Abstract: A method is provided for a robotic endoscope system. The method comprises: generating a 3D depth map of an environment surrounding the robotic endoscope system; autonomously actuating a self-propelled base of a robotic support system to a desired location relative to a patient bed based on the 3D depth map, wherein the robotic support system comprises a robotic arm coupled to the self-propelled base at a proximal end and coupled to a flexible endoscope apparatus via an instrument driving mechanism (IDM) at a distal end; and actuating the robotic arm to align the IDM to a component coupled to or part of the patient bed.

Abstract: A method is provided for a robotic endoscope system. The method comprises: generating a 3D depth map of an environment surrounding the robotic endoscope system; autonomously actuating a self-propelled base of a robotic support system to a desired location relative to a patient bed based on the 3D depth map, wherein the robotic support system comprises a robotic arm coupled to the self-propelled base at a proximal end and coupled to a flexible endoscope apparatus via an instrument driving mechanism (IDM) at a distal end; and actuating the robotic arm to align the IDM to a component coupled to or part of the patient bed.

Abstract: A hybrid vision device is provided. The hybrid vision device comprises: an articulating elongate member comprising a proximal end and a distal end, and a positional sensor is located at the distal end of the articulating elongate member; and a multimodal sensing probe removably coupled to the articulating elongate member, and the multimodal sensing probe comprises an ultrasound transducer and a camera located at a distal portion of the multimodal sensing probe.

Abstract: A method is provided for auto registration for a robotic endoscopic apparatus. The method comprises: (a) generate a first transformation between an orientation of the robotic endoscopic apparatus and an orientation of a location sensor based at least in part on a first set of sensor data collected using the location sensor; (b) generating a second transformation between a coordinate frame of the robotic endoscopic apparatus and a coordinate frame of a model representing an anatomical luminal network based at least in part on the first transformation and a second set of sensor data; and (c) updating, based at least in part on a third set of sensor data, the second transformation using an updating algorithm.

Abstract: An endoscopic robotic arm system and apparatus is provided. The devices and systems comprise various features improving the cost efficiency and reducing the complexity of manufacturing as well as usage. Disposable elongate members are described herein. The user interface device may also be adapted to the user behavior and may be personalized.

Abstract: An articulating flexible endoscope is provided. The endoscope comprises: a distal tip portion that is steerable via a driving mechanism; a bending section connected to the distal tip portion at a first end, and connected to a shaft portion at a transition interface, the bending section is articulated by one or more pull wires; and the shaft portion comprising one or more load transmission tubes for reducing at least a portion of the articulation force applied to the bending section by the one or more pull wires thereby improving stability of the shaft portion, the one or more load transmission tubes are anchored to the transition interface and have a length greater than the length of the shaft portion.