Abstract: In one embodiment an apparatus for insertion in a body cavity (e.g., an endoscope) may include an elongate assembly, an instrument tip disposed at a distal end of the elongate assembly, and a terminal base disposed at a proximal end of the elongate assembly. The elongate assembly may include a first peripheral tube, a second peripheral tube spaced apart from the first peripheral tube and a plurality of collar members. Each collar member may include a first channel grasping the first peripheral tube, and a second channel grasping the second peripheral tube. The collar members may be spaced apart from one another along a length of the elongate assembly such that adjacent collar members do not contact one another. The terminal base may include a first control fitting attached to the first peripheral tube and a second control fitting attached to the second peripheral tube. The first control fitting may be configured to apply tension to the first peripheral tube.

Abstract: A medical device is presented for use in tissue characterization and treatment. The device comprises a tissue characterization probe comprising an elongated carrier carrying an array of tissue characterization sensors which are arranged in a spaced-apart relationship on at least a part of the carrier with known distances between them along a longitudinal axis of the carrier and along at least part of a circumference of the carrier, such that during progression of the probe through a tissue mass each of the sensors generates tissue characterization signals from successive locations thereof within the tissue mass enabling to locate an abnormal tissue inside said tissue mass, thereby enabling consequent treatment of the abnormal tissue. Several movement mechanisms are described for enabling relative movement between the carrier and a treatment tool passing therethrough.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an operation portion; an insertion portion pivotable relative to the operation portion; a pivot state switching instruction portion; a sliding member slidable in a longitudinal axis direction of the operation portion along with a switching operation of the pivot state switching instruction portion; a holding ring configured to hold the sliding member; and a pivot restriction switching device provided with a braking member on an end portion on pivot portion side of the sliding member, and configured to switch over a state of a pivot portion from a pivotable state to a pivot restricted state or from the pivot restricted state to the pivotable state, the braking member being pressed against and disposed on the pivot portion to apply braking force.

Abstract: An assist tool attachable to an insertion section of an insertion apparatus includes a tube including a longitudinal axis. The tube is provided with a lumen through which the insertion section is insertable. The tool includes a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism receives a drive force and is rotated together with the tube with respect to the insertion section inserted through the lumen. The tool includes a locking mechanism provided on a more distal end side than the connecting mechanism in the tube. The locking mechanism includes a convex portion or a concave portion engaged with the insertion section to restrict movement of the tube along the longitudinal axis with respect to the insertion section. Furthermore, an insertion apparatus to which the tool is attached and an introduction apparatus including them is provided.

Abstract: An endoscope includes at least one lens having a circular exterior shape in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis, an image sensor that has a square exterior shape in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and has one side whose length is same as length of a diameter of the lens, a sensor cover that has a square exterior shape in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and has one side whose length is same as one side length of the image sensor, a bonding resin portion that fixes the sensor cover to the lens, the optical axis of the lens coinciding with a center of the imaging area.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus including: an image pickup device; a detection device that detects whether or not an image region at which a part of an object region is edged along a direction parallel to the scan lines in a state that is different to a case where a plurality of the scan lines are simultaneously exposed exists in a frame image due to differences of exposure timings for each of the scan lines of the image pickup device based on an image feature amount in the frame image that is obtained from the image data for each of the scan lines that is outputted from the image pickup device; and an exposure control device that changes an exposure time of each of the scan lines by the image pickup device simultaneously for all of the scan lines if the detection device detects the image region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for a therapy delivery device including a catheter, an endoscope and an endoscope shaft, one or more attachment features for attaching the catheter to the endoscope, wherein the catheter has an expandable lumen at a distal end and wherein the expandable lumen expands upon injection of a therapy at the proximal end of the catheter. Attachment features may be a series of clips along the length of the catheter for attaching to an endoscope or a second lumen on the catheter wherein an endoscope may through one of said lumens. Targeted therapy delivery may be a hydrogel or a chitosan hydrogel to provide a treatment within a sinus of a patient.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus, comprising: an image pickup device; a detection device that detects whether or not an image region at which a part of an object region is edged along a direction parallel to the scan lines in a state that is different to a case where a plurality of the scan lines are simultaneously exposed exists in a frame image due to differences of exposure timings for each of the scan lines based on an image feature amount in the frame image that is obtained from the image data for each of the scan lines that is outputted from the image pickup device; and an exposure control device that lengthens an exposure time of each of the scan lines by the image pickup device in comparison to a case where the detection device does not detect the image region, if the detection device detects the image region.

Abstract: A surgical device according to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure includes, among other things, a tool at a distal end of the surgical device, and a joystick including a ball. Movement of the joystick results in movement of the tool. The surgical device further includes a housing including a socket receiving the ball of the joystick.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bladeless trocar obturator to separate or divaricate body tissue during insertion through a body wall. In one aspect, the obturator of the invention includes a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and a bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft and having a generally tapered configuration with an outer surface, the outer surface extending distally to a blunt point with a pair of side sections having a common shape and being separated by at least one intermediate section, wherein each of the side sections extends from the blunt point radially outwardly with progressive positions proximally along the axis, and the shaft is sized and configured to receive an optical instrument having a distal end to receive an image of the body tissue. With this aspect, the tapered configuration facilitates separation of different layers of the body tissue and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical apparatus including a device used in the treatment of weight loss, obesity and potentially other associated health problems, e.g., type II diabetes. The device is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., bypassing a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The medical apparatus enables implantation of the device using minimally invasive techniques, such a transesophageal approach under visualization. The device may be implanted via a working channel of a medical scope, e.g., an endoscope or in combination with a medical scope.

Abstract: The invention is formed by including a proximal end portion having an inside diameter capable of receiving a member having a shape including a substantially circular outer circumferential portion and a convex portion formed at the outer circumferential portion as an outside diameter shape, and having an outside diameter formed into a shape substantially similar to the outer circumferential shape, a distal end portion in a substantially cylindrical shape having an outside diameter that is equal to or larger than a maximum outside diameter of the proximal end portion, and a cutout portion that is formed in a site corresponding to the convex portion, and is in a shape which is cut out from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion.

Abstract: An implantable system for endoluminal delivery of expandable devices having one or more sleeves and one or more sleeve pull back lines. The sleeve pull back lines enable retraction of the one or more sleeves, with various benefits resulting therefrom.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, an endoscope sleeve comprises a sleeve defining a lumen for accepting an endoscope in a slidable manner, the sleeve having a proximal end configured to accept the endoscope and a distal end configured to be slidably disposed over the endoscope, wherein the sleeve comprises a compact configuration and an extended configuration. The endoscope sleeve further comprises a retainer configured to be detachably attached to the sleeve, wherein in the compact configuration the retainer is attached to the sleeve and in the extended configuration the retainer is detached from the sleeve allowing the sleeve to be extendable over the endoscope.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided apparatuses and methods for using a medical instrument including a sizing and positioning adapter. The apparatus comprises an adapter for a medical instrument, the adapt having a body having a shim portion and an instrument holding portion adjacent the shim portion, wherein the shim portion provides an enlarged peripheral surface adjacent the medical instrument such that when the medical instrument is held in the instrument holding portion and the medical instrument and body are inserted through an opening in a patient tissue, at least a portion of the enlarged peripheral surface is in contact with at least a portion of the periphery of the opening in the patient tissue.

Abstract: Data acquisition devices for analyzing reference objects and systems for monitoring turbine component deformation are provided. A data acquisition device has a longitudinal axis and includes a lens assembly and an image capture device in communication with the lens assembly for receiving and processing light from the lens assembly to generate images. The data acquisition device further includes a light source and a light tube coupled at a rear end to the light source. The light tube extends along the longitudinal axis between a front end and the rear end, and is operable to transport light from the light source therethrough and emit the light from the front end. The data acquisition device further includes an actuator operable to activate the image capture device and the light source.

Abstract: An endoscope and a method for chemical modification of the members thereof are provided, on one hand, a transparent isolation film is utilized such that the tissue fluid inside a subject cannot stick to a lens of the endoscope to maintain the optimal image capturing status of the lens of the endoscope without the need to extract the endoscope frequently from the body of the subject, such that not only the time consumed in the examination process may be reduced, but also the uncomfortable feeling of the subject in the examination process may be decreased; on the other hand, a chemical modification method for members of the endoscope is provided to reduce the negative impact on the lens of the endoscope resulted from liquid pollutant or mist, moisture.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope includes a capsule casing and interior components housed therein whose total specific gravity is set such that the capsule casing floats in liquid introduced into a subject. The capsule endoscope also includes a gravity center position setting unit that sets a position of center of gravity of the capsule casing at a decentered position so that the capsule casing is stabilized in the liquid introduced into the subject without rotating except for rotation about an axis in a direction of the center of gravity; and an imager that takes an in-vivo image in a body cavity with an imaging field being set so that a surface of the liquid is out of view when the capsule casing floats in the liquid introduced into the subject in a stabilized posture.

Abstract: Instruments and methods are described for performing hysteroscopy and/or combined hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. According to some embodiments, the handle, electronics and integrated display screen form a re-usable portion of the instrument while the fluid hub and cannula which includes a CMOS imaging module and LED lighting, form a single use portion of the instrument. The cannula is semi-flexible such that the operator can easily grasp the cannula at some intermediate point along the shaft (e.g. 5 inches from the distal tip) to bend and/or steer the cannula during use. According to some embodiments, the distal tip has a larger diameter than the shaft which has been found to improve fluid management during use in some applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical handpiece including an insert removably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the insert is configured to allow aspiration of fluid and tissue through the insert during a surgical procedure. Other surgical handpieces and a method for the removal of tissue during an endoscopic procedure are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a robotic surgical system is provided including a master control console and a surgical manipulator. The master control console generates control signals to cause one or more fluids to flow into or out of a surgical site. The surgical manipulator is coupled to the console to receive the control signals and includes at least one robotic arm and a surgical instrument coupled thereto. The surgical manipulator controls the surgical instrument in response to the control signals to control the flow of the one or more fluids into or out of the surgical site. The surgical instrument has a first robotically controlled valve that is responsive to the surgical manipulator and a hollow tube having a first end coupled to the first robotically controlled valve with an opening at a second end to direct the flow of one or more fluids.

Abstract: A continuous flow irrigation endoscope and a continuous flow irrigation fluid management system, both designed to be compatible to each other and to function as a single system. The endoscope and the fluid management system are synergistic to each other such that both enhance the efficiency of each other. The invented system allows a body tissue cavity to be distended by continuous flow irrigation so that detached tissue pieces and waste fluid present inside a body tissue cavity are continuously automatically evacuated from the tissue cavity without causing the cavity to collapse at any stage and without the need of withdrawing the endoscope of a part of the endoscope from the tissue cavity. No type of feedback mechanism, such as mechanical or electrical, or valve or valve like systems, are incorporated in the endoscope to influence or facilitate the removal of detached tissue pieces or waste fluid in any manner.

Abstract: A transluminal surgery kit and method of using the same. In one embodiment, the kit may include an endoscope, a surgical instrument, and an overtube. The surgical instrument may be an injection needle. The overtube, whose primary function is to provide a substantially sterile pathway for the surgical instrument, may include a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of longitudinal bores. A film may cover the distal end of the tubular member. One of the bores may be appropriately dimensioned to coaxially receive the distal end of the endoscope, with the proximal end of the endoscope preferably not being inserted into the bore but extending proximally therefrom. A fastener for securing the tubular member to a lumen wall within a patient, together with a tool for inserting the fastener through the lumen wall, may be disposed within another one of the bores.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods that utilize a multi-lumen tube with an integral visualization apparatus, such as a camera. The multi-lumen tracheal tube system may include a camera apparatus that is positioned to facilitate left or right bronchial intubation. In addition, the camera apparatus may be a unitary assembly that functions to hold and position the camera relative to the tube and provides an acceptable profile for comfortable intubation. The camera apparatus may include additional components, such as integral light sources and flushing or cleaning devices to remove any buildup from the camera or optical components.

Abstract: An endoscope sheath comprising: a proximal end; a distal end having a distal end region; a surface extending between and connecting the proximal end and the distal end; and a plurality of positioning devices located along the surface; wherein the sheath is configured to (1) receive all or a portion of an endoscope having a cylindrical end and (2) provide a conduit for communicating fluid between the proximal end of the sheath and the distal end of the sheath when the endoscope is inserted inside the sheath; and wherein the distal end region of the sheath includes the plurality of positioning devices that secure the cylindrical end of the endoscope against a portion of an inner wall of the surface extending between the proximal end and the distal end so that a fluid barrier is created between the cylindrical end of the endoscope and the inner wall.

Abstract: The invention encompasses devices and methods used to keep the objective lens of a viewing or illuminating device, specifically an endoscope, free from obstructive fluid and dirt; specifically a device having a hollow body designed to fit over an endoscope, and a transparent lens cover film that is retained within the device and that is threaded in front of the objective lens of an endoscope, thereby maintaining a clear and unobstructed transparent window in front of the endoscope lens.

Abstract: Endoscope sheaths and associated endoscopy data collection and analysis systems and methods are described. In one implementation an endoscope sheath include a body and one or more sensors disposed in the body. The sheath may further include a leak detection apparatus configured to detect leaks in the sheath body. In addition, the sheath may include actuator apparatus, such as a balloon catheter or other surgical instrument. Data from the endoscope and endoscope sheath may be collected, fused and displayed for use in medical procedures and/or analysis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with image guidance or navigation system and hand held devices having pistol type grips and other handpieces.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope includes an insertion portion, an objective optical system provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, an objective optical system provided at the distal end portion, a first opening portion provided a predetermined distance apart from an optical axis center of the objective optical system and configured to deliver fluid to the objective optical system, and a second opening portion provided a distance equivalent to the predetermined distance apart from an optical axis center of the objective optical system and configured to deliver the fluid in a supply direction same as a supply direction of the first opening portion to the objective optical system.

Abstract: Endoscope sheaths and associated endoscopy data collection and analysis systems and methods are described. In one implementation an endoscope sheath include a body and one or more sensors disposed in the body. The sheath may further include a leak detection apparatus configured to detect leaks in the sheath body. In addition, the sheath may include actuator apparatus, such as a balloon catheter or other surgical instrument. Data from the endoscope and endoscope sheath may be collected, fused and displayed for use in medical procedures and/or analysis.

Abstract: An improved system for attaching devices to the distal end of endoscopic instruments is described. An attachment adapter comprises a distal stop, such as a complete or partial loop or cylinder, which limits the penetration of an endoscope into the adapter. The adapter has at least one flange protruding proximally along the endoscope. The adapter is secured on the endoscope by a securing means, which compresses the flange or flanges sufficiently to provide a friction fit. The flexibility of the inventive adapter system allows the adapter to work reliably with endoscopes that are used, damaged or repaired. The adapter may further provide a slit or window allowing viewing of the vessel wall by a lens on an endoscope, thereby improving the operator's ability to understand the location of the endoscope during operation. The adapter may carry any of a variety of devices, including devices for closing a surgical incision, or treating or manipulating tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for providing irrigation and/or suction to a surgical site and maintaining clear visibility through a lens of a scoping device during a surgical procedure. In general, the methods and devices can allow for a surgical instrument to maintain visibility during a surgical procedure using a fluid conduit coupled to the surgical instrument. A surgical device can include a sheath having at least one lumen extending therethrough configured to allow a surgical viewing instrument to be disposed therein. The sheath can also have a passageway extending therethrough configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough. The fluid conduit can be configured to be movable between positions that can allow alternative directions of fluid toward and/or away from a viewing element on the surgical instrument and fluid away from the viewing element and toward a surgical field in a body cavity.

Abstract: A continuous flow irrigation endoscope and a continuous flow irrigation fluid management system, both designed to be compatible to each other and meant to function as a single system. The endoscope and the fluid management system are synergistic to each other such that both enhance the efficiency of each other. The system allows a body tissue cavity to be distended by continuous flow irrigation so that the detached tissue pieces and waste fluid present inside a body tissue cavity are continuously automatically evacuated from the tissue cavity without causing the cavity to collapse at any stage and without the need of withdrawing the endoscope or a part of the endoscope from the tissue cavity.

Abstract: A sheath assembly for an endoscope includes an elongate tubular body and a plug. The endoscope has a handle portion and a scope portion extending therefrom to a tip. The body includes first and second wall sections and extends along a longitudinal axis between first and second distal openings. The first wall section extends radially about the longitudinal axis to define a scope lumen. The scope portion is receivable in the scope lumen. The second wall section extends radially about a portion of the first wall section and longitudinally between second distal and proximal end openings. The first and second wall sections define an integral suction lumen in fluid communication with a first source of negative pressure. The plug is mated with the distal end opening for closing the scope lumen and includes at least one suction opening disposed in co-registration with the first distal end opening.

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: Provided is a disposable endoscope that enables simple treatment by capturing an image inside a body as a moving picture or photo, and in particular, that enables replacement of a probe portion inserted into the body and that preemptively prevents infection in patients due to repeated usage.

Abstract: A tip protector for a multiple viewing element endoscope is provided, that protects the front as well as side viewing elements in the tip. In one embodiment, the protector comprises wings that act as shock absorbers. The protector is further designed such that the endoscope can washed without having to remove the protector from the tip.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a substantially rigid shaft having a distal end and a proximal portion, the shaft having a first lumen and a second lumen separate from the first lumen, the second lumen containing one or more objective lenses disposed at the distal end thereof. A housing is mounted on the proximal portion of the shaft, the housing including an eyepiece mount and a light input port. An image fiber bundle is disposed in the second lumen, the image fiber bundle extending proximally from adjacent the one or more objective lenses to the eyepiece mount. An illumination fiber bundle is disposed in the second lumen, the illumination fiber bundle extending proximally from the distal end of the shaft to the light input port.

Abstract: A medical device sheath that includes a relatively inelastic body having a proximal end longitudinally separated from a distal end and defining a first lumen, an aperture located at the proximal end in fluid communication with the lumen and configured to admit an elongate endoscope body into the first lumen, and a transparent tip located longitudinally adjacent to an endoscope lens when the elongate endoscope body is located within the first lumen. The endoscope sheath may also include an elongate secondary tube defining a secondary lumen. A method of using the medical device sheath is also described.

Abstract: An illumination unit for an endoscope, which does not increase in diameter and has high emission intensity, is provided. A fluorescent body-holding portion 22 is formed at a tip of the ferrule 15, and a metal reflective film 14 is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the fluorescent body-holding portion 22. The fluorescent body 13 is irradiated with blue laser light emitted from a tip of the optical fiber 16 and the blue laser light and excitation light of the fluorescent body are mixed, so that pseudo white light is obtained. When the fluorescent body 13 is formed in a substantially columnar shape, an emission diameter of the fluorescent body is denoted by D1, a thickness of the protective cover 11 is denoted by t1, and an effective diameter of the protective cover is denoted by D2, “0.7 mm?D1?0.9 mm”, “0.4 mm?t1?0.59 mm”, and “1.3 mm?D2?1.5 mm” are satisfied.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for attaching and forming enclosed inflatable members on an endoscope assembly with a disposable sheath are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a flexible and resilient cuff member that is positioned on the outer surface of the disposable sheath and sealably and fixedly bonded to the sheath cover material at the cuff edges to form an annular space capable of being inflated. The inflatable member formed thereby is inflated through a lumen internal to the sheath that has an opening into the interior annular space. The inflatable member may be inflated to exert a longitudinal force on the insertion tube, thereby moving the endoscope assembly along a body passage. Alternately, a sheath may include a plurality of inflatable cuffs that may be inflated to create an isolated space therebetween within the body passage.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe assembly comprises an optical engine and a fiber optic probe. A proximal end connector comprises a self-aligning connector for connecting optical fibers of the fiber optic probe to the optical engine and an integrated fiber optic-based polarizer. A disposable cover is provided for enclosing at least a portion of a fiber optic probe assembly. The disposable cover comprises an elongated tubular housing and a sheath portion adapted to receive at least a portion of the fiber optic probe between ends of the housing. A handle is disposed on a proximal end of the housing, the handle comprising a self-tensioning device. An optical window is disposed on a distal end of the housing, the optical window adapted to provide for alignment with optical elements of the fiber optic probe.

Abstract: A slotted cannula for endoscopic surgical procedures is disclosed. The slotted cannula has a tubular body having a distal end, a proximate end, an open slot extending longitudinally from the beginning of the proximate end to the proximity of the distal end, and a pair of wings integrally formed on the proximate end. The tubular body is made from a transparent material and has an inner diameter large enough to accommodate an endoscope.

Abstract: A rigid-endoscope oversheath having a leading end, a base end, a longitudinal shaft, and a lumen into which a rigid endoscope can be inserted, the oversheath including a flow path through which fluid flows from the base end toward the leading end along the longitudinal shaft, an ejection port formed in a same plane with a leading end plane of the rigid-endoscope oversheath to eject the fluid flowing through the flow path from the leading end plane of the flow path, a peripheral portion of the port being at least partially composed of an elastic member deformable by the fluid flowing through the flow path, and a valve at least partially attached to a leading end of the flow path to openably close the leading end of the flow path.

Abstract: A slotted cannula for endoscopic surgical procedures is disclosed. The slotted cannula has a tubular body having a distal end, a proximate end, an open slot extending longitudinally from the beginning of the proximate end to the proximity of the distal end, and a pair of wings integrally formed on the proximate end. The tubular body is made from a transparent material and has an inner diameter large enough to accommodate an endoscope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of laparoscopic surgery, and a kit which could be used in laparoscopic and robotic surgery.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus is configured to acquire information from a body-insertable apparatus that is configured to be inserted into a subject to move inside the subject. The antenna apparatus includes an antenna that includes one sheet on which plural receiving antennas are fixed and in which a first positioning hole is formed; and an antenna holder that includes a container portion which is configured to hold the antenna at a predetermined position and in a predetermined orientation and in which second positioning hole is formed at a position corresponding to the first positioning hole when the antenna is held. The antenna holder is configured to be attached to a predetermined position of the subject using the first and second positioning holes as an index when the antenna is held in the antenna holder.

Abstract: A removable, resilient atraumatic sheath for arthroscopic instruments. The sheath covers sharp edges on the arthroscopic instrument, particularly the distal tip of the rigid cannula, and thereby protects tissue and objects near a surgical site from accidental trauma. The sheath may be provided in the form of an inflow/outflow sheath that allows a surgeon to irrigate and drain a surgical field without the use of a separate irrigation instrument. The sheath is provided with a cylindrical grip on the proximal end to resiliently squeeze the proximal end of the arthroscopic instrument. A lever is provided to move the grip radially outwardly to release the grip from the arthroscopic instrument.

Abstract: A sheath assembly for an endoscope includes an elongate tubular body and a plug. The endoscope has a handle portion and a scope portion extending therefrom to a tip. The body includes first and second wall sections and extends along a longitudinal axis between first and second distal openings located at distal and proximal ends thereof, respectively. The first wall section extends radially about the longitudinal axis to define a scope lumen. The scope portion is receivable in the scope lumen with the distal and proximal ends. The second wall section extends radially about a portion of the first wall section and longitudinally between second distal and proximal end openings. The first and second wall sections define an integral suction lumen in fluid communication with a first source of negative pressure. The plug is mated with the distal end opening and includes a lens surface through which energy is transmissible.

Abstract: An inner casing according to the present invention includes a hole which is a holding portion that is provided at the center of a base portion having a planar shape so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to a principal surface of the base portion and hold a capsule endoscope and a plurality of step portions each protruding from a side surface of the hole and abutting on an area of an outer surface of a hemispheric dome portion, which is located inside an optical viewing angle of the capsule endoscope and which does not contribute to generation of an image captured by the capsule endoscope to realize alignment in a longitudinal direction of the capsule endoscope.