Abstract: A biological optical measurement apparatus includes a connector unit to which a measurement probe is detachably connected, a supply unit configured to supply air to the connector unit, a pipe that connects the connector unit and the supply unit, a pressure detection unit configured to detect a pressure value in the pipe, and an abrasion determination unit configured to determine abrasion of the connector unit based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit under conditions that the measurement probe is connected to the connector unit.

Abstract: An endoscope including a bending operation apparatus including a bending operation mechanism section and a bending portion braking mechanism section in an operation section, the bending operation mechanism section includes a bending lever, a first bearing member transmitting a force of the lever, and a cylindrical member rotated with an operation of the lever, and the bending portion braking mechanism section includes a bending state keeping lever, a braking shaft body transmitting a force of the lever, a second bearing member pivotally supporting the braking shaft body, a rotation pressing member rotating around an axis of the second bearing member, and having inclined projection portions, a slide pressing member having inclined projection portions opposed to the projection portions, a friction member abutting on the cylindrical member, a regulation member regulating a gap where the friction member is disposed, and positioning members regulating a braking force of the friction.

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: A wire-operated selective compliance mobile platform (100), in particular for endoscopic surgery devices, obtains a perfect and precise mobility and thus it allows to handle, in the most effective way, the supported instruments, and comprises a mobile surface (1), a connecting base (2) apt to be connected to a flexible tubular duct (4) for endoscopic uses, a plurality of supporting elements (3), apt to permit the motion of said mobile surface (1) relative to said base (2), characterized in that said supporting elements (3) have at least a selective compliance turning pair (31) and a number of joints (32, 34) so as to provide a predetermined number of degrees of freedom to said platform (100), neither determining any over-constraining, nor forcing the system to be deformed in unselected directions, each supporting element (3) being operated by moving means (51, 52) so as to move said mobile surface (1).

Abstract: An endoscopic device having a one-handed, either-handed steering mechanism is presented. The endoscopic device includes some components that are sterile and used on only a single patient. The single-use components are medically disposed of after exposure to a non-sterile environment such as an internal body cavity of a patient. The endoscopic device also includes some reusable components that are not exposed to a non-sterile environment.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a control method input section provided in a bending operation input unit and configured to input a control method of a bending operation, and a control method detector provided in an operation section body and configured to detect the input control method of the bending operation. The endoscope includes an activated portion provided in the bending operation input unit and configured to change its activated state in response to the bending operation in a bending operation input section, an activated state detector provided in the operation section body and configured to detect the activated state of the activated portion, and a drive member provided in the operation section body and configured to be driven in accordance with the detected control method and the detected activated state, thereby bending a bending section.

Abstract: An endoscope having a manipulation body and a grip body that are separable from each other is provided. The endoscope includes a pair of rotatable dials provided in the manipulation body, a pair of driving gears that have different gear tooth profiles provided in the manipulation body are coupled with the dials, and a pair of driven gears provided in the grip body which rotate and are engaged with the driving gears, in which the driving gears and the driven gears rotate as the dials are rotated.

Abstract: A medical appliance including a medical instrument that is separable from an actuator support, the appliance including a connection and disconnection system including a connector carried by the instrument and including a guide for guiding at least one actuator rod retained elastically in the guide by a head, and a coupling endpiece carried by the support and including at least one engagement mechanism that is guided in rotation and that defines a reception setback for receiving the head of the actuator rod. The engagement mechanism is fitted with a rotary coupling member complementary to the rotary coupling member presented by the connector, and the endpiece also presents at least one hook connected to an actuator system.

Abstract: A shank for a flexible endoscope or a flexible endoscopic instrument includes a first shank portion and, arranged in the distal direction from the first shank portion, a second shank portion, wherein the second shank portion can be angled relative to a distal end area of the first shank portion by a longitudinal adjustment of at least one tensioning means extending inside the second shank portion, and wherein at least one cord drive is provided for the longitudinal adjustment of the tensioning means. In this way, a shank for a flexible endoscope or a flexible endoscopic instrument is created which is of simple and robust construction and which can be produced inexpensively. The invention also relates to a flexible endoscope and a flexible endoscopic instrument.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument includes an instrument section which may be deflected transversely to the instrument axis. The instrument section is connected via at least one control wire to an actuation element arranged on the instrument at the proximal side. A safety coupling, which limit a force exerted by the actuation element onto the control wire, are arranged between the control wire and the actuation element.

Abstract: An attachment and detachment mechanism includes convex and concave engaging portions provided in first and second couplings respectively and extending in a radial direction of first and second shaft portions, the convex engaging portion is to be slidably inserted into and removed from the concave engaging portion along a longitudinal direction of the concave engaging portion, the convex and concave engaging portions includes basic positions where the longitudinal directions of the convex and concave engaging portions correspond to the attachment and detachment direction of the first and second main body portions and the convex and concave engaging portions are insertable into and removable from each other, and the attachment and detachment mechanism further includes a guide mechanism to guide one engaging portion such that the one engaging portion is disposed at the basic position in conjunction with the attachment or detachment of the first and second main body portions.

Abstract: Lead screws and nut members screwed to the respective lead screws are provided on a wire operation section for operating wires for operating a bending section in a bending manner, and a driving force generating section, a drive coupling shaft rotationally driven in a spin direction by a driving force from the driving force generating section, and drive couplings are provided on a drive source unit separably coupled to the wire operation section. The lead screws are rotationally driven in a spin direction from the driving force generating section via the drive coupling shaft to move the nut members in the axial direction thereby performing pulling operation of the wires during coupling of the drive source unit and the wire operation section.

Abstract: A control handle for use with a steerable endoscopic device. The endoscopic device having a pair of control wires to effect steering. The control handle includes a steering mechanism that includes an actuator, such as a control knob, drivingly connected to a drive member, such as a sprocket or drive gear. To transmit force from the drive member to the control wires, a length of transmission structure, such as bead chain, is connected to the proximal ends of the control wires and is engaged with the drive member. In one embodiment, a single-use endoscope may be provided, which includes a control handle, a steerable endoscopic device, and a umbilical cord or communications conduit for functionally connecting the control handle to a control cabinet of an endoscopic imaging system.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising a flexible catheter probe 1 having a plurality of lumens, a handle 12 provided at the proximal end of the probe, an optical system 6 provided in at least one optical system lumen of the catheter probe 1, at least one working lumen for a surgical instrument and a control element which is fixed to the distal end 20 of the probe or in the proximity thereof for bending the end of the probe and is guided movably in the axial direction at the probe, wherein the optical system 6 which projects beyond the proximal end of the catheter probe 1 is guided in a flexible tube which is elastically resilient in its longitudinal direction and exerts a prestressing on the optical system in the longitudinal direction thereof in a direction towards the translucently closed optical system lumen.

Abstract: A rotatable operation device for an endoscope includes a fixed shaft projected outward from an operating portion, a cylindrical shaft projected from a rotatable operating member. The cylindrical shaft is rotatably fitted on the fixed shaft, and an end side surface of the cylindrical shaft contacts a fixed surface defined inside the operating portion. An internal space of the operating portion and an internal space of the rotatable operating member are airtight against outside. The rotatable operation device is configured to have an air passage which is formed in the cylindrical rotary shaft, a space at a fitted portion between the fixed shaft and the cylindrical rotary shaft communicating with the inside space of the operating portion through the air passage with the end side surface and the fixed surface remaining contacted.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion which has a bending portion, a wire which is fixed to an end of a distal side of the bending portion and is pushed along the insertion portion, an operating portion which is provided on a proximal side of the insertion portion opposite to the bending portion, and a wire-connecting member which is interposed in the wire between the insertion portion and the operating portion to form an allowance in a in which the wire is pushed and pulled, wherein a portion of the wire between the wire-receiving member and the wire-connecting member is inserted into the coil spring so that the coil covers a surface of the portion of the wire.

Abstract: An endoscope with a flexible, multilumen catheter probe, a grip provided at the proximal end of the probe, a control element attached to the distal end of the probe and movably guided in the axial direction on catheter probe, wherein the catheter probe is to be connected non-rotatingly to the grip by means of a releasable lock, the distal end of the optical lumen has a transparent seal, and optical system is displacably disposed inside optic lumen and can be removed from optic lumen.

Abstract: A method for fusing a plurality of images. The method includes: acquiring the plurality of images from a plurality of different modalities, each one of the images having a different reference space; and fusing the plurality of images into a common reference space, such common reference space being different from the reference space of each one of the plurality of acquired images. Thus, with such method, a unified process is provided for handling fusion across multiple clinical interventional and/or surgery (i.e., intra-operative) procedures.

Abstract: A connection mechanism includes a rotatable member formed with a connection hole in which a shaft member is rotatably fitted. A thrust stopper is arranged at the distal end of the shaft member to prevent the rotatable member from being removed from the shaft member. The shaft member has an outer-screw at the distal end portion thereof, and the thrust stopper has an inner-screw opening extending along an axial direction of the thrust stopper. The outer-screw of the distal end portion of the shaft member engages with the inner-screw opening. The thrust stopper has a through opening formed with an inner-screw with which a fixing screw engages. The tip end of the fixing screw engages with the distal end of the shaft member to secure fixation between the thrust stopper and the shaft member.

Abstract: A bendable portion control mechanism of an endoscope including a control portion and an insertion portion, includes two manually-rotatable control knobs, one of which being provided on top of the other and disposed coaxially with each other, for bending the bendable portion in two orthogonal directions, each of the control knobs including a water-sealed internal space; and two bent state holding mechanisms, provided in the two water-sealed internal spaces, respectively, for holding a bent state of the bendable portion in the two orthogonal directions by exerting frictional resistance on rotating operations of the two control knobs. The two control knobs detach from and attach to the control portion without interfering with the two bent state holding mechanisms so that it is possible to adjust operational characteristics of each of the two bent state holding mechanisms upon detaching the two control knobs, respectively.

Abstract: A bent state holding mechanism for an endoscope which includes a control portion and an insertion portion extending therefrom, the insertion portion having a bendable portion at a distal end thereof, including a bendable portion control mechanism provided on the control portion, which is operated to bend the bendable portion, and at least two frictional resistance producing members which rotate relative to each other upon operation of the bendable portion control mechanism, to exert a frictional resistance for holding the bendable portion at any operated position. The two frictional resistance producing members include a radial plate spring made of resilient metal which includes a ring portion and a plurality of radial projections which project radially outwards from the ring portion; and an annular friction member having a pressure surface which is brought to be pressed obliquely against flat surfaces of the plurality of radial projections.

Abstract: A bent state holding mechanism of an endoscope including a bending mechanism having a rotatable bending member, includes a bent state holding member for switching between a bent-state holding state and a bendable-portion free state; and a click mechanism for providing a tactile feel to the bent state holding member when rotated to the bent-state holding state and/or when rotated to the bendable-portion free state. The click mechanism includes a click leaf spring having a protrusion formed therein, and a click projection projecting toward a surface of the click leaf spring, one of the click leaf spring and the click projection being configured to rotate together with the bent state holding member upon rotation thereof. Rotating the bent state holding member causes the click projection to abut against the protrusion and ride over the protrusion with a click action while resiliently deforming the click leaf spring.

Abstract: A control handle for use with a steerable endoscopic device. The endoscopic device having a pair of control wires to effect steering. The control handle includes a steering mechanism that includes an actuator, such as a control knob, drivingly connected to a drive member, such as a sprocket or drive gear. To transmit force from the drive member to the control wires, a length of transmission structure, such as bead chain, is connected to the proximal ends of the control wires and is engaged with the drive member. In one embodiment, a single-use endoscope may be provided, which includes a control handle, a steerable endoscopic device, and a umbilical cord or communications conduit for functionally connecting the control handle to a control cabinet of an endoscopic imaging system.

Abstract: Control mechanism (10) for an endoscope including first and second independently rotatable control knobs (18,20), an inner pinion shaft (22) fixed to the first control knob (18), an outer pinion shaft (28) fixed to the second control knob (20) and coaxial with the inner shaft (22) and an intermediate shaft (34) arranged at least partially inside of the outer shaft (28) and at least partially around the inner shaft (22). O-rings (42,46) between the intermediate shaft (34) and the inner and outer shafts (22,28) seal the interior of the endoscope and transfer torque from the inner or outer shaft (22,28) to the intermediate shaft (34), which is grounded against rotation and therefore does not transfer torque to the other shaft (22,28). A non-cross-coupling control mechanism is achieved in which the rotation of one control knob and its associated shaft does not have any effect on the other control knob and associated shaft.

Abstract: An endoscopic manual control knob which has a knob body proper in the form of a synthetic resin molding. The knob body is largely composed of a ring-like top plate and a peripheral side wall portion fringed along outer periphery of the top plate. The top plate is provided with an aperture to be fitted on a rotatable shaft, and a number of lever portions projecting radially outward from the outer periphery of the top plate at angularly spaced positions. The knob body has an implant block embedded in each one of the lever portions by insert molding.

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

Abstract: A bendable portion control mechanism of an endoscope including a control portion and an insertion portion, includes two manually-rotatable control knobs, one of which being provided on top of the other and disposed coaxially with each other, for bending the bendable portion in two orthogonal directions, each of the control knobs including a water-sealed internal space; and two bent state holding mechanisms, provided in the two water-sealed internal spaces, respectively, for holding a bent state of the bendable portion in the two orthogonal directions by exerting frictional resistance on rotating operations of the two control knobs. The two control knobs detach from and attach to the control portion without interfering with the two bent state holding mechanisms so that it is possible to adjust operational characteristics of each of the two bent state holding mechanisms upon detaching the two control knobs, respectively.

Abstract: A fitting hole portion of a shaft portion fitted to a mouth ring portion of an endoscope is provided to an attachment portion of a ligation band operation band, and an operation to switch between a flange portion insertion position at which the flange portion of the mouth ring is insertable and an engagement position at which a protrusion portion of the mouth ring portion is engagable is performed by a sliding member slidable with respect to the shaft portion.

Abstract: An endoscopic manual control knob which has a knob body proper in the form of a synthetic resin molding. The knob body is largely composed of a ring-like top plate and a peripheral side wall portion fringed along outer periphery of the top plate. The top plate is provided with an aperture to be fitted on a rotatable shaft, and a number of lever portions projecting radially outward from the outer periphery of the top plate at angularly spaced positions. The knob body has an implant block embedded in each one of the lever portions by insert molding.

Abstract: An endoscope has a first bending portion, a second bending portion, and a hand-held unit. The first bending portion is the distal portion of an elongated insertion member and has a plurality of joint pieces concatenated so that the joint pieces can rotate freely. The second bending portion is located at the proximal end of the first bending portion, and has a plurality of joint pieces concatenated so that the joint pieces can rotate freely. The hand-held unit is located at the proximal end of the insertion member, and has a control section that is used to bend the first bending portion and second bending portion. In the endoscope, the control section of the hand-held unit has an angling knob that is used to bend the first bending portion, and a second angling lever that is used to bend the second bending portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope comprising a first quick-acting closure (3) for a traction wire (13) of a Bowden wire device, which closure is arranged at the proximal end to be pivotable or displaceable, with a locking position of the quick-acting closure (3), in which an attachment unit for loosening and attaching the traction wire (13) of the Bowden wire device can be actuated and with a working position of the quick-acting closure (3), in which the attached traction wire of the Bowden wire device can be displaced within a working area which is defined by end positions (15′, 15″) of the quick-acting closure (3), in order to actuate a mechanism which is arranged at the distal end of the endoscope together with the traction wire (13) of the Bowden wire device in such a way that it can be loosened.

Abstract: A control wire driving mechanism for use in an endoscope includes a toothed wheel actuated to rotate in a control part of the endoscope. A control wire has a cord-like member helically wound on and secured to the outer peripheral surface of a portion near the proximal end thereof at a pitch corresponding to the pitch of the toothed wheel. The control wire is meshed with the toothed wheel at the portion wound with the cord-like member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is steerable from the hub of the instrument to move a surgical tool to different offset positions. The instrument includes a shaft disposed along a longitudinal axis between a proximal region and a distal region at which the surgical tool is supported. A steering body is connected to the shaft proximally of the surgical tool and is configured to transmit proximally directed and distally directed forces applied by an actuator to a proximal end thereof to the shaft to bend the shaft in a flexible region of the shaft and offset the surgical tool from the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: An endoscope having an articulation system that provides a mechanical advantage and facilitates articulation of the distal section of the endoscope insertion tube. The endoscope includes a handle held by a user during an endoscopic procedure and an insertion tube attached at its proximal section to the handle. A plurality of control cables extending the length of the insertion tube are securely attached to the insertion tube's distal section and are axially movable to articulate the distal section. Control wheels are rotatably attached to the handle and positioned to be manipulated by the user during the endoscopic procedure. The articulation system is connected at one end to the control cables and at the other end to the control wheels. The articulation system transmits movement of the control wheels to the control cables.