Embodiments for estimating a surface texture of a tooth are described herein. One method embodiment includes collecting a sequence of images utilizing multiple light conditions using an intra-oral imaging device and estimating the surface texture of the tooth based on the sequence of images.

A cart or man-portable system and method for performing endoscopic procedures is provided. A portable display device, such as a laptop computer, is coupled to a handle comprising a miniature camera and fiber optic illumination subsystem. A sterile disposable portion is fitted over the illumination subsystem and inserted into a target area on a patient. Images of the target area are conveyed from the camera to the display device while an endoscopic procedure is performed, thus facilitating real-time diagnosis during the procedure.

An illumination apparatus includes an exit layer including a phosphor; a plurality of first light sources and a plurality of second light sources; wherein, the first light sources and the second light sources are arranged in plural unit cells; the plurality of the first light sources is controllable separately from the plurality of the second light sources; the first and second light sources are arranged spaced apart from the exit layer; the phosphor converts at least a portion of the first lights into first converted lights; if the first and second light sources emit the first and second lights, respectively, on a line connecting corresponding positions of two adjacent unit cells of the plurality of unit cells projected on the exit layer, a variation of a total intensity of the respective lights is less than 20%.

A tethered imaging camera encapsulated in a shell lens element of such camera enables viewing from inside and imaging of a biological organ in/from a variety of directions. A portion of camera's optical system together with light source(s) and optical detector mutually cooperated by housing structure inside the shell are moveable/re-orientable within the shell to vary a desired view of the object space without interruption of imaging process. A tether carries electrical but not optical signals to and from the camera and controllable traction cords to move the camera, and a hand-control unit and/or electronic circuitry configured to operate the camera and power its movements. Method(s) of using optical, optoelectronic, and optoelectromechanical sub-systems of the camera.

A medical endoscope that has a reusable portion to which either of two different single-use portions can be snapped in by hand to thereby form two different assembled endoscopes. When one of the single-use portions is assembled with the reusable portion, a motor in the reusable portion robotically rotates a cannula about a proximal end of the single use portion. When the other single-use portion is assembled with the reusable portion, the motor robotically angulates the distal end of the cannula. Another medical endoscope is single-use in its entirety and has motor-driven angulation of the cannula's distal end. Another has manually controlled angulation.

An otoscope including a head, a holder for an ear funnel, a primary lighting unit and a secondary lighting unit. The primary lighting unit is configured for examining the ear and the secondary lighting unit is configured for examining a part of the body that differs from the ear.

A Raman endoscope for use in obtaining in vivo Raman spectra in the peripheral airways of the lungs and a method of constructing the Raman endoscope are disclosed. The endoscope has a tubular sheath containing a fiber bundle. The sheath has an outer diameter of less than 1.35 mm. The sheath is made of fluorinated ethylene propylene. The sheath is flexible along its length from a first end to a point along the sheath so that it can navigate sharp turns within the peripheral airways. A layer of coating covers the sheath along a terminal length and a probe tip of the fiber bundle. The terminal length extends along a length of the sheath extending from a second end opposite to the first end to the point. Terminal length is rigid to facilitate advancement of the endoscope towards the lesion of interest. Terminal length is 5 mm or less.

An endoscope pipe with a central, elongated observation window on the distal end, whereby several light outlet openings for fiberoptic end surfaces are positioned close to the observation window for illuminating the angle area observed through the observation window and the light outlet openings are positioned asymmetrically in relation to the longitudinal extension of the observation window and/or the fiberoptic end surfaces are held in the light outlet openings in such a way that light is beamed from the fiberoptic end surfaces into the angle area in various directions.

A surgical suturing tracking system is disclosed. The surgical suturing tracking system is configured to detect and guide a suturing needle during a surgical suturing procedure. The surgical suturing track system comprises a control circuit configured to predict a path of a needle suturing stroke after receiving an input from a clinician, detect an embedded tissue structure, and assess proximity of the predicted path and the detected embedded tissue structure.

A surgical access assembly and method of use is disclosed. The surgical access assembly comprises an outer sheath and an obturator. The outer sheath and obturator are configured to be delivered to an area of interest within the brain. Either the outer sheath or the obturator may be configured to operate with a navigational system to track the location of either within the brain. Once positioned at a desired location, the obturator is removed, leaving a distal end of the outer sheath adjacent an area of interest, and creating a working corridor. Interrogation of the area of interest may be performed to evaluate a disorder and/or abnormality, as well as evaluate treatment regimes. Interventional devices may also be introduced to the area of interest, as well as a variety of treatments.