To provide an information processing method that reduces the burden on a health-care personnel engaging in endoscopic examination. An information processing method includes acquiring use information indicating that a sterilized endoscope in which a reusable part that is able to be used repeatedly and a non-reusable part that is able to be used only once are combined is used, outputting a collection instruction for collecting the endoscope corresponding to the acquired use information from the medical institution, and outputting a delivery instruction for delivering a non-used replaceable endoscope to the medical institution.

An endoscope includes an image sensor and a first memory, which is a nonvolatile memory, storing first information disposed in a distal end portion, and includes a controller and a second memory configured to back up the first information disposed on a proximal end side relative to the distal end portion. The controller reads out the first information stored in the first memory and stores the read first information as a backup in the second memory when the controller is started when supplied with power, and reads out the first information stored in the second memory and transmits the read first information to a video processor when the controller receives a request from the video processor.

A medical system including: a trocar configured to provide an artificial access to a body cavity of a patient; a medical instrument configured to be inserted through the trocar and into the body cavity of the patient for performing a medical function in the body cavity of the patient; and a controller configured to: determine whether the medical instrument is inserted into the trocar; and enable the performing of the medical function by the medical instrument only if the medical instrument is determined to be inserted into the trocar.

Systems and methods for detecting, characterizing, and addressing the type of endoscope that is connected to the camera/light source based on the image size taken using that endoscope are disclosed. Once the type of endoscope is determined, the systems and methods can adjust at least one parameter of the camera/light source based on the determination of the type of endoscope that is being used.

A medical visualisation system including a first medical visualisation device having a first device colour identifier, a second medical visualisation device having a second device colour identifier, a third medical visualisation device having a third device colour identifier, and a monitor device, the first device colour identifier being a first colour, the second device colour identifier being a second colour, and the third device colour identifier being a third colour. The first colour has a first hue angle, the second colour has a second hue angle, and the third colour has a third hue angle, wherein the first hue angle and the second hue angle differ by more than 40 degrees, the second hue angle and the third hue angle differ by more than 40 degrees, and the third hue angle and the first hue angle differ by more than 40 degrees.

A medical navigation system is provided for controlling medical equipment during a medical procedure. The medical navigation system includes a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an RFID sensor for detecting the passive RFID tag, a controller coupled to the RFID sensor, and a robotic arm having an end effector and controlled by the controller. The RFID sensor provides a signal to the controller indicating presence of an activated passive RFID tag. The passive RFID tag has an antenna, an RFID circuit, and a switching device coupled to the RFID circuit for activating the passive RFID tag. The passive RFID tag is used to control a payload attached to the end effector.

An endoscope includes: a connector to which a waterproof cap is detachably attachable; an RFID tag that is arranged in the connector; an RFID tag storing member that has an opening and is made of a conductive material, the RFID tag storing member being configured to store the RFID tag; an opening and closing member that is made of a conductive material shielding a radio wave, the opening and closing member being configured to open or close the opening; and a moving mechanism configured to move the opening and closing member to a position of releasing shielding of the radio wave in conjunction with attachment of the waterproof cap to the connector, and move the opening and closing member to a position of shielding the radio wave in conjunction with detachment of the waterproof cap from the connector.

A system and a method of managing endoscope data are disclosed. The system receives information corresponding to endoscopes in storage, the endoscopes in usage, the endoscopes undergoing the reprocessing operation, and the endoscopes that are undergoing repair in a facility. The system captures each step in storing, usage, reprocessing, and repairing along with the identification of authorized users performing the steps. The system further captures updates made by the users upon storing, usage, reprocessing, and repairing in real-time and updates the information accordingly. The system reduces manual documentation of recording endoscopes inventory and determines how many endoscopes are currently available for operation, how many endoscopes are lying in storage, and how many endoscopes are undergoing repair or reprocessing or cleaning in real-time. Further, the system provides accountability of technicians on each step to properly document uniform and complete safety protocols.

Computerized information acquisition and processing apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a video apparatus with image capture and digitization capability, and multiple wireless interfaces for accomplishing various purposes, including e.g., streaming the digitized video data to another device for viewing and/or storage thereon. In one variant, one of the wireless interfaces is a short range passive RFID-based interface which generates replies to interrogation signals, the replies including user-specific information.

Endoscopes having a tip section with viewing elements coupled to a CMOS image sensor and/or a CCD image sensor for transforming light captured by the viewing element into digital and/or analog signals are described. A main connector is coupled with the tip section for transmitting the signals to a main control unit of the endoscope. The main connector includes a pad for transmitting digital signals provided by the CMOS image sensor to a push pin probe in a receptacle of the main control unit. The main connector also include another interface for transmitting analog signals to the main control unit.