Abstract: Some devices, systems, and methods obtain a fluoroscopic image and corresponding C-arm positional information of the fluoroscopic image, wherein the fluoroscopic image depicts a distal end of a bendable medical device, and wherein the C-arm positional information indicates a rotation angle of a C-arm of a C-arm scanner; obtain an orientation of the distal end in an image plane of the fluoroscopic image, wherein the image plane is defined in a detector reference frame; obtain an instructed direction; determine, in the image plane, a movement direction of the distal end that corresponds to the instructed direction; map the movement direction from the image plane to a distal-end reference frame of the distal end, wherein the mapping is based on an orientation of the distal end in an intermediate reference frame and on the C-arm positional information; and control the distal end to move according to the mapped movement direction.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems that provide a curved path trajectory that can be used with a bendable medical device. The curved pathway can comprise straight and curved concatenated arc segments. The methods and systems can provide planning, visualizing and treatment of, for example, temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) using laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) or tumors using ablation therapy. With curved pathway, the physician can create plan for intervention to avoid critical structure and to cover more target volume for treatment/diagnosis than straight pathway.

Abstract: A medical system including a medical device having an outer diameter, a display device, and a controller. The controller is configured to acquire data regarding a biological lumen such as an airway structure, acquire an image of the airway structure, generate an overlay representing the outer diameter of the medical device, and display, on the display device, the overlay representing the outer diameter of the medical device on the acquired image of the airway structure. The overlay is scaled relative to a diameter of the airway structure at a focal plane of the airway structure based on the acquired data.

Abstract: A motor coil substrate includes a flexible substrate, and coils formed on the flexible substrate. The flexible substrate is wound N times where N is 2 or larger, the coils are formed in a multiple of 3, the flexible substrate includes a first flexible substrate and a second flexible substrate extending from the first flexible substrate and wound around the first flexible substrate, the flexible substrate has a first end and a second end on an opposite side with respect to the first end such that the first flexible substrate has a first end of the flexible substrate, the second flexible substrate is positioned on an outer side of the first flexible substrate, and the coils are formed such that a coil or coils formed on the first flexible substrate partially overlap with a coil or coils formed on the second flexible substrate.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums for performing imaging and/or visualization and/or for performing lithotripsy are provided herein. Examples of applications include imaging, evaluating, and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for ureteral, Gastro-intestinal, cardio, bronchial, and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments, such as, but not limited to, optical probes, catheters, ureteroscopes, endoscopes, and bronchoscopes. Techniques provided herein also improve image processing and efficiency and provide reliable imaging techniques that may be used for one or more applications, including, but not limited to, ureteroscopy and lithotripsy, while reducing mental and physical burden and improving ease of use.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a culture device capable of accurately detecting the gas-liquid interface of a culture solution in a fermenter. The above problem is solved by provided a culture device that includes: a liquid surface sensor for detecting a foam layer height from the bottom of the fermenter to the top of a foam layer; and a pressure sensor for detecting a liquid surface height from the bottom of the fermenter to a gas-liquid interface, the culture device having installed at least two pressure sensors below the gas-liquid interface, the at least two pressure sensors each being the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A continuum robot having at least two independently manipulateable bendable section for advancing the robot through a passage, without contacting fragile elements within the passage, wherein the robot incorporates control algorithms that enable the continuum robot to operate and advance into the passage, as well as the systems and procedures associated with the continuum robot and said functionality.

Abstract: An apparatus for correction of a direction to which a tool channel or a camera moves or is bent in a case where a displayed image is rotated. The apparatus includes at least one memory and at least one processor that executes instructions stored in the memory to receive a directional command of a capturing direction of a camera, move the capturing direction of the camera according to the received directional command, detect a rotation amount of a captured image displayed on a monitor, wherein the captured image is captured by the camera, and correct, based on the detected rotation amount, directional information corresponding to a particular directional command or directional coordinate for moving the camera, wherein the directional information is used for moving the capturing direction of the camera.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a bendably deformable portion, a deforming-force-transmitting mechanism that is connected to a part of the bendably deformable portion, and an operation portion that applies a deforming force or a shape retaining force to the bendably deformable portion by controlling a tension applied to the deforming-force-transmitting mechanism.

Abstract: An endoscope imaging system comprises a robotic controlled steerable catheter and an imaging device removably arranged in a tool channel of the catheter. One or more sensors or markers are configured to map a positional relation of the catheter with respect to an orientation of the imaging device. A controller drives the steerable catheter to manipulate the distal end thereof, while the imaging device acquires an image of a subject or sample. While the imaging device acquires the image, a processor calculates a change in positional relation of the catheter with respect to the orientation of the imaging device based on information provided by the one or more sensors or markers. An output unit provides an indication for remapping the orientation of the steerable catheter with respect to the orientation of the imaging device.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed to methods for using an articulated medical device in treating a subject or patient, wherein the device is capable of maneuvering within the subject or patient, and the method is capable of assessing multiple pathways for reaching a desired target and assigning a difficulty score to each the various pathways.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums for performing image correction and/or adjustment are provided herein. Examples of such image correction and/or adjustment include, but are not limited to, correction of a direction to which a tool channel or a camera moves or is bent in a case where a displayed image is rotated. Examples of applications include imaging, evaluating, and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio, bronchial, and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments, such as, but not limited to, optical probes, catheters, endoscopes, and bronchoscopes. Techniques provided herein also improve processing and imaging efficiency while achieving images that are more precise, and also achieve imaging devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums that reduce mental and physical burden and improve ease of use.

Abstract: A steerable catheter driven by a robotic controller comprises: a catheter body having a catheter tip and tool channel which spans from a proximal end of the catheter body and through the catheter tip along a catheter axis. The catheter tip includes a ramp-like surface formed inside part of the tool channel diameter. The ramp-like surface is an inclined flat surface formed at an angle with respect to a plane parallel to the catheter axis, such that the angle increases as the ramp-like surface spans from distal end towards the proximal end of the catheter tip. A housing mechanism permanently attached to an imaging device is configured to lock the imaging device to the ramp-like surface so as to prevent rotation of the imaging device with respect to the tool channel and/or prevent twisting of the catheter tip with respect to the imaging device.

Abstract: A packaging assembly for storing a steerable catheter ready for connection with a robotic system, comprises: a packaging enclosure and an alignment member configured to hold the steerable catheter in a predetermined shape. The alignment member is a carrier tube configured to align one end of the steerable catheter for connection with an actuator unit. The package and the alignment member are designed such that the steerable catheter can be connected to the actuator unit without changing the predetermined shape and while the catheter is still in the package. A robotic system is configured to connect to the steerable catheter included in the packaging assembly. The robotic system completes an initialization process to set acceptor parts of the actuator unit to a position corresponding to the predetermined shape in which the catheter is packaged.

Abstract: A continuum robot having at least two independently manipulateable bendable section for advancing the robot through a passage, without contacting fragile elements within the passage, wherein the robot incorporates control algorithms that enable the continuum robot to operate and advance into the passage, as well as the systems and procedures associated with the continuum robot and said functionality.

Abstract: A medical guidance apparatus (100) includes a base assembly (110) configured to be attached to a subject and a guide (150) configured to be removably mated with the base assembly (110). The base assembly (110) has an opening (160), and the guide (150) includes a rotatable ring (152) and an arc member (154). The arc member (154) includes a first end (162) and a second end (164), the first end of the arc member is connected to the rotatable ring (152) and the second end extends diametrically opposite to the first end across the rotatable ring. A probe holder (600) is mounted on the arc member (154) so as to hold a needle-like instrument (2161) at a desired angle relative to an axis (Ax) of the rotatable ring (152). In some embodiments, the arc member is monolithically integrated with the rotatable ring. In other embodiments, the arc member is pivotable and/or completely removable from the rotating ring.

Abstract: An articulated medical device having a hollow core, capable of large degrees of maneuverability through small cavities to reach a target with minimal invasiveness, wherein the medical device is capable of manual and robotic manipulation.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for a steerable medical instrument, configured to be used in conjunction with guided tools and devices under robotically controller medical procedures, including endoscopes, cameras, cutting tools and catheters. In one embodiment, the steerable instrument includes an elongate body (100), a control wire (110) arranged in a channel (104) of the elongate body and displaceable along the channel to bend the elongate body; and a controller (320) to selectively control drive forces applied to the control wire (110) under an actively controlled mode and a passively controlled mode. In the actively controlled mode, the controller actively bends at least part of the elongate body. In the passively controlled mode, the controller (320) decreases an amount of strain or an amount of displacement of the control wire, so that the control wire becomes compliant to external forces.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of manufacture, apparatus, and fixtures. An apparatus comprising an inner liner having a hollow chamber extending the length of the inner liner, at least two guide rings disposed collectively along the inner liner, and at least one lumen portion extending through each of the at least two guide rings and being parallel with the hollow chamber, wherein the at least two components are fixed by welding is provided. Further provided is a fixture and a method of manufacture.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems that provide a curved path trajectory that can be used with a bendable medical device. The curved pathway can comprise straight and curved concatenated arc segments. The methods and systems can provide planning, visualizing and treatment of, for example, temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) using laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) or tumors using ablation therapy.