Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for determining a distance between a distal end of an endoscope and a target during an endoscopic procedure are disclosed. A surgical laser feedback control system comprises a feedback analyzer and a controller. The feedback analyzer can receive at least two reflected signals from a target in response to electromagnetic radiation directed at the target. The at least two reflected signals correspond to respective different distances between a distal end of a device of a surgical laser system and the target. The feedback analyzer can determine a distance between the distal end of the device of the surgical laser system and the target based on the at least two reflected signals. The controller can generate a control signal to the surgical laser system to perform a predetermined operation based on the determined distance.

Abstract: A laser tissue ablation system can include an optical fiber, with a distal end being extendible from an endoscope body of an endoscope. The optical fiber can deliver therapeutic laser light from the distal end of the optical fiber toward a target site, and receive return light into the distal end of the optical fiber. The laser tissue ablation system can include a sensor that can spectrally measure the return light. The laser tissue ablation system can include processor circuitry that can form a first determination, from the spectral measurement of the return light, whether flashing event light is present in the return light. The flashing event light can be generated when a flashing event occurs at the distal end of the optical fiber. The processor circuitry can generate, in response to the first determination, a flashing event data signal that indicates whether the flashing event has occurred.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for endoscopic mapping of a target and tracking of endoscope locations inside a subject's body during a procedure are disclosed. An exemplary system comprises an imaging system configured to capture an endoscopic image of the target that includes a footprint of an aiming beam directed at the target, and a video processor configured to identifying one or more landmarks from the captured endoscopic image and determine their respective locations relative to the aiming beam footprint, and generate a target map by integrating a plurality of endoscopic images based on landmarks identified from one or more of the plurality of endoscopic images. The target map can be used to track endoscope location during an endoscopic procedure.

Abstract: A medical apparatus including an endoscopic tool including first and second members longitudinally slidable relative to each other; and a control connected to a proximal end of the endoscopic tool. The control includes a housing and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is longitudinally slidably connected to the housing. The actuation mechanism has the first member and/or the second member connected thereto. The housing includes a connector configured to removably connect the housing to a control section of an endoscope.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for automatic control of surgical site temperature during an endoscopic procedure are disclosed. An exemplary endoscopic surgical system comprises an endoscopic surgical device controllably coupled to a medical instrument to deliver energy to a surgical site during a procedure, an imaging sensor to generate images or video frames of at least a portion of the surgical site during the procedure, and a controller circuit to analyze the generated images or video frames to determine whether a degree of heat built up in a first target at the surgical site exceeds a predetermined threshold. Based on such determination, the controller circuit can determine whether to adjust at least one operating parameter associated with the endoscopic surgical system to achieve or maintain a treatment effect of a different second target at the surgical site while avoid damaging the first target during the procedure.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for endoscopic mapping of a target and tracking of endoscope locations inside a subject's body during a procedure are disclosed. An exemplary system comprises an imaging system configured to capture an endoscopic image of the target that includes a footprint of an aiming beam directed at the target, and a video processor configured to identifying one or more landmarks from the captured endoscopic image and determine their respective locations relative to the aiming beam footprint, and generate a target map by integrating a plurality of endoscopic images based on landmarks identified from one or more of the plurality of endoscopic images. The target map can be used to track endoscope location during an endoscopic procedure.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for delivering laser energy directed toward target tissue using a spectroscopic feedback. An exemplary laser feedback control system comprises a feedback analyzer to receive a signal from a target tissue using a spectroscopic sensor, and a laser controller to determine whether the received signal generally equals a first preset. If the received signal meets the first preset, the laser controller can send a control signal to a laser system to change from a first state to a second state of the first laser system. The laser system can deliver laser energy via an optical fiber towards the target tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic control of surgical site temperature during an endoscopic procedure are disclosed. An exemplary endoscopic surgical system comprises a endoscopic surgical device controllably coupled to a medical instrument to deliver energy to an anatomical target at a surgical site, a temperature sensor to measure temperatures at the surgical site at different times during the procedure, and a controller circuit to generate a temperature trend or a prediction of future temperature at the surgical site using the temperature measurements. Based at least in part on the generated temperature trend or the prediction of future temperature at the surgical site, the controller circuit can adjust at least one operating parameter associated with the endoscopic surgical system to achieve or maintain substantially a desired temperature at the surgical site during the procedure to prevent, or reduce the severity of, laser-induced tissue thermal damage.

Abstract: A laser system, laser fibers, and associated methods are disclosed. In one example, the devices include a hydrophobic coating with a hydrophobic nanoscale physical structure.

Abstract: An endoscope can comprise a proximal section, an insertion section extending longitudinally from the proximal section and comprising an elongate tubular body disposed along an insertion section longitudinal axis and a lumen extending through the elongate tubular body, and a distal section extending from the insertion section and comprising an elevator portion comprising an elevator configured to position and orient one or more endotherapy tools extending from the lumen, and a camera module comprising an illumination unit and an imaging unit. The camera module can be positioned longitudinally spaced apart from the elevator portion in an in-line configuration, such that the insertion tube longitudinal axis passes through the elevator portion and the camera module. The camera module can be user-detachable from the elevator portion. The camera module can be cleaned and sanitized for reuse and the insertion section can be disposable.

Abstract: A lithotripter is provided that includes a lithotripsy apparatus for treatment of a urinary tract stone by fragmentation. The lithotripsy apparatus includes a lithotripsy wave guide shaft configured to transmit an energy form to at least one urinary tract stone. The lithotripter includes a sensing device configured to provide signal data for determining optimal application of energy during treatment with the lithotripsy apparatus. The lithotripter includes a processor configured to collect the signal data and provide feedback to a user. The processor has a control logic configured to determine at least one of: a) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a tissue; b) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a stone; c) type of stone; d) if a user is applying force in excess of a predetermined threshold; and e) physical characteristics of a stone. A method is also provided.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for delivering laser energy directed toward target tissue using a spectroscopic feedback. An exemplary laser feedback control system comprises a feedback analyzer to receive a signal from a target tissue using a spectroscopic sensor, and a laser controller to determine whether the received signal generally equals a first preset. If the received signal meets the first preset, the laser controller can send a control signal to a laser system to change from a first state to a second state of the first laser system. The laser system can deliver laser energy via an optical fiber towards the target tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed are system and methods for a laser system comprising at least one laser, a processor, and a user interface. The processor can receive a range for at least one setting of the at least one laser that the at least one laser can operate within. The processor can further determine a proposed updated value for the at least one setting and determine that the proposed updated value is within the range. An indication of the proposed updated value and an option for a user to accept or reject the proposed updated value can be provided on a user interface. Responsive to an acceptance the at least one setting can be adjusted based on the proposed updated value. Responsive to no rejection within a predetermined period of time, the processor can cause the at least one setting to be adjusted or cancel adjustment of the at least one setting.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for determining advancement of a surgical laser fiber in an endoscope and providing interlocking feedback for the surgical laser are disclosed. An exemplary method includes directing light from a distal end of an endoscope to a target, optically detecting an amount of the light reflected from the target, transmitting the optically detected amount of light through a laser fiber extending through a working channel of the endoscope, determining, based on the optically detected amount of light, a position of a distal end of the laser fiber relative to the distal end of the endoscope, and generating a control signal to the surgical laser system to adjust laser emission through the laser fiber.

Abstract: System and techniques for target identification system are described herein. In an example, a system can include a medical instrument for ablating a target and a mechanism for removing the ablated target from an anatomic site into an evacuation path. The evacuation path can include a measurement chamber. The system can also include a turbulence-generation system that can generate turbulence in the measurement chamber. The system can also include a target-identification system that can determine a characteristic of at least a portion of the ablated target in the measurement chamber.

Abstract: An endoscope can comprise a proximal section, an insertion section extending longitudinally from the proximal section and comprising an elongate tubular body disposed along an insertion section longitudinal axis and a lumen extending through the elongate tubular body, and a distal section extending from the insertion section and comprising an elevator portion comprising an elevator configured to position and orient one or more endotherapy tools extending from the lumen, and a camera module comprising an illumination unit and an imaging unit. The camera module can be positioned longitudinally spaced apart from the elevator portion in an in-line configuration, such that the insertion tube longitudinal axis passes through the elevator portion and the camera module. The camera module can be user-detachable from the elevator portion. The camera module can be cleaned and sanitized for reuse and the insertion section can be disposable.

Abstract: A probe of a target identification system can be extended via a first lumen of a viewing instrument, such as for illuminating an area beyond a distal end of the viewing instrument via an optical path of the viewing instrument. An optical response to the illumination of the area can be received via an optical path of the probe and can be split from other optical signals of the optical path. The optical response information can be used to identify characteristics of a target and to adjust parameters of a working instrument such as a working instrument contemporaneously using the probe.

Abstract: A method of identifying an illumination light source in a surgical system comprises steps of receiving a signal from a target after the target is illuminated by the illumination light source, performing spectroscopic analysis of the received signal, and based at least in part on the spectroscopic analysis, determining a characteristic of the illumination light source. A method of treating a target comprises receiving a signal from the target after the target is illuminated by an illumination light source, performing spectroscopic analysis of the received signal, based at least in part on the spectroscopic analysis, determining a first characteristic of the illumination light source and a second characteristic of the target, and based at least in part on the determined characteristics of the illumination light source and the target, operating a surgical system to treat the target.

Abstract: A system for spectroscopic signal detection can comprise a spectrometer, a light source emitter configurable to emit a first signal toward a target, and an aiming light source emitter configurable to emit a second signal having a visible spectrum toward the target. The system can include a first optical component such as a filter for attenuating or removing noise associated with the second signal from a third signal from the target back to the spectrometer.

Abstract: A lithotripter is provided that includes a lithotripsy apparatus for treatment of a urinary tract stone by fragmentation. The lithotripsy apparatus includes a lithotripsy wave guide shaft configured to transmit an energy form to at least one urinary tract stone. The lithotripter includes a sensing device configured to provide signal data for determining optimal application of energy during treatment with the lithotripsy apparatus. The lithotripter includes a processor configured to collect the signal data and provide feedback to a user. The processor has a control logic configured to determine at least one of: a) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a tissue; b) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a stone; c) type of stone; d) if a user is applying force in excess of a predetermined threshold; and e) physical characteristics of a stone. A method is also provided.