An optical bulb for a medical device includes first and second bodies. The first body has a substantially hemispherical distal side. The second body extends from the first body and includes a mechanical connection point at or near the proximal side of the second body. An instrument channel extends through the optical bulb from the proximal side of the second body to the distal side of the first body. An imaging channel extends an aperture defined in the proximal side of the second body and terminates between the proximal and substantially hemispherical distal sides of the first body. The distal end of the imaging channel is substantially hemispherical. The first body is configured and arranged to provide a substantially uniform image path within a field of view of a camera disposed in the imaging channel.

A system includes an endoscope defining a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated shaft extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the endoscope. A fluid collecting sheath defines a proximal end and a distal end. The fluid collecting sheath is configured for insertion into a vaginal opening. The fluid collecting sheath includes fluid collecting apertures defined at the distal end of the fluid collecting sheath. A fluid line is in fluid communication with the fluid collecting apertures. A channel is formed in the fluid collecting sheath. The channel extends between the proximal end and the distal end of the fluid collecting sheath. The channel defines an opening therein. The channel of the fluid collecting sheath is configured to operably engage the elongated shaft of the endoscope by passing the elongated shaft of the endoscope through the opening of the channel.

A medical imaging device includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a handle detachably connected to the shaft, and a connector assembly. The connector assembly comprises a plug at the proximal end of the shaft with an outer circumferential wall and a first plurality of electrical terminals, and a receptacle in the handle with a cavity for the plug. An image sensor is at the distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of electrical conductors electrically connected to the image sensor, are electrically connected to the first plurality of electrical terminals. An inner circumferential wall of the receptacle includes a second plurality of electrical terminals, and the outer circumferential wall of the plug has a plurality of apertures therein through which the first plurality of electrical terminals establishes an electrical connection with the second plurality of electrical terminals when the plug is inserted in the receptacle.

Endoscopic light refraction imaging techniques are described for configuring a viewing trocar and/or angled endoscope with a light refracting element, such as glass and/or plastic prism for instance. The light refracting element can be utilized in and/or with the viewing trocar to refract (i.e., bend) light passing into the trocar through the trocar's window. As a result, the angled endoscope's field of view can be substantially aligned with the field of view of the trocar's window, thus allowing the angled endoscope and viewing trocar to be used together to create ports in a patient, including initial ports of endoscopic surgical procedures.

Provided is an endoscope that can connect proximal ends of the first signal lines and a signal relay part together without securing an extra length for the first signal lines. An airtight casing is disposed inside an outer tube of an insertion part, an imaging device and first signal lines are accommodated inside the airtight casing, a distal end of the airtight casing is airtightly sealed by a cover glass, and a proximal end of the airtight casing is airtightly sealed by a partition wall part. The airtight casing is constituted of a first tubular body and a second tubular body, and the second tubular body is disposed in a nested shape with respect to the first tubular body. During the connection between the proximal ends of the first signal lines and the terminal part, the second tubular body is advanced toward the first tubular body.

The present invention discloses access devices and methods to create an access channel for introduction of one or more working devices into an anatomical region. The access channel is created using a visualization modality that is later removed before inserting one or more working devices through the access channel. This allows the methods and devices of the present invention to be used even in small sized natural or surgically created insertion tracts leading to the anatomical region. The access channel can be made of a device such as a sheath, a guidewire, and an elongate device comprising a lumen. Examples of visualization modalities are endoscopes and body insertable ultrasound imaging devices. The working devices can be used to perform a variety of diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive procedures. Endometrial ablation devices and procedures have been used as an example to describe various aspects of the present invention.

A surgical device comprises an elongate shaft (12) which extends from a proximal end region to a distal end region thereof, the shaft (12) defining a first lumen (14) for receiving an elongate camera device therein, a second lumen (16) for receiving a tissue manipulation device therein, and a third lumen (18) for receiving a tissue retrieval device therein, the first, second and third lumens (14, 16, 18) extending from the proximal end region to the distal end region of the elongate shaft, and having respective open ends at the distal end region of the elongate shaft. The surgical device further comprises an elongate camera device which extends along the first lumen, a tissue manipulation device which extends along the second lumen, and a tissue retrieval device which extends along the third lumen.

A method is described for performing a percutaneous operation on a patient to remove an object from a cavity within the patient. The method includes advancing a first alignment sensor into the cavity through a patient lumen. The first alignment sensor provides its position and orientation in free space in real time. The alignment sensor is manipulated until it is located in proximity to the object. A percutaneous opening is made in the patient with a surgical tool, where the surgical tool includes a second alignment sensor that provides the position and orientation of the surgical tool in free space in real time. The surgical tool is directed towards the object using data provided by both the first and the second alignment sensors.

An endoscope includes a detachable wireless imaging device and an insertion tube having a distal end region. The attachment of the detachable wireless imaging device detachably attaches the detachable wireless imaging device to the distal end region of the insertion tube.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods to guide delivery devices and instruments. Exemplary instrument guides, including for endoscopes as delivery devices for cryogen delivery catheters and to guide cryogen decompression tubes as instruments, and methods for use of such instrument guides for use in body lumens at treatment sites, are disclosed.