An optical element, wherein axially symmetric or not, an output surface of which contains a plurality of indentations configured to increase a degree of divergence of light that is incident onto such surface through an input surface of the optical element. In one implementation, each of the indentations defines a corresponding aspheric lenslet the plurality of which encircles the central opening in the optical element. The optical element can he configured as a lightguide having the specified output surface. An illumination system for a laparoscope employing such optical element as an addition to the optical fiber bundle of the laparoscope or as a fiber bundle itself that has the specified output surface.

A medical device comprising an instrument head integral to the medical device having a distal portion, a light source internal to the instrument head coupled to a first channel, a first polarizing filter positioned within the first channel of the instrument head, a second polarizing filter positioned within the second channel for receiving reflected light from the light source, the reflected light received through a sensor axially aligned with the second channel is disclosed herein. The second channel may comprise a distal opening. The second channel may be configured to restrict light from entering the second channel other than by the distal opening. The first polarizing filter may be configured to polarize light from the light source.

A synthetic representation of a tool for display on a user interface of a robotic system. The synthetic representation may be used to show force on the tool, an actual position of the tool, or to show the location of the tool when out of a field of view. A three-dimensional pointer is also provided for a viewer in the surgeon console of a telesurgical system.

Provided is an optical fiber scanner including: an illumination optical fiber that optically guides illumination light and outputs the light from a distal end thereof; an elastic section that engages with a base side of the illumination optical fiber relative to the distal end thereof and that is formed of an elastic material; piezoelectric elements fixed to a side surface of the elastic section, each piezoelectric element being polarized in a radial direction of the illumination optical fiber and receiving an alternating-current voltage in a polarization direction so as to cause the illumination optical fiber to vibrate via the elastic section; and a stationary section that has an engagement hole engaging with the elastic section at a position away from the piezoelectric elements toward the base side and that supports the illumination optical fiber in a cantilevered manner via the elastic section engaged with the engagement hole.

A handheld resector balloon system includes a balloon catheter with a resecting surface and hub coupled to a handheld pump. The hub includes an inflation port that supplies fluid to a first lumen of the catheter to repeatedly inflate and deflate the balloon in pulsed fashion to resect biological material. The hub may also include a delivery port for delivering an agent, such as drugs, to a second lumen of the catheter for delivery to the distal end of the catheter. The hub may also include an aperture for inserting a device, such as an imaging device, into the second lumen of the catheter. In some embodiments, an imaging module is coupled to a handheld pump, which may include a light source for supplying light, and image circuitry for converting an optical signal from the imaging device to electrical data to be output to a computer.

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.

A deflectable sheath or dilator or catheter used for cardiac procedures; it has a shaft with one or more lumens; an optical fiber for use in channeling light used for visualization of calcification, heart tissue architecture or the progress of the cardiac procedure; the sheath or dilator or catheter includes an additional optical fiber for use as part of an ultrafast laser for calcium removal on or in heart valve tissue or for performing surgical intervention of the heart, or where the optical fiber is configurable for propagating a photon beam as part of an ultrafast laser for removing calcium on or in heart valve tissue or for performing surgical intervention of the heart.

An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a micro endoscope having steering, rotation and tool control function which can be utilized for insertion using a needle and catheter for performing arthroscopy and endoscopic procedures.

System and methods for optical tissue interrogation are provided. In some embodiments, a catheter for visualizing ablated tissue is provided, and can include a catheter body, and a distal tip positioned at a distal end of the catheter body. The distal tip can have one or more openings for exchange of light energy between the distal tip of the catheter and tissue.

An instrument system that includes an image capture device, an elongate body, an optical fiber and a controller is provided. The elongate body is operatively coupled to the image capture device. The optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a strain sensor provided on the optical fiber. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive a signal from the strain sensor and to determine a position or orientation of the image capture device based on the signal.