There is provided a composition for a laminated material used for a medical lubricating member, the composition including a polymer b1 including a polysiloxane structure and a crosslinkable polymer b2 having a particular reactive group that forms a crosslinked body with the polymer b1 and having a number-average molecular weight of 1000 or more. The crosslinkable polymer b2 is at least one of polysaccharides, polyethyleneimines, polyesters, polyethers, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyureas, or polyimides. There are also provided a laminated material used for a medical lubricating member and including the composition, a medical lubricating member, and a medical device.

According to the present invention, there is provided an endoscopy system comprising an endoscope guide and an endoscope. The endoscope of the system comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The endoscope guide of the system comprises a proximal end, a mid-section comprising at least one endoscope entry port, a distal end comprising at least one endoscope exit port, a lumen capable of receiving an endoscope extending from the at least one entry port to the at least one exit port and at least one bend located between the at least one entry port and the at least one exit port. The endoscope guide is capable of directing the insertion of the distal end of the endoscope into a body cavity when the distal end of the endoscope exits the endoscope exit port and the distal end of the endoscope guide is also configured so as to be capable to be retained within the body cavity during a surgical procedure so as to control the positioning of the distal end of the endoscope within the body cavity.

A bending operation device includes a bending operation lever, a wire pulling member, bending operation wires, and tubular members. The bending operation lever is tiltably supported to have an angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of an operation unit of an endoscope. The wire pulling member includes arm portions displaced in conjunction with tilt motion of the bending operation lever. The bending operation wires are connected to the arm portions. The bending operation wires cause bending motion of a bendable part disposed in an insertion section of the endoscope. A respective one of bending operation wires is inserted in each of the tubular members. The tubular members (i) change extension directions of the plurality of bending operation wires and (ii) guide the plurality of bending operation wires to the plurality of arm portions.

The invention relates to an intubation bougie (10) comprising a body (11) and a distal portion (12) formed by at least three elastomer segments (121, 122, 123) with increasing flexibility from one end of said distal portion (12), which is integral with the body (11), to a free end of said distal portion (12) intended to enter the upper airways of a patient. These segments are preferably articulated to one another. A sheath (200) surrounding the segments (121, 122, 123) and a ball end (210) advantageously complement said distal portion (12). The invention also relates to a method for producing such an intubation bougie (10).

A vaginal speculum capable of mitigating discomfort is provided. The vaginal speculum includes a first portion, a second portion, a first elastomer portion, and a second elastomer portion. The first portion includes a frame body portion, a first blade portion that is to be inserted into a vaginal cavity, and a first handle portion. The second portion includes a second handle portion, and a second blade portion that is to be inserted into the vaginal cavity. The first elastomer portion is made of an elastomer and is on an outer face of the first blade portion. The second elastomer portion is made of an elastomer and is on an outer face of the second blade portion. The second handle portion is pivotable relative to the first handle portion. The second blade portion is pivoted relative to the first blade portion in response to pivot of the second handle portion.

A scope system is provided including an elongate tube with a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough, the distal portion comprising a distal end section comprising a pivot arm, the scope system further comprising a plurality of lights distributed on and connected to the distal end section and the pivot arm. The plurality of lights is configured to be connected by an electrical wire and/or a conductor to a power source.

An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.

An overtube including: a connector body defining a lumen through which an insertion section of an endoscope is insertable along a longitudinal axis extending through a distal opening and a proximal opening of the lumen; and a connecting mechanism including: a connector movably attached to the connector body, wherein the connector is configured to define a stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis, and to be moved by a radial force from the stable equilibrium first position to a second position radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the first position, and wherein, in the second position, the connector is configured to engage the insertion section to limit relative movement of the connector body and the insertion section along the longitudinal axis while allowing the connector body to be rotated by a drive force relative to the insertion section along the longitudinal axis.

A catheter sheath comprises: a central lumen extrusion having an inner layer defining a central lumen, a reinforcing structure surrounding the inner layer, and an outer layer surrounding the reinforcing structure; a plurality of rings are arranged on the outer layer of the central lumen extrusion at a predetermined distance from each other in a distal section of the sheath; and an outer jacket encloses the rings and central lumen extrusion. The reinforcing structure includes one or more of a braid, a coil, and a laser-cut tube embedded between the inner layer and the outer layer; the central lumen extrusion is bonded with an adhesive or laser welded or pressure fit to one or more of the rings. The reinforcing structure is offset towards the inner or the outer surface; and the rings have chamfered or beveled or rounded inner edges.

The present invention is directed at minimally invasive systems in which the proximal end portion of the working channel has either zero or a limited range of movement in the lateral direction. A first embodiment has a slidable collar attached to a pair of flanges, wherein movement of the collar is bounded by an annular frame. A second embodiment has a substantially spherical element attached to the tube. A third embodiment has a plurality of caps. A fourth embodiment is adapted for a larger working channel.