Various embodiments are generally directed to fluid container enclosure systems that couple with a fluid container and enable different systems, such as endoscopic systems, to access the contents of the fluid container, such as via a tubing set. The enclosure systems are configured to fit a wide range of fluid container necks, ports, or other openings, including various opening dimensions and thread finishes. In one embodiment, an enclosure system may include a plug having a sleeve extending therefrom. The plug may be deformed manually or via a plunger system to reduce the outer dimension thereof to fit the plug in the neck of a fluid container. Once the plug is arranged within the neck, the sleeve may be folded down over an outer surface of the neck to form or reinforce a seal between the enclosure system and the neck of the fluid container. Other embodiments are described.

Various embodiments are generally directed to fluid container adapters that couple with a fluid container, so to enable access to the contents of the fluid container, such as from an endoscopic system via a tubing set. Several embodiments are particularly directed to a fluid container adapter that can couple with an opening in a variety of fluid containers to place one or more tubes in fluid communication with an interior of any particular one of the variety of fluid containers.

The present disclosure, in its various aspects, is directed to expandable guide devices, implementation methods, and related systems. In one example, an expandable guide device is configured to receive an instrument through an instrument lumen of the device. Each of a plurality of expandable members are disposed circumferentially about a body of the device that defines the instrument lumen, and each expandable member is configured to be independently transitionable between an expanded configuration and an unexpanded configuration.

The invention relates to an actuator for an endoscopic probe, an endoscopic probe and a method for controlling an actuator of an endoscopic probe. The actuator is provided with an elongate shape memory wire (2) consisting of a shape memory alloy, with an electrical conductor (5) which is electrically conductively connected to the shape memory wire (2) and supplies the shape memory wire (2) with current, with a wire insulation (3) which surrounds at least some sections of the shape memory wire (2) and consists of an electrically insulating material and with a flexible sheath (4) which is pressure-resistant in the longitudinal direction of the shape memory wire (2). The shape memory wire (2) converts the electrical energy of the current flowing through said shape memory wire into thermal energy. Under the influence of this heat, the shape memory wire (2) changes its length from a first length to a second length. The sheath (4) forms a guide for the shape memory wire (2) and a counterbearing for supporting the tensile forces to be transmitted which are effective as a result of the change in shape of the shape memory wire (2).

A medical device may comprise a sheath configured to be inserted into a body lumen of a patient. A distal end of the sheath may include an elevator for changing an orientation of a medical device. A handle may include an actuator. The actuator may be operably connected to the elevator. Activation of the actuator may cause movement of the elevator. An engaging portion may, in at least one configuration of the handle, protrude from a surface of a handle body toward the actuator. A force exerted by the user on at least one of the actuator or the engaging portion may cause the handle to transition between (a) a first configuration in which the engaging portion interacts with the actuator to inhibit movement of the actuator relative to the engaging portion and (b) a second configuration in which the actuator is movable relative to the engaging portion.

A variable-stiffness actuator is to be installed into a flexible member and provide different degrees of stiffness to the flexible member. The actuator includes two hard members located apart from each other, and a shape-memory member connecting the hard members. The shape-memory member has a property of transitioning in phase between a first phase and a second phase. The shape-memory member is in a low stiffness state when in the first phase, and is in a high stiffness state when in the second phase. The actuator also includes a inducing member configured to cause a portion of the shape-memory member between the hard members to transition in phase between the first and second phases, and a urging member configured to urge the hard members in directions away from each other.

An apparatus for performing surgical procedures is disclosed including a flexible entry guide tube and a first steering device. The guide tube has one or more lumens extending along its length from a proximal end to substantially at or near a distal end. At least one of the one or more lumens is an instrument lumen with open ends to receive a flexible shaft of a surgical tool. The first steering device is insertable into the instrument lumen to shape the guide tube as it is inserted through an opening in a body and along a path towards a surgical site. The apparatus may further include a flexible locking device to couple to the flexible entry guide tube and selectively rigidize the guide tube to hold its shape. The guide tube may be steered by remote control with one or more actuators.

A variable-stiffness actuator includes a shape-memory member that increases in stiffness on heating, a heating member arranged to surround the shape-memory member along a longitudinal axis of the shape-memory member, and a heat transmitting medium arranged to surround the heating member along a longitudinal axis of the heating member. The heating member generates heat in response to supply of a current, so as to heat the shape-memory member. The heat transmitting medium is deformed to decrease an inner diameter of the heat transmitting medium to come into contact with the heating member, so as to cool the heating member. The heat transmitting medium is deformed to increase the inner diameter to come out of contact with the heating member.

A rigidity variable device includes: a main body unit having an elongated shape; a plurality of higher rigidity portions made of metal, the higher rigidity portions being included in the main body unit and arrayed in a separated manner in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the main body unit; and one or a plurality of lower rigidity portions included in the main body unit and including a shape memory alloy coil disposed between adjacent ones of the higher rigidity portions and formed by winding a wire around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. A rigidity of the shape memory alloy coil increases when heated.

A catheter for use in a patient's heart, especially for mapping a tubular region of the heart, has a catheter body, a deflectable intermediate section and a distal a mapping assembly that has a generally circular portion adapted to sit on or in a tubular region of the heart. A control handle of the catheter allows for single-handed manipulation of various control mechanisms that can deflect the intermediate section and contract the mapping assembly by means of a deflection control assembly and a linear control assembly. The deflection control assembly has a deflection arm and a rocker member. The linear control assembly has a linear control member, an inner rotational member and a cam. A pair of puller members are responsive to the deflection control assembly to bi-directionally deflect the intermediate section. A third puller member is responsive to the linear control assembly to contract the generally circular portion of the mapping assembly.