Abstract: A method of navigating a cavity of a subject employing images from a previous navigation is provided. In a first endoscopic examination, a set of schemas and at least one bookmark are saved in a data storage device. Each schema includes at least a still image in a cavity and a direction of a distal end. At least one bookmark is defined as at least one schema at a point of interest. In a second endoscopic examination, still images during navigation of an endoscope are compared with still images in the set of schemas to find a match, and use the information derived from the match to determine the location and the orientation of the distal end. An endoscopic system for effecting this method and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium embodying a program for operating such an endoscopic system are also provided.

Abstract: Two-array color imaging systems, image processing systems and related principles are disclosed. For example, a pixel from a first single-array color image sensor and a pixel from a second single-array color image sensor can define a pair of pixels. One pixel of the pair is configured to detect luminance information and the other pixel is configured to detect chrominance information. A plurality of such pixel pairs can be illuminated by an image and, in response to such illumination, emit one or more electrical output signals carrying the luminance and chrominance information. The output signals can be transformed into a displayable image. Related computing environments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for imaging includes defining a set of one or more color correction parameters having values that vary over a predefined color space. For each of the pixels in an input image, the location of the respective input color is determined in the color space, and a value of the one or more color correction parameters is selected responsively to the location. The respective input color is modified using the selected value so as to produce a corrected output color of the pixel in an output image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a video imaging system that includes an auto-focus mechanism wherein an input from a user of the video imaging system invokes an auto-focus procedure. Responsive to the input, the auto-focus mechanism is scanned over a range of focal distance from a first setting to a second setting indicated by the input. A sequence of images using the video imaging system is captured while scanning the auto-focus mechanism over the range. The images in the sequence are processed so as to compute a measure of focal quality with respect to each of the images. The measure of the focal quality is analyzed so as to select an optimal focal distance, and the auto-focus mechanism is set to the selected focal distance.

Abstract: An electrical surgical cautery device for delivering thermal energy to cauterize and provide hemostasis to a bleeding tissue comprises an electrically powered flexible thermal delivery element having a substantially planar resistive coil embedded in a thermally conductive material. The thermally conductive material comprises a tissue contact surface and a non-tissue contact surface. A power source is connected to the resistive coil of the thermal delivery element and provides an electrical current to heat the thermal delivery element being pressed against the tissue. A method for providing hemostasis to a bleeding tissue surface comprises providing and pressing an electrical cautery device having a thermal delivery element, against the hemorrhaging tissue at a predetermined temperature for an interval sufficient to cauterize the tissue and provide hemostasis.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the bending of a medical invasive tool (2) during its insertion in a body (4, 6) comprises an ultrasound transducer (8), and a position measuring system (29, 22, 26, 28) including position measuring components, and/or articulated arms (20, 22) being attached to the medical invasive tool (2). The expected position of the medical invasive tool is calculated according to the measurements produced by the position measuring system. Echo points, and/or segments of the medical invasive tool are identified on the ultrasound image (24). The comparison between the identified echo, and the calculated position of the invasive tool (without bending) is the base of detecting the bending of the medical invasive tool. Additionally, the identified echo points/segments are used in order to evaluate the actual shape of the invasive tool.