Abstract: An anatomical model comprising: an inner lumen; and an outer lumen, wherein the inner lumen is disposed inside of the outer lumen so as to create a space therebetween; and further wherein a fluid is disposed within the space, interior to the outer lumen and exterior to the inner lumen, whereby the inner lumen can accurately simulate the mucous membrane lining a mammalian tract.

Abstract: A camera assembly for positioning within a bodily passageway, including a camera, a catheter adapted to retain the camera, and a rotary coupling interconnecting the catheter and the camera. The catheter is provided with helically-wound threads thereon. The rotary coupling permits the catheter to rotate and thereby move axially while the camera remains rotationally stationary.

Abstract: A method for visualizing the interior of a bodily passageway at a remote location, the method comprising the steps of: providing a visualization system for deployment in the bodily passageway, the visualization system comprising: a tube; visualization apparatus disposed within the lumen of the tube; and a deformable helical thread disposed on the exterior surface of the tube, the deformable helical thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in the bodily passageway so that the deformable helical thread engages the interior side wall of the bodily passageway, rotation of the tube will induce a relative movement between the tube and the side wall of the bodily passageway; inserting the visualization system into the bodily passageway at a location remote from the site which is to be visualized, with the deformable helical thread being in a reduced profile configuration; transforming the deformable helical thread into an expanded pr

Abstract: A method for visualizing the interior of a bodily passageway comprising providing a system comprising a plurality of concentric telescoping shafts; visualization apparatus disposed within the telescoping shafts; and a helical thread disposed on the exterior of the telescoping shafts, the helical threads having a sufficient structural integrity and surface profile such that when the telescoping shafts are disposed in the passageway, rotation of the telescoping shafts induces a relative movement between the telescoping shafts and the passageway; wherein the telescoping shafts are configured to be selectively coupled together and de-coupled from one another; inserting the system into the passageway; rotating the telescoping shafts so as to draw the passageway onto the telescoping shafts in a pleating fashion; de-coupling the telescoping shafts; rotating the innermost telescoping shaft so as to draw the passageway onto the innermost telescoping shaft in a pleating fashion; and visualizing the interior of the pass

Abstract: A method for visualizing the interior of a bodily passageway at a remote location, the method comprising the steps of: providing a visualization system for deployment in the bodily passageway, the visualization system comprising: a tube having a distal end and a proximal end, at least a portion of the distal end being rotatable relative to the proximal end; visualization apparatus disposed within the lumen of the tube; and a helical thread disposed on the exterior surface of the rotatable portion of the distal end of the tube, the helical thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in the bodily passageway so that the helical thread engages the interior side wall of the bodily passageway, rotation of the rotatable portion of the distal end of the tube will induce a relative movement between the tube and the side wall of the bodily passageway; inserting the visualization system into the bodily passageway at a location remote from

Abstract: An anatomical model comprising: a lumen structure; a frame; and movable connections selectively supporting the lumen structure to the frame.

Abstract: A method for visualizing the interior of a bodily passageway comprising: providing a visualization system for deployment in the bodily passageway, the visualization system comprising: a tube; visualization apparatus; and a helical thread on the exterior surface of the tube, such that when the tube is disposed in the bodily passageway so that the helical thread engages the interior side wall of the bodily passageway, rotation of the tube will induce a relative movement between the tube and the side wall of the bodily passageway; inserting the visualization system into the bodily passageway at a location remote from the site which is to be visualized; rotating the tube so as to draw the bodily passageway onto the tube in a pleating fashion, whereby to bring the site which is to be visualized toward the visualization apparatus; and using the visualization apparatus to visualize the interior of the bodily passageway.

Abstract: A remote control flexible instrument system, employing a shaft which supports a tool, is described in which the has proximal and distal ends with at least a portion thereof extending through a lumen of the human body so as to locate the shaft at an internal target site. A master station including an input device provides control of the instrument situated at a slave station. The master station can control at least one degree-of-freedom of the flexible instrument. A controller intercouples the master and slave stations and is operated in accordance with a computer algorithm that receives a command from the input device for controlling at least one degree-of-freedom of the catheter so as to respond in accordance with action at the input device. The flexible instrument further comprises a controlled flexible segment along the shaft, for controlled bending at the flexible segment to guide the shaft and to dispose the tool at an operative site.

Abstract: A thin-walled elastic sheath that can be stretched axially over an elongated imaging device to closely conform to the device and isolate the device from an external environment, and a method of forming such a sheath, are shown and described. The method includes the steps of heating at least a portion of a sheet of an elastomeric material to an elevated temperature to form a malleable heated portion of the sheet, pressing an elongated forming tool against the sheet at a location central with respect to the heated portion of the sheet, stretching the heated portion of the elastomeric material with the forming tool until an elastic conforming portion of the sheet is conformed to at least a portion of the length of the forming tool, and removing the forming tool from the conforming portion of the sheet to leave the thin-walled, elastic sheath having a wall thickness approximately equal to or less than 0.006 inches.

Abstract: A remote control flexible instrument system, employing a shaft which supports a tool, is described in which the has proximal and distal ends with at least a portion thereof extending through a lumen of the human body so as to locate the shaft at an internal target site. A master station including an input device provides control of the instrument situated at a slave station. The master station can control at least one degree-of-freedom of the flexible instrument. A controller intercouples the master and slave stations and is operated in accordance with a computer algorithm that receives a command from the input device for controlling at least one degree-of-freedom of the catheter so as to respond in accordance with action at the input device. The flexible instrument further comprises a controlled flexible segment along the shaft, for controlled bending at the flexible segment to guide the shaft and to dispose the tool at an operative site.

Abstract: An endoscope having an articulation system that provides a mechanical advantage and facilitates articulation of the distal section of the endoscope insertion tube. The endoscope includes a handle held by a user during an endoscopic procedure and an insertion tube attached at its proximal section to the handle. A plurality of control cables extending the length of the insertion tube are securely attached to the insertion tube's distal section and are axially movable to articulate the distal section. Control wheels are rotatably attached to the handle and positioned to be manipulated by the user during the endoscopic procedure. The articulation system is connected at one end to the control cables and at the other end to the control wheels. The articulation system transmits movement of the control wheels to the control cables.

Abstract: An endoscope having an articulation system that provides a mechanical advantage and facilitates articulation of the distal section of the endoscope insertion tube. The endoscope includes a handle held by a user during an endoscopic procedure and an insertion tube attached at its proximal section to the handle. A plurality of control cables extending the length of the insertion tube are securely attached to the insertion tube's distal section and are axially movable to articulate the distal section. Control wheels are rotatably attached to the handle and positioned to be manipulated by the user during the endoscopic procedure. The articulation system is connected at one end to the control cables and at the other end to the control wheels. The articulation system transmits movement of the control wheels to the control cables.

Abstract: A partially elastic protective sheath surrounding the insertion tube of an endoscope. The sheath is partially inflated while being installed on the endoscope and remains partially inflated during endoscopy. The sheath has an end cap with a gasket shaped to provide a seal around the insertion tube during installation and endoscopy. The sheath is provided with a window near its distal end positioned in front of the viewing window of the endoscope. The sheath may have one or more channels extending along its length to accommodate one or more biopsy or fluid tubes of the endoscope. The sheath may be used with either end-viewing endoscopes or side-viewing endoscopes.

Abstract: A removable control knob/brake assembly for an endoscope having a handle and an insertion tube. The assembly is intended to be used with endoscopes which use protective bags or sheaths to isolate the insertion tube and the remainder of the handle from the internal environment of a patient. The control knob/brake assembly is not otherwise protected so, after being used, it must be removed for cleaning. A simple push button release mechanism is provided to easily remove the assembly from the handle. Retaining screws and a retaining clip are provided to prevent the control knob/brake assembly from coming apart when the assembly is removed from the handle. To attach the assembly to the handle, it merely is pushed on the handle.

Abstract: A bending section of an endoscope is constructed from non-round vertebrae. The vertebrae are D-shaped, having a planar portion and an arcuate portion. A first pair of protrusions extends from a first surface of the vertebra, defining a vertical bending axis. A second pair of protrusions extends from a second surface of the vertebra, defining a horizontal bending axis. Because the vertebra is D-shaped, the second pair of protrusions are farther from the longitudinal bending axis of the bending section than the first pair of protrusions. To provide uniform, symmetrical bending of the bending section, the first pair of protrusions are shorter than the second pair of protrusions. In addition, the first pair of protrusions extends at a different angle than the second pair and thus have a different shape, so that the first and second pair of protrusions are not symmetrically shaped with respect to each other.