The present invention discloses a sealing device comprising a sealing tube having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being adapted to be inserted through an anus of a patient; and a rectal surface mounted at the distal end of the sealing tube and positioned substantially perpendicularly to a cross section of the sealing tube. The rectal surface is configured and operable to create a pressure on the anus externally and activate anal muscles, wherein the rectal surface is placed in contact with the anus when in use.

Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided that generate in vivo maps of oxygenation measurements of biological tissue. These may include surgical instruments and stand-alone imaging systems with incorporated oxygen sensing capability. Oxygenation maps can be determined via fluorescent or phosphorescent lifetime imaging of an injectable probe with an oxygen-dependent optical response. Probe configuration and methods and apparatus of injecting the probe into the tissue are provided. Methods and apparatus for temperature compensation of temperature-dependent lifetime measurements are provided to improve oxygenation measurement accuracy. Oxygen maps may be registered with visible light images to assist in assessing tissue viability or localize anomalies in the tissue. Resulting oxygen images may be used for various applications including, but not limited to, guiding surgical procedures such as colorectal resection through use of intraoperative sensing, enhanced endoscopic imaging for identifying suspect lesions during colonoscopy, and external imaging of tissue such as assessing peripheral vascular disease.

According to the present invention, there is provided an endoscopy system comprising an endoscope guide and an endoscope. The endoscope of the system comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The endoscope guide of the system comprises a proximal end, a mid-section comprising at least one endoscope entry port, a distal end comprising at least one endoscope exit port, a lumen capable of receiving an endoscope extending from the at least one entry port to the at least one exit port and at least one bend located between the at least one entry port and the at least one exit port. The endoscope guide is capable of directing the insertion of the distal end of the endoscope into a body cavity when the distal end of the endoscope exits the endoscope exit port and the distal end of the endoscope guide is also configured so as to be capable to be retained within the body cavity during a surgical procedure so as to control the positioning of the distal end of the endoscope within the body cavity.

A medical assembly comprising a first imaging device comprising a first handle and a first shaft extending distally from the first handle, a second imaging device comprising a second handle and a second shaft extending distally from the second handle, and an imaging unit, wherein the first imaging device further comprises a first imager at a distal end of the first shaft, a first cable extending from the first handle for connection to the imaging unit, and a first connector, wherein the second imaging device further comprises a second imager at a distal end of the second shaft and a second connector, and wherein the first connector and the second connector are configured to connect, thereby transmitting imaging data from the second imager to the imaging unit via the first cable.

Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.

Exemplary embodiments of devices and method for affecting at least one anatomical tissue can be provided. A configuration can be provided that includes a structure which is expandable (i) having and/or (ii) forming at least one opening or a working space through which the anatomical tissue(s) is placed in the structure. For example, the structure, prior to being expanding, can have at least one partially rigid portion. In addition, or as an alternative, upon a partial or complete expansion thereof, the structure can be controllable to have a plurality of shapes. Further, the structure can be controllable to provide the working space with multiple shapes and/or multiple sizes.

An endoscope includes a first pulling section, an first elongated member, a restricting portion, a sliding surface, and a partition. The restricting portion is provided inside the operation section, and is configured to restrict a position of the first pulling section. The sliding surface is provided in the restricting portion, and allows the first pulling section to move along the axial direction. The partition covers at least a part of the sliding surface and the first pulling section, and is configured to partition the first elongated member and the first pulling section. The partition and the restricting portion are configured to restrict a moving range of the connection portion within a range of the sliding surface.

A laryngoscope with a handle, at the distal end of which a blade is arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle, wherein a channel for receiving an image carrier of a video endoscope is formed in the handle and in the blade such that the channel, in a transition area from the handle to the blade, merges in a radius from the handle into the blade. In order to provide a laryngoscope which, while being easy to handle, ensures insertion of the image carrier into the channel in a way that protects material, in the transition area from the handle into the blade, at least one run-on bevel is formed in the interior of the channel.

Methods and apparatuses for space-optimized visualization catheters are provided. Some embodiments utilize complimentary metal-oxide-semi-conductor (CMOS) technology integrated into a CMOS camera train holder system that may be a stand-alone component for use with a visualization catheter, such as a baby endoscope, or may be fabricated/extruded as a part of the catheter itself. Some embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and equivalents thereto provide better direct visual feedback to the medical personnel performing the procedure while providing a similarly-sized outer diameter visualization catheter device having an increased space therein for additional lumens and equipment or by reducing the overall outer diameter of the visualization catheter.

A control device is disclosed that includes a processor configured to: receive a signal from an imaging core, the imaging core including an optical transceiver and an ultrasound transceiver; determine whether the imaging core is in a state where the ultrasound transceiver can properly execute transmission and reception, based on at least one of the signal from the optical transceiver and the signal from the ultrasound transceiver which are received from the imaging; and control execution of an optical path length adjustment for imaging with the optical transceiver when the ultrasound transceiver can properly execute the transmission and reception.