Abstract: A retractable syringe device includes: a handle including a hollow body for receiving a syringe through an opening of the handle, the hollow body including a syringe actuator that moves the syringe between a distal position and a proximal position; and an instrument distally extending from the handle, the instrument including a channel extending through the instrument, the channel configured to receive a needle coupled to the syringe. When the syringe is in the distal position, a distal end of the needle distally extends from the instrument, and when the syringe is in the proximal position, the distal end of the needle is retracted into the channel. The handle of the device can include a fixed or removable structure for removably coupling to a proximal end of a shaft of an endoscope.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating sleep apnea in a patient by operating an implanted neurostimulator implant to stimulate the genioglossus nerve branch and/or the genioglossus muscle. Also disclosed is a method of implanting a neurostimulator implant in the genioglossus muscle proximal to the genioglossus nerve branch. Further disclosed is a sleep apnea treatment system and a guide for the sleep apnea treatment system.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to single portal surgical systems. In one implementation, an apparatus includes first, second, and third cannulas. Fluid flows through a proximal opening of the first cannula. The second cannula couples within the first cannula such that an outer wall of the second cannula contacts an inner wall of the first cannula. The second cannula includes a first distal opening and a first slot longitudinally extending along the second cannula. Fluid entering the proximal opening flows through the first slot and exits at a distal end of the. The third cannula couples within the second cannula such that an outer wall of the third cannula is in touching relation with an inner wall of the second cannula. The third cannula includes a second distal opening that rotationally interacts with the first distal opening during tissue debridement.

Abstract: A retractable syringe device includes: a handle including a hollow body for receiving a syringe through an opening of the handle, the hollow body including a syringe actuator that moves the syringe between a distal position and a proximal position; and an instrument distally extending from the handle, the instrument including a channel extending through the instrument, the channel configured to receive a needle coupled to the syringe. When the syringe is in the distal position, a distal end of the needle distally extends from the instrument, and when the syringe is in the proximal position, the distal end of the needle is retracted into the channel. The handle of the device can include a fixed or removable structure for removably coupling to a proximal end of a shaft of an endoscope.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to detachable endoscope shafts assemblies including detachable endoscope shafts. In one implementation, an endoscope assembly comprises: an endoscope housing comprising a distal connector including first circuitry configured to receive one or more image signals or supply power from the endoscope housing; and a detachable endoscope shaft comprising: a distal segment configured to be inserted in a patient cavity; an attachment segment proximal to the distal segment, the attachment segment configured to be removably coupled to an instrument or adapter; and a proximal connector configured to removably and electrically couple to the distal connector, the proximal connector including second circuitry configured to electrically couple to the first circuitry.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to detachable endoscope shafts assemblies including detachable endoscope shafts. In one implementation, an endoscope assembly comprises: an endoscope housing comprising a distal connector including first circuitry configured to receive one or more image signals or supply power from the endoscope housing; and a detachable endoscope shaft comprising: a distal segment configured to be inserted in a patient cavity; an attachment segment proximal to the distal segment, the attachment segment configured to be removably coupled to an instrument or adapter; and a proximal connector configured to removably and electrically couple to the distal connector, the proximal connector including second circuitry configured to electrically couple to the first circuitry.

Abstract: An articulating cannula assembly is described. The articulating cannula assembly includes: a hand piece; a proximal housing situated above the hand piece; a cannula distally extending from the proximal housing, the cannula including an articulating segment; and a trigger that, when actuated, extends or contracts the articulating segment. The proximal housing can removably couple to the hand piece. The proximal housing can include an endoscope attachment structure for removably securing a proximal portion of an endoscope.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to detachable endoscope shafts assemblies including detachable endoscope shafts. In one implementation, an endoscope assembly comprises: an endoscope housing comprising a distal connector including first circuitry configured to receive one or more image signals or supply power from the endoscope housing; and a detachable endoscope shaft comprising: a distal segment configured to be inserted in a patient cavity; an attachment segment proximal to the distal segment, the attachment segment configured to be removably coupled to an instrument or adapter; and a proximal connector configured to removably and electrically couple to the distal connector, the proximal connector including second circuitry configured to electrically couple to the first circuitry.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure relate to an adapter, comprising: a distal part comprising: a first channel running through the length of the distal part from a first opening at a distal end of the adapter to a second opening at a proximal end of the distal part, wherein a shaft of an endoscope is configured to be threaded through the first channel; and a second channel configured to removably couple the adapter to an outer surface of an instrument such that, after the shaft of the endoscope is threaded through the first channel, a tool portion of the instrument is adjacent the shaft of the endoscope; and a first coupler proximal to the distal part, the first coupler configured to be locked to a second coupler of the endoscope after the shaft is threaded through the first coupler and the first channel.

Abstract: An articulating cannula assembly is described. The articulating cannula assembly includes: a hand piece; a proximal housing situated above the hand piece; a cannula distally extending from the proximal housing, the cannula including an articulating segment; and a trigger that, when actuated, extends or contracts the articulating segment. The proximal housing can removably couple to the hand piece. The proximal housing can include an endoscope attachment structure for removably securing a proximal portion of an endoscope.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure relate to an adapter, comprising: a channel running through the length of the adapter from a first opening to a second opening of the adapter, wherein a shaft of an endoscope is configured to be threaded through the channel; a first coupler configured to removably secure the adapter to a second coupler of the endoscope, the first coupler comprising the second opening; and a rigid attachment segment comprising a surface configured to removably couple the adapter to an instrument or second adapter. The surface of the rigid attachment segment may include multiple grooves and sections alternating along the longitudinal length of the rigid attachment segment, each section protruding relative to the grooves and comprising a recessed indentation or protrusion; and the multiple sections and grooves configured such that the instrument or second adapter can be coupled to the adapter in multiple lengthwise positions.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure relate to an endoscope, comprising: a shaft comprising: a distal end; and a proximal end comprising a rigid attachment segment configured to be removably coupled to an adapter or instrument, a surface of the rigid attachment segment comprising: a groove and a section adjacent the groove, the section protruding relative to the groove and comprising a recessed indentation or protrusion; and a housing coupled to the shaft. The surface of the rigid attachment segment may include multiple grooves and multiple sections alternating along the longitudinal length of the rigid attachment segment; each of the sections protrudes relative to the grooves and comprises a recessed indentation or protrusion; and the multiple sections and the multiple grooves are configured such that the instrument or the adapter can be coupled to the endoscope in a plurality of lengthwise positions.

Abstract: Implementations described herein are directed toward an improved orthopedic arthroscopy system that reduces the number of necessary arthroscopic portals while at the same time improving endoscopic visualization and instrumentation capability within the joint space. Main embodiments of the disclosed system replace the traditional rod endoscope with a rotatable, optical cannula through which instruments can be used to manipulate tissue and perform surgery. By adding the cannula rotation capability, visualization of instrument tool tip can be easily adjusted. The disclosed system would eliminate the need for unnecessary wrist rotation by the surgeon thereby making it easier to coordinate hand position while performing surgical tasks.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to a balloon dilator system, including: a balloon pump hand piece configured to pump pressurized fluid through a flexible tube to inflate an inflatable balloon, the balloon pump hand piece comprising: an attachment mechanism for removably coupling the balloon pump hand piece to a proximal end of an endoscope; the flexible tube, wherein the flexible tube is configured to be in fluid communication with the balloon pump hand piece at a first end of the flexible tube, and the inflatable balloon at a second end of the flexible tube; a hollow inner cannula; and the inflatable balloon, wherein the inflatable balloon is external to and circumferentially attached to the hollow inner cannula between the proximal end of the hollow inner cannula and the distal end of the hollow inner cannula.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to a balloon dilator system, including: a hand piece including an attachment mechanism for removably coupling to a proximal end of an endoscope; a hole for inserting a distal end of a balloon catheter including an inflatable balloon; and a hollow tube distally extending from the hand piece, a proximal end of the hollow tube configured to receive the balloon catheter inserted through the hole and advance the balloon catheter such that the distal of the balloon catheter exits a distal end of the hollow tube. The hand piece may include a pump handle that, when actuated, pumps pressurized fluid to inflate the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure relate to an adapter, comprising: a channel running through the length of the adapter from a first opening to a second opening of the adapter, wherein a shaft of an endoscope is configured to be threaded through the channel; a first coupler configured to removably secure the adapter to a second coupler of the endoscope, the first coupler comprising the second opening; and a rigid attachment segment comprising a surface configured to removably couple the adapter to an instrument or second adapter. The surface of the rigid attachment segment may include multiple grooves and sections alternating along the longitudinal length of the rigid attachment segment, each section protruding relative to the grooves and comprising a recessed indentation or protrusion; and the multiple sections and grooves configured such that the instrument or second adapter can be coupled to the adapter in multiple lengthwise positions.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure relate to an endoscope, comprising: a shaft comprising: a distal end; and a proximal end comprising a rigid attachment segment configured to be removably coupled to an adapter or instrument, a surface of the rigid attachment segment comprising: a groove and a section adjacent the groove, the section protruding relative to the groove and comprising a recessed indentation or protrusion; and a housing coupled to the shaft. The surface of the rigid attachment segment may include multiple grooves and multiple sections alternating along the longitudinal length of the rigid attachment segment; each of the sections protrudes relative to the grooves and comprises a recessed indentation or protrusion; and the multiple sections and the multiple grooves are configured such that the instrument or the adapter can be coupled to the endoscope in a plurality of lengthwise positions.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to a portable endoscope system. The portable endoscope system may comprise: an endoscope, comprising: a distal end; a proximal end; an endoscope housing integrated into a proximal part of the proximal end; an illumination device housed by the housing; and an endoscope connector to removably couple the endoscope to a first end of a cable connector; and a portable control box separate from the endoscope and to removably couple to the endoscope via the cable connector, the portable control box comprising: a portable control box connector to removably couple the portable control box to a second end of the cable connector; a power source to power the endoscope; a control board to control the endoscope; and a control box housing to house the power source and the control board.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to a portable endoscope system. The portable endoscope system may comprise: an endoscope, comprising: a distal end; a proximal end; an endoscope housing integrated into a proximal part of the proximal end; an illumination device housed by the housing; and an endoscope connector to removably couple the endoscope to a first end of a cable connector; and a portable control box separate from the endoscope and to removably couple to the endoscope via the cable connector, the portable control box comprising: a portable control box connector to removably couple the portable control box to a second end of the cable connector; a power source to power the endoscope; a control board to control the endoscope; and a control box housing to house the power source and the control board.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a flexible-rigid hybrid design for an endoscope and attachment mechanisms for removably coupling and decoupling the endoscope to a handle portion and/or a tool portion of a variety of different instruments. Some implementations describe designs for instruments that may be coupled to the flexible-rigid endoscope described herein or other endoscopes. Such instruments may include sinus and laryngeal forceps, a laryngeal syringe gun, an endoscopic Eustachian tube balloon dilator, an endoscopic tracheal dilator, and an endoscopic trans-oral esophageal balloon dilator. Some implementations describe an endoscope that may be removably coupled to a portable control box using a connector cable.