Abstract: An endoscope can include a substantially rigid elongate body. A visualization channel can extend through the elongate body. An elongate viewing instrument that can advance distally and retract proximally through a visualization channel of the elongate body. The elongate viewing instrument can include a distal portion that is pre-biased to assume a curved shape when the distal portion is unconfined. The distal portion can curve when the distal portion is advanced distally to exit the visualization channel and can straighten when the distal portion is retracted proximally to enter the visualization channel. A distal end of the elongate viewing instrument can further include a light port that is configured to illuminate a target and provide an image of the illuminated target.

Abstract: An endoscope can include a substantially rigid elongate body. A visualization channel can extend through the elongate body. An elongate viewing instrument that can advance distally and retract proximally through a visualization channel of the elongate body. The elongate viewing instrument can include a distal portion that is pre-biased to assume a curved shape when the distal portion is unconfined. The distal portion can curve when the distal portion is advanced distally to exit the visualization channel and can straighten when the distal portion is retracted proximally to enter the visualization channel. A distal end of the elongate viewing instrument can further include a light port that is configured to illuminate a target and provide an image of the illuminated target.

Abstract: A nephroscope can include a body that is at least partially insertable into a kidney of a patient. An articulation controller on a grippable proximal portion of the body can adjust a position of a flexible distal portion of the body to locate a kidney stone when the body is inserted into the kidney of the patient. The articulation controller can optionally releasably lock the articulation of the flexible distal portion, to fixedly position the flexible distal portion at a specified location proximate the kidney stone. The distal end of the body can include an illuminator to illuminate the kidney stone, a camera to provide a video image of the illuminated kidney stone, an optical fiber to deliver laser light that ablates the kidney stone, and an irrigation lumen and a suction lumen to flush the kidney stone and remove kidney stone fragments.

Abstract: A guidance system for performing a percutaneous access incision comprises an access needle comprising a shaft and a tip located at a distal end of the shaft, and a guidance pad comprising a dermal side, an outward side, an opening to receive the access needle, the opening extending between the dermal side and the outward side, and a feedback device viewable from the outward side to provide an indication of a depth of the tip beneath the guidance pad and a trajectory of the shaft from the opening. A method for planning guidance of an access needle into a patient in preparation for a minimally invasive surgical procedure comprises determining a location for an access point on the patient, positioning a guidance pad over the access point, inserting a tip of the access needle through the pad, and displaying guidance information on the guidance pad.