Abstract: An endoscope system may include an endoscope having a pressure sensor at a distal end and an access sheath defining a lumen configured to movably receive the endoscope. A fluid management system may include an inflow pump fluidly coupled to the endoscope and an outflow pump fluidly coupled to the access sheath. A controller may control the pump based on pressure measurements from the pressure sensor and a position of the endoscope's distal end relative to the access sheath's distal end. The controller may receive a maximum allowable pressure value and control the pumps to maintain pressure below the maximum value and adjusts pump operation based on the relative position of the endoscope.

Abstract: Medical systems are described, including a medical system that includes a scope including a handle and a shaft defining a channel having a distal opening, a processor, at least one laser source, a first laser fiber, and a second laser fiber, wherein each of the first laser fiber and the second laser fiber is coupled to the at least one laser source and extends through the shaft, wherein a distal end of the shaft includes an imager, the distal opening of the channel, a distal end of the first laser fiber, and a distal end of the second laser fiber, and wherein each of the first laser fiber and the second laser fiber is configured to transmit a collimated beam onto a target without altering or fragmenting the target.

Abstract: An imaging system and methods are presented for determining a size of a viewed object through a monocular endoscope. The system includes an imaging device mounted on the endoscope, at least one light source disposed in a fixed position relative to the imaging device, and a processor configured to receive input from the imaging device and analyze at least one of shadow effect from the light source, structured lighting provided by the light source, multi-point illumination including the light source, time-of-flight involving light pulses from the light source, and lateral color aberrations from the light source to determine the size of the viewed object.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes an optical fiber including a first optical module and a gate. The gate can be capable of moving between closed and opened states to form a slit. At least one storage medium can be included having encoded thereon executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to carry out a method including directing light from the first optical module through the slit onto the stone to form a pair of lines with a spacing between the pair of lines; and determining a size of the stone, based on a distance from a distal tip of the optical fiber and the spacing between the pair of lines.

Abstract: An imaging system and methods are presented for determining a size of a viewed object through a monocular endoscope. The system includes an imaging device mounted on the endoscope, at least one light source disposed in a fixed position relative to the imaging device, and a processor configured to receive input from the imaging device and analyze at least one of shadow effect from the light source, structured lighting provided by the light source, multi-point illumination including the light source, time-of-flight involving light pulses from the light source, and lateral color aberrations from the light source to determine the size of the viewed object.

Abstract: A medical system includes a scope with a distal portion and a processor. The distal portion includes a first laser fiber, a second laser fiber, an imager, and one or more illumination devices. The processor is configured to cause the first laser fiber to project a first beam and the second laser fiber to project a second beam, cause the imager to capture one or more images of the target comprising a first image group, cause the medical system to transition to a first configuration, cause the imager to capture one or more images of the target comprising a second image group, and combine the first and second image groups to create a composite image. The first configuration includes one or more illumination devices in a first illumination state, the imager in a first exposure state, and the first and second laser fibers in a first laser state.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to combing multiple images are disclosed. An example method of combining multiple images of a body structure includes capturing a first input image with a digital camera positioned at a first location at a first time point, representing the first image with a first plurality of pixels, capturing a second input image with the digital camera positioned at a second location at a second time point, representing the second image with a second plurality of pixels, generating a first feature distance map of the first input image, generating a second feature distance map of the second input image, calculating the positional change of the digital camera between the first time point and the second time point and utilizing the first feature distance map, the second feature distance map and the positional change of the digital camera to generate a three-dimensional surface approximation the body structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying the luminance value of at least one image are discussed, e.g., including receiving a request to modify the luminance value of at least one image, determining a weighted frame luminance of the at least one image based on an imbalance factor, modifying the luminance value of the at least one image by changing at least one setting of the camera and/or the light source automatically or manually based on the determined weighted frame luminance, and causing to output to a graphical user interface a visualization of the at least one image with the modified luminance value.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for determining anatomical distance and/or position measurements during an endoscopic procedure. Markings are placed either physically or superimposed on a distal end of an elongate tool, such that the markings are viewable in an imaging field of view of the endoscope. Anatomic distances may be determined by measurements performed with the tool. The size and/or position of anatomical structures or unknown objects may also be determined using the marked tool.

Abstract: Medical systems are described, including a medical system including a display having a user interface that includes graphical elements corresponding to a first set of medical parameters and a type of intraluminal state, and a processor configured to receive user input selecting a status or value for at least one medical parameter of the first set of medical parameters and the type of intraluminal state, determine the intraluminal state over time based on the user input, and display on the user interface a graphical representation of the intraluminal state over time.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to combing multiple images are disclosed. An example method of combining multiple images of a body structure includes capturing a first input image with a digital camera positioned at a first location at a first time point, representing the first image with a first plurality of pixels, capturing a second input image with the digital camera positioned at a second location at a second time point, representing the second image with a second plurality of pixels, generating a first feature distance map of the first input image, generating a second feature distance map of the second input image, calculating the positional change of the digital camera between the first time point and the second time point and utilizing the first feature distance map, the second feature distance map and the positional change of the digital camera to generate a three-dimensional surface approximation the body structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying the luminance value of at least one image are discussed, e.g., including receiving a request to modify the luminance value of at least one image, determining a weighted frame luminance of the at least one image based on an imbalance factor, modifying the luminance value of the at least one image by changing at least one setting of the camera and/or the light source automatically or manually based on the determined weighted frame luminance, and causing to output to a graphical user interface a visualization of the at least one image with the modified luminance value.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for determining anatomical distance and/or position measurements during an endoscopic procedure. Markings are placed either physically or superimposed on a distal end of an elongate tool, such that the markings are viewable in an imaging field of view of the endoscope. Anatomic distances may be determined by measurements performed with the tool. The size and/or position of anatomical structures or unknown objects may also be determined using the marked tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to combing multiple images are disclosed. An example method of combining multiple images obtained by an endoscope includes obtaining a first input image formed from a first plurality of pixels, wherein a first pixel of the plurality of pixels includes a first characteristic having a first value. The method also includes obtaining a second input image formed from a second plurality of pixels, wherein a second pixel of the second plurality of pixels includes a second characteristic having a second value. The method also includes subtracting the first value from the second value to generate a motion metric and generating a weighted metric map of the second input image using the motion metric.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to estimating the distance of a body structure from a medical device are disclosed. An example method includes illuminating the body structure with a light source of a medical device, capturing a first input image of the body structure with a digital camera positioned on the medical device, representing the first image with a first plurality of pixels, wherein the first plurality of pixels includes one or more pixels displaying a local intensity maxima, defining a first pixel group from the one or more pixels displaying a local intensity maxima, wherein the first pixel group corresponds to a plurality of surface points of the body structure and wherein the first pixel group further includes a first image intensity. The method further includes calculating a relative distance from the digital camera to a first surface point of the plurality of surface points.

Abstract: A medical system may include a medical device, a processor, and an instrument. The medical device may have a handle and a shaft defining a working channel. The shaft may have a distal opening at a distal end of the shaft. The distal end may include an imager. The instrument may be movable along the working channel to contact a target distal to the distal end of the shaft. The processor may be configured to determine a depth of the target based on pixel characteristics of the target and the instrument in at least one image generated by the imager, and based on a proximity of the instrument to the target in the at least one image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for detecting bowing or looping events during a medical procedure, the system comprising: a medical device including: an insertion portion having a proximal portion and a distal end. A distal sensor may be disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion. The distal sensor is configured to measure an acceleration or a velocity of the distal end of the insertion portion or a distance traveled by the distal end of the insertion portion. A proximal sensor is configured to measure an acceleration or a velocity of the proximal portion of the insertion portion or a distance traveled by the proximal portion of the insertion portion.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for using medical devices are disclosed. An example method for performing percutaneous nephrolithotomy includes registering an optical tracking system to a global coordinate system, registering a fluoroscope to the global coordinate system, generating a first image of a treatment area of a patient using the fluoroscope, generating a second image of the treatment area of the patient using the fluoroscope, selecting a target treatment point within the treatment area on the first image, the second image or both the first image and the second image and overlaying a medical instrument proposed guidance line on the first image, the second image or both the first image and the second image, wherein the medical instrument proposed guidance line depicts a proposed insertion pathway from an insertion point on the patient's body to the target treatment point.

Abstract: Medical systems and related methods useful to estimate the depth of a target are described. The system may include a medical device that includes a handle and a shaft, the medical device also including an imager, a processor, and at least one laser source coupled to a first laser fiber and a second laser fiber. The first and second laser fibers may be configured to transmit respective first and second collimated beams of light onto a target simultaneously without fragmenting the target. The processor may be configured to determine a depth of the target from a proximal facing surface of the target to a distal facing surface of the target based on pixel characteristics of the first and second collimated beams of light in at least one image generated by the imager.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to combing multiple images are disclosed. An example method of combining multiple images obtained by an endoscope includes obtaining a first input image formed from a first plurality of pixels, wherein a first pixel of the plurality of pixels includes a first characteristic having a first value. The method also includes obtaining a second input image formed from a second plurality of pixels, wherein a second pixel of the second plurality of pixels includes a second characteristic having a second value. The method also includes subtracting the first value from the second value to generate a motion metric and generating a weighted metric map of the second input image using the motion metric.