A system and methods for providing and reclaiming a single use imaging device for sterile environments is disclosed and described. The system may include a single use high definition camera used for general purpose surgical procedures including, but not limited to: arthroscopic, laparoscopic, gynecologic, and urologic procedures, may comprise an imaging device that is a sterile and designed to ensure single use. The imaging device may have a single imaging sensor, either CCD or CMOS, encased in a housing.

A method of registering a real-time image feed from an imaging device inserted into a steerable catheter using a navigation system is provided. The method includes inserting the imaging device into a working channel of the steerable catheter and generating a real-time image feed of one or more reference points, wherein the orientation of the reference points is known. The method further includes orienting a handle of the steerable catheter to a neutral position, displaying the real-time image feed on a display of the navigation system, and registering the real-time image feed to the steerable catheter by rotating the displayed image so that the reference points in the real-time image feed are matched to the known orientation of the reference points.

The present specification describes a method for determining the distance of an object from the tip of an endoscope during an endoscopic procedure, wherein at least one lens is configured to converge light from outside the tip onto a sensor that includes a plurality of photodiodes a portion of which are adjacent pairs of photodiodes configured to be phase detection pixels. The method includes receiving light into each adjacent pair of photodiodes, wherein said light is reflected off a surface of said object; determining a first response curve to said light for a first photodiode of said adjacent pair of photodiodes and a second response curve to said light for a second photodiode of said adjacent pair of photodiodes; identifying an intersection between the first response curve and the second response curve; and using data derived from said intersection to determine said distance to the object.

A system comprises a waveguide apparatus comprising a plurality of input waveguides, a multimode waveguide, and a guided-wave transition coupling the plurality of input waveguides to the multimode waveguide. The system further comprises at least one light source configured to excite in turn each of a plurality of the input waveguides, or each of a plurality of combinations of the input waveguides, thereby generating a plurality of different light patterns in turn at an output of the waveguide apparatus. The waveguide apparatus is configured to direct each of the plurality of different light patterns to a target region. The system further comprises at least one detector configured to detect light transmitted, reflected or emitted from the target region in response to each of the different light patterns, and to output signals representing the detected light.

An apparatus, system and process for identifying one or more different tissue types are described. The method may include applying a configuration to one or more programmable light sources of an imaging system, where the configuration is obtained from a machine learning model trained to distinguish between the one or more different tissue types captured in image data. The method may also include illuminating a scene with the configured one or more programmable light sources, and capturing image data that includes one or more types of tissue depicted in the image data. Furthermore, the method may include analyzing color information in the captured image data with the machine learning model to identify at least one of the one or more different tissue types in the image data, and rendering a visualization of the scene from the captured image data that visually differentiates tissue types in the visualization.

Methods for evaluating micrometastases in a tissue region of a subject are described. The methods include administering to the subject a detectably effective amount of a tumor-targeted photoactivatable immunoconjugate; allowing a sufficient amount of time for the tumor-targeted photoactivatable immunoconjugate to enter micrometastases in the tissue region; illuminating the tumor-targeted photoactivatable immunoconjugate; obtaining an image of the tissue region of the subject using a fluorescent imaging device, and evaluating the micrometastases in the tissue region by conducting algorithmic analysis of the image. Methods of treating micrometastases in a tissue region of a subject are also described.

A medical device operation training apparatus, used in performing training for operation of a medical device, includes: an affected-area simulated organ holding unit configured to hold a sheet-like affected-area simulated organ able to be incised or excised at least in part; and a path simulated organ holding unit configured to hold a path simulated organ for guiding the medical device to the affected-area simulated organ. With this apparatus, trainees can train for various manipulations with simple preparatory operations.

An endoscope reprocessing method includes: cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing an inside of a pipe line and an outer surface of an endoscope accommodated in a treatment tank; rinsing the outer surface of the endoscope with a rinsing liquid while filling the inside of the pipe line of the endoscope with gas; collecting a first sample from the rinsing liquid used for rinsing the outer surface of the endoscope; rinsing the inside of the pipe line of the endoscope with the rinsing liquid; and collecting a second sample from the rinsing liquid used for rinsing the inside of the pipe line of the endoscope.

A distal end portion includes: an imager that is held by a metal lens frame; a distal end frame that is made of an electric insulating material and includes a through hole; an electrically conductive exterior portion; a first electrical conductor pattern that has a first end and a second end, the first end being in contact with the lens frame, the second end being connected to a first terminal that is in contact with the exterior portion; and a second electrical conductor pattern that is formed independently of the first electrical conductor pattern, and has a first end and a second end, the first end of the second electrical conductor pattern being in contact with the lens frame, the second end of the second electrical conductor pattern being connected to a second terminal that is not in contact with the exterior portion.

An optical device may include an optical fiber having a fixed end and a free end; a first actuator positioned at a actuator position between the fixed end and the free end and configured to apply a first force on the actuator position of the optical fiber such that a movement of the free end of the optical fiber in a first direction is caused, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber; and a deformable rod disposed adjacent to the optical fiber, and having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to a first rod position of the optical fiber and the second end is connected to a second rod position of the optical fiber.