A medical device comprising a handle extending between a first end and a second end, a first actuator coupled to the first end of the handle, a first shaft coupled to the second end of the handle, and a second shaft extending from the first shaft, the second shaft including a first articulation section and a second articulation section, wherein an articulation of the first actuator relative to the handle is configured to articulate the first articulation section, an articulation of the handle relative to the first shaft is configured to articulate the second articulation section, and the first articulation section and the second articulation section are restricted to articulating only in a first plane.

A surgical controlling system for controlling the 3D spatial position of at least one articulating surgical tool includes a controller configured to provide instructions to control movement of the surgical tool. The controller comprises a processor to determine a location of the surgical tool using at least one location estimating feature and to determine movement of the surgical tool using a database in communication with at least one movement detection feature. The location estimating feature is configured to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of the surgical tool at any given time t, and the movement detection feature is configured to detect movement of the surgical tool.

In a method of using a structured-light based system, real-time 2D images of a portion of a field of view are captured using an endoscope. A portion of an object in the field of view is illuminated with a structured light pattern, and light reflected from the field of view is detected. From the reflected light, a 3D image of the field of view is constructed, and 3D locations of points on a surface of the object are determined. The real time 3D spatial position of the endoscope and/or a surgical tool is determined. If a distance between the surface the endoscope and/or surgical tool, as determined using the 3D spatial position, falls below a predetermined distance, an alert is generated to notify a user.

Systems and methods are disclosed providing a flexible articulable device for accessing deep within tight and arbitrarily shaped channels of a body. The flexible or articulable device may employ two, independent locomotion strategies. These strategies can be combined or independently used. However, both strategies use a segmented approach that employs one or multiple embedded actuation units along the body of the device. The multiple embedded actuation units may be individually controlled, are generally connected serially, and generally uses one of the locomotion strategies. One strategy relates to propulsion while the other strategy relates to shape control.

Systems and methods are disclosed providing a flexible articulable device for accessing deep within tight and arbitrarily shaped channels of a body. The flexible or articulable device may employ two, independent locomotion strategies. These strategies can be combined or independently used. However, both strategies use a segmented approach that employs one or multiple embedded actuation units along the body of the device. The multiple embedded actuation units may be individually controlled, are generally connected serially, and generally uses one of the locomotion strategies. One strategy relates to propulsion while the other strategy relates to shape control.

An optical prism is designed to displace a field of view offset angle of an endoscope. A connector is designed to affix the optical prism to a tip of an endoscope that has a field of view at an initial offset angle displaced off-axis. The optical prism and connector are designed to reduce the offset angle of the field of view of the endoscope toward on-axis. Delivery packaging for an endoscope has a vial, well, or cavity designed to retain anti-adhesive lubricant in contact with a lens or window of the endoscope.

An improved bi-directional steerable catheter is provided. The catheter generally comprises a catheter body, tip section and control handle. The catheter further comprises first and second puller wires extending from the control handle, through the catheter body and into the tip section. The control handle has deflection means for each puller wire that include a gear, and a carrier to which the proximal end of a puller wire is anchored. The gear is rotatably coupled to a lever controlled by an operator and the gear engages the carrier such that rotation of the gear by the lever results in longitudinal movement of the carrier, which results in deflection of the tip section.

An improved bi-directional steerable catheter is provided. The catheter generally comprises a catheter body, tip section and control handle. The catheter further comprises first and second puller wires extending from the control handle, through the catheter body and into the tip section. The control handle has deflection means for each puller wire that include a gear, and a carrier to which the proximal end of a puller wire is anchored. The gear is rotatably coupled to a lever controlled by an operator and the gear engages the carrier such that rotation of the gear by the lever results in longitudinal movement of the carrier, which results in deflection of the tip section.

A scope system is provided including an elongate tube with a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough. The scope system also includes at least one accessory channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having with an accessory lumen extending therethrough, the at least one accessory channel movably disposed at least partially within the lumen of the elongate tube. The at least one accessory channel includes a distal section and a forward-viewing configuration and a side-viewing configuration. In the forward-viewing configuration, the distal section of the at least one accessory channel is substantially parallel to the distal portion of the elongate tube and in the side-viewing configuration, the distal section of the at least one accessory channel is arced at a radius greater than a radius of the distal portion of the elongate tube.

A scope system is provided including an elongate tube with a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough. The scope system also includes at least one accessory channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having with an accessory lumen extending therethrough, the at least one accessory channel movably disposed at least partially within the lumen of the elongate tube. The at least one accessory channel includes a distal section and a forward-viewing configuration and a side-viewing configuration. In the forward-viewing configuration, the distal section of the at least one accessory channel is substantially parallel to the distal portion of the elongate tube and in the side-viewing configuration, the distal section of the at least one accessory channel is arced at a radius greater than a radius of the distal portion of the elongate tube.