A capsule-type microrobot is provided. A capsule-type microrobot according to the present invention comprises a motor including a receptacle having an internal space, with one portion thereof being open, a body extending from the receptacle, and a magnetic layer disposed on an outer surface of the body. A cap is coupled to a predetermined portion of the receptacle to close the internal space such that contents are contained in the receptacle. The motor separates the cap therefrom by rotating with respect to the cap through an interaction between a rotating magnetic force applied from an external source and the magnetic layer, whereby the contents are discharged from the receptacle.

An insertion device includes an insertion section extended along a longitudinal axis, and an assist tool detachably attached to the insertion section. The assist tool is actuated with being attached to the insertion section, thereby causing a propulsion force for movement along the longitudinal axis to act on the insertion section. A moving member movable between a first position and a second position is provided in one of the insertion section and the assist tool. The moving member is held at the second position due to a pressure from the other of the insertion section and the assist tool, in a state that the assist tool is located at the specific position relative to the insertion section.

Improved localization of the capsule in acoustic capsule endoscopy is provided by using analysis of the frames of the acoustic images to deduce the relative motion of the capsule from frame to frame. This idea can be supplemented with any combination of: further localization methods; propulsion of the capsule via acoustic radiation reaction; bidirectional communication and system level feedback control; energy harvesting; photoacoustic (or x-ray acoustic) imaging; and adding therapy and/or sensor capabilities to the capsule.

The present invention discloses a capsule endoscope with specific gravity control. The capsule endoscope comprises a housing to enclose various components, an inflatable device attached to a first longitudinal end of the capsule unit and an enteric coated shell attached to the first longitudinal end of the capsule unit to enclose the inflatable device between the enteric coated shell and the capsule unit. The various components include a camera sub-system for capturing image frames. The inflatable device comprises an inflatable membrane and an effervescent formulation inside the inflatable membrane. The enteric coated shell fits tightly onto the first longitudinal end of the capsule unit to prevent body liquid from leaking into a space between the enteric coated shell and the capsule unit when the capsule unit travels in human gastrointestinal tract after being swallowed.

An object is to detect the pressing force of a tip driven unit. In the controller 22, a motor control circuit 85, a load change detection unit 86, a moving speed calculation unit 87 that calculates the moving speed of a rotating body 41, a pressing force detection unit 88 that obtains the pressing force of the rotating body 41 based on the moving speed which is calculated, a CPU 89, and an alarm 91 are disposed. The pressing force is obtained based on the cycle of load change by the joint 41a in which a front end and a rear end overlap with each other is formed in the rotating body 41.

A controller which controls an operation of a self-propelled mechanism of an endoscope includes an inspection control section, a usual control section, an endoscope connection detection circuit and a control switch section. The endoscope connection detection circuit detects that the endoscope has been connected. The control switch section determines whether or not the inspection operation is performed for the endoscope at the time of the connection of the endoscope, causes the usual control section to perform the usual operation when the inspection operation is performed, and causes the inspection control section to perform the inspection operation and then causes the usual control section to perform the usual operation when the inspection operation is not performed.

A controller controls a first device, one of an endoscope and a treatment instrument being the first device, a remaining one of the endoscope and the treatment instrument being a second device, the endoscope comprising an insertion tube and a self-propelled mechanism adapted to generate force for insertion or removal of the insertion tube. The controller includes a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the second device is functioning; and a control unit configured to restrict an operation of the first device if the second device is determined to be functioning.

An insertion device includes a support member supporting a rotating tubular member between a base member and the rotating tubular member in diametrical directions and holding the rotating tubular member at a position where a rotation driving force is transmittable from a driving unit to an inner peripheral portion of the rotating tubular member connected to the driving unit. The insertion device includes a distal side ring member maintaining liquid-tightness between an outer peripheral portion of the base member and the inner peripheral portion of the rotating tubular member to a distal direction side of the driving unit placement cavity, and a proximal side ring member maintaining liquid-tightness between the outer peripheral portion of the base member and the inner peripheral portion of the rotating tubular member to a proximal direction side of the driving unit placement cavity.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to variable stiffness materials and devices, and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, a variable stiffness robotic material is disclosed, which in one example, is useful for forming a robotic material based sleeve for endoscopes. In another embodiment, a single tool variable stiffness endoscope and working channel is disclosed, which is useful for performing multi-site thermoblation in a physician's office. In yet another embodiment, a micro-wave based tissue ablation or volume reduction tool and procedure are provided for treating sleep apnea.

Example embodiments relate to endoscopic systems. The system includes an outer assembly and main assembly. The outer assembly may include proximal and distal ends and outer anchor assembly. The outer anchor assembly may include a first expandable member and first outer pressure opening. The first expandable member may expand radially outwards. The main assembly may include proximal and distal ends and a navigation assembly. The navigation assembly may include an instrument, second expandable member, bendable section, extendible section, and first pressure opening. The extendible section may include proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the extendible section may be secured in position relative to the distal end of the outer assembly. The extendible section may be configurable to extend and contract. The first main pressure opening may be configurable to apply a negative pressure.