Abstract: An endoscope operation mechanism includes: a dial operating an endoscope function; a detection sensor that has a sensor rotation shaft to which rotation of a dial rotation shaft of the dial is transmitted and detects the rotation amount, and that outputs an electrical signal in accordance with the detected rotation amount to a control portion performing driving control of a driving source of the endoscope function; an initial position reversion mechanism applying a rotational force to the dial rotation shaft in an opposite direction to the direction in which the dial rotation shaft is rotated, to thereby cause the rotational position of the dial to return to an initial position; and a switching mechanism switchable between a first state in which a rotational force from the initial position reversion mechanism is applied to the dial rotation shaft, and a second state in which the rotational force is not applied.

Abstract: An insertion device includes a first rotating member, and a second rotating member coaxially arranged with a rotational axis of the first rotating member and rotating about the rotational axis to bend a bending section. The insertion device includes a moving member arranged inside the first rotating member and the second rotating member along the rotational axis and being movable between a state where an electrical driving force is transmitted to the second rotating member and a state where the electrical driving force is not transmitted to the second rotating member.

Abstract: The endoscope apparatus of the present invention includes: an insertion portion having a bending portion; an observation device that is provided at the insertion portion; an illumination unit that is provided at the insertion portion, and that illuminates a visual field of the observation device; a main body unit that is formed having a size that enables it to be held and operated by one hand of a user; an operating section that is used to operate the bending portion; a display unit that is connected to the insertion portion, and that displays images acquired by the observation device; a light emitting component that is provided in the main body unit, and that is connected via a light guide to the illumination unit; a heat discharge unit that is provided at the main body unit such that at least a portion thereof is exposed, and that is thermally connected to the light emitting component; and a shielding portion that is provided at the main body unit, and that covers at least a portion of the periphery of the

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical navigation system comprises a data acquisition subsystem, a tracking subsystem, a registration subsystem, a data processing subsystem and a user interface subsystem. The data acquisition subsystem inputs intra-operative scan data from a medical scanning device during an endoscopic procedure. The tracking subsystem captures data representing positions and orientations of a flexible endoscope during the endoscopic procedure. The registration subsystem determines transformation parameters for coregistering the intra-operative scan data and the data indicative of positions and orientations of the endoscope. The data processing subsystem coregisters the intra-operative scan data and the data indicative of positions and orientations of the endoscope based on the transformation parameters and generates real-time image data representing 3D internal views of a body that are coregistered with live video from an endoscopic video camera.

Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing a multielectrode that may be used to record a bioelectrical potential difference at a detection site. The manufacturing process may comprise manufacturing a carrier from multiple thin layers of an insulating material. The manufacturing process may further comprise providing at least one recording electrode of a set of electrode pairs on at least one of the layers of the carrier. Each recording pair may include one active electrode surface and a different reference electrode surface. Also, the manufacturing process may further comprise folding, fastening, and gluing the layers of the insulating material to one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides delivery systems for and methods of delivering conduction protein genetic material to cardiac cells in localized areas of the heart to improve the conductance therein. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering connexin proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding connexin proteins to a site in the heart which has been determined by mapping procedures to have a conduction disturbance. For cases where conduction is impaired, selected genetic material is delivered to cells around the disturbance area, in order to enhance overall conductivity patterns; in other cases, genetic material is selected to slow conduction in affected areas, so as to prevent, e.g., brady-tachy syndrome.

Abstract: A ready-to-install electrode system designed for use with an endoscope for performing cardioversion through the esophagus, and an assembly of the system and an endoscope. The system is characterized in that it includes a globally tubular protective cover (3) designed to be fitted on the endoscope (40) to cover at least the distal end of the endoscope, at least one electrode (2a-d) including a conductive electric membrane (21) connected to an electric conduction wire designed to be connected by its free end to a cardioversion apparatus, first and second fixing elements adapted to fix the at least one electrode respectively on the distal end of the endoscope and on the tubular wall (31) of the cover, such that the conductive membrane is directly accessible from outside the cover.

Abstract: The present invention provides delivery systems for and methods of delivering conduction protein genetic material to cardiac cells in localized areas of the heart to improve the conductance therein. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering connexin proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding connexin proteins to a site in the heart which has been determined by mapping procedures to have a conduction disturbance. For cases where conduction is impaired, selected genetic material is delivered to cells around the disturbance area, in order to enhance overall conductivity patterns; in other cases, genetic material is selected to slow conduction in affected areas, so as to prevent, e.g., brady-tachy syndrome.

Abstract: A surgical instrument fluid shield is disclosed having a radially proximal edge, at least a portion thereof defining an adjustable aperture for engaging an elongated object, and a conical-shaped section which opens outward from the radially proximal edge, to a wider radially peripheral edge. A portion of the adjustable aperture preferably is in the shape of a sleeve or the like which sealingly engages the elongated object, forming a generally fluid tight seal between the shield and the elongated object and helping to maintain proper alignment of the shield while on the endoscope or other device. The shield may be made of a rubber material such as silicone or a biocompatible elastomer material. The shield may be sufficiently stiff to generally maintain its shape while being simultaneously resilient to allow the aperture at the radially proximal edge to adjust to the outside dimension of the elongated object.

Abstract: An examination device for examining the interior of a body cavity has a tubular probe having a first, forward end and a second, rearward end. The probe is mounted in a hand piece, and a closure is engaged with the second end of the probe. A shield is provided on the probe either adjacent the first end or spaced therefrom but forwardly of the hand piece to shield the hand piece from contact with body tissue. The shield is also able to seal against a body orifice.

Abstract: A sigmoidoscope comprising at least one disposable part (1), in combination with means (10) for insufflation of a body cavity with a medium via the sigmoidoscope; said medium being susceptible to contamination by a contaminant (as herein defined) during use of the sigmoidoscope; said insufflation means (10) and said sigmoidoscope (eg part 1) being connected, or adapted for connection, one to the other; the sigmoidoscope and/or the insufflation means being provided with disposable contamination prevention means (18), or being so formed and arranged, that no non-disposable part of the sigmoidoscope (eg 15) and no non-disposable part of the insufflation means is exposed to any contaminated medium during use of the sigmoidoscope.

Abstract: A foul fluid splashing prevention device for an endoscope, which prevents foul fluids inside the body cavity from splashing, even when they spray out from a manipulating portion side of the endoscope. The foul fluid splashing prevention device includes a foul fluid absorbing member made of flexible water-absorbing material for absorbing the foul fluids that leak out of an external opening of the endoscope. The splashing prevention device further includes a retaining member, which is detachably disposed at the manipulating part to retain the foul fluid absorbing member when the foul fluid absorbing member covers the external opening.

Abstract: A disposable shield for positioning on a shaft of an endoscope to shield the user has a generally rigid, disposable shield body. The transparent plastic shield body has an opening in a medial portion thereof and a disposable elastomeric body, made from a closed cell plastic foam material, positioned in the opening. The elastomeric body has an undersized shaft opening in a medial portion thereof for contacting and securing the shaft of the endoscope therein, while permitting angular alignment of the shaft relative to the shield body. The shield body includes a convex upper portion on a protected side and a planar lower portion adjacent the convex upper portion. Ribbed edge portions provide additional stiffening to the shield body. Integrally formed sidewall portions extend outwardly from the protected side which define a generally cylindrical chamber for receiving the elastomeric body therein.

Abstract: An endoscope shield provides a barrier between a biopsy port and an endoscopist. The shield has a shield portion and attachment portion. The shield portion is flat and angled away from and toward the control end of the endoscope. The shield portion is located so that it separates a biopsy channel port from a barrel located on the endoscope. The shield is angled so that it overlies the barrel of the endoscope and therefore the hand of an endoscopist when placed on the barrel. A component of the shield portion extends normal to the axis of the barrel to adequately provide a barrier between the biopsy channel port and the endoscopist's head during examination procedures. An adjustable clamp releasably attaches the shield to the endoscope.

Abstract: A disposable endoscopic sleeve adapted for receiving and gripping a medical probe is provided. The endoscopic sleeve includes an elongated flexible sleeve which slides over a probe and structure for gripping the probe. The elongated flexible sleeve is formed of thin-walled corrugated synthetic resin material and presents opposed axial ends. The axial ends are connected by a hollow passageway extending between the ends. The hollow passageway presents an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of a medical probe for receiving a medical probe in the hollow passageway. When an examiner grips the sleeve, the thin-walled sleeve collapses to engage and grip the medical probe. A pair of flange members are coupled to the axial ends of the sleeve for positioning the endoscopic sleeve adjacent a patient and for preventing the sleeve from becoming contaminated by blood, body fluids, or human excrement.