An apparatus of the present technology generally includes an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a first elongated channel extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion, a second channel extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion, and a slidable imaging probe disposed within the first elongated channel. The apparatus can be manually, robotically, and/or teleoperably steerable and is configured for delivery to a subject and/or positioning within a subject near or at a target location. Once the steerable apparatus has been successfully positioned at the target location, the imaging probe can be repositioned relative to the first elongated channel, thereby opening a working lumen. The working lumen and second channel are configured for removal of material from the target location within the subject by applying simultaneous activities including suction, irrigation, and/or deliver a tool to the target location.

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.

A medical device includes an operation portion, an insertion portion that is insertable into a treatment instrument insertion channel of a mother endoscope, and a mounting portion provided at an operation portion to detachably mount the operation portion onto a bending operation member of the mother endoscope.

Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and reusable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. the catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree.

Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and reusable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. the catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree.

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.

An endoscope system includes: a first endoscope including an insertion section, an operation section, and a bending operation device; a second endoscope including an insertion section, an operation section, and a bending operation device; and a fixing member configured to connect and fix the operation sections to each other such that the bending operation device of the first endoscope is made to protrude toward the operation section of the second endoscope, the bending operation device of the second endoscope is made to protrude toward the operation section of the first endoscope, and the bending operation device of the second endoscope is spaced apart from the bending operation device of the first endoscope toward an insertion section side.

An endoscope aid attachably and detachably attached to a treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope includes a flexible tubular-member longer than a total length of the treatment tool insertion channel. The tubular-member has a treatment tool insertion pipe line and a suction pipe line. A distal end part of the tubular-member has a sliding contact part that has an outer periphery coming in sliding contact with an inner peripheral surface of an outlet portion of the treatment tool insertion channel maintained in the shape of a straight pipe irrespective of bending of a bending part of the endoscope and is disposed in the outlet portion, and an extending part that extends from the sliding contact part to a distal end side and is disposed to protrude from an outlet of the treatment tool insertion channel. A distal-end-side opening of the suction pipe line is provided in the extending part.

An endoscope includes an image pickup module having an optical axis that defines a visual field direction and provided with an electric contact, a cable that is disposed on a proximal end side of the image pickup module and transfers an image pickup signal generated by the image pickup module, a channel provided beside the image pickup module, and a movable board electrically connecting the electric contact and the cable to transfer the image pickup signal and including a movable portion capable of forming a curved surface that is freely displaceable in an optical axis direction. The movable portion of the movable board is arranged at a position where a distance between the curved surface and the channel is longer than a distance between the curved surface and the optical axis.

A bending operation mechanism includes a bending operation member configured to bend a bending portion, a wire pulling member configured to rotate along with rotation of the bending operation member, a lock operation member supported to a rotational axis, a cam member having a cam surface and integrally provided with the lock operation member, and a brake member having a cam follower surface capable of sliding relative to the cam surface. The cam member moves along with rotation of the lock operation member. The brake member moves in a direction in which a contact surface contacts a circumference of the wire pulling member as the cam follower surface slides on the cam surface in accordance with movement of the cam member.