses at least of portion of the strengthening member and the flexible circuit. The strengthening member may comprise a nitinol wire, and the nitinol wire may have a neutral position such that the nitinol wire returns to the neutral position after being articulated to a different position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for endoscopic procedures employ a first technique to ensure initial correct alignment of an endoscope (100) with a desired target (10). A reference image (51) is then acquired from an imaging arrangement associated with the endoscope. During a subsequent stage of the procedure, tracking of the endoscope position relative to the target is performed partially or entirely by image-based tracking by comparing features in real-time video image (52) produced by imaging arrangement with features in the reference image (51). The feature comparison may be performed visually by a user, or may be automated to offer more specific corrective suggestions to the user.

Abstract: A handheld surgical endoscope has a disposable, single-use portion that includes a fluid hub and cannula, and a re-usable portion that includes a handle and display module. The distal tip includes LED illumination and an imaging module that feeds live video to the display module. The single-use and re-usable portions mate and un-mate with each other via physically separated mechanical and electrical connectors. The surgical endoscope is configured for operation by a single clinician in many procedures.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a light source capable of emitting multi-types of illumination light beams, an imaging unit including an imaging element driven by a rolling shutter method, a light source control unit, a frame image control unit, and an image generation unit. The frame image control unit controls the light source control unit and the imaging unit so as to obtain an output having a frame group, in which second exposure frames Exp2 and Exp4 are respectively disposed before and after a first exposure frame Exp3, as one period. The imaging signal generation unit generates an imaging signal according to illumination light using a ratio of a period from the exposure start timing of each horizontal pixel line to the switching timing of the illumination light and a period from the switching timing of the illumination light to the exposure end timing in the first and second exposure frames.

Abstract: An endobronchial tube comprising at least two lumens of different lengths for selectively associating with a patient about at least two locations relative to the Tracheal Carina.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a first lens located at a distal-most position, a part of the first lens being exposed outside; a movable lens barrel configured to be able to move, and configured to hold a movable lens disposed on a proximal end side with respect to the first lens; an actuator unit including a coil that drives the movable lens barrel and generates heat by receiving a supply of electric power; and a control section that outputs first electric power to the coil when holding the movable lens barrel at a predetermined position, and outputs second electric power larger than the first electric power to the coil when conducting heat generated from the coil to the first lens at the predetermined position.