A system for propelling a magnetic robotic device through a human comprises a magnetic actuator device operable to generate a rotating magnetic field, and a magnetic robotic device comprising a compliant body and at least two permanent magnets supported by and spatially separated about the compliant body. A non-magnetic region can also be oriented between the at least two permanent magnets. The at least two permanent magnets can be alternating or non-alternating in polarity with each other. In response to application of the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic actuator device and that is situated proximate the magnetic robotic device, the rotating magnetic field effectuates undulatory locomotion of the magnetic robotic device to propel the magnetic robotic device through a human, such as through a natural lumen. Further, the magnetic robotic device can optionally be supported by a catheter or endoscope to assist with propelling a distal end through a human.

An articulated tip part for an endoscope, and an endoscope, including segments including a distal end segment having an outer wall defining an inner spacing adapted to accommodate a camera assembly therein and a proximal wall having a proximal surface, the distal end segment having an outer surface, wherein adjacent of the segments are interconnected by at least one hinge member to enable bending of the articulated tip part; and an insertion guide adapted to guide a steering wire and including an entry provided in the outer surface of the distal end segment, the insertion guide also including an exit fluidly coupled with and leading to the inner spacing of the distal end segment, whereby an end of a steering wire can be guided into the inner spacing of the distal end segment via the entry of the insertion guide.

An apparatus for performing electrosurgical operations using an electrosurgical power generator comprises an articulated mechanical arm, an electrosurgical grasper connected to the mechanical arm at a distal end thereof, a flexible sleeve at least partly disposed in a bendable portion of the arm, an outer surface of the sleeve comprising a plurality of surface features that define a helical wire-path around a central longitudinal axis of the sleeve, an actuation-cable passing through an inner conduit of the sleeve and mechanically coupled to the grasper to open and shut the grasper, and an electrically conductive wire for providing electrical connectivity from the power generator to the grasper, the wire being disposed on the outside of the sleeve and engaged with one or more of the surface features so as to follow therethrough the helical wire-path.

A method for supplementing a component (20) of a medical instrument (10) by way of a plastic component comprises the steps of inserting (106) the component (20) of the medical instrument (10) into a casting mold (70) and closing (107) the casting mold (70), a first region (72) of a mold surface of the casting mold (70) being placed against the component (20) and a casting chamber (78) remaining between a second region (74) of the mold surface of the casting mold (70) and the component (20); a step of supplying (108) a liquid plastic to the casting chamber (76); and a step of coupling (111) electromagnetic radiation into the liquid plastic within the casting chamber (76) in order to trigger a solidification of the plastic and in order to form the plastic component.

Some implementations of the disclosure relate to an adapter, comprising: a distal part comprising: a first channel running through the length of the distal part from a first opening at a distal end of the adapter to a second opening at a proximal end of the distal part, wherein a shaft of an endoscope is configured to be threaded through the first channel; and a second channel configured to removably couple the adapter to an outer surface of an instrument such that, after the shaft of the endoscope is threaded through the first channel, a tool portion of the instrument is adjacent the shaft of the endoscope; and a first coupler proximal to the distal part, the first coupler configured to be locked to a second coupler of the endoscope after the shaft is threaded through the first coupler and the first channel.

An intubation device and method of use to intubate a subject. The intubation device includes a distally deflectable and proximally flexible stylet having a malleable rod that is removable from its housing in the stylet. The malleable rod and its housing fit together to prevent movement of the malleable rod within the stylet during use. The stylet further includes a flexible proximal portion having a predetermined shape defined by the malleable rod when inserted in the stylet through a proximally located lumen opening, and a distal tip, the distal tip being capable of deflection by use of a proximally located actuator.

A balloon is attachably and detachably mounted on an insertion part of an endoscope. A distal end part provided at a distal end of the insertion part includes an image pickup optical system, an illumination optical system, and a beam light-emitting unit. A subject is irradiated with measurement light by the beam light-emitting unit. It is possible to recognize the position of a spot from a subject image, and to measure an observation distance to an object to be observed, the size of the object to be observed, and the like.

A wire-driven manipulator includes a first member and a second member into both of which a flexible member is inserted, the second member being disposed more on a base end side than the first member, wherein the first and the second members are bent by a drive of the flexible member, wherein the first member includes a bonding portion mechanically bonded with the member, wherein the second member is independent of the first member and the member, and wherein a variation of an average curvature of the first member caused by a drive of the members is larger than a variation of an average curvature of the second member.

An endoscope device comprises a reusable unit and a disposable unit. The reusable unit comprises a receiver adapted to receive image data and the disposable unit comprises an insertion tube. The insertion tube comprises an optical guide to image a distal object and a housing that is adapted to accommodate the reusable unit. The reusable unit is adapted to be disposed inside the housing and to be mechanically secured in it. The receiver is adapted to receive an optical image from the optical guide and to convert it to digital image data.

To provide a method of producing an endoscope flexible tube and the like which can realize an endoscope with high insertability. A method of producing the endoscope flexible tube including: continuously discharging a liquid resin into a film shape from an annular discharge port surrounding an axis and a side surface of a cylindrical substrate; bringing the discharged film-shape resin into contact with the entire periphery of the substrate on the downstream side of the discharge port; covering a side surface of the substrate with the resin while moving the substrate in an axial direction to separate a portion where the resin and the substrate are in contact from the discharge port; and curing the resin covering the side surface of the substrate.