Abstract: An electric bending endoscope device includes an endoscope with a driving unit, a control unit and an operation portion with a bending instruction portion. The operation portion includes a correction algorithm calculating portion in which the output range of instruction signal of the joystick is converted to coincide with the predetermined output range of the bending instruction portion instruction-signal being the operation signal outputted by the operation portion according to the joystick being the bending instruction portion to be fitted to the operation portion, to generate the bending instruction portion operation-signal.

Abstract: In the present invention, a logical block of an FPGA is configured by a serial communication unit, a serial communication control portion, an EEPROM controller, an abnormal signal processing portion, an LED controller, an operation mode controller, a DPRAM, a clutch signal input portion, a jig substrate input output portion, a RAM, a motor controller, a motor drive waveform generating portion, an RL (right and left) motor current F/B portion, a UD (up and down) motor current F/B portion, a potentiometer control portion, a thermistor control portion, an RL encoder control portion, a UD encoder control portion, and an FPGA block abnormality monitoring portion.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion having a bending portion, a base portion connected to the insertion portion, an operation wire extending from the bending portion toward the base portion, a drive source unit which is provided in the base portion, and a drive force transmission unit which is connected to the operation wire and the drive source unit. The drive source unit includes a first frame, a second frame, a motor, a gear box and a potentiometer. The gear box includes a horizontal power transmission mechanism for horizontally transmitting power from the motor, and an epicyclic gear mechanism for vertically transmitting power from the horizontal power transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A flexible endoscope providing increased control to an operator or user, the flexible endoscope utilizing an ionic polymeric material positioned in the shaft of the endoscope, such that, upon application of an electrical current to the ionic polymeric material, the material contracts and becomes relatively rigid. The flexible endoscope may further include mechanical controls for control of the flexible shaft allowing the user to simultaneously actuate both the polymeric material and mechanically deflect the shaft.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus comprises: an endoscope in which a bending section is provided in its elongated insertion section; control wires stretching out of the bending section; a drive unit, which is attached to and removed from the endoscope; a pulling apparatus, which is provided in the endoscope for performing bending operations of the bending section by pulling the control wires; an installation device for installing the pulling apparatus in the drive unit; and a transmission device, which is installed in the drive unit and the pulling apparatus so as to be attached and removed at will, separate from the installation device, for transmitting the driving force from the drive source to the pulling apparatus.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus including an internal unit, adapted to be advanced into a gastrointestinal tract of a patient so as to enable inspection of the tract, an anchor unit, adapted to be held in a position outside the gastrointestinal tract and a flexible sleeve, having a proximal end fixed to the anchor and a distal end fixed to the internal unit, wherein at least a portion of the sleeve between the proximal end distal ends is held initially in a compact state at the internal unit and is arranged to feed out from the internal unit as the internal unit is advanced into the gastrointestinal tract. A method for endoscopic examination is also disclosed.

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 catheter employing fluid force to steer and/or shape the catheter. In one particular implementation, the catheter includes at least one actuating lumen operably associated with the shaft of the catheter. The at least one actuating lumen is in fluid communication with a valve or other fluid control means at its proximal end. The at least one actuating lumen extends along the length of the catheter shaft and terminates at some point along the length of the shaft. Upon introduction of fluid into the actuating lumen, the fluid creates a force which causes the catheter to bend. As such, fluid may be used to steer and/or shape the catheter.

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: An electric bending endoscope includes a bending portion arranged to an inserting portion and a bending driving unit which bends the bending portion. In the electric bending endoscope, the bending driving unit includes a motor which generates driving force for bending the bending portion, a first unit which holds the motor, a driving force transmitting member which transmits the driving force of the motor, and a second unit which bends the bending portion by the driving force of the motor. The electric bending endoscope further includes a first holding member which detachably supports, to the first unit, a rotating shaft arranged to the driving force transmitting member of the second unit.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus including an internal unit, adapted to be advanced into a gastrointestinal tract of a patient so as to enable inspection of the tract, an anchor unit, adapted to be held in a position outside the gastrointestinal tract and a flexible sleeve, having a proximal end fixed to the anchor and a distal end fixed to the internal unit, wherein at least a portion of the sleeve between the proximal end distal ends is held initially in a compact state at the internal unit and is arranged to feed out from the internal unit as the internal unit is advanced into the gastrointestinal tract. A method for endoscopic examination is also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscope whose bending section is moved with supply or discharge of fluid comprises: a fluid-pressure actuator that is included as a bending section in an insertion unit and has fluid chambers associated with a plurality of bending directions; and fluid supply tubes over which fluid is supplied from a fluid pressure source to the respective fluid chambers of the fluid-pressure actuator or fluid supplied to the respective fluid chambers is discharged. The fluid-pressure actuator comprises: a soft multi-lumen tube that has a center through hole and a plurality of penetrating holes which surrounds the center through hole and which realizes the fluid chambers; an internal tubular member that is inserted in the center through hole; and an external tubular member that is put on the periphery of the multi-lumen tube with a gap, which allows each fluid chamber to axially stretch and radially slightly expand during supply of fluid to the fluid chamber and thus eases bending, created between them.

Abstract: An electrically-bent endoscope includes a bend driving portion for bending a bending portion. The bend driving portion has a motor for generating driving force, a gear train for transmitting driving force generated in the motor, a sprocket for converting driving force of the motor to a back and forth movement of bending operation wires for bending the bending portion at the head portion of an inserting portion, and a clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting driving force transmitted from the gear train to the sprocket. The clutch mechanism includes a transmitting member for connecting and disconnecting the gear train and sprocket, a thrust mechanism for moving the transmitting member in the axial direction of the sprocket and a clutch operating member, connected to the thrust mechanism, for inputting instructions for connecting and disconnecting the gear train and the sprocket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoscope shaft comprising a movable distal end portion which is bendable by means of an operating device, the distal end portion having at least one decentralized hose member extending along the distal end portion, said hose member being integrally formed of a plurality of directly superimposed expansion bellows and forming a continuous pressure chamber so as to expand in the longitudinal direction when pressure is applied.

Abstract: The positioning, intervention, and/or exploration device has two endpieces (6a-6d, 7) and at least one cable (20) extending from one endpiece to the other (6a-6d, 7), it has at least two bellows (10) each fixed directly to both of the endpieces and it has means (12, 18) for modifying the pressure of a fluid in each of the bellows independently of the other bellows.

Abstract: An electric bending endoscope according to the present invention includes a bending portion arranged to an inserting portion, a bending driving mechanism which electrically bends the bending portion, an operation input member which instructs an operation to the bending driving mechanism so that the bending driving mechanism bends the bending portion, and a bending angle holding mechanism which holds the bending angle of the bending portion.

Abstract: A cylindrical proximal unit is disposed at the proximal end of an elongated insertion unit that has a CCD incorporated in a distal part thereof and that has a bending section. A light source unit, a circuit for producing a CCD driving signal in response to a signal received from an external unit by radio, and a motor unit for electrically driving the bending section are incorporated in the proximal unit. Thus, a light guide cable need not be led out of the proximal unit. This leads to easy operation. Moreover, by manipulating an operation unit separated from an endoscope, a motor included in the motor unit is driven by radio via a scope interface unit.

Abstract: A control mechanism for automatically steering the distal end of an endoscope into a body cavity. During advancement of the endoscope, the control mechanism directs the distal tip to be moved in a sweep pattern. Images obtained during the sweep pattern are combined and analyzed in order to determine the desired direction of advancement of the endoscope. The distal end of the endoscope is then oriented in the direction of the desired advancement direction. An autoexamination feature can be activated that automatically moves the distal tip in a desired sweep pattern. Images of a body cavity are obtained during each sweep pattern for analysis by the physician.

Abstract: An electric bending endoscope having a traction-member operating device according to the present invention has traction members each of whose one end portion is fixed to and extends from a distal end portion of a long and narrow inserting portion, a pulley forming multiple peripheral recesses in which middle parts of the traction members are wound and are located in predetermined states, respectively, a motor for rotating, in a predetermined direction, the pulley in the state where the traction members are wound and are located, an arm member having a plurality of arm members to which base end portions of the traction members wound and located in the peripheral recesses of the pulley and extended therefrom are fixed, and an operation instructing lever to which the arm member is integrally fixed and having an operating portion for changing a slanting direction and a slanting amount to instruct to move a predetermined traction member from the plurality of traction members by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus and method of operating the same. The endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope portion and a control and display unit. The endoscope portion preferably comprises: (i) a sensor disposed at a distal end of the endoscope portion and providing endoscope data; (ii) one or more electronically controlled actuators (e.g., electroactive polymer actuators) controlling the operation of the endoscope portion based on received control signals; (iii) a first wireless transceiver coupled to the sensor and the one or more electronically controlled actuators, transmitting received endoscope data from the sensor and forwarding received control signals to the one or more electronically controlled actuators; and (iv) a portable power source (e.g., a battery) coupled to the sensor, the first wireless transceiver, and the one or more electronically controller actuators.

Abstract: A hauling unit hauls a subject to bend or rotate the subject. A control unit outputs a control signal that corresponds to a target value that is input by an operating unit. The control unit controls a variation amount of the control signal output in a predetermined range including a position of the hauling unit in a state before the hauling unit hauls to be greater than a variation amount of the control signal output outside the predetermined range. A driving unit drives the hauling unit based on the control signal.

Abstract: An improved colonoscope and method of removing or adding non-distal fluid from the colon during colonoscopy using a colonoscope. The colonoscope having at least a distal port and a non-distal port or plurality of non-distal ports to remove fluid from a shared channel within the colonoscope. Utilizing multiple ultrasound probes to determine a three dimensional image of anatomy behind the wall of a colon. Using microprocessors, motors to tighten/release wires of the colonoscope. Method of using an external joystick and a joystick on a handle of a colonoscope to effect navigation.

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: According to the present invention, an endoscope system having an insertion member thereof wound about a drum comprises an electronic endoscope, a drum, an angling input unit, a motor-driven angling unit, a camera control unit, a motor-driven angling control circuit unit, and a stowage case. A bending section included in an insertion member of the electronic endoscope is motor-driven to bend, and a solid-state imaging device is incorporated at the tip of the insertion member. The insertion member is wound about the periphery of the drum. The angling input unit is separated from the electronic endoscope, and used to enter a direction of bending in which a user wants to bend the bending section. The motor-driven angling unit is incorporated in the drum, and includes a driving source for driving a driving mechanism that drives the bending section.

Abstract: An electric bending endoscope apparatus includes an electric bending endoscope, a bending control device for controlling a bending direction and the amount of bending of a bending portion based on a bending instructing signal outputted from a track ball in the electric bending endoscope, an image processing device for generating an observing image captured by the electric bending endoscope to a video signal, and a display device for displaying the video signal generated by the image processing device as an endoscope image, wherein the electric bending endoscope includes a bending driving portion for bending the bending portion arranged at an inserting portion, a bending motive portion for driving the bending driving portion, a portion for restoring transmission and disconnection of driving force that reversibly switches a status for transmitting the driving force by transmitting the driving force of the bending motive portion to the bending driving portion and a status for disconnecting the driving force, a p

Abstract: The endoscope system comprises a endoscope in which a bendable portion is motor bendable; an operation switch for giving an instruction as to a bending amount; 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 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 power generating means depending on said difference, and causing the thus selected means to drive motor so as to bend the bendable portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoscope shaft comprising a movable distal end portion which is bendable by means of an operating device, the distal end portion having at least one decentralized hose member extending along the distal end portion, said hose member being integrally formed of a plurality of directly superimposed expansion bellows and forming a continuous pressure chamber so as to expand in the longitudinal direction when pressure is applied.

Abstract: The positioning, intervention, and/or exploration device has two endpieces (6a-6d, 7) and at least one cable (20) extending from one endpiece to the other (6a-6d, 7), it has at least two bellows (10) each fixed directly to both of the endpieces and it has means (12, 18) for modifying the pressure of a fluid in each of the bellows independently of the other bellows.

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: A transesophageal probe with variable stiffness has a probe head connected to a distal end of an endoscope. A flexible tube is secured to the endoscope. Finally, a semi-rigid rod is slidably disposed within the flexible tube. Advancing or retracting the semi-rigid rod within the flexible tube allows the operator to vary the stiffness of the transesophageal probe.

Abstract: An electric bending endoscope having a traction-member operating device according to the present invention has traction members each of whose one end portion is fixed to and extends from a distal end portion of a long and narrow inserting portion, a pulley forming multiple peripheral recesses in which middle parts of the traction members are wound and are located in predetermined states, respectively, a motor for rotating, in a predetermined direction, the pulley in the state where the traction members are wound and are located, an arm member having a plurality of arm members to which base end portions of the traction members wound and located in the peripheral recesses of the pulley and extended therefrom are fixed, and an operation instructing lever to which the arm member is integrally fixed and having an operating portion for changing a slanting direction and a slanting amount to instruct to move a predetermined traction member from the plurality of traction members by a predetermined amount.

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 fully-swallowable endoscopic system includes a rod-shaped endoscope body which can be swallowed entirely by a patient to be examined so as to be placed in a body cavity, the rod-shaped endoscope body including at least one bendable portion which is bendable along a curve of the body cavity; and an external device provided separately from the rod-shaped endoscope body having no mechanical connection with the rod-shaped endoscope body. The rod-shaped endoscope body is provided therein with at least two light emitters; at least two observing systems; a transmitter for transmitting a radio wave which carries an image formed by the observing system; and a power supplying device. The external device includes a receiver for receiving the radio wave which carries the image.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided which comprises an elongated body adapted for insertion into a body lumen, and a plurality of electrically controlled actuators associated with the body which are controllable to impart an orientation to the body that is complimentary to the natural orientation of the lumen into which the endoscope is inserted.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus and method of operating the same. The endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope portion and a control and display unit. The endoscope portion preferably comprises: (i) a sensor disposed at a distal end of the endoscope portion and providing endoscope data; (ii) one or more electronically controlled actuators (e.g., electroactive polymer actuators) controlling the operation of the endoscope portion based on received control signals; (iii) a first wireless transceiver coupled to the sensor and the one or more electronically controlled actuators, transmitting received endoscope data from the sensor and forwarding received control signals to the one or more electronically controlled actuators; and (iv) a portable power source (e.g., a battery) coupled to the sensor, the first wireless transceiver, and the one or more electronically controller actuators.

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 self-propelled colonoscope (1) includes an insertion tube (5) having a distal section (11), a bending section (13) and a flexible section (15), an operation unit (7) and driving unit. A plurality of endless belts (17) are arranged at the surface of the flexible section (15). Each endless belt (17) passes out to the surface of the flexible section (15) through a guide hole near the tip of the flexible section (15) by driving a driving unit mounted at a driving casing. The colonoscope is self-propelled into the colon by driving the endless belt (17). A length of the endless belt is 102 to 104% of the length of such as endless belt, when the endless belt tensely turns around, from the guide hole near the tip of the flexible section to the same hole, through the driving unit, while the flexible section (15) is maintained straight.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope shaft comprising a movable distal end portion and an operating device which is operatively connected through the endoscope shaft with the distal end portion for the operation thereof. The distal end portion comprises a plurality of longitudinally stacked swelling bodies, two of which at a time are located diametrically with respect to each other and form a layer and two longitudinally directly adjacent pairs of bodies of which at a time are phase-shifted by 90°.

Abstract: Endoscopic apparatus which advances within a lumen (40) includes a probe (20) having distal and proximal ends and a flexible sleeve (26) coupled proximally to the probe. The sleeve is inflated in order to propel the probe within the lumen. The probe typically includes an imaging device (28), which captures images inside the lumen.

Abstract: An endoscope device includes an inserting portion having a curving portion, electric motors for generating driving forces for curving the curving portion, an operation unit for controlling the drive of the electric motors, a universal cord the base end of which is connected to an endoscope external unit, a coupling member with which the respective one ends of the inserting portion and the universal cord are coupled and which has a treatment tool inserting port, a holding unit for holding the coupling member, and a holding member for disposing the holding unit at a predetermined position of an operation bed. According to this arrangement, the operability of a surgeon can be improved by improving not only a curving operability but also the insertion operability of an inserting portion and the operability of a treatment tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for pneumatic control of an endoscope for ultrasonic examination, the apparatus preferably including a collar, the collar being placed around the endoscope and comprising at least one chamber for receiving a fluid. The apparatus may also include at least one supply for the fluid, and may be provided in combination with an endoscope for ultrasonic examination.

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: The invention relates to an endoscope shaft comprising a movable distal end portion and an operating device which is operatively connected through the endoscope shaft with the distal end portion for the operation thereof. The distal end portion comprises a plurality of longitudinally stacked swelling bodies, two of which at a time are located diametrically with respect to each other and form a layer and two longitudinally directly adjacent pairs of bodies of which at a time are phase-shifted by 90°.

Abstract: An endoscope system comprises an endoscope for industrial use, a remote control unit, a light source unit, a CCU, a motor-driven angling unit, a drum rotation variable resistor, a power supply unit, a buzzer, and a microphone. These apparatuses constituting a basic system are controlled by a system control CPU incorporated in a control unit. The system control CPU in the control unit is connected to an angle control CPU in the motor-driven angling unit and a DSP control CPU in the CCU over signal lines. Moreover, the system control CPU is connected to a remote control CPU in the remote control unit through a connector over a signal line. Consequently, the complex functions of the apparatuses are controlled in a centralized manner. This results in improved ease of use.

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: Disclosed is a bio-electic interface adapter with at least two large area defibrilation electrodes and sufficient smaller precordial electrodes present therein to allow standard twelve lead ECG monitoring. The defibrillation electrodes can be affixed to the bioelectric interface via perforations, or by a functionally similar approach, to allow easy detachment in use. The bioelectric interface adaptor preferably has an undulated outer edge geometry, and provides electrodes for forming limb leads, optionally allowing use of the defibrillation electrodes as Right Arm and Left Leg electrodes. Limb lead forming electrodes are preferable affixed via perforations, or by a functionally similar approach, to allow easy detachment and deployment to conventional limb electrode locations, in use.

Abstract: A surgical positioning device that includes a body having a first un-stressed configuration and at least one fluid channel to receive a fluid. The at least one fluid channel is constructed and arranged to transform the body of the surgical positioning device from the first un-stressed configuration to a second configuration when fluid is forced into the at least one fluid channel. The surgical positioning device can include one or more working channels that permit surgical devices to be remotely positioned by the surgical positioning device by adjusting an amount of fluid forced into the at least one fluid channel.

Abstract: A robotic endoscope for performing endoscopic procedures in a tubular organ comprising: (a) a plurality of segments, connected together by a plurality of flexible articulated joints, having a distal end; (b) a plurality of flexible linear actuators attached, skewed sideways with respect to the longitudinal axis of said robot, circumferentially round each segment; (c) a central cavity running longitudinally through said robotic endoscope which houses a plurality of optical fibres, a water/air hose, an instrumentation channel and a plurality of electrical wires associated with an imaging means being mounted at the distal end of the robotic endoscope; and (d) a network of tributary channels for the distribution of pressure to said linear actuators. The present invention is also applicable to an autonomous pipe robot.

Abstract: A self-propelled colonoscope comprises control part and an insertion tube including a distal part, a bending part, and a flexible part. The distal part is equipped with an image pickup element. Two or more endless belts each of which is circular in cross section extend along the surface of the flexible part from a guide hole positioned at a distance of less than 3 cm from the distal end of the flexible part to the control part. The endless belts are driven by a driving mechanism located at the control part. They are guided from the inner surface of the flexible part to the outer surface through the guide hole. The endless belts are held by guide hooks which are arranged on the outer surface of the flexible part. The length of each endless belt is equal to about 105% to 150% of an imaginary endless belt fully tensioned and extending from said control part to a respective guide hole. The colonoscope can be easily, safely and rapidly inserted into the colon without causing pain to a patient.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising an endoscope shaft (2) having in the front end portion a movable section, with the endoscope shaft (2) having provided therein at least one miniaturized electric drive member (22) for moving the movable section (4).