Abstract: A fluid delivery system for use with an endoscope. Certain embodiments of the invention include a single, large fluid source and pump installed upon an operator console, in combination with a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a proximal connector of the imaging endoscope, multiple fluid sources that feed a common fluid channel that are pressurized by a common pump, multiple fluid sources that feed dedicated fluid channels that are pressurized by dedicated pumps, and a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a handheld manual controller of the imaging endoscope. The fluid delivery endoscopic systems of the present invention provide the user with the flexibility of changing fluids either in advance of a procedure or on-the-fly as needed, instead of relying on fixed fluid sources only.

Abstract: A variceal banding endoscope includes an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end that is removably connected to a control unit. The endoscope includes a variceal banding apparatus fixedly attached to the distal end of the endoscope and capable of receiving a plurality of ligation bands. A trigger cable extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the shaft and is digitally actuated by an actuator in the control unit or handle of the scope in response to a user input device.

Abstract: A system, method and implantable medical for concurrently providing a therapeutic output to a patient while communicating transcutaneously with an external device. The therapeutic output is provided to the patient with an implantable medical device wherein an electromagnetic signal is associated with at least one of recharging of a rechargeable power source and providing the therapeutic output. Bi-directional transcutaneous communication is conducted via via telemetry between the implantable medical device and an external device using a telemetry signal while the telemetry signal and the electromagnetic signal occur simultaneously.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a system for preparing a patient for an endoscopy procedure, such as a colonoscopy. The endoscopic preparation and examination system includes an endoscope, a source of irrigation and aspiration, and a control unit. The endoscope includes an elongated flexible shaft with a distal tip and a proximal end, at least one aspiration lumen and at least one irrigation lumen. A plurality of irrigation ports are functionally connected to the at least one irrigation lumen and a plurality of aspiration ports are functionally connected to the at least one aspiration lumen. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of clearing an obstructed view in a patient prior to, or during an endoscopic examination.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing stereoscopic imaging. The method may involve obtaining a first image of a scene, at a first time, using a camera disposed on a platform, where the distance between the camera and the scene is changing. The camera may be used to obtain a second image of the scene, at a second time, with one of the first and second images being larger than the other. One of the images that is larger than the other may be resized so that the sizes of the two images are substantially similar. Both of the images may be rotated a predetermined degree so that the images form a stereo pair that may be viewed with a stereoscope viewing component or made into an anaglyph for viewing with an anaglyph viewing component.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system for use with an endoscope. Certain embodiments of the invention include a single, large fluid source and pump installed upon an operator console, in combination with a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a proximal connector of the imaging endoscope, multiple fluid sources that feed a common fluid channel that are pressurized by a common pump, multiple fluid sources that feed dedicated fluid channels that are pressurized by dedicated pumps, and a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a handheld manual controller of the imaging endoscope. The fluid delivery endoscopic systems of the present invention provide the user with the flexibility of changing fluids either in advance of a procedure or on-the-fly as needed, instead of relying on fixed fluid sources only.

Abstract: A variceal banding endoscope includes an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end that is removably connected to a control unit. The endoscope includes a variceal banding apparatus fixedly attached to the distal end of the endoscope and capable of receiving a plurality of ligation bands. A trigger cable extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the shaft and is digitally actuated by an actuator in the control unit or handle of the scope in response to a user input device.

Abstract: A variceal banding endoscope includes an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end that is removably connected to a control unit. The endoscope includes a variceal banding apparatus fixedly attached to the distal end of the endoscope and capable of receiving a plurality of ligation bands. A trigger cable extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the shaft and is digitally actuated by an actuator in the control unit or handle of the scope in response to a user input device.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system for use with an endoscope. Certain embodiments of the invention include a single, large fluid source and pump installed upon an operator console, in combination with a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a proximal connector of the imaging endoscope, multiple fluid sources that feed a common fluid channel that are pressurized by a common pump, multiple fluid sources that feed dedicated fluid channels that are pressurized by dedicated pumps, and a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a handheld manual controller of the imaging endoscope. The fluid delivery endoscopic systems of the present invention provide the user with the flexibility of changing fluids either in advance of a procedure or on-the-fly as needed, instead of relying on fixed fluid sources only.

Abstract: An imaging endoscope comprising a shaft having a proximal end adapted to be secured to a handle, and a distal end having a biopsy forceps disposed therein. The biopsy forceps includes one or more end-effector elements that are actuated with a control cable that may be connected to the handle. The endoscope shaft includes a biopsy sample lumen that is configured to receive a biopsy sample obtained from the forceps assembly. A sample collection apparatus is attached to the handle to capture multiple biopsy samples. In some embodiments, the endoscope is a single-use endoscope.

Abstract: A miniaturized x-ray apparatus for delivering x-rays to a selected site within a body cavity includes a catheter having at least one lumen and an x-ray transparent window at a distal end thereof; an x-ray source in the lumen adjacent said x-ray transparent window; a movable x-ray shield positioned to direct x-rays from the source through the x-ray transparent window to the selected site.

Abstract: An imaging endoscope comprising a shaft having a proximal end adapted to be secured to a handle, and a distal end having a biopsy forceps disposed therein. The biopsy forceps includes one or more end-effector elements that are actuated with a control cable that may be connected to the handle. The endoscope shaft includes a biopsy sample lumen that is configured to receive a biopsy sample obtained from the forceps assembly. A sample collection apparatus is attached to the handle to capture multiple biopsy samples. In some embodiments, the endoscope is a single-use endoscope.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing stereoscopic imaging. The method may involve obtaining a first image of a scene, at a first time, using a camera disposed on a platform, where the distance between the camera and the scene is changing. The camera may be used to obtain a second image of the scene, at a second time, with one of the first and second images being larger than the other. One of the images that is larger than the other may be resized so that the sizes of the two images are substantially similar. Both of the images may be rotated a predetermined degree so that the images form a stereo pair that may be viewed with a stereoscope viewing component or made into an anaglyph for viewing with an anaglyph viewing component.

Abstract: A miniaturized x-ray apparatus for delivering x-rays to a selected site within a body cavity includes a catheter having at least one lumen and an x-ray transparent window at a distal end thereof; an x-ray source in the lumen adjacent said x-ray transparent window; a movable x-ray shield positioned to direct x-rays from the source through the x-ray transparent window to the selected site.

Abstract: A miniaturized x-ray apparatus for delivering x-rays to a selected site within a body cavity includes a catheter having at least one lumen and an x-ray transparent window at a distal end thereof; an x-ray source in the lumen adjacent said x-ray transparent window; a movable x-ray shield positioned to direct x-rays from the source through the x-ray transparent window to the selected site.

Abstract: A system, method and implantable medical for providing switched power while providing transcutaneous telemetry communication with an implanted medical device having an internal power source. An electronics module is adapted to supply the therapeutic output to the patient. A telemetry module is configured for transcutaneous telemetry communication. The telemetry module obtains power from the telemetry signal during transcutaneous telemetry communication.

Abstract: A miniaturized x-ray apparatus for delivering x-rays to a selected site within a body cavity includes a catheter having at least one lumen and an x-ray transparent window at a distal end thereof; an x-ray source in the lumen adjacent said x-ray transparent window; a movable x-ray shield positioned to direct x-rays from the source through the x-ray transparent window to the selected site.

Abstract: An automated method as system for verifying end-to-end connectivity in a broadcast network such as an xDSL network including a plurality of elements such as ATM switches coupled to a subscriber modem. The method and system includes determining each of the elements in the network and establishing a communication channel with a corresponding interface of each element to generate test commands and elicit responsive data. Service logic is applied to determine the location of a fault and display the same on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) in a suitable format such as a Visual Word Document (VWD).

Abstract: A miniaturized x-ray apparatus for delivering x-rays to a selected site within a body cavity includes a catheter having at least one lumen and an x-ray transparent window at a distal end thereof; an x-ray source in the lumen adjacent said x-ray transparent window; a movable x-ray shield positioned to direct x-rays from the source through the x-ray transparent window to the selected site.

Abstract: A miniaturized x-ray apparatus for delivering x-rays to a selected site within a body cavity includes a catheter having at least one lumen and an x-ray transparent window at a distal end thereof; an x-ray source in the lumen adjacent said x-ray transparent window; a movable x-ray shield positioned to direct x-rays from the source through the x-ray transparent window to the selected site.