In order to reduce costs for endoscopic examinations and to enable new operating concepts, an image recording arrangement is provided in which an adapter that enables bi-directional communication between a camera control unit and an image generation unit which has an image sensor. A standardized data interface is configured between the camera control unit and the adapter. The adapter is defined for use with a specific type of image generation unit. Accordingly, the adapter has a communication apparatus which translates control and adjustment commands transmitted by the camera control unit into a format processable by the image generation unit and provides image data from the image sensor in a format processable by the camera control unit. The camera control unit can therefore access, control and adjust the image generation unit and can display image data from the image generation unit without adaptation to the image generation unit connected to the adapter and therefore without knowledge of said image generation unit.

The present invention relates to a specialized laparoscopic device and method used for attachment of instrument heads to thin shafts in the abdomen of a patient. The device allows quick attachment of oversized instrument heads minimizing the scaring and recovery time of the patient. A specialized instrument head having a tether and a grabbing device are used to perform this process.

An elevator for an endoscope comprises a first end secured to the endoscope, a second end movable by an actuator, a flexible portion positioned between the first and second ends that is rotatable when the second end is moved by the actuator, and a guide portion extending between the flexible portion and the second end to receive an endotherapy instrument extending from the endoscope, the guide portion comprising a chute to guide the endotherapy instrument leaving the endoscope. A method of forming an elevator comprises forming from a planar sheet of material an elongate body comprising a length between first and second ends, a width, and a thickness, forming a guide body in the elongate body, bending the elongate body such that first and second lengths of the elongate body oppose each other to form an interior space, and bending the guide body to extend into the interior space.

A catheter (10) configured to be inserted into a scoping device (12). The catheter comprises a body (30) having a distal end and a proximal end, and an insertion device (28). The body includes at least a first lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the first lumen being configured to receive at least one of a guide wire (24), a camera (52), an ablation device (54) and a probe device (56). The insertion device is connected to the body at the proximal end and includes a first passage for receiving the guide wire and a second passage for receiving one of the camera, the ablation device and the probe device. Some other embodiments provide a catheter kit.

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.

Some implementations of the disclosure relate to an adapter, comprising: a channel running through the length of the adapter from a first opening to a second opening of the adapter, wherein a shaft of an endoscope is configured to be threaded through the channel; a first coupler configured to removably secure the adapter to a second coupler of the endoscope, the first coupler comprising the second opening; and a rigid attachment segment comprising a surface configured to removably couple the adapter to an instrument or second adapter. The surface of the rigid attachment segment may include multiple grooves and sections alternating along the longitudinal length of the rigid attachment segment, each section protruding relative to the grooves and comprising a recessed indentation or protrusion; and the multiple sections and grooves configured such that the instrument or second adapter can be coupled to the adapter in multiple lengthwise positions.

An assembly for aiding field use of an endoscopic probe is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing assembly for an endoscopic probe and a compatible holder for the housing assembly. The housing assembly includes a tubular conduit for receiving the endoscopic probe and a plug coupled along a distal end of the tubular conduit. The holder includes a pre-configured arm for facilitating an exploration of a pre-determined quadrant of an oral cavity. The explorer includes a plug receiver. Upon coupling the plug receiver with the inversely matching plug, the tubular conduit passes through the opening and into the third axial channel.

A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a housing and a control circuit mounted to and/or embedded in the housing.

An adaptor may include a shell and a plunger positioned at a first end of the shell and moveable between an undepressed state and a depressed state. The adaptor may further include a ramp extending from a second end of the shell and a carrier coupled to the ramp. In the undepressed state, the carrier may be located at a first position along the ramp, and wherein, in the depressed state, the carrier may be located at a second position along the ramp, wherein the second position may be closer to the second end of the shell than the first position.

A visualization device for a robotic surgery apparatus includes a housing configured to be removably attached to a mounting interface of the apparatus and be positioned adjacent an insertion device of the apparatus. The housing includes first and second openings positioned on an exterior of the housing. The housing includes a substantially flexible camera tube with a first end attached to the housing and a second end including at least one camera. The second end is inserted through the first opening in the housing, pass through interior of the housing, and exit the housing through the second opening in the housing. The second end extends away from the housing toward a region of interest outside the housing or retract away from the region of interest and back toward the housing. The camera tube forms a loop around a portion of the housing.