A catheter includes a handle and an elongate member extending from the handle. The catheter may also include steering system coupled to the handle. The steering system may be configured to deflect at least a portion of the elongate member in at least one direction. The catheter may also include a locking mechanism configured to lock the portion of the elongate member in a deflected configuration, and a lever coupled to the handle. The lever may be configured to move from a first position to a second position to engage the locking mechanism. The lever may also be configured to be separably retained at least at one of the first position or the second position to prevent movement therebetween.

A system for performing a minimally invasive procedure comprises a flexible catheter with a lumen extending therethrough. The system also comprises an elongate instrument sized for passage through the lumen and an optical coherence tomographic sensor coupled to the elongate instrument. The system also comprises a control system that includes one or more processors. The control system is configured to receive sensor data from the optical coherence tomographic sensor, profile a tissue based on the received sensor data, generate an output signal based on the profiled tissue, and based on receipt of the output signal, generate a command to indicate or affect movement of the elongate instrument.

An endoscope add-on assembly adapted to be attached to a target endoscope. The assembly includes an ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, including a communications cable connected to an ultrasound imaging head and an imaging head movement sub-assembly, including a conduit, holding a tension member that is attached to the ultrasound imaging head. Further included are connective elements, adapted to permit the endoscope add-on assembly to be attached to the target endoscope. Finally, the imaging head movement sub-assembly is detachable from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, thereby permitting the imaging head movement subassembly to be processed separately from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, after use.

An articulating stylet usable with a tracheal intubation system is disclosed. Methods for using the articulating stylet and systems that incorporate the articulating stylet are also disclosed. In some examples, a stylet adapted for mounting an endotracheal tube comprises a shaft and a control wire. The shaft comprises a distal shaft portion, a proximal shaft portion, and an expanding connection joining the distal shaft portion to the proximal shaft portion. The proximal shaft portion has a body portion and a tip portion. The tip portion includes a tip and has greater flexibility than the body portion. The control wire is at least partially disposed within both the distal shaft portion and the proximal shaft portion and is configured to cause the tip portion of the proximal shaft portion to deform.

One aspect of the invention relates to an intubation aid (10). The intubation aid (10) comprises an elongated main part (12), and the intubation aid (10) is provided with an operating device (26). The main part (12) is designed to be curved in a first region (18) of the main part (12), and the main part (12) is additionally designed to be curved in a second region (20) of the main part (12), said second region being separated from the first region (18) and being arranged adjacently to the free end (16) of the main part (12). The main part (12) additionally comprises a positioning device (24) which is designed to limit a translational displacement of a tube (46) placed on the intubation aid (10) in at least one direction. A second aspect of the invention relates to an intubation aid which can be placed on an endoscope.

The present invention discloses an insertion unit, a bending section and an intubation system for use in a body lumen of a patient. The insertion unit comprises an inner elongated shaft structure being capable of torque transmission around its length axis and having spring-like and flexibility properties and an outer elongated shaft structure at least partially surrounding the inner elongated shaft structure and having spring-like properties and a continuous and flat outer surface. The inner elongated shaft structure has a distal end, and is capable of being connected to an optical head. The insertion unit is configured to transmit pushing and rotation forces along a length of the insertion unit. The integral insertion unit is configured and operable to bend the distal tip in all directions and to fully rotate the distal tip.

A method and system of correcting alignment of catheter relative to a target including receiving signals from an inertial measurement unit located at a distal end of a catheter, determining movement of the distal end of the catheter caused by physiological forces, receiving images depicting the distal end of the catheter and the target, identifying the distal end of the catheter and the target in the images, determining an orientation of the distal end of the catheter relative to the target and articulating the distal tip of the catheter in response to the detected movement to achieve and maintain an orientation towards the target such that a tool extended from an opening at the distal end of the catheter would intersect the target.

Devices and methods for treating rhinitis are provided. An integrated therapy and imaging device is provided for single handheld use. The device may have a hollow elongated cannula, a therapeutic element coupled to a distal portion of the cannula, an imaging assembly coupled to the cannula to provide visualization of the therapeutic element, and an articulating region operably coupled to the imaging assembly to articulate the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly may be articulated so as to translate vertically, laterally, axially, and/or rotationally.

An endoscope add-on assembly adapted to be attached to a target endoscope. The assembly includes an ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, including a communications cable connected to an ultrasound imaging head and an imaging head movement sub-assembly, including a conduit, holding a tension member that is attached to the ultrasound imaging head. Further included are connective elements, adapted to permit the endoscope add-on assembly to be attached to the target endoscope. Finally, the imaging head movement sub-assembly is detachable from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, thereby permitting the imaging head movement subassembly to be processed separately from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, after use.

An enhanced flexible robotic endoscopy apparatus includes a main body and flexible elongate shaft. The main body comprises a proximal end, a distal end and a housing that extends to the proximal end and the housing comprises a plurality of surfaces and a plurality of insertion inlets which reside on at least one of the surface of the housing at the proximal end of the main body, through which a plurality of channels for endoscopy are accessible. Each of the insertion inlets has insertion axis corresponding thereto, along which flexible elongate assemblies are insertable, with the insertion axes of the insertion inlets being parallel to the central axis of the flexible elongate shaft at the proximal end of the flexible elongate shaft.