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.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a flexible endoscope including a lens at a distal endoscope end, a hollow shaft including a proximal shaft end and a distal shaft end, and an instrument spanning the length of the shaft. The instrument includes a handle portion adjacent the proximal shaft end and a tool portion adjacent the distal shaft end. When the endoscope is inserted into the shaft, the lens provides, adjacent the proximal shaft end, direct visualization of the change in condition of the tool portion of the instrument adjacent to the distal shaft end.