Abstract: An optical scope for viewing a feature at an inaccessible location includes a tube having a distal end which is insertable in use into an inaccessible location and a proximal end connected to a housing. The tube contains an optical system for gathering an image of a feature and relaying the image to a viewer. The tube also contains a device for directing a laser beam to a first reference point in the distal end, a first reflector mounted in the distal end for rotation about the first reference point to change the direction of the laser beam so as to direct the beam out of the scope to a target feature, and a second reflector mounted in the distal end for rotation about a second reference point to change the direction of a reference axis intersecting the second reference point so as to cause the axis to intersect the laser beam at a target feature.

Abstract: A tubular medical device comprises a tubular body, a lumen, a compression-resisting member inserted in the lumen so that it cannot move in the direction of the axis of the tubular body, with its distal end located at a predetermined distance from the distal end of the tubular body toward the proximal end, a pull wire whose distal end is secured near the distal end of the tubular body at a position deviated from the axis of the tubular body and which is led in the tubular body to the proximal end of the tubular body, and a pulling mechanism for pulling the pull wire toward the proximal end of the tubular body which is attached to the proximal end of the tubular body and has an manipulating dial. The compression-resisting member consists of a main body and a secured portion. The compression-resisting member main body, and has a property of resisting compression in the axial direction of he tubular body. The secured portion retains the rain part in place in the lumen.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus (1) for articulating a probe (3) is constructed with a reversible motor (10) and at least one tension adjusting cable (4) to articulate the probe (3).

Abstract: An endoscope capable of varying the hardness of a soft part of an insertion unit thereof includes a hardness adjustment unit and a location changing mechanism. The hardness adjustment unit includes an elongated coil and a wire lying through the coil, and adjusts the hardness of the soft part of the insertion unit. The location changing mechanism changes relatively the location of the coil and wire in a longitudinal direction of the insertion unit to maintain the hardness adjustment unit such that the insertion unit is hardened most greatly.

Abstract: A controllable sheath for optimizing the control of surgical instruments at the operation site includes a flexible sheath surrounding an endoscope and including a lumen extending along the walls of the sheath and adjacent to the endoscope. The lumen permits the passage of surgical instruments from the proximal end of the endoscopic device to the operation site. The lumen extends beyond the distal end of the endoscope and deflects at the distal end as desired by the operator's manipulation of a controller device. This distal end deflection may occur through various different techniques where the ability to deflect the lumen gives the operator increased control and maneuverability over the surgical implements located in the lumen. Depending upon the particular requirements of the surgical procedure, the controllable sheath may include any number of lumens capable of distal end deflection.

Abstract: A steerable catheter (310) having a handle, a manifold strain relief (314) securely mounted at a front distal end of the handle, a steering dial (316) rotatably mounted within the handle, the steering dial (316) comprises a steering dial left fastener (316L) and a steering dial right fastener (316R). A lumen extrusion shaft (318) is securely fastened at a rear distal end to the manifold strain relief(314). The lumen extrusion shaft (318) has at least one lumen extrusion shaft large lumen opening (318B) and at least one lumen extrusion shaft small lumen opening (318C) contained therein. A lumen extrusion tip (320) is securely fastened at a front distal end of the lumen extrusion shaft (318) by a lumen extrusion shaft connection (318A). A manifold (334) is securely fastened at a rear end of the manifold strain relief (314). At least one luer lock (324) is securely mounted at a rear distal end of the handle. A steering wire (328) securely fastened at a rear distal end to the steering dial (316).

Abstract: A hybrid operation system that manipulates an object with the tip of a conduit inserted into said object comprising a conduit having inside multiple tubes that are inserted into the object, a driving mechanism that drives the multiple tubes, an analysis mechanism that analyses the condition of the object sensed by the tip of the conduit, a display that displays the analysis results of the analysis mechanism, and an input mechanism that outputs to the driving mechanism commands for operating the multiple tubes in response to the manipulation of the operator. The ends of the multiple tubes are detachably mounted on the driving mechanism and the input mechanism. In the field of medical treatment, examinations are performed with one probe for the initial examinee. Then, when the examination of the initial examinee is completed, the probe is detached from the system main body at the connecting members.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising a handle and a flexible shaft connected to the handle. The flexible shaft has an active deflection section and a passive deflection section with a control wire support member therein. The endoscope also has a control wire connected to the active deflection section. A portion of the control wire is housed in the control wire support member. The control wire support member is made from a superelastic alloy material and is resiliently deflectable bending with the passive deflection section without permanent deformation or substantial fatigue over a working life of the endoscope.

Abstract: A remotely steerable catheter having an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a remotely manipulable length, and a wall defining a lumen and first and second wires slidably retained by the wall and extending proximally beyond the proximal end of the tubular member, the first wire having a distal end thereof in controllable contact with the wall at a first node located along the manipulable length and the second wire having a distal end thereof in controllable contact with the wall at a second node located along the manipulable length, the second node being located distally of the first node along the manipulable length of the tubular member.

Abstract: A manipulator for a flexible portion of an endoscope includes a rotatable pulley provided in an operating portion of the endoscope, and a pliable pull rope which is wound about the pulley. One end of the pull rope is connected to the pulley. The flexible front end portion is provided at an insertion portion of the endoscope to be remotely bendable through the pull rope when the pull rope is pulled in accordance with a rotation of the pulley. The pull rope is made of braided non-metallic fibers so as to have a high pliability.

Abstract: The endoscope comprises a probe for ultrasound echography, a manual control housing (12) carrying adjustment members that are connected by cables to the base, a tube (50) fixed to the housing and having cables passing therealong, and a mechanical coupler enabling the base to be given a position that is angularly adjustable. The mechanical coupler has a plurality of links connected in series that are capable of tilting relative to one another. The links are maintained pressed mutually against one another solely by cables for putting them under resilient tension from the housing. They are all of the same shape and the shape is such as to allow each link to tilt in at least one direction from a position in which the coupler is essentially straight.

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.

Abstract: A fluid insensitive system for braking the displacement cables in an endoscopic insertion tube wherein at least one control wheel is mounted on the outside of the insertion tube control housing. A brake disc is mounted adjacent the control wheel and is moved in and out of engagement with the wheel by an actuator. A plurality of spring loaded detent pins are slidably carried within the control wheel for engaging a series of depressions in the brake disk to form a restraining ratchet mechanism.

Abstract: A bending drive member to bend a bending member is arranged to extend in the direction of length of an elongate tube having flexibility, and attached to near the distal end of the tube with the distal end of the bending drive member being restricted in its position. The bending member drive member comprises a shape memory member formed by bundling together a plurality of wire-like shape memory materials each having a length, that spans from the position of one end to the other end, reversibly changed upon heating/cooling. The length of the shape memory member is changed dependent on a drive signal from a unit with a capability of heating. A non-compressive coil sheath through which the bending drive member extends is fixed at a distal end thereof to the elongate tube while the proximal end of the coil sheath is a free end with respect to the elongate tube.

Abstract: A cable compensating mechanism for an endoscope is shown. The endoscope has a generally elongated flexible shaft extending between a control head at a proximal end thereof and an objective assembly at the distal end thereof. The cable compensating mechanism includes an operative cable and sheath assembly which is operatively connected to the objective assembly and to the control head for deflecting the objective assembly in a selected direction.A control mechanism is operatively connected to the operating cable and sheath assembly and is adapted to control the magnitude of tensile force developed in the operating cable in the event that deflection of the objective assembly is restrained. The control mechanism has a guide block and carriage member moveable therein. The moveable carriage member moves the operating cable and sheath assembly within the sheath.

Abstract: A fluid insensitive system for braking the displacement cables of an endoscopic insertion tube wherein at least one control wheel is mounted on the outside of the insertion tube control housing. A brake disc is slidably mounted adjacent the control wheel and is moved in and out of engagement with the wheel by an actuator. A ratchet mechanism acts between the control wheel and the brake disc to apply a restraining force against the wheel when the wheel and the brake disc are in engagement.

Abstract: A shaft for medical instruments, especially for guiding instruments into body cavities, has neighboring segments that are hollow on the inside and that form sections of the shaft. The segments can be adjusted in their positions by means of control wires so that various shaft curvatures can be set, whereby at least two groups of segments can be adjusted independently of one another. The segments of a first group, provided distally, are flexibly linked with each other. A tensioning device provides a variably adjustable spring force to the segments of the second group such that when under low tension, the segments are non-positively locked, and under high tension, the segments are positively locked.