Abstract: An intuitive user interface is provided for endoscopic view visualization. The user interface may permit individual or simultaneous navigation through images displayed in an endoscopic view window, a three dimensional overview window, and a multi-planar reformatted window. An operation performed directly on one of the windows may commence the navigation. The endoscopic view window may be divided into a plurality of sub-regions, each sub-region having a corresponding navigation function. The endoscopic view window and the three dimensional overview window may have corresponding icons related to a single location in corresponding images being displayed. The corresponding icons may be color coded to facilitate intuitive alignment of the corresponding images displayed in the different windows. The three dimensional overview window may have a geometric icon to facilitate intuitive alignment of the corresponding images.

Abstract: An endoscope inserting direction method includes a first step of receiving endoscopic images time-sequentially, a second step of sampling pixels representing low densities from pixels of each of the endoscopic images which are time-sequentially received in the first step and a third step of determining whether or not number of pixels representing low densities which are sampled in the second step is equal to or larger than predetermined number of pixels. In a fourth step, if the number of pixels representing low densities is determined to be equal to or larger than the predetermined number of pixels in the third step, a position of the barycenter of the pixels representing low densities is obtained, and based on a change in the position of the barycenter of the pixels representing low densities of the time-sequentially received endoscopic images, a direction of a shift in the time-sequentially received plurality of endoscopic images is detected.

Abstract: An endoscope inserting direction detecting method includes receiving an endoscopic image and judging from the endoscopic image whether or not an endoscope is located too closely to an object of observation. When it is judged that the endoscope is located too closely to the object of observation, information is produced for prompting pull-back of the endoscope. When it is judged that the endoscope is not located too closely to the object of observation, a detecting algorithm is selected and applied according to the endoscopic image from among plural detecting algorithms for detecting an inserting direction of the endoscope.

Abstract: The endoscope has an elongated insertion portion, an operation portion provided at the rear end of the insertion portion, and a contact-less endoscope exterior body in which no electrical contact is exposed on the outer surface thereof including the insertion portion and the operation portion. Inside the endoscope exterior body, there are disposed an image pickup apparatus for picking up images and a signal processing portion for performing signal processing for the image pickup apparatus. The endoscope comprises a battery of a water-tight structure for supplying power for the image pickup apparatus and the signal processing portion, and a charging apparatus of a water-tight structure for charging the battery with power supplied in a contact-less fashion.

Abstract: A treatment system includes a guide component that is used to insert a treatment tool into a body cavity, a tilt sensor that is provided in the guide component and detects an angle of inclination of the treatment tool that has been inserted inside the guide component, an insertion amount sensor that is provided in the guide component and detects an amount that the treatment tool has been inserted inside the guide component, a switching device that switches an observation range of images of an interior of the body cavity that are acquired by an observation device that has been introduced into the body cavity and are then displayed on a display unit, and a system control unit that drives the switching device based on information about the angle of inclination and insertion amount of the treatment tool.

Abstract: An observation system includes an observation device, an image pickup device, a display device, and at least one holding device. The observation device includes an optical objective system for observing an object. The image pickup device is capable of picking up an optical image incident upon the optical objective system of the observation device. The display device is capable of displaying the image picked up by the image pickup device. The holding device includes a moving mechanism which holds the observation device and the display device and which moves one of the observation device and the display device in conjunction with movement of the other device, and a switching mechanism capable of switching the observation device and the display device to a state in which the devices are movable by the moving mechanism and a state in which the devices are fixable in positions moved by the moving mechanism.

Abstract: In a virtual endoscopy method, an unfolding axis (100, 100?) substantially along an elongated lumen (150) is divided into axis segments (110). Ray casting directions (104) are selected extending generally radially from the axis segments. At least some of the ray casting directions are tilted away from a camera position (102). Ray casting is performed along the tilted ray casting directions to define pixel values that are arranged into an unfolded view. The ray casting employs at least one of (i) volume rendering and (ii) computing a statistical characteristic of voxels (238) over a preselected distance (dinterval) along the ray casting direction into the lumen-defining structure.

Abstract: An endoscope inserting direction detecting method includes receiving an endoscopic image, sampling pixels, which represent high densities, from data of the endoscopic image, defining an approximate expression for providing an approximate state of a distribution of sampling-pixels, evaluating a difference between a state of distribution of the sampling-pixels and a result of an approximation based on the approximate expression, and determining an endoscope inserting direction, in which an endoscope should be inserted, on the basis of a result of and evaluation of the fourth step.

Abstract: A method for avoiding rapid or sudden image rotation or reversal in a gravity leveled endoscopic imaging system is disclosed. A mathematical neighborhood of a singular viewing configuration is defined and within this neighborhood the endoscopic image orientation follows specified rules.

Abstract: An image processing system is arranged to provide rotation compensation and image stabilization in a video scope system such as in endoscopy and laparoscopy systems. The image processing functions may operate at real-time frame rates so that the resulting processed image is observable with no time lag. A rotation sensor is included in the system to sense the position of scope. The sensed scope rotation may be used to cause rotation of the collected image and/or an image displayed on a video monitor. The sensed rotation may be used to identify or calculate a coordinate transformation matrix that is used for processing the image data. The system may include a horizon lock mechanism that can be user-actuated to engage rotation compensation. When the horizon lock mechanism is not engaged, the output image is locked to the scope tip and rotates with rotation of the scope.

Abstract: Surgical robots and other telepresence systems have enhanced grip actuation for manipulating tissues and objects with small sizes. A master/slave system is used in which an error signal or gain is artificially altered when grip members are near a closed configuration.

Abstract: An endoscope comprises: an insertion portion that is to be inserted into a coelom; a treatment instrument elevation support, pivotally provided at a distal end of the insertion portion, that is used to guide a treatment instrument introduced at the distal end; and an observation section that obtains an image observed at the distal end, wherein, when the treatment instrument elevation support is reclined, part of the treatment instrument elevation support is included in the image obtained by the observation section.

Abstract: A medical image recording system easily obtains information of a device, etc. used at the time of an examination without conscious effort on operator's part, and records image information and the device information, which are obtained at the time of the examination, by making a 1-to-1 association between them. The system comprises at least an image information obtaining unit obtaining an observation image at the time of an examination for a medical treatment, a device information obtaining unit obtaining information of a device used at the time of the examination, and a recording unit recording information composing of the image information obtained by the image information obtaining unit and the device information obtained by the device information obtaining unit, as one associated information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical instrument comprising an instrument body. The instrument body comprises at least one outer surface, and a recess is disposed in said instrument body. A non-contact readable data carrier is embedded in said recess, wherein means are arranged between said data carrier and said recess by which the data carrier is floatingly embedded in said recess.

Abstract: In a capsule 3 as a medical apparatus inserted into a body cavity, the lengthwise direction of the capsule 3 is used as an insert axis, a manipulation/input device 8, which is magnetized in a direction orthogonal to the insert axis, is disposed at the center position of the insert axis. A magnetic field generation device 4, which is disposed outside of a body, is caused to generate a vibration magnetic field in a direction parallel with the insert axis of the capsule 3 by turning on a vibration (ON/OFF) switch 8f of a manipulation/input device 8 so that couples having lines of action, which are in parallel with the insert axis, are exerted on the capsule 3, thereby the capsule 3 executes a swiveling motion about the insert axis and smoothly travels along a cavity organ.

Abstract: According to a body cavity interior observing apparatus of the present invention, a non-tracked region to be displayed can be switched between a first non-tracked region and a second non-tracked region which is larger than the first non-tracked region, and in a search for an affected area in which it is preferable to track a treating instrument in order to consistently align the position of treating instrument to the central part of the screen, the first non-tracked region having a smaller non-tracked region is selected, while in a treatment of an affected area in which a treating instrument is moved in a wide range of area, the second non-tracked region having a larger non-tracked region is selected, thereby an appropriate monitor screen can be provided in searching for an affected area and in treating an affected area.

Abstract: A movement detection circuit analyzes image data from a DSP, and detects an amount of movement of an object relative to a solid-state image sensor. A CPU compares a movement detection value with a threshold value. When the movement detection value is the threshold value or less, a normal light source and a special light source are alternately turned on and off at intervals of charge accumulation time of the solid-state image sensor. Normal light moving images and special light moving images are simultaneously displayed on a screen. When the movement detection value exceeds the threshold value, write of the special light moving images is inhibited. A display control circuit displays on the screen one of the normal light moving images, a special light still image, and tiled windows for simultaneously showing the normal light moving images and special light still image.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument, includes an ablation device. The ablation device includes an elongate flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. A first working channel is formed within the flexible member. A first diagnostic probe having a proximal end and distal end is located within the first working channel and extends through the distal end of the flexible member. A first electrode is connected to the distal end of the first diagnostic probe electrode is adapted to be endoscopically located in a tissue treatment region. The first electrode is adapted to couple to an electrical waveform generator to receive an irreversible electroporation electrical waveform sufficient to ablate tissue located proximate to the first electrode. A system further includes an electrical waveform generator electrically coupled to the first electrode of the ablation device to generate an IRE waveform sufficient to ablate tissue located proximate to the first electrode.

Abstract: A system for extending the visual capabilities and working channel of a bronchoscope including a probe having optic and/or tracking capabilities at a distal tip thereof and capable of being advanced through the working channel of a standard bronchoscope. The probe also includes a working channel through which various diagnostic and treatment tools may be advanced.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope system includes: a receiving device that receives in-vivo images captured by a capsule endoscope inserted into an organ of a subject; and an image display device that acquires ID information of one or more capsule endoscopes, acquires through the receiving device the in-vivo images captured by the capsule endoscopes identified by the ID information, and displays thereon the in-vivo images thus acquired. The image display device is connected via a communication network to a central server that uniformly manages information about the capsule endoscopes, notifies the central server the ID information of the one or more capsule endoscopes, acquires information about the one or more capsule endoscopes from the central server, and performs a warning process about the one or more capsule endoscopes according to the information thus acquired.

Abstract: A medical apparatus of the present invention includes a medical device configured to be introduced into a body, and the medical apparatus further includes: an image pickup portion which is provided in the medical device and picks up an image of a subject to be examined in the body; a securing portion configured to secure the medical device to a wall in the body; and a grasping unit which is arranged in parallel to the image pickup portion, incorporates at least one assistance apparatus that assists the image pickup, and is configured to be grasped when the medical apparatus is introduced and retracted in and out of the body.

Abstract: A scanner for three-dimensional scanning of interior surfaces or cavities of limited dimensions or with restricted accessibility. The scanner includes a probe having an axis and at least one light source and one camera adapted to perform a scan 360° around the axis of the probe. High precision three-dimensional replicas of real objects may be created using 3-D scan data obtainable with the scanner.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system for observing living tissues inside a body cavity includes an illuminating apparatus having a white light source emitting white light and an excitation light source emitting excitation light, an electronic endoscope including an insertion part to be inserted into the body cavity, an imaging device that receives an optical image and outputs image signals corresponding to the optical image, an image forming system that forms the optical image, an operating pant provided at a rear anchor of the insertion part, and a plurality of operable members arranged at the operating part, a display device, an image processing system that receives the image signals outputted from the imaging device, the image processing system obtaining a normal image when the living tissues are illuminated with the white light and a fluorescence image when the living tissues are irradiated with the excitation light, and a control system that controls the whole of the electronic endoscope system.

Abstract: A method of navigating along a biological object with a lumen represented by a three-dimensional volume data set comprises generating a plurality of navigation segments connectable in a sequence, each segment having a start point within the lumen, a direction and a length. The navigation may be used for a camera in a virtual endoscopic examination, for example. The direction of each segment is determined by casting groups of rays outwards from the start point of the segment to the object wall, and calculating an average ray length for each group. The group having the largest average ray length is selected, and the axial direction of this group is used as the direction for the segment. The average ray lengths of the groups may be weighted using the direction of the previous segments to bias the navigation generally forward, or may be weighted using a view direction of the camera to allow a user to turn the camera into a chosen branch in the object.

Abstract: An in-vivo bioreactor device producing a dialysis effect by acting within the gastrointestinal tract for the removal of undesirable concentrated intestinal or blood substances or metabolites is disclosed. The ingestible device is comprised of a body wall that surrounds an internal compartment. Along the wall of the shell are openings located around the periphery that allow bodily fluids to enter and exit device. The wall of the device is comprised in whole or at least in part of materials that are impermeable to the passage of external fluids and maintains its physical and chemical integrity in the environment of use during its activity. Semi-permeable membranes located either internally or externally of the device are able to withstand all physiological temperatures and pH and act in a similar manner to dialysis membranes that are used for the separation of substances in suspensions, solutions, tissue cultures, etc.

Abstract: A capsule medical system includes a capsule medical apparatus, a selecting unit, and a control unit. The capsule medical apparatus is introduced inside a subject and includes an imaging unit for taking an in-vivo image of the subject, a treating unit for treating a living tissue in the subject, and a driving unit for contributing to movement of the capsule medical apparatus. The selecting unit selects a treatment target of the treating unit from the in-vivo image. The control unit determines a relative distance between the treatment target and the treating unit, and moves the capsule medical apparatus in an imaging direction of the imaging unit by a distance corresponding to the relative distance using the driving unit.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope has a light guide for leading a light and a solid-state image sensor for capturing an image of a human body cavity during illumination. In inspecting the number of broken optical fibers in the light guide, a cap is attached to a distal portion of the electronic endoscope. The cap has a test chart. The solid-state image sensor captures an image of the test chart which is illuminated with the light transmitted through the light guide. A photometric circuit calculates an average luminance value “Y” of the test chart from a chart image signal. A broken fiber number calculator calculates the number “N” of broken optical fibers that satisfies N=M×(1?Y/I). “Y” represents an average luminance value of the test chart. “I” represents an ideal average luminance value when all optical fibers are conducting, and “M” represents the total number of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A capsule guiding system includes a magnetic guiding unit, a displaying unit, an operation unit, and a control unit. The magnetic guiding unit guides, using magnetic force, a capsule-shaped medical apparatus introduced inside a subject. The displaying unit displays an image of the subject and an image of the capsule-shaped medical apparatus as an overlapped image, and changes relative position and relative direction between the two images as the capsule-shaped medical apparatus is guided by the magnetic guiding unit. The operation unit inputs coordinate information which specifies movement direction of the capsule-shaped medical apparatus.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion shape analysis system of the present invention includes an insertion state acquisition unit that acquires coordinate values of a plurality of locations in an insertion portion of an endoscope inserted in an examinee, an insertion shape detection unit that detects at least some insertion shapes of the insertion portion inserted in the examinee based on the coordinate values at the plurality of locations, a coordinate plane setting unit that sets a plurality of coordinate planes according to the coordinate values and the insertion shapes at the plurality of predetermined locations, an insertion shape projecting unit that projects the insertion shapes onto the plurality of coordinate planes and an insertion shape judging unit that judges whether or not a predetermined shape exists in the insertion shapes projected onto the plurality of coordinate planes.

Abstract: A manipulator operation system includes a treatment instrument distal end movement control section having an endoscope treatment instrument having a bending portion and a distal end portion, a bending driving section and a bending operating section. The manipulator operation system includes imaging mechanism having an imaging section that includes an optical system having a field curvature, images, observing mechanism having a display section that displays a taken image, detecting mechanism having a detecting section that detects an arrangement position of the distal end portion, field curvature information acquiring mechanism having a field curvature information acquiring section that acquires field curvature information of the taken image, and adjusting mechanism having an adjustment section that adjusts a ratio of an operation amount of the bending operating section and a driving amount of the bending driving section based on the arrangement position and the field curvature information.

Abstract: When a surgical instrument is inserted into an operating duct of an endoscope, the operator must know when the distal end of the instrument emerges from the distal end of the operating duct and thus reaches the visible zone of the viewing device of the endoscope. The invention provides a device for this purpose that comprises a generator to produce a measurement signal, devices to connect the measurement signal to the operating duct and/or instrument and/or the endoscope, and a measuring apparatus which measures a positional effect that the instrument exerts upon the measurement signal depending upon its position and which generates a display signal dependent upon the effect.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope swallowable in a body is provided, and includes an image pickup device for picking up an image in the body. A transmitter externally transmits information of the image. By use of an acceleration sensor, a capsule moving speed is detected in the body. A CPU as pixel number changer changes a pixel number of the image, namely resolution of the image according to information of the capsule moving speed. The CPU sets the pixel number lower according to lowness of the capsule moving speed. Also, the CPU sets the pixel number lower according to lowness of a capsule moving distance, and/or according to highness of similarity degree between plural consecutive images. Preferably, the CPU sets the pixel number by at least one of pixel binning, pixel thinning and pixel averaging.

Abstract: An endoscope treatment instrument having a needle for puncturing a biological tissue in a body cavity includes an indicator region provided on the outer surface of the needle including an indicator shape having miniature concave portions, and a plain region without the indicator shape provided in connection with at least one side of the indicator region in the axial line direction of the needle.

Abstract: A guidewire having an embedded matrix polymer construction and methods of making and using the same. The guidewire may include a core wire or member having a proximal region and distal region, a jacket disposed over the distal region, and a coil disposed over the jacket. The coil may include a coating and may be embedded within the jacket.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system as an endoscope insertion shape analysis apparatus of the invention includes: an electronic endoscope having an insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity; a shape observation apparatus and the like for detecting a shape of the insertion portion by a plurality of source coils of the insertion portion of the endoscope, a sense coil unit, and a shape processing device; and a display for displaying an endoscope image picked up by the endoscope and the shape detected by the shape observation apparatus; and further includes a PC for classifying shape data into a pattern based on the shape detected by the shape processing device.

Abstract: A capsule employing components for detecting blood content or hemoglobin concentration within tissue forming a lumen in vivo advantageously permits screening or diagnosis of certain diseases. In one embodiment, the capsule includes a light source for intermittently illuminating a region of tissue and a light detector for receiving interacted light from the tissue and hemoglobin therein. Methods of validating data of interacted light signal are also disclosed. A power conservation method of detecting the blood content values at different rates is further disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscopic system includes an endoscope, a cartridge, and a treatment section operation check instrument. The endoscope includes a treatment instrument channel. The cartridge stores a treatment section and a treatment instrument insertion portion introduced into the treatment instrument channel. The treatment section operation check instrument includes a chamber. The chamber contains a hollow section with the volume which allows the treatment section stored in the cartridge to perform a treatment operation. The treatment section operation check instrument is disposed between the endoscope and the cartridge so as to be allowed to perform the operation check by disposing the treatment section in the hollow section of the chamber before insertion of the treatment section into the treatment instrument channel.

Abstract: A body-insertable apparatus includes a plurality of function executing units each of which executes a predetermined function; a power source that supplies an electric power to each of the function executing units; an electric power storing unit that is connected to the power source and temporarily stores a redundancy of the electric power supplied from the power source; and an electric power discharging switch that supplies the electric power stored during a temporal period by the electric power storing unit to a high-power function executing unit being one of the function executing units. The high-power function executing unit operates intermittently among the function executing units and temporarily consumes a large electric quantity compared to the other function executing units. The high-power function executing unit consumes the electric power supplied from the electric power storing unit together with the electric power directly supplied from the power source.

Abstract: An in-vivo image acquiring apparatus includes an imaging unit which is introduced inside a subject and picks up image information inside the subject, an illuminating unit which illuminates an imaging portion imaged by the imaging unit, a transmission processing unit which performs a process to wirelessly transmit the image information acquired by the imaging unit to an external apparatus. A light-control unit determines light-control amount information based on brightness of the image information acquired by the imaging unit, and performs a control of light control of the illuminating unit according to the light-control amount information. Further, the transmission processing unit performs a process to wirelessly transmit the image information acquired by the imaging unit along with the light-control amount information used for the control of light-control.

Abstract: RFID circuitry is used in an endoscopic light source unit to track cumulative light bulb use information. An inductively powered RFID tag is affixed to the light bulb assembly, and communicates wirelessly with an RF transceiver within the light source unit via a low-frequency modulation wave. The RFID tag includes memory which stores a value representing cumulative duration of use of the light bulb. The transceiver reads the value from the RFID tag and communicates the value to control circuitry in the light source unit, which tracks use of the light bulb within the light source unit. Based on such tracking, the transceiver periodically updates the value in the RFID tag via the wireless link. Cumulative bulb usage hours is displayed on the light source unit. The RFID tag also may store a custom password and/or other information.

Abstract: A method for automatic virtual endoscopy navigation, including: (a) using a fisheye camera to generate an endoscopic image and a depth image from a current position of the camera in lumen computed tomographic (CT) data; (b) segmenting a first region and a second region from the depth image, wherein the first region identifies a view direction of the camera and the second region is an area through which the camera can be moved without touching an inner surface of the lumen; (c) moving the camera from the current position, while pointing the camera in the view direction, to a next position in the second region; and (d) repeating steps (a-c) in sequence using the next position in step (c) as the current position in step (a).

Abstract: A surgical system according to the present invention comprises: a surgical instrument for medical treatment of an affected portion in the body cavity; an observation device for observing tissue in the body cavity; an image display device for displaying images taken by the observation device; and an indicating-point control device included in at least one of the surgical instrument and the observation device, for controlling the position of an indicating point superimposed on an image displayed on the image display device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting movement of the breathing tube in a surrounding airway of a patient. The breathing tube includes an optical fiber or camera system for producing a video image of the airway from the distal end of the breathing tube. By obtaining a baseline image and comparing said baseline image with successive images, the position of the breathing tube can be automatically monitored and a signal provided when the image differs from the baseline by more than a threshold value.

Abstract: An intra-subject observation system includes a first liquid inserted into a desired organ of a subject; and a second liquid inserted into the organ without being mixed with the first liquid due to a specific gravity lighter than that of the first liquid. The system also includes a capsule medical apparatus inserted into the organ with an intermediate specific gravity between the specific gravity of the first liquid and that of the second liquid to acquire intra-subject information, which is output out of the subject by radio.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscope support system including an endoscope device and a support device. The endoscope device includes an endoscope monitor, an electronic endoscope, an image processing unit to process an image picked up by the electronic endoscope to display the image on the endoscope monitor, and an image transmission unit to transmit image data corresponding to the image to the support device. The support device includes a support device monitor, a display control unit to display an image of the image data, a position input unit to accept an input pointing to a section in the image and to obtain position information, and a position transmission unit to transmit the position information to the endoscope device. Further, the endoscope device includes an image superimposing unit to superimpose a predetermined image at a point corresponding to the position information on the image displayed on the endoscope monitor.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument, includes an ablation device. The ablation device includes an elongate relatively flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible member includes at least a first working channel. A first and second electrode extends from a working channel at the distal end of the flexible member. The first and second electrodes are adapted to be endoscopically located in a tissue treatment region. The first and second electrodes are adapted to couple to an electrical waveform generator to receive an irreversible electroporation electrical waveform sufficient to ablate tissue located between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly transmitting a video image signal from an endoscopic camera to a receiver or control unit for storage and/or display on a video monitor. Use of a frame-specific, variable compression algorithm capable of progressively encoding a data stream provides for a better performing and higher quality wireless endoscopic camera system capable of generating images at varying resolutions. Use of a short-range, high-performance wireless technology, such as Ultrawideband (UWB), improves the performance capabilities of the system, while minimizing power consumption and extending battery life. Implementations of error correcting codes, as well as the use of multiple transmitting and receiving antennas, further improve the fidelity of the wireless communication.

Abstract: When a capsule is manufactured, a unique number such as a serial number is stored in non-volatile memory in the capsule. If the capsule is used with an external apparatus, the unique number is sent from the capsule to the external apparatus. The external apparatus relates each unique number with a capsule ID comprising a small number of bits in a management table formed in non-volatile memory and sends the capsule ID to the capsule, and the capsule ID with the small number of bits is set as an identifier in the capsule. In this manner, it is made unnecessary to provide a switch in the capsule for setting the identifier and it becomes possible to reduce and send the quantity of information sent as the identifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides medical equipment and medical equipment treatment execution counter unit which presents the number of sterilization process executed to the medical equipment. The medical equipment and the medical equipment treatment execution counter unit include a sealed chamber which has an elastic film that exhibits elasticity at least partially and a sealed space isolated from the outside by the elastic film, and a counter for counting the number of deformation of the elastic film.

Abstract: A cutting accessory for use with a powered surgical tool includes an elongated outer tube with an outer hub attached to the proximal end for releasably securing the cutting accessory within the powered tool. An elongated inner member is received within the outer tube and has an inner hub adapted to be driven by the surgical tool. The dimensions of the outer tube and inner member are such as to form an annular channel therebetween for the passage of irrigating fluid. The inner member carries a cutting tool, such as a burr, at its distal end, the tool being accessible through an aperture in the outer tube. A bearing member is located in the annular channel between the inner member and the outer tube, and a bypass channel runs external to the outer tube to carry irrigating fluid to the cutting tool bypassing the bearing member. An aperture through the outer tube connects the annular channel with the bypass channel.