Abstract: An intragastric device comprising: an inflation magnet provided within a capsule and configured to move towards a first end of a capsule during activation of the intragastric device by applying a magnetic field externally to a user after swallowing the intragastric device; a first chamber and a second chamber physically separated by a partition having a through hole; a separator connected to the inflation magnet and sealing the through hole before activation of the intragastric device, wherein activation of the intragastric device moves the separator to unseal the through hole to allow a chemical reaction between a first chemical stored in the first chamber and a second chemical stored in the second chamber; a balloon secured to the capsule and collapsed against the capsule before activation of the intragastric device; and an expandable volume configured to expand when the balloon is inflated by a gaseous product of the chemical reaction.

Abstract: An intragastric device comprising: an inflation magnet provided within a capsule and configured to move towards a first end of a capsule during activation of the intragastric device by applying a magnetic field externally to a user after swallowing the intragastric device; a first chamber and a second chamber physically separated by a partition having a through hole; a separator connected to the inflation magnet and sealing the through hole before activation of the intragastric device, wherein activation of the intragastric device moves the separator to unseal the through hole to allow a chemical reaction between a first chemical stored in the first chamber and a second chemical stored in the second chamber; a balloon secured to the capsule and collapsed against the capsule before activation of the intragastric device; and an expandable volume configured to expand when the balloon is inflated by a gaseous product of the chemical reaction.

Abstract: A method of achieving instrument independent measurements for quantitative analysis of fiber-optic Raman spectroscope system, the system comprising a laser source, a spectroscope and a fiber optic probe to transmit light from the laser source to a target and return scattered light to the spectroscope, the method comprising transmitting light from the laser source to a standard target having a known spectrum, recording a calibration spectrum of the scattered light from the standard target, comparing the known spectrum and the calibration system and generating a probe and/or probe-system transfer function, and storing the transfer function. Further provided is a method of performing real-time diagnostic Raman spectroscopy optionally in combination with the other disclosed methods.

Abstract: A diagnostic instrument comprises a monochromatic light source, transmission means to transmit light from the light source to a test site, collection means to transmit scattered light from the test site, and spectral analysis apparatus to receive light from the collection means, the spectral analysis apparatus comprising a diffraction grating having a first grating element and a second grating element, wherein the first grating element diffracts light within a first wavelength range and the second grating element diffracts light within a second wavelength range, the spectral analysis apparatus further comprising a light-sensing apparatus, the first grating element arranged to diffract light onto a first area of the light-sensing apparatus and the second grating element arranged to diffract light onto a second area of the light-sensing apparatus.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator 100, controller 300 and system for use in flexible endoscopy, the manipulator 100 comprising a flexible member configured to be coupled to an endoscope, and an arm connected to and movable by the flexible member, wherein the flexible member has a first end connected to the arm and a second end connectable to the controller 300 to allow a physical movement of the arm to be controllable by a physical movement of the controller 300.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a balloon inflating device may be provided. The balloon inflating device may include a balloon, a first substance within the balloon, a second substance within the balloon capable of having a reaction with the first substance to generate a gas within the balloon to inflate the balloon; and an electrical activator configured to activate the reaction between the first and second substances thus inflating the balloon. According to various embodiments, a method for inflating a balloon may be provided. The method for inflating a balloon may include providing a first substance within the balloon, providing a second substance within the balloon; and activating a reaction between the first and second substances electrically to generate a gas within the balloon to inflate the balloon.

Abstract: A diagnostic instrument comprises a monochromatic light source, transmission means to transmit light from the light source to a test site, collection means to transmit scattered light from the test site, and spectral analysis apparatus to receive light from the collection means, the spectral analysis apparatus comprising a diffraction grating having a first grating element and a second grating element, wherein the first grating element diffracts light within a first wavelength range and the second grating element diffracts light within a second wavelength range, the spectral analysis apparatus further comprising a light-sensing apparatus, the first grating element arranged to diffract light onto a first area of the light-sensing apparatus and the second grating element arranged to diffract light onto a second area of the light-sensing apparatus.

Abstract: A method of achieving instrument independent measurements for quantitative analysis of fiber-optic Raman spectroscope system, the system comprising a laser source, a spectroscope and a fiber optic probe to transmit light from the laser source to a target and return scattered light to the spectroscope, the method comprising transmitting light from the laser source to a standard target having a known spectrum, recording a calibration spectrum of the scattered light from the standard target, comparing the known spectrum and the calibration system and generating a probe and/or probe-system transfer function, and storing the transfer function. Further provided is a method of performing real-time diagnostic Raman spectroscopy optionally in combination with the other disclosed methods.

Abstract: A master-slave robotic endoscopy system includes a flexible primary endoscope probe having at least one tool channel for carrying a tendon-sheath driven robot arm and corresponding end effector, and a secondary endoscope probe channel for carrying an imaging endoscope. The imaging endoscope provides enhanced image capture range relative to a distal end of the primary endoscope probe by way of a secondary endoscope probe channel distal opening proximally offset from the primary endoscope probe distal end; a ramp structure distally carried by the primary endoscope probe; and/or one or more actuatable distal imaging endoscope regions. Robot arms can include joint primitives that enable robot arm/end effector manipulation in accordance with intended degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A probe head for a diagnostic instrument, the probe head comprising; a transmission optical fiber, a plurality of collection optical fibers, and a lens to transmit light from the transmission optical fiber to a test site, wherein the ends of the collection optical fibers are bevelled.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator 100, controller 300 and system for use in flexible endoscopy, the manipulator 100 comprising a flexible member configured to be coupled to an endoscope, and an arm connected to and movable by the flexible member, wherein the flexible member has a first end connected to the arm and a second end connectable to the controller 300 to allow a physical movement of the arm to be controllable by a physical movement of the controller 300.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of intestinal metaplasias that develop to esophageal, gastric, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The stem cells and differentiated cells of these intestinal metaplasias show high expression of CDH17 as well as other proteins. The invention also includes a clonal population of Barrett's esophagus stem cells as well as the stem cells of the surrounding normal epithelia and methods of using them for the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of Barrett's esophagus.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator controller and system for use in flexible endoscopy, the manipulator comprising a flexible member configured to be coupled to an endoscope, and an arm connected to and movable by the flexible member, wherein the flexible member has a first end connected to the arm and a second end connectable to the controller to allow a physical movement of the arm to be controllable by a physical movement of the controller.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to the treatment, detection, and diagnosis of various cancers, including esophageal or gastric adenocarcinoma and related metaplasias. The invention also includes a clonal population of Barrett's esophagus progenitor cells and methods of using them for the treatment, detection, and diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a balloon inflating device may be provided. The balloon inflating device may include a balloon, a first substance within the balloon, a second substance within the balloon capable of having a reaction with the first substance to generate a gas within the balloon to inflate the balloon; and an electrical activator configured to activate the reaction between the first and second substances thus inflating the balloon. According to various embodiments, a method for inflating a balloon may be provided. The method for inflating a balloon may include providing a first substance within the balloon, providing a second substance within the balloon; and activating a reaction between the first and second substances electrically to generate a gas within the balloon to inflate the balloon.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator controller and system for use in flexible endoscopy, the manipulator comprising a flexible member configured to be coupled to an endoscope, and an arm connected to and movable by the flexible member, wherein the flexible member has a first end connected to the arm and a second end connectable to the controller to allow a physical movement of the arm to be controllable by a physical movement of the controller.