Abstract: A system for, display controller connected to, and a method of, operating a robotic catheter system which is configured to manipulate a catheter having one or more bending segments along the catheter's length and a catheter tip at the distal end thereof, and which includes an actuator unit coupled to the bending segments via one or more drive wires arranged along a wall of the catheter. The method comprising: inserting at least part of the catheter into a lumen along an insertion trajectory that spans from an insertion point to a target; causing the actuator unit to actuate at least one of the one or more drive wires to align the catheter tip with the target; determining the position and/or orientation of the catheter tip with respect to the target; and displaying information about an accuracy of alignment between the catheter tip with respect to the target.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system and methods for implementing corrective actions during use thereof. A method comprises: providing a catheter that has one or more bendable segments and a catheter tip, inserting the catheter into a bodily lumen and navigating the catheter through the lumen along an insertion trajectory while an actuation unit applies an actuation force to the one or more bendable segments; recording a navigation parameter in relation to the insertion trajectory while the catheter is moved through the lumen, displaying, on a display, a graphical representation of the navigation parameter relative to a threshold value indicative of a location along the insertion trajectory where a navigation error of the catheter can occur or has occurred; and outputting to the display an interactive user-guide showing one or more than one corrective actions that can be taken to correct and/or prevent the navigation error.

Abstract: Some devices, systems, and methods obtain a fluoroscopic image and corresponding C-arm positional information of the fluoroscopic image, wherein the fluoroscopic image depicts a distal end of a bendable medical device, and wherein the C-arm positional information indicates a rotation angle of a C-arm of a C-arm scanner; obtain an orientation of the distal end in an image plane of the fluoroscopic image, wherein the image plane is defined in a detector reference frame; obtain an instructed direction; determine, in the image plane, a movement direction of the distal end that corresponds to the instructed direction; map the movement direction from the image plane to a distal-end reference frame of the distal end, wherein the mapping is based on an orientation of the distal end in an intermediate reference frame and on the C-arm positional information; and control the distal end to move according to the mapped movement direction.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums for performing imaging and/or visualization and/or for performing lithotripsy are provided herein. Examples of applications include imaging, evaluating, and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for ureteral, Gastro-intestinal, cardio, bronchial, and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments, such as, but not limited to, optical probes, catheters, ureteroscopes, endoscopes, and bronchoscopes. Techniques provided herein also improve image processing and efficiency and provide reliable imaging techniques that may be used for one or more applications, including, but not limited to, ureteroscopy and lithotripsy, while reducing mental and physical burden and improving ease of use.

Abstract: A continuum robot having at least two independently manipulateable bendable section for advancing the robot through a passage, without contacting fragile elements within the passage, wherein the robot incorporates control algorithms that enable the continuum robot to operate and advance into the passage, as well as the systems and procedures associated with the continuum robot and said functionality.

Abstract: An apparatus for correction of a direction to which a tool channel or a camera moves or is bent in a case where a displayed image is rotated. The apparatus includes at least one memory and at least one processor that executes instructions stored in the memory to receive a directional command of a capturing direction of a camera, move the capturing direction of the camera according to the received directional command, detect a rotation amount of a captured image displayed on a monitor, wherein the captured image is captured by the camera, and correct, based on the detected rotation amount, directional information corresponding to a particular directional command or directional coordinate for moving the camera, wherein the directional information is used for moving the capturing direction of the camera.

Abstract: An endoscope imaging system comprises a robotic controlled steerable catheter and an imaging device removably arranged in a tool channel of the catheter. One or more sensors or markers are configured to map a positional relation of the catheter with respect to an orientation of the imaging device. A controller drives the steerable catheter to manipulate the distal end thereof, while the imaging device acquires an image of a subject or sample. While the imaging device acquires the image, a processor calculates a change in positional relation of the catheter with respect to the orientation of the imaging device based on information provided by the one or more sensors or markers. An output unit provides an indication for remapping the orientation of the steerable catheter with respect to the orientation of the imaging device.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed to methods for using an articulated medical device in treating a subject or patient, wherein the device is capable of maneuvering within the subject or patient, and the method is capable of assessing multiple pathways for reaching a desired target and assigning a difficulty score to each the various pathways.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums for performing image correction and/or adjustment are provided herein. Examples of such image correction and/or adjustment include, but are not limited to, correction of a direction to which a tool channel or a camera moves or is bent in a case where a displayed image is rotated. Examples of applications include imaging, evaluating, and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio, bronchial, and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments, such as, but not limited to, optical probes, catheters, endoscopes, and bronchoscopes. Techniques provided herein also improve processing and imaging efficiency while achieving images that are more precise, and also achieve imaging devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums that reduce mental and physical burden and improve ease of use.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed to an articulated medical device having a sensor for detecting outside movements applied upon the medical device while in a subject or patient, wherein the device is capable of maneuvering within the subject or patient while taking the outsides movements into consideration.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuum robot including a curved portion that is curved by driving a wire with a driving mechanism includes an image DB/torsional-amount acquisition unit that obtains the torsional amount of the continuum robot and a kinematic operation unit that sets the driving displacement amount of the wire driven by the driving mechanism on the basis of the torsional amount obtained by the image DB/torsional-amount acquisition unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for correction of a direction to which a tool channel or a camera moves or is bent in a case where a displayed image is rotated. The apparatus includes at least one memory and at least one processor that executes instructions stored in the memory to receive a directional command of a capturing direction of a camera, move the capturing direction of the camera according to the received directional command, detect a rotation amount of a captured image displayed on a monitor, wherein the captured image is captured by the camera, and correct, based on the detected rotation amount, directional information corresponding to a particular directional command or directional coordinate for moving the camera, wherein the directional information is used for moving the capturing direction of the camera.

Abstract: An endoscope imaging system comprises a robotic controlled steerable catheter and an imaging device removably arranged in a tool channel of the catheter. One or more sensors or markers are configured to map a positional relation of the catheter with respect to an orientation of the imaging device. A controller drives the steerable catheter to manipulate the distal end thereof, while the imaging device acquires an image of a subject or sample. While the imaging device acquires the image, a processor calculates a change in positional relation of the catheter with respect to the orientation of the imaging device based on information provided by the one or more sensors or markers. An output unit provides an indication for remapping the orientation of the steerable catheter with respect to the orientation of the imaging device.

Abstract: A continuum robot having at least two independently manipulateable bendable section for advancing the robot through a passage, without contacting fragile elements within the passage, wherein the robot incorporates control algorithms that enable the continuum robot to operate and advance into the passage, as well as the systems and procedures associated with the continuum robot and said functionality.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed to an articulated medical device in communication with a ventilator, used for regulating breathing patterns in a subject, wherein the articulated medical device may be advanced or retracted during repeatable breathing cycles, so as to reduce the possibility of abrasion to the lungs.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuum robot including a curved portion that is curved by driving a wire with a driving mechanism includes an image DB/torsional-amount acquisition unit that obtains the torsional amount of the continuum robot and a kinematic operation unit that sets the driving displacement amount of the wire driven by the driving mechanism on the basis of the torsional amount obtained by the image DB/torsional-amount acquisition unit.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus includes an ultrasonic wave generating member having a light absorbing member that generates an ultrasonic wave when irradiated by a light from a light irradiating portion, and a transducer that detects the ultrasonic wave and converts the ultrasonic wave into an electric signal. The ultrasonic wave generating member includes an area that has a different light absorption coefficient in an irradiation area irradiated by the light from the light irradiating portion. Furthermore, in an area in which the light absorbing member is disposed, when an area irradiated by the light from the light irradiating portion is referred to as a transmitted ultrasonic wave generating area, the transmitted ultrasonic wave generating area functions as a surface sound source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photoacoustic apparatus including: a photoacoustic probe having a light irradiating unit that irradiates light onto an object and an acoustic wave receiving unit that receives an acoustic wave generated from the object by the irradiation of the light; a specific information acquiring unit that acquires specific information of the object based on the acoustic wave; an order acquiring unit that acquires an order relating to the acquisition of the specific information from an ordering system; an object information acquiring unit that acquires object information relating to the object from an electronic medical record; and a control condition determining unit that determines a control condition of photoacoustic probe based on the order and the object information.

Abstract: Employed is an information processing apparatus, comprising: an interpretation result acquiring unit configured to acquire a plurality of pieces of interpretation result information resulting from interpretations by a plurality of interpreters of a photoacoustic image originating from photoacoustic waves produced from an object that has been irradiated with light; an interpreter information acquiring unit configured to acquire interpreter information that is information pertaining to the plurality of interpreters; and an information processing unit configured to, based on the interpreter information, acquire information identifying each of the interpreters that performed interpretations corresponding respectively to the plurality of pieces of interpretation result information, and configured to, using this interpreter-identifying information, perform weighting of the plurality of pieces of interpretation result information.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus, including: an image acquiring unit configured to acquire a photoacoustic image which originates from a photoacoustic wave generated by irradiating an object with light; an interpretation result acquiring unit configured to acquire interpretation result information, which represents a result of interpreting the photoacoustic image; a biopsy result acquiring unit configured to acquire biopsy result information, which represents a result of biopsy performed on the object; and a data generating unit configured to generate data in which the photoacoustic image, the interpretation result information and the biopsy result information are associated one another.