With Control Or Monitoring Of Endoscope Functions Patents (Class 600/118)
  • Publication number: 20090118583
    Abstract: A switching mechanism is used for altering the operation of an electronic device. The switching mechanism has a memory comprising a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell undergoes a change in binary data upon receiving more than a specific amount of light having a specific wavelength. The operation is altered when the binary data of at least one memory cell of the plurality of memory cells is changed by the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kentaro MATSUMOTO
  • Patent number: 7527590
    Abstract: There is provided an endoscopic system. The system comprises a flexible endoscope insertable into a first tubular organ from a natural opening of a human body. The system further comprises an opening member which forms on a wall part of the first tubular organ an opening used to insert the endoscope into an abdominal cavity from the first tubular organ in the body, an anastomosing member which is able to anastomoses the first tubular organ with a second tubular organ in the abdominal cavity, and a cutting member with which the second tubular organ is able to be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Keita Suzuki, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Yoshio Onuki, Satoshi Miyamoto, Masahiro Ishikawa, Anthony Nicholas Kalloo, Sergey Veniaminovich Kantsevoy, Pankaj Jay Pasricha, Sydney Sheung Chee Chung
  • Patent number: 7525320
    Abstract: A voltage control circuit includes a voltage step-up device that steps up an applied voltage to a stepped-up voltage, an electronic device to which the stepped-up voltage is applied, a current monitor that monitors a supplied current that is supplied to the electronic device, based on the stepped-up voltage, a step-up controller that controls the stepped-up voltage to be a predetermined target voltage, based on the supplied current, and a warning provider that provides a warning when the current monitor can not monitor the supplied current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Takami
  • Publication number: 20090105541
    Abstract: An endoscopy capsule contains an induction coil that is elongated along a longitudinal axis thereof, the endoscopy coil supplying power to components within the endoscopy capsule. A magnetic element in the endoscopy capsule has a magnetic dipole moment and interacts with an external magnetic field to navigate the endoscopy capsule within the body of a subject. The magnetic element is oriented so that the magnetic dipole element is aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the induction coil. The endoscopy capsule has a cross-sectional area, in a plane having a normal aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the induction coil, which contains both a cross-section through the magnetic element and a cross-section through the induction coil. The magnetic element has a length along the longitudinal axis of the induction coil so that the magnetic element projects beyond the induction coil at each end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Johannes Reinschke, Gunter Ries
  • Publication number: 20090105540
    Abstract: An endoscope control apparatus of the invention includes: a first connector receiving portion and a second connector receiving portion, to and from which an endoscope is attachable and detachable; a connection detection portion for detecting a connecting state of the endoscope in the first connector receiving portion and the second connector receiving portion and outputting a connection detection signal; a first patient circuit electrically connected to a post stage of the first connector receiving portion and connected also to a first reference potential point; and a second patient circuit electrically connected to a post stage of the second connector receiving portion, and connected also to a second reference potential point different from the first reference potential point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Susumu KAWATA, Susumu HASHIMOTO, Yasuo KOMATSU
  • Patent number: 7520854
    Abstract: Rotate instructing switches 26, 27, and 28 of an operating remote controller 5 are pressed and then a CPU 12 controls image processing of an image pickup processing portion 8, a direction calculation processing portion 10, and a rotating-image processing portion 9 in accordance with an operating signal to rotate and display a screen 21 displayed on a screen of an LCD 4A. Touch-panel type direction instructing portions arranged on the LCD 4A are operated, thereby supplying operating signals to the CPU 12 via a touch panel controller 4a. The CPU 12 determines, by using a determining area table arranged in a ROM 13 based on the operating signal, which direction instructing portion is pressed. Simultaneously, the CPU 12 calculates the moving direction and the amount of movement of an image by a direction processing portion 11 and the direction calculation processing portion 10, and controls the driving of a driving unit 7 based on a calculated result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Saichi Sato
  • Publication number: 20090099419
    Abstract: A switching mechanism for a swallowable medical device has first and second contacts and an expandable member. The medical device has a shell and a first circuit unit provided in the shell. The first and second contacts are electrically connectable with each other, and an operation of the first circuit unit is switched by electrically connecting the first and second contact. The expandable member is capable of expanding by absorbing a predetermined liquid. The expandable member displaces the second contact by expanding such that the second contact gets electrically connected to or disconnected from the first contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kentaro MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20090099418
    Abstract: An in-vivo information acquiring apparatus includes an information acquiring unit that acquires in-vivo information; a power source that supplies a power to the information acquiring unit; a magnetic sensor unit that outputs a control signal corresponding to a state in which a magnetic signal externally input is detected; a pulse number counting unit that counts the number of pulses of pulse signals from the magnetic sensor unit. When the number of pulses counted by the pulse counting unit is not smaller than a predetermined number, a state in which the power from the power source is supplied to the information acquiring unit is switched to a state in which the power from the power source to the information acquiring unit is cut off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Seiichiro KIMOTO
  • Patent number: 7518632
    Abstract: An endoscope device including an insertion part including an observation optical system and a measuring optical system, wherein the endoscope device is provided with a characteristic value comparing circuit 85 which compares previous characteristic values and current characteristic value to identify previous characteristic values corresponding to the current characteristic values, corresponding to the previous characteristic values, identified by the corresponding to the previous characteristic values, identified by the characteristic value comparing circuit 85, are stored in a storage circuit C2 together with various information. According to the invention, for inspection turbine blades of jet engines, automation (labor-saving) of the inspection process by reducing the number of the inspection steps is realized and the difficulty in the inspection of analysis areas is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Konomura
  • Publication number: 20090082627
    Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a medical device equipped with a driven attitude controller and introduced into a body cavity; a fastener detachably installed on the medical device and used for fastening to a body wall in the body cavity; and an attitude control apparatus equipped with an attitude controller which moves the medical device with respect to the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Hitoshi KARASAWA, Daisuke ASADA, Keiji HANDA, Sho NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20090082905
    Abstract: In a telemanipulation system for manipulating objects located in a workspace at a remote worksite by an operator from an operator's station, such as in a remote surgical system, the remote worksite having a manipulator with an end effector for manipulating an object at the workspace, such as a body cavity, a controller including a hand control at the control operator's station for remote control of the manipulator, an image capture device, such as a camera, and image output device for reproducing a viewable real-time image, the improvement wherein a position sensor associated with the image capture device senses position relative to the end effector and a processor transforms the viewable real-time image into a perspective image with correlated manipulation of the end effector by the hand controller such that the operator can manipulate the end effector and the manipulator as if viewing the workspace in true presence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: SRI International. Inc
    Inventor: PHILIP S. GREEN
  • Publication number: 20090073260
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Ayako NAGASE, Junichi UCHIDA
  • Publication number: 20090076326
    Abstract: The in-vivo image acquiring apparatus includes an imaging unit which captures an inside of a subject, a transmission processing unit which wirelessly transmits the image information captured by the imaging unit, a power supply unit which supplies driving power for each unit of the apparatus, and a switching unit which detects an external input and switches a supply state of the driving power from the power supply unit. The apparatus also includes a mode setting unit which sets predetermined operation modes based on information of the external input which is input to the switching unit, and a control unit which controls the operation of each unit of the apparatus according to the operation mode set by the mode setting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Kei MITSUHASHI, Ayako NAGASE
  • Publication number: 20090076325
    Abstract: To stably and properly monitor an inside of a body by using an easily operable placement technique, a capsule endoscope 101 to be swallowed from an oral cavity 200 to acquire in-vivo information of a subject 201 and to wirelessly output for a transmission of the in-vivo information to an outside of a body, a string member 103 that is connected to the capsule endoscope 101 for positioning the capsule endoscope 101 at a gastric cardia 202, and a fixing portion 104 that is a portion of the string member 103, is provided on a position with which a length from the capsule endoscope 101 corresponds to a length from the gastric cardia 202 to the inside of an esophageal region 203 for fixing the string member 103 that has located the capsule endoscope 101 at the gastric cardia 202 to the inside of the esophageal region 203 by an endoscopic fixture are included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Takeshi Yokoi, Katsumi Hirakawa, Akio Uchiyama, Shinsuke Tanaka, Hironobu Takizawa, Manabu Fujita
  • Publication number: 20090062611
    Abstract: The present invention is an endoscope apparatus comprising an over tube having a balloon, a fluid suction pipeline provided at the over tube so that a suction opening portion is opened on a proximal end side from the balloon, a suctioning device for suctioning a fluid in the fluid suction pipeline, a pressure/flow-rate sensor for detecting a pressure of the fluid at least at a single position from a lumen to which the over tube is inserted to the suctioning device through the fluid suction pipeline, and a control circuit for controlling a suction pump so that the pressure of the fluid in the lumen in the vicinity of the suction opening portion falls within an appropriate pressure range based on the pressure detected by the pressure/flow-rate sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Ryuichi TOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20090062610
    Abstract: An endoscope reprocessor having a water supply disinfection filter and a method for self-disinfection of the filter employ a pair of connectors to switch from a normal operating mode into a self-disinfection mode in which circulating germicidal fluid within the reprocessor flows through the filter, while the water supply remains connected to the system and isolated from the circulating fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Hal Williams
  • Publication number: 20090062612
    Abstract: An endoscope system comprises a scope, a first processor, and a first measuring device. The scope has an imaging sensor, a memory, and a reference signal output unit that outputs a reference signal instead of an image signal from the imaging sensor in a first operation for generating an analysis data. The first processor performs an image-processing operation of the image signal in a normal use, and performs the image-processing operation of the reference signal in the first operation. The first measuring device is connected to the first processor and measures a first characteristic of an image encoded by the reference signal on which the image-processing operation is carried out, in the first operation. The first processor transmits a measurement result by the first measuring device to the scope as the analysis data. The memory stores the analysis data when the measurement result is input to the first processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadaaki SUDA
  • Publication number: 20090062613
    Abstract: An in-vivo information acquiring system previously sets synchronization signals for each imaging unit which captures an image. In the in-vivo information acquiring system, a capsule endoscope transmits scan-line data of an image to be transmitted using the synchronization signal corresponding to the imaging unit which captures the image to be transmitted, and a receiving apparatus identifies that the received scan-line data forms the image captured by the imaging unit corresponding to the detected synchronization signal by detecting the synchronization signal from received information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Kei Mitsuhashi
  • Patent number: 7498950
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Hasan Ertas, Brannon P. Wells, Rajeshwari Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20090054730
    Abstract: A remaining-power-amount recognizing circuit 20 provided within a capsule endoscope 2 recognizes a remaining power amount of a body-insertable apparatus (capsule endoscope 2), and superimposes the remaining-power-amount information on a transmission signal. An RF transmitting unit 15 of the capsule endoscope 2 transmits the superimposed information to a receiving apparatus 3 at the outside of the subject. A remaining-power-amount detecting circuit 48 provided within an external device 32 of the receiving apparatus 3 detects the remaining-power-amount information, and displays the detected information on a display unit 51 provided within the external device 32. With this arrangement, a user can promptly recognize a remaining power amount of the capsule endoscope 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Toshiaki Shigemori, Manabu Fujita, Ayako Nagase, Akira Matsui, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Publication number: 20090054731
    Abstract: An antenna unit includes a receiving antenna which is arranged on an outer surface of a subject and receives a radio signal transmitted at a first frequency from a body-insertable device inserted into an inside of the subject; a main body part which is attached to an outside of the subject. The main body part includes a frequency converter that converts the signal of the first frequency received by the receiving antenna into a signal of a second frequency and a transmitting antenna that transmits the signal of the second frequency as a radio signal. The antenna unit also includes a signal line which connects the receiving antenna and the main body part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Toshiaki SHIGEMORI
  • Publication number: 20090048484
    Abstract: A method for controlling movement of an imaging device in vivo, the method comprising the steps of providing an imaging device having a longitudinal axis and a magnetic component, said device to be inserted into a patient's body; providing a rotating magnetic field outside the patient's body; and advancing the rotating magnetic filed along the patient's body in a desired direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Christopher SWAIN, Frank Volke, Elisha Rabinovitz, Jeremy Pinchas Gerber, Boaz Aizenshtark, Bertram Manz, Martin Benecke
  • Patent number: 7491166
    Abstract: An endoscope includes a therapeutic instrument controlling base which is arranged to the distal portion of the inserting portion and controls such that a therapeutic instrument projected from the opening of a channel for inserting the therapeutic instrument at the distal portion of the inserting portion moves in the right and left directions of an observed image obtained by an observing unit, a controlling-base operating unit which is arranged to an operating section continuously arranged to the proximal side portion of the inserting portion and which can be operated in the right and left directions of an operator who grips the operating section, and a controlling-base operating mechanism which controls such that the therapeutic instrument controlling base moves in the right direction of the observed image according to the operation of the controlling-base operating unit in the right direction thereof by the operator who grips the operating section and controls such that the therapeutic instrument controlling
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhiko Ueno, Yasuhito Kura, Koji Yamaya
  • Patent number: 7491165
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Kogasaka, Masayuki Irie
  • Patent number: 7491198
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Bracco Imaging S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ralf Alfons Kockro
  • Patent number: 7492388
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling the automatic setting of a mask for displaying live endoscopic images on a monitor device. An imaging node processor selects a pre-determined mask setting based on an automatically detected solid state imager (CCD) type when connected to the video processor, and a selected magnifying ratio. Based on this information, a mask pattern is automatically generated in a main memory. A merge function enables the mask to be displayed with cutout portions where information including, live or frozen image, thumbnail image associated with a static image capture, and patient demographic information is displayed. The user may select the frame coordinate locations corresponding to the corners of the live viewable area, captured image display and other system and demographic information to be displayed. Further, while the system is configured to include pre-defined masks, users are additionally able to create additional masks or modify the system-defined masks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Odlivak, Philip Pearson, Marc Shapiro, Deepak Agarwal, Aaron Divinsky, Peter B. Cotton
  • Publication number: 20090043164
    Abstract: The position of an antenna incorporated in a capsule-type endoscope 3 that moves in a body is estimated using a plurality of antennae, and where the distance dij between two positions Pti and P(t?1)j estimated at adjacent times falls within a predetermined value, pieces of information for these positions are related to each other and stored in a memory as connection information. Subsequently, processing for searching for a route from the connection information stored in the memory and calculating a track is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Jun HASEGAWA, Tetsuo NONAMI
  • Publication number: 20090043163
    Abstract: In the present invention, an endoscope apparatus has an identification unit which identifies the classification on the basis of scope ID information of an endoscopic scope, a storage unit which stores information regarding processing to be executed according to the classification of the endoscopic scope (a first SOP), and a control unit which reads a second SOP corresponding to the classification from the first SOP stored in the storage section on the basis of the result of the identification by the identification unit and sets the second SOP, and which, in the case where the information corresponding to the classification does not exist, performs switching so that predetermined information (a third SOP) is read from the first SOP stored in the storage unit and sets the predetermined information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Takashi OZAKI
  • Publication number: 20090043162
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus according to this invention has a connector portion to which an endoscope having a CCD can be connected, a light source device having a light source portion which applies illumination light to an object to be observed by the CCD, an illumination time variator unit which changes an illumination time for illumination light from the light source portion, a storage portion provided in the endoscope and storing illumination time information for illumination light suitable for the endoscope, and a utilization factor controlling portion which, upon connection of the endoscope, reads out the illumination time information stored in the storage portion and controls the illumination time variator unit such that the illumination time for the light source portion is consistent with the read-out illumination time information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Tomoya TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 7488285
    Abstract: An image signal captured by a camera head and outputted from an image processor is inputted into a foot switch control device. The image signal is processed in a display control unit of the foot switch control device, inputted into a display and displayed thereon. The display control unit reads out an image indicating the foot switch state corresponding to the foot switch function that is presently allocated to the inputted endoscopic image from a memory unit and superimposes this image on the endoscopic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Honda, Kazue Tanaka, Hiroo Ono
  • Patent number: 7485091
    Abstract: In an electronic endoscope system, an individual channel of a frequency band is allocated to each of a plurality of electronic endoscopes. When a release switch of the electronic endoscope is operated to record an endoscopic image, a picture signal of the endoscopic image is modulated into a radio frequency signal, and a header representative of the allocated channel is attached to the radio frequency signal, before sending it as an electric wave to a storage server through the allocated channel. The storage server is provided with a plurality of data storages for the individual channels. In the storage server, the received radio frequency signal is demodulated into the original picture signal, and an I/O port sorts the picture signal according to the attached header, to write it as the endoscopic image in the data storage corresponding to the channel represented by the attached header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori Abe
  • Patent number: 7485114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the central control of devices (20, 52) used during an operation, comprising a first control unit (12) for control of said devices. The system is characterized in that a second control unit (14) is provided which is connected to the first control unit for exchange of information. The first control unit is embodied as closed system for control of at least those devices (20; 22-26) which carry out safety-related functions (safety-related devices), and the second control unit (14) is embodied as open system for control of the remaining devices (52) which carry out non safety-related functions (non safety-related devices). The invention further relates to a method for the central control of devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Storz Endoskop GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz-Werner Stiller, Pavel Novak, Klaus M. Irion
  • Patent number: 7485115
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a remote operation support system includes a first control system arranged in an operating room, a second control system arranged in a primary support room, and a third control system arranged in at least one secondary support room, the first to third control systems being connected to each other through communication lines. The first control system has an imaging device for obtaining an image signal of a patient under operation, a first transmission/reception device for transmitting the image signal supplied from the imaging device to the second control system, simultaneously transmitting patient information regarding the patient under operation to the third control system, and receiving support information from the second control system, and a reproduction device for displaying the image signal and reproducing the support information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takeaki Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090030380
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing needle guided interventions and especially needle guided dilations of tissue to create a therapeutic conduit between two luminal organs or structures. The device is particularly useful for creation of an artificial lumen between two hollow body organs using the working lumen of an endoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: XLumena, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Binmoeller
  • Publication number: 20090030278
    Abstract: An electrical power supply device is for an endoscope having a scope for insertion into the body of a subject. The electrical power supply device includes a temperature controller and a thermoelectric converter. The thermoelectric converter controls the temperature of the interior of the scope. The thermoelectric converter generates electricity based on the difference in temperature between the body interior of the subject and the interior of the scope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadashi Minakuchi
  • Publication number: 20090030271
    Abstract: An adapter for endoscopic treatments has a fiber constraint device that is set at a desired maximum fiber retraction distance, and provides a physical barrier to prevent excessive fiber retraction into the endoscope. The restricted retraction prevents the fiber from firing within the endoscope, thus avoiding expensive damage to both the endoscope and fiber. This benefits the patient with potentially shorter treatment time and less exposure to anesthesia. The adapter also limits maximum extension of fibers. Limiting maximum extension protects the fiber tip and avoids patient complications. The adapter is securely attached to the optical fiber with a connecting means. When using directionally radiating fiber tips, fiber orientation can be defined and the fiber can be rotated relative to the initial angular position of the fiber tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Foley, William LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20090030279
    Abstract: A diagnostic capsule has a sensor system, a transmitter, and a controller. The controller is configured to detect one or more target conditions external to the diagnostic capsule based on target data from the sensor system and enable the transmitter to transmit diagnostic data, wherein the diagnostic data is collected by the sensor system while the one or more target conditions are present. A diagnostic system utilizing the diagnostic capsule is also disclosed. A method of managing power consumption in a diagnostic capsule is also disclosed. A target sensor is enabled. The target sensor is checked for a target condition. At least one diagnostic capsule subsystem is enabled if the target condition is present. The target sensor is further checked for the target condition. The at least one diagnostic capsule subsystem is disabled if the target condition is not present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Dennis R. Zander, Peter Katevatis
  • Patent number: 7479106
    Abstract: The present invention is an integrated and automated irrigation and aspiration system for use in an endoscopic imaging system. The system provides for the automated cleaning of poorly prepared patients during a colonoscopy procedure as well as automated cleaning of an imaging system of an endoscope. The invention analyzes images obtained from an image sensor to detect the presence of an obstructed field of view, whereupon a wash routine is initiated to remove the obstruction. The wash routine may be adjusted in accordance with environmental conditions within the patient that are sensed by one or more sensors within the endoscope. In another embodiment, insufflation is automatically controlled to inflate a patient's colon as a function of one or more sensor readings obtained from one or more environmental sensor(s) on the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Banik, Lucien Alfred Couvillon, Jr., Anh Nguyen, William H. Stahley
  • Publication number: 20090018395
    Abstract: A system control circuit 26 monitors a drive of a light emitting diode (LED) driving circuit 21 and a charge coupled device (CCD) driving circuit 23, a motor 30 as a function executing unit in a capsule endoscope is driven at a timing for an arbitrarily predetermined period different from a lighting period in which the system control circuit 26 lights a LED 20 and an imaging period in which a CCD 22 captures an intra-subject image, and interference for an image caused by a drive of the motor is prevented. As a result, the function executing unit in the capsule endoscope is driven at an arbitrarily predetermined timing, and image collection and image transmission inside the subject is properly performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Takemitsu Honda
  • Publication number: 20090012361
    Abstract: Color endoscopes, light sources and endoscopy systems, etc., that have good dynamic range and/or resolution while reducing the size and cost of the endoscopes. The endoscopes achieve this, in part, by using a black and white (grayscale or monochromatic) sensor at the tip of the endoscope instead of a color sensor. The endoscope uses a light system that precisely and specifically illuminates the tissue one color at time, captures the image in grayscale, then uses a computer to associate the image with the color. Certain aspects of the invention apply to imaging systems in addition to endoscopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Tidal Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas B. MacKinnon, Ulrich Stange
  • Publication number: 20090012360
    Abstract: To provide a receiving apparatus capable of dealing with various uses with a simple configuration. The receiving apparatus includes an antenna unit and a receiving apparatus main body. The antenna unit includes a receiving antenna that receives a radio signal including image data transmitted by a capsule endoscope inserted in a subject, and the receiving apparatus main body is detachably attached to the antenna unit. The antenna unit functions such that it demodulates the radio signal received via the receiving antenna into a baseband signal. The receiving apparatus main body acquires the image data based on at least the baseband signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Seiichiro Kimoto, Akira Matsui
  • Publication number: 20090005642
    Abstract: A condition for determining that an examination by a capsule endoscope 3 (body insertable device) completes is set in advance. When a predetermined time period has passed since the examination starts, and when received electric-field strength of receiving antennas A1 to An detected during a predetermined time period is not higher than a predetermined value, the examination is determined to have been completed. An examination completion determining unit C1 determines whether the condition is satisfied or not. According to the result of determination, a notification controller C2 makes a notifying unit 15 notify that the examination completes, and a power supply controller C3 stop power supply to a radio unit 2a. Thus, unnecessary power consumption is prevented and the completion of the examination by the body insertable device is recognized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Toshiaki Shigemori, Manabu Fujita, Ayako Nagase, Akira Matsui, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Patent number: 7471310
    Abstract: A video imaging system that minimizes the effect of EMI on the image data, provides a small, lightweight easy to use camera head, permitting interchangeable use of a variety of intelligent camera heads with a single camera control unit, and allows the utilization of new camera heads with new functions as they become available without having to replace the existing CCU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc R. Amling, David Chatenever
  • Publication number: 20080319262
    Abstract: A medical device control system improves an inducing stability and operability of a medical device having its direction controlled with magnetism, which is used for the inspection or treatment in a subject's body. The control system is formed of a medical device including an insertion member inserted into the subject's body, and a magnetic field response portion disposed within the insertion member for generating torque in response to the magnetic field applied from outside the subject's body, a direction detection unit that detects an insertion direction of the insertion member, a user interface through which the information with respect to the control of the insertion direction is input and output, a magnetic field generation portion that generates a magnetic field that directs the insertion member to a control direction, and a user interface control unit that controls the user interface based on a discordance between the control direction and the insertion direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Hironao Kawano, Akio Uchiyama, Hironobu Takizawa
  • Publication number: 20080312503
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus for an electric bending endoscope includes an actuating member switchable between a connection position to bring a clutch mechanism into a connection state and a release position to bring the clutch mechanism into a release state, the actuating member being interlocked with the clutch mechanism, an electric drive mechanism being interlocked with the actuating member, and a manual drive mechanism including an operation member manually switchable to at least one of a connection drive position to bring the actuating member into the connection position and a release drive position to bring the actuating member into the release position, and a selective actuation transmission mechanism provided between the operation member and the actuating member and to transmit the actuation of the operation member to the actuating member and absorb the actuation of the actuating member without transmitting the actuation to the operation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Yutaka Masaki
  • Publication number: 20080312502
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device system and method for providing images of an in vivo site during in vivo procedures, such as laparoscopy wherein the device is capable of illuminating an internal body cavity and has an immobilization unit to fasten the device to a desired location in vivo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Swain, Elisha Rabinovitz
  • Publication number: 20080312504
    Abstract: An in-vivo image acquiring system includes a capsule endoscope which is introduced into the inside of a subject to acquire an in-vivo image of the subject and a receiving apparatus for receiving the in-vivo images of the subject from the capsule endoscope through receiving antennas. The capsule endoscope transmits the in-vivo images of the subject taken successively at a time interval corresponding to function or feature of the capsule endoscope. The receiving apparatus calculates a time interval of the in-vivo images received successively from the capsule endoscope and identifies the in-vivo images depending on the function or feature of the capsule endoscope based on a calculated time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Seiichiro Kimoto
  • Publication number: 20080306340
    Abstract: An encapsulated medical device guidance system, and a method of controlling the system, in which guidance coils are arranged to divide a magnetic field generating plane into at least two front and rear areas, a magnetic field for canceling gravity applied to a capsule endoscope itself is formed, and superposed on a magnetic field for moving or changing an attitude, a frictional resistance in moving a capsule endoscope is reduced by decreasing an area of an endoscope to contact the surface of an intracavital.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicants: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP., OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akio UCHIYAMA, Atsushi KIMURA, Isao AOKI
  • Publication number: 20080306341
    Abstract: A capsule-type endoscope system includes plural receivers, plural mounting spots for mounting the receivers and an information processing apparatus connected to the receivers via the mounting spots. Each receiver wirelessly receives image data from a capsule-type endoscope that images inside of an examinee's body; stores examinee identification information and the received image data; and displays the examinee identification information or examinee information associated therewith. The information processing apparatus receives the examinee identification information from each receiver via the mounting spot and manages its correlation with receiver identification information or mounting spot identification information. The image data is transmitted via the mounting spot to the information processing apparatus to be stored therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Manabu Fujita
  • Publication number: 20080300453
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Isao AOKI, Katsumi HIRAKAWA, Hironobu TAKIZAWA, Hidetake SEGAWA, Hironao KAWANO, Hideo ITO, Hideki SHIMONAKA