Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved access of locations within the body.

A medical device may comprise a handle, a first shaft extending from a distal end of the handle, and a second shaft extending a lumen of the first shaft. The handle may further include a first actuator and a second actuator. The first shaft may include (1) a plurality of lumens extending therethrough, (2) a distal face, and (3) a longitudinal axis. Actuation of the first actuator may articulate a distal portion of the first shaft. The second shaft may be axially movable relative to the first shaft such that the second shaft extends out of a distal opening of the first lumen and distally of the distal face. Actuation of the second actuator may articulate a distal portion of the second shaft.

A surgical tool, consisting of a handle and a flexible insertion tube, having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end configured to be inserted into an orifice of a living subject. The tool has an inner tube, which is bendable without breaking over a range of angles in response to a bending force, and which retains the bent shape after the bending force has been removed. The inner tube is located within the insertion tube. A flexible tubing defines a lumen and is contained within the inner tube. A tool working tip is configured to contact tissue in the subject and to mate with a distal termination of the inner tube. A rigid outer tube grips outer surfaces of the working tip and of the inner tube so as to maintain an opening of the working tip in communication with the flexible tubing lumen.

An endoscope system includes an endoscope, and an insertion auxiliary tool into which the endoscope is inserted. A flexible portion of the insertion section of the endoscope includes, from a distal end side toward a proximal end side, a low flexural rigidity portion, a flexural rigidity varying portion in which a flexural rigidity increases from the distal end side toward the proximal end side, and a high flexural rigidity portion with flexural rigidity higher than that in the low flexural rigidity portion. When at least a part of the flexible portion projects from a distal end opening of the tube body, a position of the proximal end of the low flexural rigidity portion is positioned closer to a proximal end of the insertion auxiliary tool than the distal end opening of the tube body from the proximal end of the insertion auxiliary tool.

Devices and methods of use for an endoscopic accessory device that can be assembled and advanced over an endoscope positioned at a site within the body, the endoscopic accessory device including a body structure having seam structures on opposite sides of an elongate body structure, where the seam structures can be releasably joined to transform the body structure from a planar configuration to a tubular configuration.

An aerosol-shielding endoscopy mouthpiece (AeroFree mouthpiece) is disclosed. The aerosol-shielding endoscopy mouthpiece includes a bite block part through which the endoscope passes and a mouth and nose-shielding part. Besides allowing for safe passage of the endoscope and respiration of the examinee, the bite block part includes a cover which is configured to mitigate splashing of aerosol and saliva through the orifice for endoscope passage during the endoscopic procedure. The mouth and nose-shielding part contains the bodily fluids and aerosols from the examinee's mouth and nose and reduces the risk of contamination at the time of removal and disposal.

A surgical access assembly may include an outer sheath defined by an open distal end and an open proximal end and including a hollow body portion therebetween, and a flexible tool delivery device having a hub and a guide tube, the hub configured to selectively secure to a rim at the proximal end of the outer sheath, and the guide tube configured to extend at least partially into the outer sheath and provide a flexible tool proximate to a tissue.

An insertion part of an endoscope and an insertion part of a treatment tool, which are inserted in an outer tube, can be synchronously moved in the axial direction, and, even when the insertion part of the treatment tool is slightly moved in the axial direction, an excellent endoscopic image without shake is obtained. When a treatment tool of an endoscopic surgery device moves by a displacement amount over an allowance amount, an endoscope moves in interlock with the movement of the treatment tool. Moreover, the treatment tool 50 moves in the axial direction with the allowance amount t with respect to the endoscope 10. Therefore, when the treatment tool is moved by a displacement amount of allowance amount or less, the endoscope does not move. By providing such allowance amount, slight movement of the treatment tool is not transmitted to the endoscope.

An apparatus for guiding an elongated flexible instrument, includes a first plurality of linkages forming a first side of a channel of a variable-length support assembly, a second plurality of linkages forming a second side of the channel, opposite the first side, a third plurality of linkages disposed between the first and second plurality of linkages and forming a third side of the channel, and a fourth plurality of linkages disposed between the first and second plurality of linkages and forming a fourth side of the channel, opposite the third side. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of linkages are separable from each other to transition the variable-length support assembly from an elongated configuration to a compact configuration.

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.