Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging features of a CBD in a patient introduces a fluorescent contrast agent into the CBD. A light source transmits both a visible light and a fluorescent light into a patient's abdominal cavity via the laparoscope. Cameras attached to or integrated into the laparoscope detect visible light images and fluorescent emission light images. The visible light image and fluorescent image signals are processed to combine the fluorescent emission light image signals and visible image signals into a single display signal. The system adjusts the display characteristics, such as color, of the fluorescent emission light image so it contrasts well with the visual light image so the surgeon can easily distinguish between the two images. The display signal is sent to a video monitor where the surgeon views the visible light image and the fluorescent image as a single overlaid image.

Abstract: A capsule medical device includes: a casing having a capsule shape; a plurality of batteries, each having a first face, a second face, a first electrode and a second electrode; and a short-circuit prevention member, wherein the short-circuit prevention member includes an insulating member having an annular shape, covering the portion of the second electrode, and formed with an aperture from which the first electrode is exposed, an outer diameter of the annular shape is smaller than an inner diameter of the casing, and larger than an outer diameter of the battery, and a diameter of the aperture is larger than a diameter of the first electrode, and smaller than a diameter of the portion of the second electrode.

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: An endoscope apparatus includes an excitation-light radiation unit; a fluorescence-image acquisition unit; a fluorescence-spectrum storage unit; a density computation unit, an image combining portion; and an image display portion; wherein when coefficients at wavelengths of fluorescent components obtained from the fluorescence spectra in the storage unit, and when intensities of fluorescence images at the wavelengths acquired by the acquisition unit, the density computation unit calculates the densities of the fluorescent components from an equation, and when the densities are calculated, in accordance with a change in the value of an exposure condition item during acquisition of the fluorescence image at a wavelength, the density computation unit changes the coefficients at the wavelength using the ratio of the value after the change to the value of the exposure condition items under the reference exposure conditions has been made.

Abstract: Various embodiments for providing removable and pluggable opto-electronic modules for illumination and imaging for endoscopy or borescopy are provided for use with portable display devices. Generally, various medical or industrial devices can include one or more solid state or other compact electro-optic illuminating elements located thereon. Additionally, such opto-electronic modules may include illuminating optics, imaging optics, and/or image capture devices. The illuminating elements may have different wavelengths and can be time-synchronized with an image sensor to illuminate an object for imaging or detecting purpose or other conditioning purpose. The removable opto-electronic modules may be plugged in on the exterior surface of a device, inside the device, deployably coupled to the distal end of the device, or otherwise disposed on the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intracorporeal probe (10), for example preferably for examining hollow organs or natural or artificially created body cavities in the human or animal body, the probe (10) being designed in the form of a capsule that can be introduced into the body without external connecting elements, comprising an elongate housing (16) and an image pickup unit (26) inside the housing (16) that is designed for optically recording a region (pickup region) outside the probe (10). The image pickup unit (26) is held in a fashion capable of moving inside the housing (16) in order to vary the pickup region by means of such a movement (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A capsule for determining the blood content of living tissue in vivo in a patient to detect tumors. The capsule includes a light source and a light detector for directing light onto the tissue and for receiving interacted light therefrom. By analyzing the interacted light, a determination can be made of the blood content of that tissue. There are various ways of positioning the capsule so that it contacts the tissue in the desired orientation of the light source and light detector. There is also a system for determining the actual contact between the capsule and the tissue. A calibration system is also used that allows a self calibration that can be carried out easily and accurately just prior to the use of the capsule.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ingestible capsule and method for in vivo imaging and/or treatment of one or more diseased areas of interest within the gastrointestinal tract of an animal or human being.

Abstract: A video recording and image capture device for documenting surgical procedures that includes a main board for executing a plurality of software, a multimedia interface operable to receive a video signal and process it into an MPEG layer stream, the video interface connected on a first bus to the main board, a hard drive to record an MPEG layer stream as a file, an optical media drive to write an MPEG layer stream as a file, the hard drive and the optical media drive operably connected on a second bus, the bus being vertically stacked and connected to the main board, and a touchscreen interactive for user control, connected to the main board on a second bus to control the video interface.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: a storage unit storing in-vivo image data and information associated with the in-vivo image data and related to a position of a capsule endoscope in a subject; an image processing unit performing image processing on the in-vivo image data stored in the storage unit; a display unit displaying an in-vivo image based on the in-vivo image data image-processed in the image processing unit; a position estimating unit estimating an intra-subject position in which an in-vivo image is captured, based on the position-related information; a control unit performing image processing in the image processing unit and position estimation processing in the position estimating unit in parallel; and a reporting unit reporting information indicating that a radiogram interpretation is possible, when image processing in the image processing unit for all the in-vivo image data is completed while processing in the position estimating unit is not completed.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus according to the invention has an illumination unit capable of emitting to a subject first narrow band light having a wavelength band in a blue region and second narrow band light having a wavelength band in a green region, an image pickup unit which picks up a first subject image when the subject in the living body is illuminated with the first narrow band light, and picks up a second subject image when the subject in the living body is illuminated with the second narrow band light, a storage unit which stores the first subject image as a green component and a blue component, and stores the second subject image as a red component and a blue component, and a color tone conversion unit which performs predetermined color conversion processing to form an image of a predetermined object as an image having a predetermined first color.

Abstract: A control apparatus controls a bio-optical measurement apparatus which is configured to be inserted into a subject through an endoscopic device and is configured to perform an optical measurement of a biological tissue in the subject. The endoscopic device is configured to capture, by inserting a distal end part of the endoscopic device into the subject, in-vivo images of the subject by an imaging unit provided at the distal end part. The control apparatus includes a position determining unit configured to determine a position of the distal end part in the subject, and a permission signal outputting unit configured to output a permission signal for permitting the bio-optical measurement apparatus to perform the optical measurement based on a determination result by the position determining unit.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus comprises an analyzing portion configured, in a folder generating mode for extracting folder generating information regarding generation of a plurality of folders that record a plurality of image data of an inspection object, to analyze an image picked up by an image pickup portion and to extract the folder generating information; a folder generating portion configured to generate a plurality of folders regarding the inspection object based on the folder generating information extracted by the analyzing portion; and an inspection image recording portion configured to record each image data of the inspection object picked up by the image pickup portion in one folder among the plurality of folders generated by the folder generating portion.

Abstract: A capsule-medical-device dedicated power source starter that allows switching, by an application of a magnetic field to a magnetic switch that is provided in an inside of a capsule medical device and has a particular sensitivity direction in the magnetic field, a driving of the capsule medical device from an OFF state to an ON state, includes: an insertion part that is formed in a central axis direction and to which the capsule medical device is inserted so that a longitudinal axis direction of the capsule medical device is along the central axis direction; and a magnetic circuit that generates magnetic force lines which are substantially symmetric about the central axis as an axis of symmetry in any planar surfaces including the central axis of the insertion part.

Abstract: A miniature ingestible capsule has multiple therapeutic or diagnostic operations that can be performed. These functions are controlled by a combination of an outside control, a pose beacon and through information relayed from an imagining array and transmitter. These functions can be in a separate capsule without an imaging array or within the same capsule with an imaging array. Typically, there is one function performed in addition to imaging. These functions can include suction and spray capabilities, ultrasound sensor, lithotripsy, laser, heat, electrocautery, BICAP, biopsy forceps, a needle knife snare cautery (cold and hot with continuous or pulsed current for cutting and coagulation), with a basket, and fine needle aspiration with various wheels and fins and motors controlled externally and other tools to be used in humans. All of these tools can be attached to a retractable arm. Also, they can be used on an elevator device that lifts them, allowing for an extra 180° of movement.

Abstract: A signal transmission device includes a transmission unit, a first connection unit, a second connection unit, and a reception unit. The transmission unit sends a transmission signal. The first connection unit includes a first electrode electrically connected to the transmission unit. The second connection unit includes a second electrode that engages with the first connection unit, and, when engaged with the first connection unit, is statically coupled with the first electrode. The reception unit is electrically connected to the second electrode and receives the transmission signal.

Abstract: An endoscopic image pickup unit includes: a first fixed lens frame which holds a first objective lens group; a second fixed lens frame which, being fitted over the first fixed lens frame, holds a second objective lens group; a movable lens frame which, being installed in the second fixed lens frame so as to be able to move forward and backward along a photographic optical axis, holds a movable lens; and a deformation preventing member which, being interposed between a distal end body and the second fixed lens frame, prevents the second fixed lens frame from being deformed by fixing force of the fixing member when the endoscopic image pickup unit is fixed to the distal end body.

Abstract: A system for extending the visual capabilities and working channel of a bronchoscope including a probe having optic and/or tracking capabilities at a distal tip thereof and capable of being advanced through the working channel of a standard bronchoscope. The probe also includes a working channel through which various diagnostic and treatment tools may be advanced.

Abstract: Endoscope sheaths and associated endoscopy data collection and analysis systems and methods are described. In one implementation an endoscope sheath include a body and one or more sensors disposed in the body. The sheath may further include a leak detection apparatus configured to detect leaks in the sheath body. In addition, the sheath may include actuator apparatus, such as a balloon catheter or other surgical instrument. Data from the endoscope and endoscope sheath may be collected, fused and displayed for use in medical procedures and/or analysis.

Abstract: A medical instrument having a lighting system for illuminating a target area, the system comprising a light source and associated power controller, the system being configured to move from a first illumination mode to a second illumination mode based on a sensed or determined changed condition, such as predetermined temperature and/or change in a scene or brightness signal, or lack of change, from an image sensor that may be associated with the instrument.