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.

An endoscope comprising: an insertion portion; a raising base provided at a distal end of the insertion portion; a wire configured to move in a raising direction to raise the raising base; a biasing element attached to the wire and configured to apply to the wire a biasing force in the raising direction; and an operation portion coupled to a proximal end of the insertion portion, the operation portion including a switching mechanism having a first state and a second state. The switching mechanism is configured to switch between the first state and the second state. In the first state, the switching mechanism prevents the biasing force from moving the wire in the raising direction and, in the second state, the switching mechanism allows the biasing force to move the wire in the raising direction.

An information processing system includes a server, a client, and a tag reader. The server and the client are connected via a network. The tag reader includes: a reading unit that reads an endoscope ID assigned to a single-use endoscope; and a transmitting unit that transmits the endoscope ID read by the reading unit to the client. The client includes: a receiving unit that receives the endoscope ID transmitted from the transmitting unit; and a use information transmitting unit that transmits use information on the endoscope based on the endoscope ID received by the receiving unit. The server includes a use information acquisition unit that acquires the use information transmitted from the use information transmitting unit.

A compact, hand-held, robotic assisted endoscopic system configured to derive the position and/or orientation CamPose of a distal part of a single-use portion relative to coordinates HandPose of a reusable portion of an endoscope and display juxtaposed images of an object such a patient's organ being diagnosed or treated in a medical procedure with the endoscope and the distal part of the endoscope, and to provide guidance to the system user with display of images such as prior images of the object, standardized images of the object of tutorial images related to the medical procedure.

Implementations described herein are directed toward an improved orthopedic arthroscopy system that reduces the number of necessary arthroscopic portals while at the same time improving endoscopic visualization and instrumentation capability within the joint space. Main embodiments of the disclosed system replace the traditional rod endoscope with a rotatable, optical cannula through which instruments can be used to manipulate tissue and perform surgery. By adding the cannula rotation capability, visualization of instrument tool tip can be easily adjusted. The disclosed system would eliminate the need for unnecessary wrist rotation by the surgeon thereby making it easier to coordinate hand position while performing surgical tasks.

A medical valve may comprise a valve stem and an operation portion. The operation portion may include a stationary portion, a movable portion which is movable relative to the stationary portion and fixed relative to the valve stem, a seal disposed between the stationary portion and the movable portion, and a biasing member. Movement of the movable portion in a first direction may cause deformation of the biasing member, such that a restorative force of the biasing member urges movement of the movable portion in a second direction opposite the first direction. A frictional force between the seal and one of the stationary portion and the movable portion resists the movement of the movable portion in the second direction.

A handle (4) for an endoscope (1) includes a first shell-shaped (6) housing part and a second shell shaped housing part (7) adapted for mutual engagement so as to form a housing. The shell-shaped housing parts (6, 7) include a first recess (10) and a second recess (11) so arranged and configured that when the first and second shell-shaped housing parts (6, 7) are mutually engaged, a circumferential recess is provided in the exterior surface of the housing. The handle (4) further includes a hoop (28) adapted to be received in the circumferential recess and hold the first and second shell-shaped housing parts together.

A light output monitoring apparatus includes a light receiving unit, an attachment unit, an adapter, and a protective cap, and monitors a power of light output from a light emitting end of a catheter incorporating an optical fiber. The protective cap includes an insertion opening into which a part of the catheter of a predetermined range on the light emitting end side is removably inserted, includes a window portion for transmitting the light output from the light emitting end of the catheter, and is fixed in position by being inserted into a through-hole of the adapter. The adapter is fixed in position by being attached to the attachment unit.

A sterilized endoscope kit, comprising a sterilized endoscope, a sterilized treatment instrument, a sterilized guide wire, and a packaging material. The sterilized endoscope includes a first lumen. The sterilized treatment instrument is inserted into the first lumen, the sterilized treatment instrument includes a second lumen. The sterilized guide wire is inserted into the second lumen. The sterilized endoscope, the sterilized treatment instrument, and the sterilized guide wire are arranged in the packaging material, and the packaging material provides a sterile environment for the sterilized endoscope, the sterilized treatment instrument, and the sterilized guide wire. A method for manufacturing a sterilized endoscope kit, comprising inserting a sterilized guide wire into a first lumen of a sterilized treatment instrument, inserting the sterilized treatment instrument into a second lumen of a sterilized endoscope, and placing the sterilized guide wire, the sterilized treatment instrument, and the sterilized endoscope into a packaging material.

Provided is a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope in which an ultrasound oscillator surface of an ultrasound transducer can be most swollen.

A balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope that is mounted to cover an outside surface of an ultrasound transducer provided in a distal end part body on a distal end side of an insertion part includes a bottomed tubular balloon body that has an opening portion provided at one end in a first direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the insertion part and attached to the distal end part body, covers an oscillator surface of the ultrasound transducer, and stores an ultrasonic wave transmission medium inside, to be swellable, and a swelling restricting part that, in a case where the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is stored inside the balloon body, makes an oscillator surface region facing the oscillator surface of the ultrasound transducer most swollen by restricting a part of the balloon body.