Abstract: A flexible guide tube having a deflectable distal end is disclosed with at least first and second tensioning lines coupled to a deflectable distal end of the flexible guide tube. The first tensioning line is configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a first direction and the second tensioning line is configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. A handle is coupled to flexible tube, the handle having a medial portion with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with at least a portion of the flexible guide tube, a first actuator disposed proximal the medial section, and a second actuator disposed distal the medial section.

Abstract: A medical device holding apparatus having a first arm with a holding portion to hold a medical device; a second arm connected to the rotatable first arm; a base connected to the rotatable second arm and having a support shaft standing in a vertical direction; and a first counterweight portion connected to the second arm, wherein the second arm has a fulcrum around which the second arm is rotatable, and the first counterweight has a slit being connected to the proximal end portion of the second arm for guiding the proximal end portion of the second arm when the second arm is rotated around the fulcrum; and a guide for moving the first counterweight in the vertical direction after the guide receives a force generated when the proximal end portion of the second arm is guided and moved in the slit.

Abstract: Purging of fiber optic conduits in subterranean wells. A downhole optical sensing system includes an optical line, at least two tubular conduits, one conduit being positioned within the other conduit, and the optical line being positioned within at least one of the conduits, and a purging medium flowed in one direction through one conduit, and flowed in an opposite direction between the conduits. A method of purging a downhole optical sensing system includes the steps of: installing at least two conduits and an optical line in a well as part of the sensing system, one conduit being positioned within the other conduit, and the optical line being positioned within at least one of the conduits; and flowing a purging medium through the conduits in the well, so that the purging medium flows in one direction through one conduit and in an opposite direction between the conduits.

Abstract: An enhanced flexibility auxiliary endoscope assembly for use with an endoscope, the assembly including at least one flexible elongate element and a flexible sleeve having a first lumen for accommodating a distal portion of an endoscope capable of assuming at least a first curvature and a second lumen for accommodating the at least one flexible elongate element, the second lumen being configured to allow the at least one flexible elongate element to assume the at least first curvature as well as at least a second curvature about the first curvature, thereby to enhance flexibility of the auxiliary endoscope assembly.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a distal end portion provided at a distal end of an insertion portion that has functions of performing inspection, treatment or observation, a bending portion provided with first and second ends and configured so as to bend in two or more directions by connecting the first end to the distal end portion and connecting a plurality of bending pieces, a bending portion operation unit provided in an operation section connected to a proximal end of the insertion portion that causes the bending portion to perform bending operation and a neutral position restoring elastic member fixed to the first end side and the second end side that generates elasticity for causing the bending portion to restore to a neutral position.

Abstract: Contact between a face to be pressed and a cam face in an interaxial direction T of two inner guide sheaths is set so that a contact width H therebetween is shorter than an interaxial distance L, and so that the contact position is located between axes of the two inner guide sheaths. As a result, even in a case where external diameters of two inner guide sheaths that form a pair are slightly different to each other, a braking member can be tilted to cause a contact face to simultaneously come in contact with the respective inner guide sheaths, and a pressing force from an eccentric cam can be transmitted equally to the respective inner guide sheaths.

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: An image transmission apparatus may include a transmission unit that transmits a moving image compressed by lossy compression as first image data to an external apparatus through wireless communication, the transmission unit transmitting image data corresponding to one image in the moving image as second image data, the second image data being image data compressed at a lower compression rate than the lossy compression or not compressed, an instructing unit that outputs a disconnection signal to disconnect the wireless communication in response to an external manipulation, and a control unit that receives the disconnection signal from the instructing unit, the control unit controlling to disconnect the wireless communication in the transmission unit after the transmission of the second image data in the transmission unit has been completed.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a curving operation portion which performs a curving operation of a curving portion by rotating around a pivot shaft in a first rotation direction and in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction from a neutral position where the curving portion is in a non-curved neutral state, a first operation wire which is pulled by the curving operation in the curving operation portion to curve the curving portion in the second curving direction, and a second operation wire which is pulled by the curving operation in the curving operation portion to curve the curving portion in the first curving direction. The endoscope includes a wire crossing portion in which the second operation wire crosses the first operation wire, and a movement regulating portion which regulates the movement of the wire crossing portion from within the operation portion into the insertion portion.

Abstract: A steerable, tendon-driven endoscope is described herein. The endoscope has an elongated body with a manually or selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controlled, segmented proximal portion. The steerable distal portion and the segment of the controllable portion are actuated by at least two tendons. As the endoscope is advanced, the user maneuvers the distal portion, and a motion controller actuates tendons in the segmented proximal portion so that the proximal portion assumes the selected curve of the selectively steerable distal portion. By this method the selected curves are propagated along the endoscope body so that the endoscope largely conforms to the pathway selected. When the endoscope is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves can propagate distally along the endoscope body. This allows the endoscope to negotiate tortuous curves along a desired path through or around and between organs within the body.

Abstract: An insertion instrument and an endoscope are provided that include: a bending portion provided in an insertion portion; a flexible tube portion connected in series to a proximal end side of the bending portion; an inside guide pipe provided inside the insertion portion, and inside which a wire is inserted to freely advance and retract; and an outside guide pipe provided inside the insertion portion, and inside which the inside guide pipe is inserted to freely advance and retract. Inside the insertion portion, a distal end of the inside guide pipe is fixed to a midway position of the bending portion, and a proximal end of the inside guide pipe is configured to be switchable between a fixed state and a non-fixed state. Further, inside the insertion portion, a distal end of the outside guide pipe is fixed to a distal end of a flexible tube portion, and a proximal end thereof is fixed at a more rearward position than the flexible tube portion.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising a pulley, an insertion portion having a steerable section and a control wire connecting the pulley to the steerable section for controlling movement of the steerable section. A portion of the control wire extends around the pulley, and the endoscope further comprises a cover for controlling slack in the wire. The cover is mounted on the pulley such that it is able to rotate with the pulley.

Abstract: An operating wire is inserted in a close-contact coil in a bendable tube portion through a flexible tube portion. The close-contact coil is such that a fixed portion is provided at the position of a bending piece which is placed at the most base end of the bendable tube portion, and that a close-contact coil extension portion having been put in a non-fixed state extends from the fixed portion in the bendable tube portion. A part between a fixed portion and the fixed portion of the close-contact coil is a remote control cable for transmitting an amount of pushing and pulling an operating wire when operating an operating wire. A close-contact coil extension portion extended from the fixed portion at the side of a tip end of the close-contact coil functions as a positioning guide section for holding the operating wire so as to prevent the operating wire from being displaced in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A rotational force transmission mechanism has: a rotation-inputting member freely rotative and driven in a predetermined first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction by a predetermined operating member; a first rotation-transmitting member for receiving a rotational driving force supplied from the rotation-inputting member in the first direction; a second rotation-transmitting member, disposed to face the first rotation-transmitting member, for receiving a rotational driving force supplied from the rotation-inputting member in the second direction; a connection section disposed so that the rotational force acts in the direction in which the first rotation-transmitting member and the second rotation-transmitting member face each other, the connection section in the facing position transfers the rotational driving force received by the first rotation-transmitting member in the first direction to the second rotation-transmitting member and transfers the rotational driving force received by

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 endoscope having an insertion portion including a bending portion, an actuator that extends or contracts according to application of a driving voltage and that bends the bending portion, a bending instruction operation portion for outputting, to the actuator, an instruction signal of a bending direction and a bending amount so that the bending portion performs a bending action by an arbitrary amount from a reference direction in which the bending portion is not bent to an arbitrary direction, and a control portion for performing control to apply the actuator with a driving voltage to cause the actuator to extend or contract in a predetermined direction and by a predetermined amount so that the bending portion performs a returning action in the reference direction when detecting the instruction signal outputted by the bending instruction operation portion for returning the bending portion to the reference direction.

Abstract: An endoscope including a shaft having a deflectable distal end; a main section at a proximal end of the shaft, where the main section forms a handle of the endoscope; and a deflection control connected to the distal end. The deflection control includes a combined lock and deflection control member at the main section comprising a control lever pivotably connected to the main section at a pivot and extending away from the pivot in a general cantilever fashion, and a lock lever pivotably connected to the control lever. A first end of the lock lever is configured to contact the main section. A second end of the lock lever is configured to be pressed inward on the control lever towards the main section to pivot the first end out of contact -with the main 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 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: A flexible segment system including: a first link; a first flexible hinge integral to the first link; and a second link integral to and continuing from the first flexible hinge.

Abstract: An insertion instrument which is connected to a manipulating head grip is composed of an elongated flexible tube section, an articular section and a rigid tip end section in series from a proximal end which is connected to the manipulating head grip. The articular section can be flexed in an arbitrary direction by way of a flexion control means which is provided on the manipulating head grip. A flexible tube straightening means is provided internally of the flexible tube section to straighten the same into a rectilinear form. The flexible tube straightening means is activated into a straightening action in interlinked relation with a flexing operation of the flexion control means.

Abstract: A medical device having a flexible shaft is provided, the flexible shaft including an active deflection section. The medical device also includes at least one control wire passing through at least a portion of the flexible shaft such that actuation of the at least one control wire causes deflection of the active deflection section of the flexible shaft. At least one control wire guide is provided which surrounds the at least one control wire along at least a portion of a length thereof. The at least one control wire guide is formed from a superelastic metal alloy and is configured as a helical 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: A sheath useful for remote steering, guidance and/or manipulation of a flexible instrument, including e.g. an endoscope, received through the sheath.

Abstract: In this invention, a drum around which an insertion portion is wound is integrally housed in a carrying case, and a cylinder for supplying a fluid to a hydropneumatic actuator and a solenoid valve unit for controlling the application of a hydropneumatic pressure are housed in the carrying case or drum. In addition, a joystick for operating the controlled variables of the solenoid valve unit can be housed in the carrying case.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus for an electric bending endoscope includes an actuating member switchable between a connection position to bring a clutch mechanism into a connection state and a release position to bring the clutch mechanism into a release state, the actuating member being interlocked with the clutch mechanism, an electric drive mechanism being interlocked with the actuating member, and a manual drive mechanism including an operation member manually switchable to at least one of a connection drive position to bring the actuating member into the connection position and a release drive position to bring the actuating member into the release position, and a selective actuation transmission mechanism provided between the operation member and the actuating member and to transmit the actuation of the operation member to the actuating member and absorb the actuation of the actuating member without transmitting the actuation to the operation member.

Abstract: Driving force of a bending motor is transmitted to a sprocket via a clutch mechanism portion. The operation of a switching operation lever switches the clutch mechanism portion to a disconnecting/restoring status. A bending control device includes a bending angle calculating portion which calculates information on a bending status based on an output signal of a potentiometer, a motor driving signal generating portion which generates a driving signal for bending a bending portion, a JS-motor driving signal generating portion which calculates a position for an instructing status of a stick portion based on the information on the bending status and generates the driving signal for moving the stick portion to the position, and a calibration instructing portion which receives a position signal from a status detecting switch and which sends an instruction for outputting to a JS motor, the driving signal generated by the JS-motor driving signal generating portion.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided with a centering control section and a centering button. The centering control section is configured to control a bending mechanism in such a manner as to return a bendable portion to a neutral position where the bendable portion is substantially linear. The centering button is used for entering an instruction for controlling the centering control section. The endoscope is also provided with a personal computer configured to change the bend the bendable portion should have when the bendable portion is returned to the neutral position. The bend is changed in accordance with a bending characteristic variance the bendable portion may undergo in each bending direction.

Abstract: The electric bending endoscope device according to the present invention comprises: an endoscope having a bending portion; a bending control mechanism for electrically driving the bending portion of the endoscope; a power source voltage monitoring portion for monitoring the source voltage supplied to this bending control mechanism; and a change-over switch for releasing the bent state of the bending portion, when the above-mentioned bending portion is in a bent state, on the basis of an output signal from the source voltage monitoring portion.

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: An endoscope for endotracheal intubation includes an elongated insertion section having a handle operation section, a bending operation mechanism and a bending mechanism for bending the insertion section, the bending mechanism including a long elastic member having one end positioned near the distal end portion of the insertion section and the other end fixedly coupled to the bending operation mechanism, a push-pull member having one end positioned near the distal end portion of the insertion section and the other end connected to the bending mechanism, a hollow member for coupling together distal end portions of the elastic member and the push-pull member so as to cause the portions to oppose each other along a bending direction, wherein the distal end portions of the elastic member and the push-pull member, which are coupled together with the hollow member, are provided integrally so as to provide a free end.

Abstract: A cylindrical surface on which an insertion portion where a curving portion is provided is wound for containing is formed in a drum portion rotatably supported by a fulcrum. Inside the cylindrical surface, an electric drive unit such as motors moving back and forth manipulation wires transmitting driving forces curving the curving portion is contained. By instructing a curving direction with a joy stick provided through a cable outside the drum portion, the curving portion is curved in a desired direction through the electric drive unit. A monitor displaying an image to be observed through a cable is located outside the drum portion.

Abstract: An endoscope for intubating an endotracheal tube includes an elongated insertion portion including at least an image transmitting optical fiber bundle, an illumination light transmitting optical fiber bundle, and a bendable element, an operation portion connected to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion, a bending operation mechanism provided in the operation portion, an endotracheal tube connection section provided in the vicinity of a joint between the insertion portion and the operation portion; and a bendable element for bending the insertion portion provided so as to extend from the inside of the insertion portion to the bending operation mechanism.

Abstract: A hearing aid is configured and dimensioned so as to be inserted past the cartilaginous part of the external auditory canal (external acoustic meatus) and into the bony part of the external auditory canal. The outer portion of the hearing aid fits snugly into the cartilaginous part of the external auditory canal; the microphone is located at the acoustic focus of the ear such that the natural sound and direction gathering functions of the human outer ear are fully utilized by the hearing aid. The inner portion of the hearing aid is articularly joined to the outer portion to enable the inner portion to be positioned past the sigmoid portion of the external auditory canal and forms a soft covered, elongated speaker which fits within part of the bony part of the external auditory canal, without causing discomfort to the human user.

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: 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: Plural contents such as a light guide and a forceps tube, which are inserted into an insertion part of an endoscope, are connected with each other via an elastic member such as thin wall tubes, etc. at one or more positions in the insertion part. The elastic member changes its form with the dislocation of the contents in the longitudinal direction of the insertion part resulting from the bending of the insertion part. If the insertion part is straightened, the contents are restored to their original positions by the restitutive force of the elastic 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: An endoscope is disclosed which is flexible at least section-wise and comprises at least one picture guide with an objective arranged at the distal side, and an eyepiece as well as a light guide arranged at the proximal side and a shank surrounding these components. The shank is made from a superelastic material and is dimensioned such that the endoscope is automatically restored to its original shape.

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 curvature section provided in an insertable section is curved in response to a curving instructing signal output by the operation of a curving operating switch. In case the curving operating switch is of a joy stick type having an operating lever, in response to the operation of a switching switch, a mode in which the inclination angle of the operating lever is held and a mode in which the inclination angle of the operating lever is returned to a neutral position in which it is zero will be switched and the curvature section will be of a curvature angle following the inclination angle of the operating lever.In case the curving operating switch is of a joy pad type comprising a plurality of on/off switches, in response to the operation of the switching switch, the curvature instructing signal will be held or reset.

Abstract: In an endoscope tube system, an elastically bendable section is constructed of individual members spaced with respect to one another. A stabilizing spring band and a tension spring band are provided. The spring bands extend in a mutually opposite manner axially along the circumferential area of the individual members and at least one of the bands have a natural curvature which is opposite to the bending direction of the bendable section. The individual members are fixed on the stabilizing spring band, while the tension spring band is only connected with the most forward individual member. This construction of the bendable section requires no tension cables and is therefore operationally reliable, easy to take apart, and easy to clean.

Abstract: A minimally intrusive endoscope having a deflectable tip. A remotely bendable section adjacent a distal viewing tip enables movement of the tip between a neutral position and angularly disposed positions. A deflection control lever on a proximal control member causes deflection of the viewing tip by means of two sets of operating cables which are operatively connected at one end to the control member and at the other end to axially spaced locations along the controllably bendable section. The control member includes a mechanism for sequentially displacing cables within each set. The operating cables are constructed of flat ribbons to increase their flexibility in the bending plane while still providing axial strength. The wires are closely encased in an oval-shaped sheath along the length of the endoscope.