Abstract: According to the centering mechanism of this invention for an electrically bendable endoscope, the control circuit, in response to an instruction for centering, computes residual bending angles in U/D and L/R directions based on the values obtained as a result of feeding values indicated by the U/D and L/R potentiometers to an A/D converter. The control circuit conducts bending angle adjustment by bending the tip of the endoscope in directions appropriate to cancel out residual bending angles: for example, if the tip has been bent upward immediately before the centering switch is activated, the control circuit causes the tip to be bent downward, and if the tip has been bent leftward immediately before the centering switch is activated, the control circuit causes the tip to be bent rightward. Then, the bending angle is adjusted to zero.

Abstract: A steerable endoscope has an elongated body with a selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controlled proximal portion. The endoscope body is inserted into a patient and the selectively steerable distal portion is used to select a desired path within the patient's body. When the endoscope body is advanced, an electronic motion controller operates the automatically controlled proximal portion to assume the selected curve of the selectively steerable distal portion. Another desired path is selected with the selectively steerable distal portion and the endoscope body is advanced again. As the endoscope body is further advanced, the selected curves propagate proximally along the endoscope body, and when the endoscope body is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves propagate distally along the endoscope body. This creates a serpentine motion in the endoscope body that allows it to negotiate tortuous curves along a desired path through, around, and between organs within the body.

Abstract: An endoscope system is provided, including an endoscope having a flexible inserting tube to be inserted into a human body and a plurality of bending sensors distributed over the flexible inserting tube along the longitudinal direction thereof. Each of the bending sensors detects the local bending state of the flexible inserting tube at the location the bending sensor are provided. A computer adapted to receive data on the local bending state from each of the plurality of bending sensors is also provided. The computer generates a graphical image representing the geometrical configuration of the flexible inserting tube from the data on the local bending states. A monitor connected to the computer to display the graphical image generated by the computer.

Abstract: The endoscope system according to the present invention comprises a motor-bent endoscope in which a bendable portion is motor bendable; an operation switch for giving an instruction as to a bending amount including a bending direction and a bending position which the bendable portion should take as a result of bending; a motor for bending the bendable portion in accordance with a bending instruction signal; a detection portion for detecting the bent state of the bendable portion; a first driving power generating portion which generates power for driving the motor responsible for bending the bendable portion, in accordance with a difference between an instructed bending amount fed via the operation switch and a value representing the bending state of the bending portion and given by the detection portion; a second driving power generating portion for generating a pulse driving power having a predetermined magnitude; and a control portion whose control includes selecting one of the first and second driving powe

Abstract: A steerable endoscope has an elongated body with a selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controlled proximal portion. The endoscope body is inserted into a patient and the selectively steerable distal portion is used to select a desired path within the patient's body. When the endoscope body is advanced, an electronic motion controller operates the automatically controlled proximal portion to assume the selected curve of the selectively steerable distal portion. Another desired path is selected with the selectively steerable distal portion and the endoscope body is advanced again. As the endoscope body is further advanced, the selected curves propagate proximally along the endoscope body, and when the endoscope body is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves propagate distally along the endoscope body. This creates a serpentine motion in the endoscope body that allows it to negotiate tortuous curves along a desired path through or around and between organs within the body.

Abstract: A flexible instrument includes a flexible member having an intermediate portion and a distal tip. At least one intermediate sensor disposed at a predetermined point along the intermediate portion of the member provides an intermediate path signal indicative of the path of the intermediate portion of the flexible member. At least one distal sensor positioned proximate the distal tip of the flexible member provides a distal tip position signal indicative of the position of the distal tip of the flexible member.

Abstract: A locatable endoscope (14) attachment including an attachment (20) connectable to an insertion tube portion of an endoscope for determining the endoscope's (14) position; and one or more sensors (22), fixedly positioned with respect to the attachment (20), which are used for determining the positions of the one or more sensors (22). Preferably, when the attachment (20) is fixedly attached to the endoscope (14), the one or more sensors (22) are distanced from elements of the endoscope which interfere with determining the positions of the one or more sensors (22).

Abstract: A sensor device and system projects a three-dimensional image of the position of the colonoscope within the gut onto a video screen next to the optical image from the end of the colonoscope. The sensor device comprises a plurality of strain gages mounted on a bendable rod at the head of the rod. As the head is pushed through the biopsy channel of the colonoscope, the head bends with the curvature of the colonoscope causing the deformation of the head to be captured by the strain gages. An encoder at the inlet to the biopsy channel records the velocity and distance of the head as the head is pushed in and through the channel. The combined electrical output from the strain gages and encoder enables an instantaneous generation of a three-dimensional image of the colonoscope on a view screen. The sensor device avoids the need for any equipment that is above or surrounds the abdomen of the patient.

Abstract: A sensor device and system projects a three-dimensional image of the position of the colonoscope within the gut onto a video screen next to the optical image from the end of the colonoscope. The sensor device comprises a plurality of strain gages mounted on a bendable rod at the head of the rod. As the head is pushed through the biopsy channel of the colonoscope, the head bends with the curvature of the colonoscope causing the deformation of the head to be captured by the strain gages. An encoder at the inlet to the biopsy channel records the velocity and distance of the head as the head is pushed in and through the channel. The combined electrical output from the strain gages and encoder enables an instantaneous generation of a three-dimensional image of the colonoscope on a view screen. The sensor device avoids the need for any equipment that is above or surrounds the abdomen of the patient.

Abstract: A catheter is guided by directional control inside a bodily passage by a servo-type system which includes a sensor to transmit position, orientation or velocity information to a microprocessor which is typically programmed with an error detection algorithm, and a motion control system. The motion control system generates a signal representative of the change in position, orientation or velocity needed to guide the catheter along a prescribed course of travel or in general to continuously adjust its position relative to a target, and this signal is transmitted to a directional steering system, a forward drive system or both, to effect the change. The result is a closed-loop servo system capable of automated, preprogrammed advancement and/or positioning of the distal catheter rip through branched and convoluted passages to a site where therapeutic action is needed or from which diagnostic information is sought.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes a warping velocity control device which receives an angle of warp detected by an angle detection device and a value of an electric current realized at this angle of warp and detected by an electric current detection device. The control device makes comparisons between the angle of warp and the value of the electric current and data about a normal state stored in a storage device. If the result is larger than data for the normal state by a predetermined value, the warping velocity is lowered while a discrimination is made that an abnormal state (the warp-enabled portion has come in contact with the body wall) takes place. Additionally, the apparatus could include a time detecting device for detecting a time in which an electric quantity supplied to a drive means is larger than a predetermined time. The warping velocity control device controls the warping velocity according to the comparison made by the time detecting device.