Abstract: A device to provide a volume in a lumen for endoscopic procedures is provided. The device comprises a plurality of flexible tube linkages, said each flexible tube linkage having a distal end and a proximal end, an actuation and locking mechanism comprising an actuation wire, wherein the proximal end of the each flexible tube linkage is connected to the actuation and locking mechanism, wherein the actuation wire is connected about the distal of the each flexible tube linkage, and wherein the actuation wire is arranged to rotate relative to the actuation and locking mechanism so as to define the volume.

Abstract: A force sensor for a tendon-actuated mechanism, the force sensor comprising: a body having a through hole for passage of a tendon of the tendon-actuated mechanism therethrough, the body configured to be connected to a part of the tendon-actuated mechanism through which the tendon passes; and a sensor provided on the body to obtain a compression force on the body from the part of the tendon-actuated mechanism through which the tendon passes.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor-based tracking system, a method, and computer readable media for tracking an apparatus having a magnetic field generating device through an environment having a consistent magnetic field are provided. The magnetic sensor-based tracking system includes the apparatus having the magnetic field generating device, one or more magnetic field sensing devices, and a controller. Each of the one or more magnetic field sensing devices is configured in operation to be located within a sensible range of an expected path of the magnetic field generating device as it passes through the environment, the expected path including a plurality of regions.

Abstract: A force sensor for a tendon-actuated mechanism, the force sensor comprising: a body having a through hole for passage of a tendon of the tendon-actuated mechanism therethrough, the body configured to be connected to a part of the tendon-actuated mechanism through which the tendon passes; and a sensor provided on the body to obtain a compression force on the body from the part of the tendon-actuated mechanism through which the tendon passes.

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 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 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 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A robotic endoscope for performing endoscopic procedures in a tubular organ comprising: (a) a plurality of segments, connected together by a plurality of flexible articulated joints, having a distal end; (b) a plurality of flexible linear actuators attached, skewed sideways with respect to the longitudinal axis of said robot, circumferentially round each segment; (c) a central cavity running longitudinally through said robotic endoscope which houses a plurality of optical fibres, a water/air hose, an instrumentation channel and a plurality of electrical wires associated with an imaging means being mounted at the distal end of the robotic endoscope; and (d) a network of tributary channels for the distribution of pressure to said linear actuators. The present invention is also applicable to an autonomous pipe robot.