The present invention discloses a flexible digital ureteroscope that is at least partially disposable. The ureteroscope comprises a single-use catheter and a handle. The catheter comprises a distal end, a bend portion, and a proximal portion. The distal end has a rigid or semi-rigid shell that houses a set of micro lenses, an image sensor microchip, and a plurality of LED light sources. A working channel extends along the entire catheter and is coupled to a working channel port on the handle to receive various medical devices and irrigation lines during an endoscopic procedure. In addition, the catheter includes one or more steering wires to control the distal end to bend towards a desired direction. The rigid or semi-rigid shell of the distal end is made of a mix of polymer composite material with graphene nano-filler for enhancing thermal dissipation. The handle may be a single-use handle or a reusable handle. In case the handle is a reusable handle, it includes a battery module and a wireless communication module for communicating with a host machine wirelessly. In case the handle is a single-use handle, to reduce cost, the handle does not include a battery module and/or a wireless communication module. Rather, the single-use handle includes a host interface for receiving power from the host machine and transmits image data to the host machine.

A system, device and method for serializing and authorizing a single use imaging device are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a single use imaging device comprising a memory having a stored code that includes a unique serial identifier. In another embodiment, the invention provides a system for authorizing a single use imaging device comprising a single use imaging device with an image of a verification object that includes a serial identifier uniquely associated with the device, a control unit capable of electronically receiving the verification object image, a decoder capable of extracting a serial identifier from the verification object image, a database of authorized serial identifiers, and means for determining if the single use imaging device is authorized.

This invention relates to a robot to improve the inspection of a pipe or lumen. More particularly, this invention relates to a soft-pneumatic robot for endoscopy that is suitable for performing colonoscopy procedures. The robot of this invention comprises leading and tailing balloons configured for selective inflation to anchor a portion of the robot within the pipe or lumen and a soft-pneumatic actuator that is located between the leading balloon and the trailing balloon. The soft-pneumatic actuator is operable to extend or contract the robot in a longitudinal direction, in addition to positioning the leading balloon in a 360 degree circumference around the longitudinal direction by pneumatically controlling a fluid within a plurality of chambers within the soft-pneumatic actuator.

Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and resuable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. the catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree.

The present invention relates to a disposal endoscope cannula, and more particularly, to a disposable endoscope cannula which can prevent infection caused by reuse by manufacturing a disposable cannula required for an endoscope for a joint, and provides a disposable endoscope cannula constituted by an intubation part formed in a predetermined length and inserted into a human body; a binding part connected in the rear of the intubation part and fastened to a trocar part or a scope part to be detachable; a fluid flow-in and out part mounted on an outer peripheral surface at a front side of the binding part in order to input or discharge a fluid through the insertion part; and the trocar part fastened to the binding part and inserted through the intubation part.

An endoscope includes a control body, an insertion tube, a bending section, and an angulation drive assembly. The control body includes a first body and a second body. The first body includes a first stepped interface having a first upper surface, a second upper surface, and a first intermediate surface. The second body is coupled to the first body and includes a second stepped interface having a first lower surface, a second lower surface, and a second intermediate surface. The bending section is secured to the insertion tube. The angulation drive assembly is coupled to the bending section and is operable to articulate the bending section. When the first body and the second body are connected to each other, the first lower surface abuts against the first upper surface, the second lower surface abuts against the second upper surface, and the first intermediate surface abuts against the second intermediate surface.

Surgical visualization systems and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for providing visualization during surgical procedures. Systems and methods herein can be used in a wide range of surgical procedures, including spinal surgeries such as minimally-invasive fusion or discectomy procedures. Systems and methods herein can include various features for enhancing end user experience, improving clinical outcomes, or reducing the invasiveness of a surgery. Exemplary features can include access port integration, hands-free operation, active and/or passive lens cleaning, adjustable camera depth, and many others.

Medical borescopes, such as laparoscopes. In some embodiments, a medical borescope may comprise a handle and a tube extending from the handle, which tube may be configured to reduce electromagnetic interference within the tube. The borescope may further comprise a tip assembly positioned at a distal end of the tube, which may comprise an image sensor configured to take images through the distal end of the tube. The borescope may further comprise a dongle comprising an image processor configured to receive image data from the image sensor. The dongle may be removably coupleable with the medical borescope such that the dongle can be coupled with a plurality of distinct medical borescopes.

Devices for use with introducers, endoscopes and catheters, where the devices relate to an articulating mechanism that allows a working end of a medical device to be steerable in order to access or visualize targeted sites in the interior of a patient's body.

The foregoing application describes a system and method of performing a minimally invasive surgical operation. More specifically, the invention involves the use of disposable cannula and slender dilators of variable lengths, which incorporate a source of illumination to carry light to a surgical site and video capabilities for capturing and displaying images from a CMOS or CCD camera device. According to one embodiment, fiber optics run semi-circumferentially or along walls of the cannula/dilator and terminate at about a centimeter from the distal end of the cannula/dilator, thereby preventing illumination from “bottoming out” at the floor of the incision. According to one alternate embodiment, the light fibers may be fashioned in an annulus around one or more camera chips to provide illumination and video of the surgical site. In still another embodiment, the light fibers may be replaced by light emitting diodes in a more remote light source or alternatively at the distal-tip of the CMOS or CCD camera device.