Abstract: A surgical saw includes a body, a coupling assembly, and a motor. The coupling assembly is mounted to the body and adapted to releasably hold a saw blade. The coupling assembly includes an anvil, a press, and a clamping assembly. The anvil has a channel or a press foot. The press has the other of the press foot and the channel. The press foot is receivable by the channel. The clamping assembly selectively moves the press and the anvil towards and away from each other. When the press is brought towards the anvil, the press foot may press a lock tooth of the saw blade into the channel so that the lock tooth is compressed between the anvil and the press to coin the lock tooth. The motor, internal to the body, is connected to the coupling assembly to reciprocate the coupling assembly and the saw blade.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope, a display device, and a cable interconnecting the endoscope and the display device. The endoscope includes an elongated body extending distally from a handle. An image sensor is disposed within a distal portion of the elongated body, a lens is disposed at a distal end of the elongated body, and a light source including one or more light emitting elements is integrated into the distal end of the elongated body and positioned radially outward of the lens. An integrated processor is disposed within the handle.

Abstract: A protective sleeve comprises a housing configured to fit over a portion of an intraoral scanning device and protect the intraoral scanning device from an external environment. The intraoral scanning device comprises a first aperture for transmission of optical signals, the housing defines a second aperture for transmission of the optical signals, and the second aperture is aligned with the first aperture when the housing is fit over the portion. The protective housing comprises one or more supports attached to the housing and a transparent element secured by the one or more supports and aligned with the second aperture. The transparent element is further aligned with a defogging element of the intraoral scanning device when the housing is fit over the portion, and an external surface of the transparent element is to receive heat generated by the defogging element to prevent fogging of the transparent element.

Abstract: A visual system for laparoscopy comprising a visual device having a visual head member and an elongated connector; a manipulation device having a handheld operation portion, an insertion portion and a first contact element; and an external device comprising means to communicate with the vision head member, via the first contact element, when the elongated connector is mounted in an lumen of the insertion portion. The insertion portion of the manipulation device is configured to be extendable out from a body cavity through an airtight passage whereby the elongated connector is configured to be slidably mounted into the lumen of the insertion portion outside of the body cavity upon the insertion portion is withdrawn into the body cavity.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a distal end rigid member, a distal end member, an optical unit, an opening provided in the distal end member, and a ring-shaped molded member configured to engage with a ring-shaped space formed between an outer circumferential surface in the distal end portion in an axial direction of the optical member and an inner circumferential surface in the opening of the distal end member, inclined from the distal end face of the distal end member toward the distal end face on an outer circumferential surface of the optical member throughout a whole circumference.

Abstract: An endoscope with a flexible endoscope shaft has an endoscope head arranged at its distal end. The endoscope head is a sleeve, open at both end faces. Functional units, such as an optical system, a working channel, an illumination and a cooling system for the illumination are accommodated in the endoscope head. The cooling system has a heat exchanger integrally formed with the sleeve in the latter which forms a closed cooling chamber for generating a coolant flow. The illumination, which is in the form of an external conductor plate supporting an illumination means, is arranged adjacent to the distal end wall of the heat exchanger, to discharge thermal energy via the end wall of the heat exchanger to the coolant flow. The external conductor plate is mechanically supported on, or has only a minimum distance from, the heat exchanger end wall.

Abstract: There is provided herein a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the tip section comprising: a front looking camera and a front discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the Field Of View (FOV) of said front looking camera; a right side looking camera and a right discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the FOV of said right side looking camera; a left side looking camera and a left discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the FOV of said left side looking camera; and a multi component cover configured to cover and seal said tip section such as to essentially prevent entry of fluids from the environment of said endoscope to inner parts of said tip section.

Abstract: An ultrasound endoscope includes: an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a subject; a distal end portion provided at a distal end of the insertion portion and including at least one fitting groove; an ultrasound transducer unit configured to be attachable to and detachable from the distal end portion and including at least one projecting portion configured to be freely fitted into the fitting groove and projecting outside in a diameter direction K of the distal end portion; and a gap for removal of the ultrasound transducer unit, the gap being formed between the projecting portion fitted in the fitting groove and the fitting groove.

Abstract: Devices and methods for profiling microbiota of skin are described which include a hand-held microbe profiling device including a housing defining an opening, the housing including at least one rotatable component at least partially disposed in the opening defined by the housing, an elongated flexible strip disposed on an outer surface of the at least one rotatable component, the outer surface of the elongated flexible strip positioned to contact one or more regions of a skin surface of an individual through the opening defined by the housing, a location-capture component to detect a location of one or more regions of the skin surface as the elongated flexible strip contacts said one or more regions, at least one sensor component to detect one or more signals emitted or reflected from the elongated flexible strip, and a computing component to associate the location of said one or more regions of the skin surface and the detected one or more signals.

Abstract: Devices and methods for profiling microbiota of skin are described which include a microbe profiling device including a device head and a hand-held housing, the device head including an epidermis-engaging component and an access window and configured to dislodge microbes from a skin surface, and the hand-held housing defining an opening aligned with the access window, the hand-held housing including a motor operably coupled to a motivatable component, a substrate disposed in relation to the motivatable component and including signal-generating complexes, a location-capture component to detect a location of one or more regions of the skin surface as the epidermis-engaging component contacts said one or more regions, at least one sensor component to detect one or more signals emitted from the signal-generating complexes, and a computing component including circuitry to associate the location of said one or more regions of the skin surface and the detected one or more signals.

Abstract: Devices and methods for profiling microbiota of skin are described which include a microbe profiling device including a device head and a hand-held housing, the device head including an epidermis-engaging component and an access window and configured to dislodge microbes from a skin surface, and the hand-held housing defining an opening aligned with the access window, the hand-held housing including a motor operably coupled to a motivatable component, a substrate disposed in relation to the motivatable component and including a microbe-capture region, a location-capture component to detect a location of one or more regions of the skin surface as the epidermis-engaging component contacts said one or more regions, at least one sensor component to detect one or more signals emitted or reflected from the microbe-capture region, and a computing component including circuitry to associate the location of said one or more regions of the skin surface and the detected one or more signals.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for an endoscope having an endoscope tube is provided. The protective sleeve of certain embodiments can include a tubular main body for holding a distal section of the endoscope tube. The main body has an open proximal end and a cover glass at the distal end. The cover glass has a spherically curved, concave inside, a spherically curved, convex outside and a constant thickness.

Abstract: The current invention relates to an endoscope having a distal end being arranged to be inserted into a body cavity of a patient to be examined and a proximal end which is arranged to be held by the user of the endoscope. The endoscope further comprises a control handle arranged at the proximal end of the endoscope and an insertion portion arranged at the distal end of the control handle. The insertion portion comprises a camera housing arranged at the distal end of the insertion portion, said camera housing being a molded component comprising an outer surface, a camera device embedded in the material of the camera housing, and a light source embedded in the material of the camera housing.

Abstract: The present invention is an endoscope device in which a portion of the optical system can be changed using an optical adaptor, provided with: an image pickup member for capturing an image that is input from an optical system that incorporates a reference scope or user scope, and an optical adaptor; a first recording medium that records a first information that includes at least distortion parameters of the reference scope which indicate the optical properties of the reference scope; a second recording medium that records a second information that includes at least distortion parameters of the user scope which indicate the optical properties of the user scope; and a distortion correcting member that corrects distortion in the image captured by the image pickup member when the user scope and the optical adaptor are combined, based on the first information which is read out from the first recording medium and the second information which is read out from the second recording medium.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes, in order to automatically detect a type of optical adapter and to generate to display an excellent image according to an intended purpose by performing an image signal processing control corresponding to the type of the optical adapter, a signal processing circuit for performing various image signal processings on an image signal from an image-pickup element, a plurality of optical adapters each including an image-formation optical system, adapter discriminating section, and LED, the optical adapters being detachably and selectively provided to the distal end of the endoscope section, and an apparatus main body including an image processing section for performing predetermined signal processing on the image signal from the signal processing circuit, an adapter detection section for detecting the adapter discrimination section, and a controller for controlling the whole endoscope system.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medical devices and methods. The present medical devices comprises a platform comprising a magnetically-attractive material, and a camera coupled to the platform and configured to be moved in at least three degrees of freedom relative to the platform, where the camera's movement in each respective degree of freedom is controlled by a separate actuator coupled to the platform. The medical devices further comprise a housing disposed around at least a portion of the camera, the housing being at least partially transparent, and a wiper arm configured to move relative to the housing.

Abstract: An optical coupler is disclosed with an attachment section for mounting at a distal end of an optical imaging device for visualizing a surface area covered with an opaque fluid and/or particulate matter. The coupler includes a visualization section at one end of the coupler that includes a proximal surface for engaging the distal end of the optical imaging device, an attachment section connected to and extending away from the visualization section, an outer surface spaced apart from the proximal surface, and may include a hollow instrument channel extending from the proximal surface toward the outer surface. This surface extends continuously from a first outer side boundary across to a second opposite outer side boundary of the visualization section. The visualization section can be formed from an elastic material capable of transmitting an optical image of the surface area. In one form, the material is a silicone gel or elastomer.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope insertion section and an optical adapter that is detachably attachable to the endoscope insertion section. In the optical adapter, an LED and a resistor for connection detection are connected in parallel to two electric contacts. In the endoscope insertion section, two signal lines are connected to electric contacts, which are connectable to the two electric contacts in the optical adapter. The endoscope apparatus includes an attachment-and-detachment determining power supply that is connected to one of the signal lines through a switching circuit, and an optical-adapter-attachment-and-detachment determining section. When connection of the optical adapter is detected, the switching circuit is switched to supply an electric current for turning on the LED from an LED turn-on power supply to the one of the signal lines.

Abstract: An imaging assembly for use in a medical imaging device such as an endoscope or the like. In one embodiment, the imaging assembly includes a transparent distal cap that is shaped to receive an image sensor insert. The image sensor insert has a cooling channel that supplies a cooling liquid or gas to one or more illumination sources.

Abstract: An assembly for the endoscope is composed of a tubular member, a positioning ring, and a sleeve. The tubular member on its external wall includes a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion spaced from the first threaded portion. The positioning ring includes a threaded part formed on an internal wall thereof for axial movement along the tubular member. The sleeve includes a threaded section formed on an internal wall thereof. When the sleeve is sleeved onto the tubular member, the threaded section is located between the first and second threaded portions and stopped against the first threaded portion; meanwhile, the positioning ring can be pushed against the sleeve to fasten the sleeve onto the tubular member. Accordingly, the sleeve can be accurately, rapidly, and conveniently positioned onto the tubular member.

Abstract: An endoscopic video measurement system having a proximal operating part, an insertion part, and a replaceable head that can be inserted thereon, and where the operating part contains a connection for supplying electrical and optical power, optical transmission means for the lens illumination are provided in the insertion part for an electronic image sensor positioned in the distal end portion, and the replaceable head contains optical transmission means for the lens illumination and lens imaging, is characterized in that, in the insertion part, for transmitting a measurement beam a single-mode optical fiber is provided, with which an optical system positioned in the distal end part of the insertion part for producing a collimated sample beam bundle is associated.

Abstract: An endoscope according to the present invention includes: an elongated insertion portion inserted in an examination object; an LED which is provided in a distal end portion of the insertion portion and is driven by supply of electric power; an image pickup portion which is provided in the distal end portion on a rear end side in the insertion direction than the LED, and which picks up an image of the examination object; a power supply line for power supply, a distal end in an insertion direction of which is positioned in the distal end portion on a rear end side in the insertion direction than the image pickup portion, and which is inserted in the insertion portion.

Abstract: An endoscopic image pickup device includes a tubing, an image pickup module consisting of a lens and an image sensor and installed in one end of the tubing, a first light source installed in the same end of the tubing relative to the image pickup module and having an illumination range directly intersected with the image pickup range of the image pickup module, a second light source installed in the tubing and having an illumination range deviated from the illumination range of the first light source a predetermined angle and intersected with the illumination range of the first light source directly or indirectly, and a light source control means adapted for controlling on and/or off of said first light source and/or said second light source. Subject to the design that the illumination direction of the second light source is deviated from that of the first light source, the invention provides an extra illumination range, enhancing image clarity.

Abstract: A measurement probe is detachably connected to a living body optical measurement apparatus which optically measures a body tissue. The measurement probe includes an illumination fiber which radiates illumination light on the body tissue, a light reception fiber which receives return light of the illumination light reflected and/or scattered by the body tissue, an optical element which abuts on the illumination fiber and the light reception fiber, and fixes a distance between the illumination fiber and the light reception fiber, and the body tissue, an optical member which is provided at a tip of the measurement probe, and which includes a hollow portion which forms a hollow space, and a transmittance change unit which is provided in the hollow portion, and which changes a transmittance of light incident on an interior of the measurement probe in response to a load from an outside.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a long insertion portion that is inserted into an examination object; an illumination portion provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, that irradiates illumination light at the examination object; an image pickup portion provided inside the distal end portion, that picks up reflected light captured in the insertion portion; and a heat radiating member that radiates heat emitted from at least one of the illumination portion and the image pickup portion. A distal end of the heat radiating member is disposed on a further proximal end side of the insertion portion than a maximum external diameter portion of the image pickup portion within the distal end portion. Therefore, not only can heat be radiated from the distal end portion of the insertion portion, but the distal end portion of the insertion portion can also be formed with a narrow diameter.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope with a handle and an endoscope shaft connected to the handle, which has a bendable section and a rigid section, adjoining it, with a support extending in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shaft, wherein the bendable section has a flexible outer tube the end of which facing the rigid section rests on the support, wherein a fixing sleeve is connected to the end section and covers the end of the outer tube facing the rigid section such that said end is clamped for fixing between the fixing sleeve and the support.

Abstract: An endoscope adapter for use with an endoscope is provided. The endoscope includes an endoscopic insertion section subject to be inserted into an object subject to inspection and the endoscope adapter so that the endoscopic insertion section has an insertion section electrodes; the endoscope adapter comprises a lighting section for emitting light to the object and an adapter electrode section connected to the lighting section. The adapter electrode section comprises: an elongated hollow casing having an opening section at one end in the longitudinal direction of the casing; and a columnar electrode terminal configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction in the hollow casing and capable of projecting from the longitudinal direction end of the hollow casing. The inner diameter of the opening section is equalized to the outer diameter of the electrode terminal.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention comprise endoscopes for viewing inside a cavity of a body such as a vessel like a vein or artery. These endoscopes may include at least one solid state emitter such as a light emitting diode (LED) that is inserted into the body cavity to provide illumination therein. Certain embodiments of the invention comprise disposable endoscopes that can be fabricated relatively inexpensively such that discarding these endoscopses after a single use is cost-effective. The endoscope may comprise a lens holder on a distal end of the endoscope for collection of light reflected from surfaces within the body in which the endoscope is inserted. This lens holder may have an inner cavity through which light passes along an optical path. Reflective surfaces on sidewalls of the inner cavity may direct light along this optical path. The endoscope may further comprise an elongated support structure for supporting a plurality of lenses disposed along the optical path.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a waveguide. The waveguide may include a distal end surface which may be substantially normal to a centerline of a distal end portion of the waveguide. The apparatus may further include a cover which may be coupled to a portion of the waveguide. The cover may include a portion distal to the distal end surface of the waveguide, and the portion of the cover may be made of a material which may be configured to be removed when exposed to electromagnetic radiation emitted from a portion of the distal end surface of the waveguide.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes an insertion portion inserted into a body, an optical member arranged exposed from an outside surface at a distal end of the insertion portion, an objective optical system that condenses light impinged from the optical member, an electronic image pickup circuit that photoelectrically converts the light condensed by the objective optical system, a heat absorbing section arranged in the vicinity of the electronic image pickup circuit for absorbing heat generated from the electronic image pickup circuit, a heat transfer section extending toward the optical member side for transferring heat of the heat absorbing section, a heat radiation section arranged in the vicinity of the optical member for radiating heat transferred by the heat transfer section to the optical member, and a heat transfer member that is formed by patterning a metal foil on an insulating, flexible film member and includes the heat absorbing section, the heat transfer section and the heat radiation section.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes an image processing portion for performing image processing on a signal of an image pickup picked up by an image pickup device installed in a distal end portion of an endoscope insertion portion to generate an endoscope image, a gravity direction detecting portion for detecting information about a gravity direction of the distal end portion, a gravity signal processing portion for performing predetermined signal processing on a signal of the information about the detected gravity direction to generate gravity information, a graphics generating portion for generating an indicator indicating the gravity direction based on the gravity information, and an image combining portion for combining the endoscope image and the indicator and outputting combined image information to a display apparatus. The graphics generating portion changes a display form of the indicator indicating the gravity direction according to the gravity direction.

Abstract: An injection device for use with tissue of a mammalian body comprising a first tubular member and a second tubular member slidably disposed in the first tubular member. The first and second tubular members have respective proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity of the second tubular member is provided with a needle that is extendable from the distal extremity of the first tubular member. The proximal extremity of the second tubular member is lockable relative to the proximal extremity of the first tubular member. The second tubular member has a column strength when locked within the first tubular member for limiting retraction of the second tubular member relative to the first tubular member during puncture of the tissue by the needle.

Abstract: The invention is a rotating tip catheter-imaging probe where electromagnetic energy is delivered to the distal end of a catheter and converted to mechanical energy using a light drive apparatus. The mechanical energy is then used to rotate a mirror that redirects light in fixed pattern on a sample. The rotating element of the light drive apparatus contains vanes, which rotate about an axis and positioned with bearings to minimize friction. A chamber encompasses the rotating element and is set to a vacuum pressure. The rotational speed of the catheter tip can be controlled by varying the optical power delivered to the vanes, the vacuum pressure in the chamber, or by a braking mechanism applied to the rotating element. The vanes may be shaped in a particular geometry to increase forces on the vanes from thermally driven gas flow.

Abstract: A light source device for an endoscope, characterized by having a light source for supplying illuminating light to an object, endoscope connection unit optically connected to an endoscope that has discrimination information for discriminating the kind of endoscope, discrimination unit for discriminating the endoscope based on the discrimination information of the endoscope connected to the endoscope connection unit, change unit for the changing illumination condition of the illuminating light, and control unit for controlling the change unit based on the result of discrimination by the discrimination unit.

Abstract: A socket section 72 for providing a first light guide 13 is supported movably in an endoscope main body 4, and a plug section 62 for fixing a second light guide 15 is disposed in an endoscope insertion section 5. The socket section 72 is configured to move freely in an insertion direction of the endoscope insertion section 5 and to a direction orthogonal with respect to the insertion direction. Furthermore, an attachment-detachment-detecting switch 33 is disposed in the endoscope main body 4 so as to detect that the endoscope insertion section 5 has been separated from the endoscope main body 4 before the plug section 62 is freely detached from the socket section 72. By this configuration, it is possible to attach the endoscope insertion section from the endoscope main body and detach them easily and reliably, in particular, to reduce loss of light caused by the attachment and the detachment.

Abstract: This invention may be directed to an endoscopic device. The endoscopic device comprising an elongate member having a distal end, and a cap positioned at the distal end. The cap may have a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end may define at least one recess that does not extend through the cap to the distal end of the cap. The endoscopic device may further include at least one illumination device disposed in the at least one recess.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed towards methods and devices for reducing or eliminating reflection-illuminated artifacts. The methods and devices in several embodiments can include providing a transparent lens cover with a blocking member for reflecting or absorbing internally-reflected light. The lens cover can be attached at the distal end of an endoscope, cannula, and/or lumen in some embodiments. Alternatively, the lens cover can be a permanent part of the endoscope, lumen, and/or cannula.

Abstract: An applicator suitable for converting a white-light endoscope into an endoscope for combined white-light/fluorescence imaging is disclosed. The applicator facilitates attachment of an optical element, for example an optical filter, to a distal optical port of an endoscope. The applicator engages with alignment feature on the endoscope's distal end and releasably supports the optical element in an opening that is aligned with the optical port. The optical element is released in a proximal direction by pressing down on an actuator.

Abstract: A disposable endoscope body having an enclosure in its distal end for a non-disposable element, such as a video camera head. Because of its complexity and sensitivity, the camera head is non-disposable and cannot be sterilized. The camera head is sealed in the endoscope body, such that it does not contaminate the patient during the procedure. Sealing is achieved using an end cap. After use, the camera is withdrawn from the proximal end of the endoscope, which, being near to or within the workstation, has not been inserted into the subject and should be free of patient contamination. Passage of the camera out through the proximal end therefore avoids contamination by the patient, such that it can be used again without need for sterilization. A dispensing kit is described, for supplying the sterile endoscope body and for installing and sealing the camera with a minimum of manual intervention.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: an optical adapter provided with a discrimination capacitor; and an endoscope configured to be detachably provided with the optical adapter at a distal end portion of the endoscope, and configured to include a reference capacitor which is arranged to be connected in series to the discrimination capacitor in a state where the optical adapter is mounted, a DC power supply which is connected in series to the reference capacitor, and a control circuit which calculates a capacitance of the discrimination capacitor on the basis of a voltage value at a connection point between the discrimination capacitor and the reference capacitor, so as to discriminate the kind of the optical adapter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for video rate or near video rate quantitative imaging of tissue physiological and morphological properties from visible/NIR light spectral images obtain rapid multi-spectral reflectance images by illuminating with a series of spectra containing multiple narrow wavelength bands. An iterative light-transport based inversion algorithm may be applied for correcting the intensity of the spectral images from the geometry/coupling effect as well as from the scattering amplitude distortions. The method can produce video rate absorption as well as scattering spectral images that can be further analyzed very rapidly, using matrix-based rapid inversion algorithms to produce more detailed quantitative images containing information relevant to tissue physiology and morphology.

Abstract: Imaging, testing and/or analysis of subjects are facilitated with a capillary-access approach. According to an example embodiment, a capillary is implanted into a specimen and adapted to accept an optical probe to facilitate optical access into the specimen. In some applications, the capillary is implanted for use over time, with one or more different probes being inserted into the capillary at different times, while the capillary is implanted. Certain applications involve capillary implantation over weeks, months or longer. Other applications are directed to the passage of fluid to and/or from a sample via the capillary. Still other applications are directed to the passage of electrical information between the sample and an external arrangement, via an implanted capillary.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to apparatuses, arrangements, systems and methods for collecting information using one or more modalities. As consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes first and second scanning mirror arrangements having different scanning axes and respectively facing different directions. The first scanning mirror arrangement directs source light and image light in two paths, and the second scanning mirror arrangement directs image light from a target to the first scanning mirror arrangement. The first and second scanning mirror arrangements cooperatively scan source light from the first scanning mirror and via the second scanning mirror to target locations with at least two degrees of freedom, and direct image light from the target locations.

Abstract: An optical system which can be detached and attached is constituted such that it is arranged at the object side of an objective optical system for endoscope in which an incidence pupil is arranged, and a middle image of the objective is formed at its inside, and in the arrangement state, the incidence pupil of the objective optical system for endoscope is relayed at a predetermined position which is more projected toward the utmost object side than a surface at the object side in the endoscope. (An incidence pupil which is conjugate with an incidence pupil is arranged at a position which is more projected toward the object side by a predetermined amount than a surface which is at the utmost object side in the endoscope).

Abstract: A side-viewing endoscope structure includes a front tubular section, an intermediate tubular section, a rear cap and an optical imaging unit. The front tubular section includes a tube, a reflector holder, and a reflector. The tube includes a main body and a coupling portion. The reflector holder is fitted in the main body of the tube and provided on one side of an outer wall surface thereof. The reflector is arranged on the reflector holder. A length of the intermediate tubular section has a reduced outer diameter to match the coupling portion. The rear cap has a rear wall provided with a cable hole. The optical imaging unit is located in the intermediate tubular section and the rear cap, and includes a flexible printed circuit board, a camera lens, a light source and a cable so as to transmit images.

Abstract: A light-conducting device for an endoscope to conduct illuminating light to the distal end of the endoscope including a curved, rigid portion with a predetermined spatial configuration, such that the curved, rigid portion is foreseen for positioning on a distal end of an endoscope, such that the curved, rigid portion has its rigid property at least either before insertion of the light-conducting device into an endoscope or before configuration of a direct or indirect mechanical connection of the light-conducting device with an inner shaft for an endoscope or before configuration of a direct or indirect mechanical connection of the light-conducting device with an outer shaft for an endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion tube having a distal end and an imaging device with a steerable extension. The proximal end of the extension is attached to the distal end of the insertion tube. An endoscope includes an insertion tube having a distal end region and a rear-viewing imaging device at least partially disposed inside the distal end region. An endoscope includes an insertion tube having a distal end cap, an imaging device, and a link that couples the imaging device to the distal end cap of the insertion tube.

Abstract: A face tip assembly for an endoscope for viewing a visually obscured portion of a body cavity and for surgically treating a portion of a body cavity with an operating tool may include at least one operating tool port located in an outer wall surface of the face tip assembly, and the outer wall surface may generally lie in a plane which is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the face tip housing. This outer wall surface may have a generally U-shaped configuration. At least one optical image channel port may be located in another outer wall surface of the face tip housing, and this outer wall surface faces toward the distal end of the face tip housing. The outer wall surface in which the tool port is located extends from the outer wall surface in which the at least one optical image channel port is located, toward the distal end of the face tip housing.

Abstract: A protective cap for use on arthroscopic instruments and sheaths disposed over arthroscopic instruments. The cap protects the distal end of the instrument from accidental damage caused by other instruments used during a surgical procedure. The portion of the cap that covers a view port on an arthroscope is transparent in order to allow a user to see through the instrument and through the cap.

Abstract: An electrical connection portion fixed to an apparatus main body includes a plurality of conductive members and an insulating portion for electrically insulating the conductive members from the apparatus main body in which the conductive members are arranged. The insulating portion covers the circumference of the plurality of conductive members. Further, the insulating portion makes the conductive members arranged side by side in a state where the conductive members are insulated from each other.