Abstract: Tissue visualization devices and variations thereof are described herein where such devices may utilize a variety of methods for facilitating clearing of the device of opaque bodily fluids and sealing between the device and the underlying tissue surface. Additionally, methods and devices for enhancing navigation of the device through a patient body are also described.

Abstract: A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The body defines a cavity. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor and a light source. The image sensor is operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically coupled to the flexible cable to display images captured by the image sensor. The device also includes a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body.

Abstract: An end cap for an endoscope. The end cap is configured to allow the endoscope to be introduced into a patient body by a short-wire type of operation.

Abstract: An endoscopic treatment instrument is provided comprising: a cylinder adapted to be fitted over a tip of an insertion section of an endoscope; a loop-shaped snare wire which protrudes in the cylinder from a snare sheath that is extendable and retractable with respect to the insertion section and which is extendable within the cylinder; a hooked portion which is formed and radially inwardly extended from the circumference of the tip of cylinder and which holds the snare wire within the cylinder; a locking portion which is provided on the hooked portion and retains a folded-back portion of the snare wire that is forwardly moved toward the cylinder tip with respect to the snare sheath and by means of which the snare wire is turned upside-down around the folded-back portion.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope has a light guide for leading a light and a solid-state image sensor for capturing an image of a human body cavity during illumination. In inspecting the number of broken optical fibers in the light guide, a cap is attached to a distal portion of the electronic endoscope. The cap has a test chart. The solid-state image sensor captures an image of the test chart which is illuminated with the light transmitted through the light guide. A photometric circuit calculates an average luminance value “Y” of the test chart from a chart image signal. A broken fiber number calculator calculates the number “N” of broken optical fibers that satisfies N=M×(1?Y/I). “Y” represents an average luminance value of the test chart. “I” represents an ideal average luminance value when all optical fibers are conducting, and “M” represents the total number of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope comprising: an operation part; an insertion part including a rigid part connected to a leading end part of the operation part; a fluid ejection port which is provided on a leading end surface of the insertion part and ejects a fluid; a pipe line which is provided inside of the insertion part and has a leading end connected to the fluid ejection port; and a ferrule which is provided in a base end part of the operation part and is connected to a base end part of the pipe line, a longitudinal axis of the ferrule being provided so as to be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rigid part of the insertion part.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing various procedures using interchangeable end effectors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to remotely and selectively interchange various surgical end effectors within a patient's body, thus allowing the surgeon to perform various procedures without the need to remove the device from the patient's body. In one embodiment, a modular device is provided having an insertion device and a cartridge containing a plurality of end effectors coupled to or formed on the insertion device. The cartridge can be configured to move between various positions to allow an instrument shaft to be selectively mated to one of the various end effectors contained within the cartridge. For example, the cartridge can be moved to a desired position, and an instrument shaft can be advanced into a chamber in the cartridge to engage and remove an end effector from the cartridge, thus allowing the end effector to be used to perform a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Described is a tissue resection system which includes a guide element; a resection head; a positioning mechanism and an actuating mechanism. The resection head includes a guide channel slidably receiving the guide element and an endoscope channel sized to slidably receive an endoscope therein, so that, when the resection head is slid along the guide element, the endoscope and the resection head follow a path defined by the guide element. The positioning mechanism moves the resection head relative to a distal end of the endoscope between a first position in which the distal end of the endoscope extends distally out of the endoscope channel and a second position in which the distal end of the endoscope is received within the endoscope channel. The actuating mechanism moving a portion of an outer wall of the resection head to open and close a resection chamber defined by the outer wall.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for viewing a visually obscured portion of a body cavity. The system includes an endoscopic-type instrument, an imaging apparatus, and a human interface apparatus. The endoscopic-type instrument includes a face tip assembly connected to a shaft assembly, the shaft assembly being connected to a handle and viewing assembly. The face tip assembly includes a plurality of input/output ports and a working channel extension to protect an optical image collector. The shaft assembly includes an actively flexible shaft segment and a passively flexible shaft. The method for viewing a visually obscured portion of a cavity includes the steps of providing an instrument having an actively flexible shaft segment and manipulating the actively flexible shaft segment to a desired angular deflection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope having a bendable guide element, by means of which a tool can be securely guided and simultaneously steered outward into a broad operating area at the head of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope has a shaft having a distal end, the distal end terminates in an endoscope head having at least one light inlet and at least one channel for passing a flushing medium, the endoscope head having a body, a segment of the body being able to be detached from the body, the segment having a deflecting element arranged at a distance in front of a mouth of the at least one channel for passing the flushing medium, the deflecting element serves for guiding the flushing medium emerging the channel towards the light inlet, the segment being received captively and in a defined position on the body and being secured thereon by means of a holder.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a vehicle, comprising providing at an inspection site a hand-held inspection wand that transceives audio-visual information with a command/remote site a safe distance from the inspection site and that is staffed by law enforcement personnel, stopping the vehicle at the remote site, instructing an occupant of the vehicle to exit the vehicle and grasp the wand, transmitting instructions from the command site to the occupant via the wand, that direct the occupant to capture video of the vehicle at the remote site using the wand, capturing video of the vehicle using the wand, transmitting the captured video from the wand to the command site, and displaying the transmitted captured video at the command site.

Abstract: An endoscope hood has a protrusion portion which protrudes in an observation visual field direction of an endoscope at an end of a cylindrical press fitting fixing portion attached by press fitting in a state that an attachment position in a circumferential direction is positioned at a distal end portion of an endoscope insertion portion in an appropriate direction. Further, there is provided attachment state confirming device which increases an area of the protrusion portion displayed in an endoscope observation image when the press fitting fixing portion is attached to a distal end portion of a second endoscope insertion portion having a size different from that of a first endoscope insertion portion to which the press fitting fixing portion can be appropriately attached, and gives a warning about an inappropriate attachment state.

Abstract: An endoscope distal end cover includes a cover portion provided with a coupling port for covering at least a part of an outer circumferential portion of a distal end portion main body configuring an insertion portion of an endoscope; an opening portion for allowing a surface of the distal end portion main body to be in communication with outside when the cover portion is disposed on the distal end portion main body; a finger-hooking portion provided on the cover portion and located away from an edge portion of the coupling port by a predetermined distance; a plastic-deformation portion formed adjacent to the finger-hooking portion and along a predetermined direction of the cover portion; and convex portion engaged with an engaging portion provided to the distal end portion main body, the convex portion being provided on an inner surface of the cover portion adjacent to the plastic-deformation portion.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an insertion portion including a distal end portion, to be inserted into a subject; an observation optical system disposed in the insertion portion; an optical member configuring a part of an outer surface of the distal end portion, through which a photographing light to be incident into the observation optical system transmits; a first hydrophilic portion that is film-formed at least on a surface of the optical member; a second hydrophilic portion that is film-formed on a first surface of the distal end portion in which the optical member is disposed; and a third hydrophilic portion that is film-formed on a second surface separate from the first surface of the distal end portion.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for assisting in endoscopic procedures. The method comprises a cap and a device for deploying a cap on the endoscope while the endoscope is positioned within a body lumen. A method of deploying a cap on an endoscope during an endoscopic procedure is disclosed. The method comprises providing a cap and a device for deploying the cap on the endoscope while the endoscope is positioned with a body lumen, advancing the endoscopic within a body lumen and deploying the cap on the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope including an inserted portion, which is adapted to be inserted into an organ, having a distal portion with a distal surface, a liquid outlet, which is formed in the distal portion, and is adapted to eject liquid therefrom toward an object located in vicinity to the distal portion, and a flow attracting member, which is adapted to attract a flow of the liquid ejected from the liquid outlet, is provided. The flow of the liquid ejected from the liquid outlet is angled by the flow attracting member so that the liquid is directed at a predetermined portion of the object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for collecting/transporting a medical capsule by holding the medical capsule using an endoscopic apparatus comprising: an endoscope having an inserting section to be inserted in a body cavity with a distal end including an observation section to observe a subject and an suction opening; a sucking device in communicated with the suction opening; and a generally cylindrical hood member which is attached to the distal end of the inserting section, the method comprising: a sucking step of making an inside of the hood member vacuum by actuating the sucking device to suck the inside of the hood member through the suction opening; and a holding step of attracting and holding the medical capsule to the hood member sucked by the sucking step.

Abstract: Devices and methods useful for manipulating tools at a surgical site are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, an accessory device is provided and can include an insertion member and a control wire. The insertion member can have a lumen for receiving a tool therethrough, such as an endoscope. The control wire can be coupled to the insertion member and have a distal portion extending distally from the insertion member and be adapted to receive and to manipulate a tool extending through the insertion member. The control wire can have a wide variety of configurations, and in certain exemplary embodiments the control wire can be slidably received in one or more control wire lumens formed through the insertion member. In use, the control wire can be manipulated, for example by axially sliding the control wire in one or more control wire lumens to control a tool.

Abstract: An endoscope adapter ring for a needleless fluid delivery system for delivering therapeutic fluids to treatment sites within a patient. The needless fluid delivery system can include an automated injector source and a needleless access device. The access device can include a delivery scope and a treatment specific applicator. The adapter ring is operably attached to the endoscope to keep the injector lumen in a known orientation for the use of a side injector.

Abstract: An endoscope for magnified image observation configured to observe a magnified image of in vivo tissue comprises an insertion part configured to be inserted into a body, a magnified image observation port configured to take in the magnified image of the in vivo tissue in one of a state where the magnified image observation port is in contact with the in vivo tissue and a state where the magnified image observation port is in proximity to the in vivo tissue, the observation port being provided at a distal end of the insertion part, and a marking unit configured to mark the in vivo tissue in one of the state where the magnified image observation port is in contact with the in vivo tissue and the state where the magnified image observation port is in proximity to the in vivo tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flex-knife that enables a technique such as tissue excision to be carried out more easily, and is provided with: a rod-shaped high frequency knife which is endoscopically inserted into a body cavity and is for performing cutting procedures; a wire, the high frequency knife connected to the front end thereof; a sheath consisting of an insulating material, into which the wire is inserted; a main body, the back end of the sheath being connected thereto; and a slider to which the back end of the wire is fixed and which is disposed to the main body to enable sliding in the axial direction; wherein the high frequency knife has a large diameter part at its distal end, the large diameter part having an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the sheath.

Abstract: An endoscope attachment enables an endoscope to capture images of areas in front and at the sides of the endoscope. The endoscope attachment has a transparent attaching part which is used to attach the endoscope attachment to a probe of the endoscope and has two through-holes. A cylindrical transparent image capturing part is used to enable a camera of the probe to capture images and has a trumpet-shaped second mirror on the outer wall of the image capturing part and a wide angle lens with a hyperboloid in the image capturing part. A first mirror is formed at a part of the hyperboloid of the wide angle lens.

Abstract: Tissue visualization and manipulation systems are described herein. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. Additionally, any number of therapeutic tools can also be passed through the deployment catheter and into the imaging hood for treating the tissue region of interest.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion and a treatment instrument insertion channel, and is inserted into a body cavity; an operation portion which is connected to a proximal end side of the insertion portion; and a treatment instrument raiser which has a guiding surface for guiding a treatment instrument, and able to rise according to an operation from the operation portion. The raiser includes a slit which is formed on a distal end side of the guiding surface and with which a guide wire guided toward the distal end side opening can be engaged, and a guide wire guiding unit which is formed on an outer periphery of the guiding surface and serves to guide the guide wire into the slit. The guide wire is guided into the slit by the guiding unit, when the raiser is raised by the operation from the operation portion.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and method useful for positioning a device, such as an endcap, on an end of an endoscope, is disclosed. The apparatus can exert a pulling force on the endoscope through the endcap while a pushing force is applied to the endcap. The apparatus can be used to press an endcap onto the distal end of an endoscope without grasping by hand a sheath in those applications where the endoscope is disposed in a sheath.

Abstract: A hood attachment jig includes a holding member whose diameter is increasable and that holds an endoscope hood in a state where the holding member is inserted into the endoscope hood; a diameter increasing member that increases the diameter of the holding member by entering the holding member, so that the diameter of the endoscope hood increases; and a push-out member that, when an attachment operation is performed in a state where a tip portion of the endoscope enters the holding member with the increased diameter, pushes out the holding member and the endoscope to separate the holding member and the endoscope from the diameter increasing member so that the endoscope hood, a force of restitution of which reduces the diameter of the holding member, is brought into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the tip portion of the endoscope and further pushes out the endoscope to detach the endoscope from the holding member so that the endoscope hood is attached to the endoscope tip portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sizing device for sizing an inside diameter of a lung passageway. The device includes an elongate shaft configured for positioning in the lung passageway and a sizing element at the distal end of the shaft. The sizing element defines a range of transverse dimensions that correspond to a range of transverse dimensions suitable for use with a predetermined set of bronchial isolation devices. The device is used to determine the suitability of a bronchial isolation device for use in the lung passageway prior to using a separate delivery catheter to deliver the bronchial isolation device into the lung passageway.

Abstract: A guide system for use with an endoscope, and a method of use is disclosed. The guide system can include a track, in the form of a rail, and a mating member for engaging the rail. The guide system can also include an accessory, such as an accessory guide tube through which a medical instrument can be carried external of the endoscope. An end cap can be provided to support the track relative to the distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: A multiple biopsy device has a number of chambers into which tissue samples are received. A cutting mechanism, such as a blade, moves relative to the chambers to cut a tissue sample that is within a chamber. In one embodiment of the invention, the multiple biopsy device is removably secured to the distal end of an endoscope/bronchoscope.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an endoscopic delivery system that includes an endoscope and a tissue-receiving member. The tissue-receiving member includes an opening to receive the distal end of the endoscope. The tissue-receiving member also defines a tissue-receiving space that receives tissue when vacuum pressure is applied to the space through the endoscope. A tool and/or material may be delivered to the tissue drawn into the tissue-receiving space. The tissue-receiving member may be cap-like, and only receive the distal end of the endoscope, or include an overtube that receives a substantial portion of the endoscope. The system may be used to, for example, deliver tissue bulking devices to a location proximate to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Abstract: This invention relates generally to lung access devices and methods of using the devices to gain access to the interior of a lung or to the mediastinal space around the lung. In particular, the invention relates to auxiliary access devices and tools for use with conventional bronchoscopes or other endoscopes to enable the delivery of more and larger devices to a target site than is currently possible through a typical endoscope or bronchoscope.

Abstract: A harvesting device for an endoscope includes a harvesting member inserted through an outer tube member, including a harvesting portion arranged at the distal end portion of the outer tube member and to perform a harvesting, and configured to move so that the harvesting member moves and positions the harvesting portion at a harvesting position and a standby position, a wipe member inserted through the outer tube member, including a wipe portion arranged at the distal end portion of the outer tube member, and configured to move so that the wipe member moves the wipe portion to wipe a distal end portion of the endoscope, and a conversion mechanism to convert the movement of the harvesting member into that of the wipe member to interlock the wiping of the wipe portion with the positioning of the harvesting portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accessing the spine include tissue penetrating members with direct visualization capability that may be used to form an access pathway to a targeted treatment site. The direct visualization capability, which may be provided by fiberoptic illumination and imaging components, may be use to visualize the tissue as the access pathway is formed by the tissue penetrating member. The tissue penetrating members include catheters and cannulas with sharpened tips with integrated fiberoptic components and/or channels in which a fiberscope or miniscope may be inserted. Apertures and/or transparent materials are provided to permit imaging of tissue about the distal end of the tissue penetrating member.

Abstract: A large area thermal ablation apparatus for use with an endoscope includes a housing and at least one electrode. The housing is removably attachable to a distal terminating end of the endoscope. The housing includes an outer surface and a cross-sectional area that is at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the distal terminating end of the endoscope. The electrode is supported by the outer surface of the housing. The electrode is capable of delivering energy to a tissue region inside a body to ablate the tissue region.

Abstract: A cap for an endoscope includes: a cylindrical portion formed so that a distal end thereof protrudes forwardly from a distal end of an insertion portion of an endoscope; and a suction path that is connected to a suction device, and that communicates with an internal surface of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoscopic accessory control system that resides externally of the endoscope. The system comprises the endoscopic accessory with a working end to be placed at the distal end of the endoscope, a control sheath extending proximally external to the endoscope and a control handle joined to the proximal end of the control sheath. The control handle is slidably mounted to the exterior surface of the endoscope shaft and is configured to permit grasping of both the shaft and the handle. With the control handle and endoscope shaft grasped with one hand, the other hand of the user is left free to manipulate the endoscope distal tip controls. Additionally, the external arrangement of the control sheath leaves the working channel of the endoscope free for use of accessories or operations.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to lung access devices and methods of using the devices to gain access to the interior of a lung or to the mediastinal space around the lung. In particular, the invention relates to auxiliary access devices and tools for use with conventional bronchoscopes or other endoscopes to enable the delivery of more and larger devices to a target site than is currently possible through a typical endoscope or bronchoscope.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device including a tool assembly having a pair of juxtaposed jaws; a rotatably supported camming hub defining a groove formed in an inner surface of a central lumen thereof; and a center rod slidably and rotatably disposed within the lumen of the camming hub. The center rod is operatively engaged with the groove formed in the camming hub and engaged with the pair of jaws. The inner groove of the camming hub is configured such that, in at least one position, axial translation of the center rod relative to the camming hub results in rotation of the camming hub and at least one of opening and closing of the pair of jaws. The inner groove of the camming hub is configured such that, in at least one other position, rotation of the canter rod results in rotation of the tool assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a surgical unit which operates on an operating portion in a body cavity, an accommodation portion capable of accommodating the surgical unit. The surgical instrument having movement manipulation mechanism connected to the surgical unit for moving the surgical unit to a position at which the surgical unit is accommodated in the accommodation portion and to a position at which the surgical unit is exposed from the accommodation portion along the inside of the accommodation portion.

Abstract: A method for positioning a device, such as an endcap, on an endoscope is disclosed. The method can be used, for example, for facilitating pressing an endcap onto an endoscope, including in those applications where the endscope is disposed in a sheath and the endcap is positioned at the distal end of the sheath.

Abstract: Endoscope assemblies and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscope assembly may include an endoscope having a channel formed therein and a port that provides access to the channel, a cap disposed on the port, and an attachment assembly coupled to the cap. The attachment assembly may include a base and one or more arms extending from the base. A locking member may be coupled to at least one of the one or more arms.

Abstract: An endoscope having an inserted portion, which is to be inserted into a tubular organ, including a bendable portion that is adapted to bend arbitrarily by a remote operation and a distal unit with a window for observation to capture an image of inside the tubular organ, is provided. A plurality of grooves are formed in parallel with an axis of the distal unit on a circumferential surface of the distal unit and the grooves are spaced from each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a medical device and methods for immobilizing and retrieving material from a patient's body. The device may include a proximal portion extending substantially longitudinally and a detachably engaged to a distal portion capable of transforming between an expanded configuration and a substantially straight configuration.

Abstract: A medical treatment system including an endoscope, a treatment tool that is inserted in a channel of the endoscope, and a holder that holds the treatment tool in a manner that enables a user who operates the endoscope to move the treatment tool forward and backward and rotate the treatment tool, with the treatment tool having a treatment portion that performs treatment on a living body; a wire for operating the treatment portion whose distal end is connected to the treatment portion; a sheath portion that has a first sheath that is formed with a coil and in which the wire is inserted in a manner capable of moving forward and backward in the axial direction, and a second sheath that is formed with a coil of a plurality of layers and provided on the outside of the first sheath; and an operating portion to which the base end of the wire is connected and enables forward/backward and rotation operation of the wire; and with the holder holding the operating portion so as to be in a predetermined positional relation

Abstract: In a mucosa excising device using an endoscope according to the present invention, engagement pieces are provided in the vicinity of a claw portion formed at an end edge of a cap, the engagement pieces press the snare wire arranged along the claw portion, both the claw portion and the engagement pieces hold the snare wire, and the snare wire of a high-frequency snare is prevented from accidentally coming off at the time of insertion into a body cavity or during a treatment in the body cavity when conducting endoscopic mucosal resection.

Abstract: In an endoscopic treatment instrument having a plurality of sheaths, a supporting member for directly and indirectly supporting the plurality of sheaths, and a connecting member for directly/indirectly bringing the sheaths and an endoscope in a connected state are provided. The supporting member constrains a relative position of the plurality of sheaths and the connecting member can change the connecting state. Therefore, when an operator changes the connecting state of the connecting member, the positional relation of the endoscope and the plurality of sheaths can be changed, while the positional relation of the plurality of sheaths is still constrained. Accordingly, for example, left and right sheaths can be easily exchanged.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a guide assembly including a guide having a body and a joint including at least one through hole, wherein the joint is configured for sliding along a length of the body, and a first surgical device. The guide is coupled to the first surgical device and a longitudinal axis of the through hole is co-radial with an end of the first surgical device. Other guide assemblies and methods of creating multiple portals during surgery are also disclosed.

Abstract: An elastically deformable elastic deformation portion is disposed at a distal end portion of a cylindrical hood main body attached on an outer peripheral surface of a distal end portion of an endoscope, and the elastic deformation portion is configured such that a distal end portion of the elastic deformation portion abuts on an analyte to position an observation position of a second imaging unit at a magnification observation time utilizing the second imaging unit while the elastic deformation portion is elastically deformable up to a position where a first imaging unit abuts on an analyte at a contact observation time utilizing the first imaging unit.

Abstract: A loop section has a bending portion at the distal end. The bending portion bends in a direction that intersects the plane formed by the loop section. A diathermic snare is used in combination with an endoscope. When the loop section expands along the inner circumference of an engagement projection of a cap section, the bending portion of the loop section conforms to the corner of the bending portion of the projection.