A medical device includes an elongate device and one or more processors coupled to the elongate device. The elongate device includes a steerable distal end and a shape sensor located along a length of the elongate device. While the elongate device is being traversed through one or more passageways of a patient, the one or more processors are configured to, based on information from a sensor, monitor an insertion motion of the elongate device, detect a data collection event, and capture, in response to detecting the data collection event, a plurality of points along the length of the elongate device using the shape sensor. The data collection event is at least partially based on a change in direction of the insertion motion of the elongate device.

An objective is to achieve an endoscope in which a distal part of an insertion unit has a reduced diameter, yet the endoscope has good pushability so that buckling at the distal part can be avoided. This endoscope is provided with: an imaging unit having a lens and an imaging element; a resin tube which extends from the imaging unit to the proximal side opposite the distal side, and through which a cable conductively connected to the imaging element is inserted; and an elastic wire which has a distal end disposed outwardly of the imaging element, is inserted in and extends through the resin tube, and has flexibility and bending stiffness.

An endoscope is provided to examine internal organs with front and rear views. The endoscope comprises a shaft extending from a distal end in a rearward direction along a longitudinal axis towards a proximal end, with the distal and proximal ends defining a hollow channel extended there-through. The endoscope further comprises a first lens positioned adjacent to the distal end and configured to receive a first image in a forward direction along the longitudinal axis, with the forward direction generally 180 degree from the rearward direction. The endoscope further comprises a rearview module positioned adjacent to the distal end. The rearview module comprises a second lens configured to be positioned adjacent to the distal end, and receive a second image in a target direction having a directional component in the rearward direction along the longitudinal axis, independently of the first lens receiving the first image in the forward direction.

An endoscope system includes a mother endoscope, a baby endoscope and a fixing member. The mother endoscope includes a first insertion section, a first operation section, a treatment instrument insertion channel and an opening. The baby endoscope includes a second insertion section and a second operation section. The first operation section includes a projection portion. The second operation section includes a recess portion that is a recessed face formed such that at least part of the recessed face comes into face contact with a surface of the projection portion. The second operation section is fixed to the first operation section in a state where the recess portion is in contact with the surface of the projection portion.

A medical device may include a first body having a lumen and a central longitudinal axis; a second body positioned at least partially within the lumen of the first body; and an arm assembly. The arm assembly may include a first arm coupled to the first body and extending distal to the first body; and a second arm coupled to the second body and extending distal to the second body. A distal end portion of the first arm may be coupled to a distal end portion of the second arm. Distal movement of the second body may be configured to move the first arm and the second arm radially-outward away from the central longitudinal axis. Proximal movement of the second body, relative to the first body, may be configured to move the first arm and the second arm radially-inward towards the central longitudinal axis.

A flexible tube insertion apparatus includes a flexible tube having flexibility and configured to be inserted into an object to be inserted, one or more external force detectors disposed on the flexible tube and configured to detect a force of an external force applied to the flexible tube when the flexible tube is twisted in at least one direction, and a providing device configured to provide twisting information regarding a twisting direction of the flexible tube for releasing a loop section formed in the flexible tube, according to a direction in which the flexible tube is twisted and the detected force of the external force.

A laryngoscope for orotracheal intubation, includes a tubular body that serves as a guide for an endotracheal tube. The tubular body has an adjustable head which is inserted into the pharynx through the mouth following the anatomical curvature until it reaches the larynx and vocal cords. The head may be equipped with a lighting and display system that can be connected to an external screen. The head can be oriented by means of actuators so that it can be directed towards the entrance to the airways,

An endoscopic examination supporting apparatus includes at least one processor including hardware. The processor acquires insertion shape information indicating an insertion shape of an insertion section of an endoscope inserted into a subject, evaluates, based on the insertion shape information, a procedure including inserting operation for the insertion section performed by a user who operates the endoscope during an endoscopic examination, and generates procedure evaluation information.

A steerable medical device, such as an endoscope of an endoscopic system, including a handle and an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle to a distal tip, a motor control assembly including a motor control housing configured to detachably interface with the handle, wherein the motor control assembly includes a first motor disposed within the motor control housing and a first gear assembly disposed within the motor control housing, and a first drive axle configured to engage the first gear assembly with a first deflection mechanism disposed within the handle, the first deflection mechanism being configured to deflect the distal tip in a first plane.

A method of continuously registering a model of anatomic passageways to a patient space includes: collecting a set of measured points along a flexible catheter as the catheter is inserted into the passageways, the measured points based on a shape of the catheter; assigning each measured point to a respective subset of a plurality of subsets based upon a depth of each measured point within the passageways; comparing the plurality of subsets to identify a first optimal subset; registering the model to the patient space based on a set of model points and the first optimal subset; collecting additional measured points; updating the plurality of subsets by assigning each additional measured point to a respective subset; comparing, after the updating, the plurality of subsets to identify a second optimal subset; and registering the model to the patient space based on the set of model points and the second optimal subset.