Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for, and a method of, accurate positioning of endoscopic instruments. Accurate positioning of the instruments is accomplished through the inclusion of a steering ability within the device. After the endoscopic instrument is properly positioned, the present invention may use rapid exchange technology, soft locks, and mechanical locks to maintain the position of the endoscopic instrument. Rapid exchange technology is used to minimize displacement forces present on the guidewire or catheters. Soft locks and mechanical locks resist movements caused by displacement forces.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus including: an elongated insertion section; an adaptor, which has an illuminating section including optical elements, and an observation optical system, that are attached to and removed from a tip of the insertion section; a sensor provided in the adaptor; and electrical contacts for the illumination section, and electrical contacts for the sensor, provided in the adaptor and the tip of the insertion section.

Abstract: A system and method may detect a transition in an image stream captured within a body lumen. One or more parameters may be computed at points corresponding to a time scale of the image stream. Transition in the values of the parameters may be identified and may indicate a location along the body lumen. The image stream may be segmented at the transition points identified.

Abstract: Power sources that enable in-body devices, such as implantable and ingestible devices, are provided. Aspects of the in-body power sources of the invention include a solid support, a first high surface area electrode and a second electrode. Embodiments of the in-power sources are configured to emit a detectable signal upon contact with a target physiological site. Also provided are methods of making and using the power sources of the invention.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to readily initiate an operation of a capsule medical apparatus which is inserted into a subject and executes a predetermined function. In a capsule endoscope 3 according to the present invention, a reed switch 14 connected to a power supply unit and a function executing unit is arranged parallel to a direction of a longitudinal axis t of a capsule-like casing 16 in the substantially cylindrical capsule-like casing 16 of the capsule endoscope 3. A pair of movable electrodes of the reed switch 14 operates according to magnetic induction of a magnetic field of a magnet 6 applied substantially parallel to the direction t of the longitudinal axis of the capsule-like casing 16, and come into contact with each other. As a result, power supply from the power supply unit to the function executing unit is allowed.

Abstract: A history information obtaining unit obtains information about a use history of an endoscope. An estimating unit makes an estimation of a secular change in the endoscope from its use start until the present time based on this information. A displaying unit displays a ratio of a result of the estimation made by the estimating unit to the degree of the secular change, which is preset for the endoscope.

Abstract: A medical device position detection system and a position detection method of a medical device guidance system, which are capable of detecting a direction of the medical device accurately, are provided.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining calibration of a distributed localization system are presented. After a baseline calibration of sensors distributed on a working instrument and reference instrument, if movement of the reference instrument is detected, shape sensing data from a Bragg shape sensing fiber also coupled to the reference instrument may be utilized to recalibrate the localization system. The reference instrument preferably is located intraoperatively in a relatively constrained anatomical environment, such as in the coronary sinus of the heart, to prevent significant movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for location of an instrument or appliance having at least one magnet which produces a magnetic moment at right angles to the appliance shaft and can be rotated independently of the instrument or appliance. This results in a location system which allows precise location at an accurate time, determination of the axis direction and control of an appliance which is being operated in a channel or medium.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for use with an imaging device (31) that acquires a pre-procedure image of a portion of a subject's body disposed at a pre-procedure position. An input unit receives from a user an indication of two or more lines within the image that correspond to respective branches of a multi-branch luminal structure. A probe (1) moves within the portion along two or more lines in the structure that respectively correspond to the two or more lines within the image. A location sensor (18) coupled to the probe senses location coordinates along the two or more lines, while the portion is at a current position. A control unit (34) registers the image of the portion with the portion's current position by registering (a) the two or more lines within the image, with (b) the location coordinates along the two or more lines. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: In an insertion support system according to the present invention, on the basis of the rotation angle data of the VBS images stored in the memory, an image processing unit rotates and corrects the VBS image and the thumbnail VBS images to generate the insertion support screen.

Abstract: An active drive type medical apparatus includes: an active mechanism having a rotatable joint provided near the distal end of a long member; an active mechanism driving section; a position/attitude detecting section configured to detect a position/attitude of the active mechanism; an instruction input section for performing instruction input of the position/attitude of the active mechanism; and a force calculating section configured to calculate, on the basis of the instruction input of the position/attitude, a force corresponding to a net external force acting on the active mechanism, by subtracting an estimated driving force estimated in the case where the active mechanism in a no-load state is driven, from a driving force required in the case where the active mechanism is actually driven by the active mechanism driving section from the position/attitude before the instruction input to the instructed and inputted position/attitude.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for correction of the position (x) of a field sensor (4) measured by means of a magnetic localization device. External field distortions, such as caused for example by the rotating components (1a, 1b) of a computer tomograph (1), are then determined with the help of reference sensor (3) placed at a known position. It is possible to deduce, for example, the current angle of rotation (?) of the computer tomograph (1) from the measurement signals of the reference sensor (3). Based on an empirically determined correction (?(x, ?)), the uncorrected determined positions (x) of the field sensor (4) can then be converted to corrected positions (x?) in relation to the field distortions. The field generator (2) and the reference sensor (3) are preferably fastened to the gantry in order to eliminate the dependency of the field distortions on an inclination of the gantry.

Abstract: An insertion shape detecting probe includes shape detecting elements for generating or detecting magnetic field or magnetic; signal lines connected to the shape detecting elements; supporting members that support the shape detecting elements; inner sheaths into which the signal lines and the supporting members are inserted; and an outer sheath into which the inner sheaths, the shape detecting elements, and at least one portion of the supporting members are inserted. The inner sheaths are each formed from a multiple-lumen tube that has a first lumen formed at a substantially central portion of each inner sheath and second lumens formed around an exterior periphery portion of the first lumen, and the supporting members are elongated wire rods one portion of which is arranged along exterior peripheries of the shape detecting elements in an axial direction and other portion runs through the second lumens.

Abstract: A system for guiding capsule medical device is provided with a capsule medical device, a magnetic guidance device, and an image display device. The capsule medical device is provided with an imaging unit for imaging an in-vivo image of a subject and a permanent magnet magnetized in a known direction relatively fixed with respect to an upward and downward direction of an imaging surface of the imaging unit in a capsule casing, and has a center of gravity at a location deviated from a geometric center of the capsule casing in a direction parallel to a plane parallel to a magnetization direction of the permanent magnet and an imaging direction of the imaging unit and different from the magnetization direction of the permanent magnet, and maintains a specific state in which the magnetization direction of the permanent magnet and the imaging direction of the imaging unit are parallel to a vertical plane in liquid introduced into the subject.

Abstract: In an endoscope device 1 in accordance with the present invention, a navigation screen 51 is displayed. The navigation screen 51 includes: an endoscopic live image display area 52 in which a live image produced by a bronchoscope 2 is displayed; a VBS image display area 53 in which a VBS image is displayed; and a thumbnail VBS image area 54 in which images constructed by reducing VBS images that represent all branch points on a route are displayed as thumbnail VBS images representing branch points. Consequently, an endoscope can be reliably navigated to reach a target region using guide images that represent actual branch positions.

Abstract: A device, system and method for capturing in-vivo images allows for size or distance estimations for objects within the images. According to one embodiment of the present invention there may be provided, in an in-vivo device at least an imager, an illumination source to provide illumination for the imager, an energy source to emit for example a light beam or a laser beam in a body lumen and a processor to, based on the light beam or laser beam image, estimate, for example the size of objects in a body lumen.

Abstract: A device, system and method for capturing in-vivo images allows for size or distance estimations for objects within the images. A scale may be overlayed on or otherwise added to the images and, based on a comparison between the scale and an image of an object, the size of the object and/or the distance of the object from an imaging device may be estimated or calculated.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a substance to a selected site in the alimentary canal of a human or animal is provided. The system has an ingestible capsule comprising: a compartment for storing the substance; a receiver suitable for receiving a signal through animal tissue; a processor for storing a programmed set of instructions; an electronic power source; and at least one transmitter, disposed on a medically relevant site on the body of the human or animal, for sending a signal to the receiver, wherein the receiver further comprises a proximity based detection means for measuring proximity of the receiver to the at least one transmitter, and wherein the processor instructs the releasing means to release the substance upon recognition of a pre-programmed pattern of transmitters.

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: A display device includes: a display unit that displays examination procedure information indicating an examination procedure of a subject; and a control unit that acquires position-related information of a capsule endoscope inserted into the subject, calculates a position of the capsule endoscope based on the acquired position-related information, determines a to-be-executed examination procedure of the subject corresponding to the calculated position, and performs control to display the examination procedure information indicating the determined to-be-executed examination procedure of the subject.

Abstract: A lumen passability checking device has a capsule shape and a size capable of being introduced into a body. The lumen passability checking device includes a first insoluble portion that is made of a material insoluble in the body, and that is provided as a thin portion, excluding a part of a surface of a capsule shaped body; a soluble portion that is made of a material soluble in the body, forms the capsule shaped body, and is provided in the first insoluble portion, including the part of the surface of the capsule shaped body, the part being exposed to outside; and a second insoluble portion that is made of a material insoluble in the body, and that divides the soluble portion to form a dissolution route in the soluble portion, the dissolution route progressing from the part of the surface to inside.

Abstract: A system and method for localizing an in vivo signal source using a wearable antenna array having at least two antenna elements. The signal is received and a signal strength is measured at two or more antenna elements. An estimated coordinate set is derived from the signal strength measurements.

Abstract: Using a guidance system with a simple configuration, propulsive motion along a longitudinal direction and changing of the propulsion direction are easily performed with good precision and stability. There is provided a capsule-type medical apparatus 201 which is inserted into the body of a subject and is guided by an external magnetic field, the capsule-type medical apparatus 201 comprising: a substantially cylindrical capsule 202; a propulsion mechanism 207 for converting rotary motion about a longitudinal axis R of the capsule 202 into propulsive motion along the longitudinal axis R; a magnet 205 accommodated inside the capsule 202 and disposed in such a manner that the magnetic-pole direction thereof can be switched between a direction along the longitudinal axis R and a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis R; and a securing portion 212 for securing the magnet 205 to the capsule 202 in each of the switched states of the magnetic-pole direction.

Abstract: A living body observation system of the invention includes a living body information acquiring apparatus including: a living body information acquiring section; a wireless transmission section; a power source section for supplying driving power for driving the living body information acquiring section and the wireless transmission section; a magnetic field detecting section for outputting a detection result of a magnetic field from outside as an electric signal; and a power supply control section for controlling a supplying state of the driving power based on the electric signal, a magnetic field generating coil, a driving circuit for outputting a drive signal to the magnetic field generating coil, a switch for switching a generation state of a magnetic field, and a timer for outputting a signal for stopping output of the drive signal when a predetermined period has passed following switching from off to on of the switch.

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 living body observation system of the invention includes a living body information acquiring apparatus including: a living body information acquiring section; a wireless transmission section; a power source section for supplying driving power for driving the living body information acquiring section and the wireless transmission section; a magnetic field detecting section for outputting a detection result of a magnetic field from outside as an electric signal; and a power supply control section for controlling a supplying state of the driving power supplied from the power source section to the living body information acquiring section and the wireless transmission section based on the electric signal; and a magnetic field generating section which is disposed outside the living body information acquiring apparatus and includes a resonant circuit for generating a magnetic field by resonance and a driving circuit for supplying driving voltage for driving the resonant circuit.

Abstract: A system and method may determine the orientation of an in-vivo imaging device relative to the earth's gravitation field. Some embodiments may enable indication of specific locations where other methods provide non-satisfactory imaging coverage. The system may include an in-vivo imaging system with a container or shell containing an orientation object. The container may be placed in at least one optical dome or optical field of an in-vivo imaging device, such as an autonomous capsule. The location of the orientation object's image on the in-vivo imaging device imager, as well as size of the image, may be determined as functions of the location of the orientation object inside the container, for each image acquired.

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: A system and method for determining the path length through a body lumen, for example to a specified location, is described. A location detection system may identify the location in space of an in-vivo device over time. A path-length detection unit may use data from the location detection system to determine a path traveled by an in-vivo device. A site of interest along that path may be identified. The distance of the site of interest from at least one end point of a body lumen may be determined.

Abstract: According to the invention, an endoscope system as a surgery assisting apparatus includes a surgery apparatus for performing treatment by abdominal operation procedure on a region to be treated in a body of a patient, and a luminal organ shape detecting apparatus used for assisting (supporting) the abdominal operation procedure. The luminal organ shape detecting apparatus is used as blood vessel position notifying means when procedure is performed by inserting a probe as a luminal organ insertion probe into a blood vessel, for example. This allows the luminal organ irrespective of the treatment to be easily and surely detected and enables a smooth procedure to be performed.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a medical procedure includes an invasive probe having opposite distal and proximal ends. The probe includes a transmitter, which is arranged to transmit an energy field, and a receiver, which is arranged to receive the energy field, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are disposed at the opposite ends of the probe. A control unit is adapted to determine an orientation of the distal end relative to the proximal end responsively to the energy field received by the receiver.

Abstract: A capsule-type medical device comprises a capsule main unit having functions for being inserted into the body cavity and performing medical acts such as taking images or the like. The capsule main unit comprises therein a magnet which is acted upon by external magnetism, and a spiral portion on the outer perimeter, so that rotating force acting upon the magnet is readily converted into a propelling force for propelling the capsule-type medical device. A flexible insertion portion which is long and small in diameter is provided to the capsule main unit to allow smooth progression through the body cavity, and the center of gravity of the device is placed upon the longitudinal center axis of the capsule main unit, thus facilitating smooth progression through the body cavity.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a storage device. The storage device is configured to store ownership information. The ownership information indicates a term for which the endoscope is allowed to be utilized.

Abstract: The invention provides an endoscope inserting direction detecting apparatus and method with which the direction of a lumen can be determined reliably despite a simple configuration. The endoscope inserting direction detecting apparatus includes a pixel sampling unit that samples a stated pixel value from each of domains constituting an endoscopic image received by an image input/output control circuit; a shape-of-range estimating unit that estimates the shape of a range within the endoscopic image according to the continuity of the distribution of the pixels indicating the stated pixel value; and an inserting direction determining unit that determines an inserting direction within a body cavity, in which an endoscope should be further inserted, on the basis of the estimated shape. The inserting direction is displayed together with the endoscopic image.

Abstract: A medical capsule device (100) includes a first pad (109), an apparatus outside the body (200) includes a plurality of second pads (such as 201a), and at least one of the medical capsule device (100) and the apparatus outside the body (200) includes a modulating unit (106) which applies a voltage to the pad of one of the apparatuses, upon modulating a signal, and the other apparatus includes a demodulating unit (203) which demodulates the signal from an electric potential of the pad of the other apparatus, and moreover, includes a position-detection signal generating unit (111) for transmitting a signal for position detection, and a position calculating unit (204) which calculates a position of the medical capsule device (100), based on a magnitude of a signal strength of the signal for position detection which is demodulated from the electric potential at the plurality of second pads (such as 201a).

Abstract: A magnetically navigable endoscope system includes an endoscope having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a magnetic body; a component which transmits an image, associated with the distal end; a display component for displaying the image; a magnetic field generating apparatus for generating a magnetic field to orient the magnetic body and thus the distal end of the endoscope; and a controller coordinated with the display for controlling the magnetic field generating apparatus to selectively change the magnetic field to change the orientation of the magnetic body and thus the distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: A drive signal from an SSG drives a CCD through a delay circuit and the like. An imaging signal from the CCD is converted to a video signal in a CDS circuit, which is driven by a sample hold signal given through the delay circuit, and is converted to a video signal that can be displayed on a monitor through an A/D converter circuit, a video signal processing circuit and a digital encoder to be output. Here, by correcting phases of the imaging signal and the sample hold signal, length of a signal line is corrected. Also, since the delay circuit is constructed by being incorporated in a DSP for video signal processing, which includes a video signal processing circuit and the like, the construction is simplified. Thus, the number of parts is reduced, and it can be constructed inexpensively.

Abstract: Endoscopic poses are used to indicate the exact location and direction in which a physician must orient the endoscope to sample a region of interest (ROI) in an airway tree or other luminal structure. Using a patient-specific model of the anatomy derived from a 3D MDCT image, poses are chosen to be realizable given the physical characteristics of the endoscope and the relative geometry of the patient's airways and the ROI. To help ensure the safety of the patient, the calculations also account for obstacles such as the aorta and pulmonary arteries, precluding the puncture of these sensitive blood vessels. A real-time visualization system conveys the calculated pose orientation and the quality of any arbitrary bronchoscopic pose orientation. A suggested pose orientation is represented as an icon within a virtual rendering of the patient's airway tree or other structure. The location and orientation of the icon indicates the suggested pose orientation to which the physician should align during the procedure.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for shock wave treatment of the human body. In particular, the invention relates to navigational aspects of the shock wave treatments, including apparatuses and methods which enable accurate focusing of shock waves.

Abstract: An endoscope system and method includes an endoscope tip coupled to a endoscope console for providing images of anatomical features imaged using the endoscope system. The system also includes a calibration device having known optical properties. The calibration device is imaged using the endoscope system, and data corresponding to the image is obtained. This data are compared to data corresponding to the known optical properties of the calibration device. Based on this comparison, calibration data corresponding to imaging errors of the endoscope system are obtained. The calibration data are used to calibrate the endoscope system.

Abstract: A radio observation device which transmits information on observation subjects has a first coil, an oscillator, a first frequency controller, a frequency-measuring device, and a transmitter. The oscillator generates signals flowing through the first coil within a certain range of frequencies. The first frequency controller is connected to the oscillator, and adjusts the oscillating frequency of the signal flowing through the first coil by controlling said oscillator. The frequency-measuring device measures a resonance frequency of a signal flowing through the first coil and a signal flowing through a second coil being provided external to the radio observation device. The transmitter transmits the information on the observation subjects through said first coil by a carrier wave which oscillates at the resonance frequency.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for locating foreign objects on the internal surface of ear and ear canal whereby a probe having a light emitting distal portion is inserted into the ear canal, the method further comprising the steps of:—directing light from the distal portion of the probe to illuminate at least one point or the internal circumferential surface of the ear and/or ear canal,—receiving the light reflected from the illuminated surface, and directing the received light to at least one light sensitive element to generate an output,—analyzing the output with respect to spectral composition in order to identify foreign objects. The invention also relates to an apparatus for locating foreign objects on the internal surface of ear and ear canal.

Abstract: A method for presenting an indicator of the upright orientation of an endoscopic image. An electronic rotation pick-up means is fixed to the housing of an endoscope. The electronic rotation pick-up means produces signals indicating rotations of the endoscope. A microprocessor uses these signals to calculate the difference between the upright image orientation and the actual image orientation. The calculation includes factors to account for endoscope roll, endoscope pitch, and endoscope viewing direction. The upright indicator is displayed on a video display device along with the endoscopic image.

Abstract: The medical device guidance system include a magnetic guidance device which generates a guidance field in an arbitrary direction to guide a capsular medical device and carry out movement and posture control, a position detection device which detects the present position by a magnetic field generated by the capsular medical device and a position calculating and correcting section which forms an estimation equation of an undesired magnetic field generated from a guidance coil and subtracts an estimation equation result from the detection result of the magnetic field detecting section, according to the present position of the capsular medical device that controls the position and posture by a guidance field relative to the position detection device, and corrects the present position by excluding a desired magnetic field generated from a guidance coil.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetic field control method and a magnetic field generator which are capable of moving a local maximum point of magnetic field intensity on a predetermined plane easily to any given point within a predetermined area on the predetermined plane. A magnetic field generator 10 includes a pair of permanent magnets 16a, 16b provided axially of a predetermined axis A, with a gap G in between. The permanent magnet 16a is formed on a drive unit 14a in such a way that a center region 30a of a first main surface 26a is off the predetermined axis A. The permanent magnet 16b is formed on a drive unit 14b in such a way that a center region 30b of a first main surface 26b is off the predetermined axis A. The permanent magnet 16a revolves on a path R1 as a rotating member 24a rotates. The permanent magnet 16b revolves on a path R2 as a rotating member 24b rotates.

Abstract: A capsule type medical device, which is introduced into the inside of a living body in order to observe the inside of the living body, includes an image capturing unit for capturing an image of the inside of the living body, a wireless communicating unit for transmitting the image data of the image captured by the image capturing unit to the outside of the living body through a wireless communication, a first voltage regulator unit for regulating a voltage output from a power supply unit and for supplying the voltage to the image capturing unit, and a second voltage regulator unit for regulating the voltage output from the power supply unit and for supplying the voltage to the wireless communicating unit. An oscillating unit included in the wireless communicating unit has a differential configuration.

Abstract: The scope has an imaging sensor, a memory, an image signal-processing unit, and a scope controller having a timer. The image signal-processing unit performs a primary image-processing operation on an image signal output from the imaging sensor. The timer counts an elapsed time. The processor has a video signal-processing unit and a time-hold unit. The video signal-processing unit performs a secondary image-processing operation on the image signal on which the primary image signal processing operation is made. The time-hold unit keeps date data and outputting the date data to the scope controller. The scope controller measures a command-received time when a setting for the primary image-processing operation in the image signal-processing unit is changed on the basis of the elapsed time that is counted by the timer and the date data, and stories a record indicating that the setting has changed and the command-received time to the memory.

Abstract: A system and method for navigation within a surgical field are presented. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention a micro-camera can be provided in a hand-held navigation probe tracked by a tracking system. This enables navigation within an operative scene by viewing real-time images from the viewpoint of the micro-camera within the navigation probe, which are overlaid with computer generated 3D graphics depicting structures of interest generated from pre-operative scans. Various transparency settings of the camera image and the superimposed 3D graphics can enhance the depth perception, and distances between a tip of the probe and any of the superimposed 3D structures along a virtual ray extending from the probe tip can be dynamically displayed in the combined image. In exemplary embodiments of the invention a virtual interface can be displayed adjacent to the combined image on a system display, thus facilitating interaction with various navigation related functions.

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.