Abstract: An endoscope with voice control. A data processor for the endoscope obtains voice training data for a specific surgeon, and/or information indicating spoken utterances associated with a surgical procedure for which the endoscope is to be used. Voice utterances signals are received from a surgeon during the surgery. Speech recognition technology decodes the voice utterance signals into commands to control the endoscope, based at least in part on the data obtained from the database, and control commands are issued to implement the decoded voice utterances. Concurrently with the accepting and decoding of voice utterances, the processor accepts and decodes control signals from at least one other input device. The processor issues control commands to components of the endoscope to implement the decoded other input control signals. The voice utterances are accepted, decoded, and executed concurrently with the other input control signals.

Abstract: In an endoscope system, a processor is programmed to control the image sensor and/or illumination to underexpose or overexpose every other frame of the video image data. The image sensor generates image data at a frame rate. Successive pairs of frames of the image data are combined to recover dynamic range and detail in over-bright or over-dark portions of the image, and the combined frames have the full frame rate of the video as generated by the image sensor. A machine learning model processes the video to simultaneously upsample the image data to a resolution higher than that captured by the image sensor, to sharpen edges, and to enhance local contrast. A two-output PID control algorithm controls exposure intensity by controlling at least two of gain, exposure, and illumination to achieve image display at a setpoint intensity, maximum change per step of the PID control damped to prevent oscillation.

Abstract: An endoscope. One or more image sensors are designed to capture image data in visible light. One or more image sensors are designed to capture image data in a nonvisible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. An insertion shaft is designed to support the visible and nonvisible image sensors at or near a distal tip with sufficient rigidity to permit guidance to a surgical site in a human body. Image processing software is trained through machine learning to enhance image quality of at least the nonvisible portion of the image, and to present the enhanced nonvisible image as a real-time, visible presentation to a surgeon. A handle has electronics for drive of illumination circuitry and to receive imaging signal from the imaging circuitry. A joint between the proximal handle portion and the insertion shaft is designed to separably connect the insertion shaft to the proximal handle portion. When separated, the joint permits removal of the insertion shaft for disposal and replacement.

Abstract: An injection needle has a point designed to pierce flesh of a living body, and has a fluid passage therethrough designed for delivery of a therapeutic agent at a delivery site within the body, the delivery site to be reached by piercing at which an injection fluid is to be delivered via the fluid passage. The outer diameter of the needle is no more than about 2.1 mm. Solid state illumination circuitry and an imaging sensor are designed to provide illumination and imaging, and are mounted within supporting structure designed to support the illumination circuitry and imaging sensor within the needle arranged for illuminating and viewing the delivery site reached by piercing.

Abstract: An endoscope. One or more image sensors are designed to capture image data in visible light. One or more image sensors are designed to capture image data in a nonvisible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. An insertion shaft is designed to support the visible and nonvisible image sensors at or near a distal tip with sufficient rigidity to permit guidance to a surgical site in a human body. Image processing software is trained through machine learning to enhance image quality of at least the nonvisible portion of the image, and to present the enhanced nonvisible image as a real-time, visible presentation to a surgeon. A handle has electronics for drive of illumination circuitry and to receive imaging signal from the imaging circuitry. A joint between the proximal handle portion and the insertion shaft is designed to separably connect the insertion shaft to the proximal handle portion. When separated, the joint permits removal of the insertion shaft for disposal and replacement.

Abstract: An endoscope with a handle and an insertion shaft. The insertion shaft has solid state illumination and imaging circuitry at or near a tip designed to provide illumination and imaging of the interior of a body cavity for a surgeon during surgery. The proximal portion of the handle has electronics for drive of the illumination circuitry and to receive imaging signal from the imaging circuitry, the proximal handle portion being designed to permit sterilization between uses. A joint between the proximal handle portion and the insertion shaft is designed to separably connect the insertion shaft to the proximal handle portion. When it is separated, the joint permits removal of the insertion shaft for disposal and replacement. The joint is designed so that, when connected, the joint can transfer mechanical force from a surgeon's hand to the insertion shaft, and provides electrical connectivity between the proximal handle circuitry and the illumination and imaging circuitry.