Abstract: An endoscope apparatus including a first optical system and a second optical system is provided. The first optical system includes a first lens system configured to form a first optical image of a first object and a first image sensor configured to convert the first optical image into first image data and output the first image data. The second optical system includes a second lens system configured to form a second optical image of a second object and a second image sensor configured to convert the second optical image into second image data and output the second image data.

Abstract: A flexible lens is mounted to the end of an elongate medical device having a camera, such as an endoscope. The lens is generally solid and is made from a translucent, flexible, and resilient material. In a medical environment, the lens can be pressed against a vessel wall in a patient to enlarge the area viewed by the camera, and can further adapt to the shape of the wall to limit trauma on the patient. When pressed against the vessel wall, the lens can become longitudinally compressed, while becoming wider. The wider and compressed shape of the lens will push blood away from the viewing area to increase the clarity of the camera's field of view.

Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument has a force delivery system which communicates a changing force to a user of the surgical instrument when a limit of a surgical function is reached. A sensor senses position of a moving element to communicate a signal to the force delivery system. In various embodiments, the system generates a vibratory force to signal the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for obtaining in vivo images. The system contains an imaging system and a transmitter for transmitting signals from a camera to a receiving system located outside a patient.

Abstract: An implant device identifiable after implantation comprises a main portion of the implant device and a coded portion of the implant device. The coded portion comprises a radiopaque element and indicia on the radiopaque element or indicia as a plurality of radiopaque elements disposed within the coded portion. The indicia are discernible by x-ray, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, electromagnetic radiation, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: The endoscopic diagnosis system comprises an image sensor that receives reflected light from a subject illuminated with white light and first narrowband light to acquire a narrowband light image for blood vessel observation in a narrowband light observation mode, and receives reflected light from the subject illuminated with second narrowband light to acquire a narrowband light image for oxygen saturation level observation in an oxygen saturation level observation mode; a controller that controls such that the narrowband light images for blood vessel observation and oxygen saturation level observation are acquired alternately; an image processor that generates an oxygen saturation level image based on the narrowband light images for blood vessel observation and oxygen saturation level observation; and a display unit that simultaneously displays the narrowband light image for blood vessel observation and the oxygen saturation level image.

Abstract: Less invasive surgical techniques for performing brain surgery are disclosed in which a dilating obturator and cannula assembly is inserted into brain tissue until the obturator tip and cannula are adjacent to the target tissue. The obturator is removed and surgery is performed through the cannula. In preferred embodiments the obturator and cannula are placed using image guidance techniques and systems to coordinate placement with pre-operative surgical planning. A stylet with associated image guidance may be inserted prior to insertion of the obturator and cannula assembly to guide insertion of the obturator and cannula assembly. Surgery preferably is performed using an endoscope partially inserted into the cannula with an image of the target tissue projected onto a monitor. Dilating obturator structures having a rounded or semi-spherical tip and/or an optical window for visualizing brain tissue during expansion are contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for extracting physiological information from remotely detected electromagnetic radiation (14) emitted or reflected by a subject. A data stream (24) derived from detected electromagnetic radiation (14) is received, the data stream (24) comprising a sequence of signal samples representing a region of interest (58) exhibiting a continuous or discrete characteristic signal including physiological information indicative of at least one at least partially periodic vital signal (20), and being comprised of at least two wavelength components. The device further comprises a transforming unit for providing coefficient components from the at least two wavelength components and a coefficient selection unit for selecting the coefficient component which is used for calculating the desired signal component used for determining the physiological information.

Abstract: A device, system and method for cytology acquisition which may be performed with a swallowable in vivo device, specifically with a swallowable endoscopy capsule. The swallowable capsule may comprise a rotatable drum, a brush attached onto the drum for brushing against a tissue and acquiring cytology, and a porthole through which the brush may be in contact with the tissue.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system, including: a light source that emits light having a visible light wavelength region; an optical filter that has transmission peaks at least at two particular wavelengths in a continuous wavelength region including the visible light wavelength region and has a transmissivity higher than zero and lower than a half of each transmission peak between the transmission peaks of the at least two particular wavelengths, the optical filter having a transmissivity of zero at a wavelength region other than an interval between the transmission peaks of the at least two particular wavelengths; a solid-state image pick-up device that receives reflected light from an object which is irradiated with illumination light via the optical filter; and an image generation unit configured to generate a color image to be displayed on a monitor by processing an image signal outputted by the solid-state image pick-up device.

Abstract: An optical probe with associated disposable polymer sheath for near-infrared optical interrogation of fluids within bioprocessing vessels by means of transmission or transflection spectroscopy provides for the determination of quantities and parameters of substances in fluids contained within bioprocessing vessels. Associated methods for use of the optical probe and associated sheath to determine quantities of substances in fluids and parameters of fluids during bioprocesses are provided.

Abstract: A control unit is detachably coupled to a camera and receptive of the imaging data with a plurality of data processing instructions being stored on the camera and/or the control unit such that when the camera is coupled to the control unit, the plurality of data processing instructions transfer the imaging data from the camera to the control unit. The data processing instructions being field upgradeable with a portable upgrading module which may couple directly to either the camera and/or the control unit.

Abstract: A cooled optical light guide is provided having a conduit having a translucent top and a translucent bottom wherein at least a portion of the translucent top of the conduit is in alignment above at least a portion of the translucent bottom of the conduit. A fluid medium that is preferably cooled flows through the conduit. The optical light guide is placed between a scintillator array and an array detector. The temperature of the light that is emitted by the scintillator array is stabilized, and preferably cooled, as it passes through the translucent bottom of the conduit and through the translucent top of the conduit for detection by the array detector. A method of temperature stabilization for photomultiplier based detectors is disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided herein a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the tip section comprising: a front looking camera and a front discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the Field Of View (FOV) of said front looking camera; a right side looking camera and a right discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the FOV of said right side looking camera; a left side looking camera and a left discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the FOV of said left side looking camera; and a multi component cover configured to cover and seal said tip section such as to essentially prevent entry of fluids from the environment of said endoscope to inner parts of said tip section.

Abstract: A robotic device may receive task information defining (i) a nominal trajectory for an end-effector coupled to a manipulator of the robotic device, and (ii) forces to be exerted by the end-effector along the nominal trajectory; determining, based on the task information, a modified trajectory that is offset from the nominal trajectory; determining, based on the modified trajectory and the forces, torques to be applied to the manipulator over time; causing the torques to be applied to the manipulator so as to cause the end-effector to follow the modified trajectory and substantially exert the forces along the modified trajectory; receiving force feedback information from a sensor coupled to the robotic device indicating respective forces being experienced by the end-effector at respective points along the modified trajectory; and adjusting the torques to be applied to the manipulator based on the force feedback information.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a storage section that stores three-dimensional image information in a subject, the three-dimensional image information being acquired in advance; an image pickup unit that acquires an optical image in the subject; a luminal organ extracting section that extracts image information of a three-dimensional shape of a specific luminal organ in the subject; a position correspondence control section that sets correspondence between two coordinate systems; a feature information acquisition section that acquires feature information in the image information of the extracted three-dimensional shape of the specific luminal organ; an associated image generating section that generates an image in which the feature information is associated with the image information of the three-dimensional shape of the specific luminal organ; a control section that performs control to display a piece of the feature information in the vicinity of the position information of the image pickup unit, etc.

Abstract: A scanning endoscope system has a light guide portion that guides an illuminating light, a drive portion capable of causing the light guide portion to swing so that an irradiation position of the illuminating light draws a locus corresponding to a predetermined scanning pattern, a light detecting portion that receives a return light of the illuminating light and outputs a signal, a control portion that drives the drive portion to perform scan so that the irradiation position of the illuminating light becomes a locus in a spiral shape, and an image generating portion that generates an image of an object based on a signal outputted from the light detecting portion in a predetermined timing, wherein the control portion further performs control for driving the drive portion so that the irradiation position of the illuminating light circles on a same circumference in the predetermined timing.

Abstract: A method for manually guided adjustment of the pose of a manipulator arm of an industrial robot includes detecting a guidance force applied to the manipulator arm by an operator of the industrial robot, determining one of at least two degrees-of-freedom of a reference coordinate system as a selected freedom direction, wherein the selected freedom direction corresponds to the degree-of-freedom in which the guidance force has its greatest force vector component, and controlling the drives of the industrial robot using force control in such a manner that a pre-specified reference point associated with the manipulator arm is moved only in the selected freedom direction as a result of movement of the manipulator arm by an operator during a manually-guided adjustment of the pose of the manipulator arm.

Abstract: A method and a 3D guiding system for providing a guided relative movement of a first object and a second object are disclosed. The 3D guiding system comprises a 3D scanner configured for performing a 3D scanning of the second object, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured for at least temporary storing: a 3D model of the second object; program code for determining a present relative arrangement of the first and second objects from a result of a 3D scanning of the second object; and program code for calculating information for guiding the relative movement of the first and second objects towards said first preferred relative arrangement from said present relative arrangement.

Abstract: A method includes, while an operator of an elongated probe, having proximal and distal ends, manipulates the proximal end so as to move the distal end within a body of a patient, automatically measuring a cumulative angle of rotation that is applied by the operator to the proximal end. An indication of the cumulative angle of rotation is presented to the operator.

Abstract: The present invention may provide techniques for blurring an image. The image may be a light field image with color values and depth values for each pixel. The method may include retrieving the image and calculating a blurred color value of a subject pixel of the image. Calculating the blurred color value may include calculating first and second circles of confusion proximate coordinates of the subject pixel for a first depth and second depth greater than the first depth. Color values may be retrieved for first and second sets of pixels within the first and second circles of confusion with depth values proximate the first and second depths, respectively. The second set of pixels may not include pixels occluded by the first set of pixels. The blurred color value may be selected based on the color values of the first and second sets of pixels.

Abstract: A device for treating biliary disease includes a component configured for deployment to a lumen of a gallbladder or gallbladder duct. The component has a proximal end and a distal end with a lumen extending therethrough and a fluid or gas delivery apparatus at its distal end.

Abstract: A probe includes an optical system which irradiates a site of a biological tissue and receives light emitted from the site, and an imaging device. The imaging device is disposed ahead of the optical system closer to the end of the probe. The probe rotates the incident direction of the light and the imaging direction of the imaging device around a rotation axis directed to the longitudinal direction of the probe while fixing an angle between the incident direction and the imaging direction. The optical system receives the light from the site which always falls in the field of view of the imaging device, or brought with a time lag into the field of view of the imaging device as a result of rotation, the light being incident in the direction normal to, or inclined away from the rotation axis.

Abstract: A system for direct imaging and diagnosing of abnormal cells in a target tissue includes an image acquisition system comprising a plurality of independently movable optical elements. The image acquisition system is arranged to capture at least one of a single image or multiple images or video of cells within the target tissue using at least one of bright field or dark field source divided into independently operated segments to obtain a plurality of data sets. An image analysis and control unit in communication with the image acquisition system analyzes the data sets and applies algorithms to the data sets for diagnosing abnormal cells.

Abstract: An insertion portion, a function portion, an operation portion, a universal cord, a connection connector, a drive member that generates a drive force for causing the function portion to act, a connection portion that is provided at the connection connector and has the drive member connected thereto, and a drive force transmitting member that is inserted through the universal cord, and transmits the drive force generated by the drive member connected to the connection portion to the function portion are included.

Abstract: In a device and a corresponding method for joining a plurality of individual digital images to form a total image, a plurality of features is determined in a first individual image by means of a selection unit using a feature-based algorithm and then tracked in a second individual image by means of a tracking unit. A transformation matrix, with which the individual images are joined in an output unit to form the total image, is calculated from the determined feature correspondences in a transformation unit. The individual images can be joined in real time and with a high degree of accuracy by means of the feature-based algorithm in combination with a robust algorithm to calculate the transformation matrix.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion connector, includes: an optical element that performs one of inputting and outputting an optical signal; an electric element that controls one of a light emission and a light reception of the optical element; and at least one substrate on which the electric element and the optical element are mounted, the substrate including an aligning and connecting part that allows connecting an optical fiber that performs one of inputting an optical signal output from the optical element and outputting an optical signal input to the optical element, the aligning and connecting part being provided on a surface different from a surface on which the optical element are mounted of the substrate, the optical fiber being connected to the substrate via the aligning and connecting part, and the optical element and the optical fiber being arranged and mounted in line along a direction of a thickness of the substrate.

Abstract: Endoscopic arrangement comprising a first distal end, an imaging device arranged at the first distal end, a first proximal end for connection to a supply unit, a data transmission element embodied as a light guide and having a second distal end and a second proximal end, and comprising an electro-optical converter, wherein the electro-optical converter is configured to convert digital data generated by the imaging device into an optical signal, wherein the data transmission element at its second distal end is optically coupled to the electro-optical converter for coupling the optical signal into the data transmission element, wherein the imaging device comprises at least two data outputs each having a digital output signal, and wherein a first signal converter is provided between the imaging device and the electro-optical converter for combining the digital output signals into a digital combined output signal.

Abstract: A light source system includes an endoscope having an illumination section and an illumination control section connected to the endoscope and provided with a drive circuit that generates drive pulses for driving the light source, the light source system including: a type information generating section that generates type information regarding the endoscope; a signal generating section generates a signal indicative of a duty ratio of the drive pulses which is permitted to the illumination section; a light adjusting section that outputs light-adjusted drive pulses having a duty ratio not greater than a permissible duty ratio based on the type information and a limiting section that limits the light-adjusted drive pulses to have a duty ratio not greater than a duty ratio based on the signal from the signal generating section, and provides limited pulses to the drive circuit.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus includes an ultrasonic vibrator, a diffraction grating, an electrical energy generator, a detector, a determination unit, a controller. The diffraction grating converts the ultrasonic vibration into a surface acoustic wave propagating on a surface of the transparent member. The detector detects reflected electrical energy reflected from the energy supply system. The determination unit determines whether the electrical energy suitable to drive the ultrasonic vibrator has been supplied to the ultrasonic vibrator based on the reflected electrical energy detected by the detector. The controller controls the electrical energy output from the signal generator based on a determination result of the determination unit.

Abstract: A workstation configured for operating a robotic catheter system is provided. The workstation includes a user interface configured to receive a user input and a control system operatively coupled to the user interface for remotely and independently controlling movement of at least a first percutaneous device and a second percutaneous device. At least the first percutaneous device is moveable both for advancement and retraction along a longitudinal axis of the first percutaneous device and for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the first percutaneous device. The workstation also includes a device movement algorithm subsystem including at least one set of instructions. The control system controls the first percutaneous device based upon both the user input and the at least one set of instructions of the device movement algorithm subsystem.

Abstract: An in-vivo image acquiring apparatus includes an operation control unit which controls a black image acquiring operation, in which the operation control unit controls an imaging unit and an illuminating unit in such a manner the imaging unit conducts an image acquiring operation in a state the illuminating unit does not conduct an illuminating operation. The in-vivo image acquiring apparatus also includes an average calculating unit which calculates the average value of pixel value in a predetermined determining area, and a black image determining unit, which determines whether the image information acquired by the image acquiring operation is the black image by comparing the average value with a predetermined threshold value. The image information determined as the black image by the black image determining unit is transmitted, as the black image information, to an external apparatus by radio.

Abstract: An insertion portion includes a holding member that holds an observation portion, and a tubular bending portion. A small-diameter portion of the holding member is fitted into an inside surface of a distal end side portion of the bending portion. A hole portion is provided in the bending portion. A concave portion is provided at the small-diameter portion. A screw member penetrates the hole portion by screw-fastening, and a distal end side thereof is housed in the concave portion. A diameter of the concave portion is larger than an outside diameter of the screw member. A length obtained by adding a depth of the concave portion and a thickness of the distal end side portion of the bending portion is greater than an axial direction length of the screw member. The screw member is held in a non-contacting state with respect to the concave portion in the hole portion.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a body portion having a light source portion which emits illuminating light for illuminating an object, an insertion portion through which a light guide that guides light originating in the light source portion is inserted, having a distal end portion to which a plurality of adapters are attachable, and which can emit light originating in an LED from the distal end portion, an operation portion which is connectable to the body portion and has an adapter detection section that detects a type of an adapter attached to the distal end portion, and a CPU which controls the light source portion and the LED according to the type of the detected adapter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for use in surgical procedures. The system includes an endoscope; an imaging device coupled to the endoscope; an imaging processor coupled to the imaging device; and at least one management system coupled to the imaging processor, wherein a function of the management system is automatically adjusted upon receipt of a communication from the imaging processor. A method of adjusting an image of a surgical site during a surgical procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system for examining a patient's body cavity includes an endoscope having a distal end, a proximal end and a number of lumens therein. One or more distal gas ports are disposed at or adjacent the distal end of the endoscope and one or more proximal gas ports are disposed proximal to the distal gas ports. Insufflation gas is delivered to the distal gas ports and withdrawn from the proximal gas ports or vice versa such that a gas bubble is formed in the body cavity and travels with the distal tip of the endoscope.

Abstract: Provided is an in vivo examination apparatus including an illumination unit emitting two types of illumination light in different wavelength bands; and an image acquisition unit having sensitivity to the wavelength bands of the two types of illumination light. Blood and background tissue have higher reflectances than a predetermined threshold to illumination light in a first wavelength band, blood has a lower reflectance than the threshold to illumination light in a second wavelength band, and a condition (R1b/R1a)>(R2b/R2a) is satisfied, where R1a is the reflectance of the background tissue to the illumination light in the first wavelength band, R1b is the reflectance of the blood to the illumination light in the first wavelength band, R2a is the reflectance of the background tissue to the illumination light in the second wavelength band, and R2b is the reflectance of the blood to the illumination light in the second wavelength band.

Abstract: A sprayer includes: a sprayer body; a nozzle extending from the sprayer body; and an irradiation unit disposed on a leading end of the nozzle and emitting light that is oriented and diffuses in a leading end direction of the nozzle. The nozzle includes: an elongated nozzle body extending from the sprayer body and having a curved portion on a leading end side; and a nozzle head disposed on a leading end of the nozzle body. The irradiation unit is arranged inside a curve shape of the curved portion.

Abstract: A medical device includes an insertion tube, having a proximal end and a distal end, which is configured for insertion into a body cavity of a subject. An optical assembly is contained in the distal end and configured to form an image of a target region in the body cavity. A working channel passes through the insertion tube and is configured to convey a fluid from the proximal to the distal end. The working channel has a segment adjacent to the distal end that is narrowed so as to cause the fluid to exit the working channel into the target region in a diverging cone.

Abstract: A detecting apparatus includes: a change-over switch for switching on/off display of a scope model on a liquid crystal monitor; a position calculating portion for calculating respective positions of source coils; a scope model generating portion for generating a scope model of an electronic endoscope based on the respective positions of the source coils calculated by the position calculating portion; and a selector for selectively outputting to the liquid crystal monitor a display-pause-time image stored in a display-pause-time image storing portion and a scope model image from the scope model generating portion; and a control portion for controlling each of these portions. The detecting apparatus thus displays an insertion shape of the endoscope at a timing as needed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for use through a cannula to create cavities within interior body regions. When deployed, the distal end of several such devices extend beyond the distal end of the catheter and can then be selectively curved into a shaped compression surface that, when articulated, creates a void within the interior body. This compression surface may then be withdrawn back into the cannula for removal and to make way for bone cement that, in certain instances, may be introduced through the same cannula.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including, while an endoluminal data-acquisition device is being moved through a lumen, acquiring a plurality of endoluminal data points of the lumen using the endoluminal data-acquisition device. The endoluminal data points are displayed in a stack, and are co-registered to respective locations along the lumen in an extraluminal image of the lumen. Based upon the co-registering of the endoluminal data points to respective locations along the lumen in the extraluminal image of the lumen, a parameter of a portion of the lumen that corresponds to a portion of the stack of endoluminal data points is determined. An output is generated in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: There is provided herein a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the tip section comprising: a front looking camera and a front discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the Field Of View (FOV) of said front looking camera; a right side looking camera and a right discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the FOV of said right side looking camera; a left side looking camera and a left discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the FOV of said left side looking camera; and a multi component cover configured to cover and seal said tip section such as to essentially prevent entry of fluids from the environment of said endoscope to inner parts of said tip section.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an optical property of a set of cells is described. The apparatus may include a light source for providing a light signal, a light-conditioning unit configured to condition the light signal, and a diffractive structure. The diffractive structure may be configured to receive the conditioned light signal and produce diffracted light having plasmon-resonance properties and an angular spectrum. The angular spectrum may correspond to the set of cells when the set of cells are within a threshold distance from the diffractive structure. The apparatus further includes a light-collecting unit for collecting the diffracted light.

Abstract: A handheld device includes a capacitance sensing variable control that detects the presence of and movement of a user's finger on an external surface of the device. The handheld device also includes a variable output power supply and an electronic device that is powered by the variable output power supply. Upon detection of the movement on the external surface of the device, the output of the variable output power supply is adjusted. The adjusted output changes the operation of the electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed that, in various embodiments and permutations and combinations of inventions, diagnose and treat Multiple Sclerosis or associated symptoms. In one series of embodiments, the invention consists of methods and devices for identifying patients whose Multiple Sclerosis or associated symptoms are caused or exacerbated, at least in part, by blockages of one or more of the patient's internal jugular veins (IJV) or azygous veins (AZV). In some instances, stenoses or other flow limiting structures or lesions in the patient's affected veins are identified. Further, in some instances the nature of such lesions and whether there is a significant disruption of blood pressure, or both, is ascertained. In some embodiments, methods and devices for applying one or more therapies to the blockages in the patient's IJV or AZV veins are provided.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for interfacing an operating management system with an operator is provided. The system provides a processor configured to execute workflow instructions; and an operator device in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to execute commands which convert the workflow instructions from a text command into an audible command and transmit the audible command to the operator device and the operator device is configured to receive the audible command, and is further configured to transmit an operator response to the processor.

Abstract: A phototherapy method, acting on the eyes (5) of an individual through light rays (R) of at least one specific wavelength, emitted by at least one light source (3) stationary relative to his/her head, which consists in: arranging the light source (3) at the periphery of his/her visual field allowing the individual's normal activities and in deflecting the light rays (R) onto a specific zone (9) of the retina (11), so as to maintain vision.

Abstract: A moving image is divided with imaging timing aligned without using a synchronous input. A moving image pickup apparatus to pick up a moving image of one or more objects as an imaging target includes an image obtaining unit for obtaining an input moving image composed of a plurality of frames containing a scene of the object making a periodic motion, a representative image selecting unit for selecting a representative image representing a cycle, a standard timing selecting unit for selecting a standard timing based on the representative image, in order to divide the input moving image obtained by the image obtaining unit with respect to each cycle, and a cycle extracting unit for dividing the input moving image with respect to each cycle, based on the standard timing selected by the standard timing selecting unit.

Abstract: A steerable endoscopic tool uses concentric sleeves of varying curvature to steer a tool tip toward or in the direction of a location of surgical interest. By rotating and/or axially displacing such sleeves relative to one another the tool tip may be maneuvered within a current field of view with several degrees of freedom without any physical movement of an endoscope, thus facilitating improved surgical access and control without complex mechanical systems in the endoscope or at the surgical site.