Abstract: Flexible elongate devices include an elongate body having an articulable body portion and an axial support structure within the articulable body portion. The axial support structure can include links longitudinally stacked on one another, where each of the links includes a body defining a plurality of pull wire openings, an outwardly protruding hinge, and a socket. The socket is circumferentially offset relative to the hinge and configured to receive the hinge of one of the links therein. The flexible elongate device can include a distal member disposed at a distal end of the axial support structure, a proximal member disposed at a proximal end of the axial support structure, and a braid sheath surrounding the axial support structure within the articulable body portion, where ends of the braid sheath are coupled to the distal and proximal members.

Abstract: Illustrative systems and methods for inserting an elongate flexible instrument into a target environment are described. An illustrative system includes a guide device positioned near an opening to the target environment and having a rotary mechanism and a motor configured to drive the rotary mechanism. The system further includes a sensor system associated with insertion of the elongate flexible instrument along an insertion axis and a processor communicatively coupled to the motor and the sensor system. The processor is configured to receive sensor data from the sensor system, evaluate the sensor data, and control, based on the evaluation, the motor to actuate the elongate flexible instrument along the insertion axis. In some examples, the processor controls the motor to vary a rate of rotation of the rotary mechanism based on a determined system status.

Abstract: A method for controlling fluid delivery to a medical instrument comprises releasing, from a reservoir of a known size and having fluid at a volume and a first fluid pressure, a released fluid volume of the fluid to the medical instrument. The method also comprises measuring a vented fluid volume and determining a discharged fluid volume through the medical instrument based on the released fluid volume and the vented fluid volume.

Abstract: Illustrative systems and methods for inserting an elongate flexible instrument into a target environment are described. An illustrative system includes a guide device positioned near an opening to the target environment and having a rotary mechanism and a motor configured to drive the rotary mechanism. The system further includes a sensor system associated with insertion of the elongate flexible instrument along an insertion axis and a processor communicatively coupled to the motor and the sensor system. The processor is configured to receive sensor data from the sensor system, evaluate the sensor data, and control, based on the evaluation, the motor to actuate the elongate flexible instrument along the insertion axis. In some examples, the processor controls the motor to vary a rate of rotation of the rotary mechanism based on a determined system status.

Abstract: A method for controlling fluid delivery to a catheter comprises charging a reservoir, of a known size, with a fluid to a volume at an initial fluid pressure and releasing a released fluid volume of the fluid from the reservoir to the catheter. The method also comprises measuring a vented fluid volume and determining a discharged fluid volume through the catheter based on the released fluid volume and the vented fluid volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a gain characteristic to an audio signal are provided. Data storing a plurality of gain characteristics at a plurality of different levels is stored in a storage means. The amplitude of an input signal is repeatedly assessed and from this a gain characteristic to be applied to the input is determined.

Abstract: An audio-visual reproduction system includes an audio signal source, a video signal source and a plurality of audio-visual reproduction devices connected to the audio source and the video source via respective audio and video channels, each such device thereby reproducing combined audio-visual material. Each device includes an automatic audio volume control circuit, and, positioned near the device, an audio transducer generates an output signal in dependence upon ambient noise in the vicinity of the device. The volume control circuit is arranged to apply a level of gain or attenuation in reproducing the audio signal from the audio source responsively to the audio signal level, so as to reduce the effect of the audio signal component within the ambient noise upon the level of gain or attenuation.