Abstract: An apparatus for concentric alignment of cylindrical components includes an object having at least one outside cylindrical surface and at least one alignment target; an inner aligning component having at least one outside cylindrical surface having an axis and at least one inside cylindrical bore having an axis parallel with the axis of the outside cylindrical surface; an outer aligning component having at least one outside cylindrical surface having an axis and at least one inside cylindrical bore having an axis parallel with the axis of the outside cylindrical surface, wherein the at least one cylindrical surface of the object is adapted to fit rotatably into the at least one inside cylindrical bore of the inner aligning component, and the at least one outside cylindrical surface of the inner aligning component is adapted to fit rotatably into the at least one inside.

Abstract: A sterile bag for covering medical equipment comprises: a barrier section, a flexible body section, and an attaching section. The flexible body section has a tubular shape extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and an outer surface, an inner surface, and an open end. The barrier section is coupled to the proximal end, and the attaching section is formed at the distal end of the flexible body section. The barrier section is a rigid or semirigid component which attaches the sterile bag to a sterile component or to an unsterile component of the medical equipment in a pleaded or folded state. The flexible body section is configured to be deployed over the unsterile component so as to enclose within the inner surface thereof the unsterile component. The unsterile component is connectable to the sterile component through the central opening of the barrier section.

Abstract: A fiber optics rotary joint (FORJ) connects a system console to a probe having a rotatable core, and transfers rotational motion to the probe core. The FORJ comprises a stationary optical fiber in optical communication with a rotatable optical fiber, a motor having a hollow shaft, and a fiber connector attached to a distal end of the hollow shaft. The motor is configured to rotate the rotatable optical fiber relative to the stationary optical fiber. The rotatable fiber is attached to the proximal end of the hallow shaft and connected to the fiber connector. The distal end of the stationary optical fiber is directly opposed to and aligned with the proximal end of the rotatable optical fiber such that optical axes of the stationary and rotatable optical fibers are substantially collinear with the rotational axis of the motor. The fiber connector transfers optical power and torque to the probe core.

Abstract: Embodiments of a robotic medical system comprise a steerable instrument that includes a bendable body and a connector assembly configured to detachably connect the bendable body to an actuation unit. A controller is configured to control the actuation unit. The connector assembly comprises a connection receptor coupled to the actuation unit and a connecting shaft coupled to the bendable body. The connecting shaft includes a plurality of driving rods that are attached in a one-to-one correspondence to a plurality of driving wires and that detachably attach to the connection receptor. In a connected state where the bendable body is connected to the actuation unit via the connector assembly, the controller causes the actuation unit to transmit an actuating force from an actuator to a driving rod, and the driving rod actuates or moves a driving wire in a same direction as the actuating force applied by the actuator.

Abstract: An optical connection includes a plurality of ferrules, an optical contact to allow transfer of light, a mechanical contact to allow torque transfer from the optical connection, and a rotational self-alignment structure to allow optical fibers of different optical connectors to self-rotate into rotational self-alignment upon action of connecting, wherein the ferrules are aligned and engage the torque transfer. The rotational self-alignment structure can be a tooth configuration, a helical thread configuration, a ferrule guide configuration, a spring sleeve configuration, derivatives thereof and combinations therefrom.

Abstract: A handle for maneuvering a catheter, comprises: a handle body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a tubular passage extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end of the handle body. The handle includes a coupling mechanism at the proximal end and a strain relief sleeve at the distal end of the handle body. The strain relief sleeve is adapted to irremovably secure a flexible catheter sheath to the handle; and the coupling mechanism is adapted to detachably connect the handle to a patient interface unit (PIU). The handle body is ergonomically sized and shaped for grasping by a single hand of a user, and is configured to linearly engage to and disengage from the PIU via the coupling mechanism. When the handle is attached to the PIU, an imaging core moves linearly inside the tubular passage without bending.

Abstract: A connector, a bayonet-style connector, and methods for using the connector or bayonet-style connector are provided. At least one connector includes a receiver having an inner volume to receive a connector, and having a pawl; and a pushbutton or actuator that operates to move or unlock the pawl so that a user can insert and lock and/or unlock and remove the connector using only a single hand of the user. At least one bayonet-style connector includes a connector portion having an opening; a receptacle portion that operates to slidingly accept the connector portion and that has a pawl that operates to engage with the opening to lock the connector portion in place; and an actuator that operates to impart force on the pawl to unlock the connector portion so that a user can remove the connector portion using only one hand of the user.

Abstract: A fiber optics polarization controller comprises: an optical fiber and multiple polarization stages. A first stage comprises: a motor having a hollow shaft spanning from a proximal end to a distal end along a rotational axis; and a fiber paddle affixed to and adapted to rotate with the hollow shaft. The fiber paddle has a ring-shaped body with two openings arranged opposite to each other around the ring-shaped body. A first opening of the fiber paddle is connected to the distal end of the hallow shaft substantially collinear with the rotational axis of the motor. The optical fiber is arranged spanning through the hollow shaft, entering the fiber paddle through the first opening, following around the ring-shaped body to form a fiber loop, and exiting the ring-shaped body through the second opening. A second stage is arranged in series with the first stage.

Abstract: A fiber optics polarization controller comprises: an optical fiber and multiple polarization stages. A first stage comprises: a motor having a hollow shaft spanning from a proximal end to a distal end along a rotational axis; and a fiber paddle affixed to and adapted to rotate with the hollow shaft. The fiber paddle has a ring-shaped body with two openings arranged opposite to each other around the ring-shaped body. A first opening of the fiber paddle is connected to the distal end of the hallow shaft substantially collinear with the rotational axis of the motor. The optical fiber is arranged spanning through the hollow shaft, entering the fiber paddle through the first opening, following around the ring-shaped body to form a fiber loop, and exiting the ring-shaped body through the second opening. A second stage is arranged in series with the first stage.

Abstract: A sterile bag for covering medical equipment comprises: a barrier section, a flexible body section, and an attaching section. The flexible body section has a tubular shape extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and an outer surface, an inner surface, and an open end. The barrier section is coupled to the proximal end, and the attaching section is formed at the distal end of the flexible body section. The barrier section is a rigid or semirigid component which attaches the sterile bag to a sterile component or to an unsterile component of the medical equipment in a pleaded or folded state. The flexible body section is configured to be deployed over the unsterile component so as to enclose within the inner surface thereof the unsterile component. The unsterile component is connectable to the sterile component through the central opening of the barrier section.

Abstract: A fiber optics rotary joint (FORJ) connects a system console to a probe having a rotatable core, and transfers rotational motion to the probe core. The FORJ comprises a stationary optical fiber in optical communication with a rotatable optical fiber, a motor having a hollow shaft, and a fiber connector attached to a distal end of the hollow shaft. The motor is configured to rotate the rotatable optical fiber relative to the stationary optical fiber. The rotatable fiber is attached to the proximal end of the hallow shaft and connected to the fiber connector. The distal end of the stationary optical fiber is directly opposed to and aligned with the proximal end of the rotatable optical fiber such that optical axes of the stationary and rotatable optical fibers are substantially collinear with the rotational axis of the motor. The fiber connector transfers optical power and torque to the probe core.

Abstract: System, apparatus, and methods for controlling a motor by using servo-to-edge direction feedback are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus comprises: a fiber optic rotary junction (FORJ) having a rotatable portion; a motor to rotate the rotatable portion; a connector to connect the rotatable portion to a rotatable fiber of an imaging probe; a sensor positioned in close proximity to a target and configured to output a signal indicative of which one of at least two distinguishable regions of the target is proximal to the sensor; and a controller configured to control the rotational direction of the motor based on the sensor signal. In one embodiment, the motor is a servo-motor, and the rotation of the motor and/or rotatable portion is controlled by a servo-loop to change the rotation direction of the motor back-and-forth around a predetermined rotational position without the use of an encoder.

Abstract: A sterile bag for covering medical equipment comprises: a barrier section, a flexible body section, and an attaching section. The flexible body section has a tubular shape extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and an outer surface, an inner surface, and an open end. The barrier section is coupled to the proximal end, and the attaching section is formed at the distal end of the flexible body section. The barrier section is a rigid or semirigid component which attaches the sterile bag to a sterile component or to an unsterile component of the medical equipment in a pleaded or folded state. The flexible body section is configured to be deployed over the unsterile component so as to enclose within the inner surface thereof the unsterile component. The unsterile component is connectable to the sterile component through the central opening of the barrier section.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for a cable jacket having a resealable closure, where the closure is adapted to protect the inner elements of the jacket without exposure to outside contaminants, even when the jacket is manipulated by bending and/or twisting.

Abstract: A connector apparatus configured to connect to a connection port in order to transfer data and/or electrical power between two electronic devices or between an electronic device and an electrical outlet, the connector apparatus comprising: a first part configured to connect to the connection port by friction; two or more coupling portions which can engage or disengage when a force is applied to at least one of the coupling portions; and a retracting mechanism which pulls the two or more coupling portions towards each other when the coupling portions are separated by a separating force larger than a threshold force; wherein the first part remains connected to the connection port, while the two or more coupling portions engage or disengage when the force is applied and/or while the retracting mechanism pulls the two or more coupling portions towards each other.

Abstract: A barrier or cover used for protecting instrumentation in a medical and/or biological setting, and more specifically, a multi-piece apparatus having a multi-use component and a single use component configured to be matted to the multi-use component, wherein the single use component is configured for matting to the multi-use component and shielding the multi-use component.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums for imaging and for minimally invasive medical devices, such as, but not limited to, for intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), spectrally encoded endoscopy (SEE), and/or Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), are provided herein. One or more embodiments may involve imaging reconstruction using a real-time signal of a rotary position from a near distal end encoder. One or more devices, systems, methods and storage mediums may include, in one or more embodiments, a rotary encoder or sensor to detect an angular position of a rotary shaft or a drive cable, for example, to reduce imaging Non-Uniform Rotational Distortion. Examples of such applications include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments.

Abstract: An optical connection includes a plurality of ferrules, an optical contact to allow transfer of light, a mechanical contact to allow torque transfer from the optical connection, and a rotational self-alignment structure to allow optical fibers of different optical connectors to self-rotate into rotational self-alignment upon action of connecting, wherein the ferrules are aligned and engage the torque transfer. The rotational self-alignment structure can be a tooth configuration, a helical thread configuration, a ferrule guide configuration, a spring sleeve configuration, derivatives thereof and combinations therefrom.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods and storage mediums for characterizing, examining and/or diagnosing, and/or measuring viscosity of, a sample or object are provided herein. Such information may be obtained in application(s) using a system that includes a rotary junction, an elongated extender or at least one repeater attached to the rotary junction and a rotatable probe attached to the elongated extender and/or the at least one repeater. Examples of such applications include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments. The extenders and/or repeaters may be used with one or more forms of imaging, such as, but not limited to, Spectrally Encoded Endoscopy (“SEE”) and Optical Coherence Tomography (“OCT”).