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.

Exemplary apparatus for coupling to a probe and providing information regarding at least one structure can be provided. For example, the apparatus can include an electronics arrangement which is configured to obtain the information and transmit the information wirelessly, and a structural connection configuration which is structured and configured to be attached to the probe. The electronics arrangement can include a detector arrangement which is configured to detect at least one return radiation from at least one portion of at least one sample based on the predetermined patterns, and provide the data for the portion(s) based on the return radiation(s). In addition, a computer arrangement can be provided which is configured to generate the information with includes image data for the portion(s) as a function of the data and prior knowledge of the predetermined patterns.

Disclosed embodiments integrate a camera into an intraoral mirror. Integrating a camera into an intraoral mirror provides an efficient way to record and display what is visible to the healthcare provider in the mirror.

A surgical visualization system is disclosed. The surgical visualization system is configured to identify one or more structure(s) and/or determine one or more distances with respect to obscuring tissue and/or the identified structure(s). The surgical visualization system can facilitate avoidance of the identified structure(s) by a surgical device. The surgical visualization system can comprise a first emitter configured to emit a plurality of tissue-penetrating light waves and a second emitter configured to emit structured light onto the surface of tissue. The surgical visualization system can also include an image sensor configured to detect reflected visible light, tissue-penetrating light, and/or structured light. The surgical visualization system can convey information to one or more clinicians regarding the position of one or more hidden identified structures and/or provide one or more proximity indicators.

A surgical visualization system is disclosed. The surgical visualization system includes a control circuit communicatively coupled to a straight line laser source, a structured light emitter, and an image sensor; and a memory communicatively coupled to the control circuit. The memory stores instructions which, when executed, cause the control circuit to control the straight line laser source to project a straight laser line reference; control the structured light source to emit a structured light pattern onto a surface of an element of a surgical device; control the image sensor to detect the projected straight laser line and structured light reflected from the surface of the element of the surgical device; and determine a position of the element of the surgical device relative to the projected straight laser line reference.

A colposcope includes an inserter including an elongated body defining an interior space and an image capture device configured to be selectively and slidably positioned within the interior space of the elongated body. The elongated body has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The distal end portion is substantially funnel shaped and has a distal end that includes first and second portions. The first portion includes a base at a first edge of the distal end, and the second portion includes a lip at a second edge of the distal end that is diametrically opposed from the first edge. The lip is positioned further from the proximal end portion than the base.

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.

An endoscope module including an annular prism, an annular lens, an annular stop, and an annular image sensor is provided. The annular prism has an annular reflective inclined surface, a light incident surface, and a light emitting surface. The light incident surface faces a side surface and the light emitting surface faces away from a front surface. The annular stop is disposed on a side of the light incident surface of the annular prism and surrounds the annular prism. The annular lens is disposed between the annular prism and the annular image sensor. A lateral light from the side surface is reflected to the annular lens by the annular reflective inclined surface after passing through the annular stop and then entering the annular prism, and is then condensed to the annular image sensor by the annular lens.

A surgical visualization system is disclosed. The surgical visualization system is configured to identify one or more structure(s) and/or determine one or more distances with respect to obscuring tissue and/or the identified structure(s). The surgical visualization system can facilitate avoidance of the identified structure(s) by a surgical device. The surgical visualization system can comprise a first emitter configured to emit a plurality of tissue-penetrating light waves and a second emitter configured to emit structured light onto the surface of tissue. The surgical visualization system can also include an image sensor configured to detect reflected visible light, tissue-penetrating light, and/or structured light. The surgical visualization system can convey information to one or more clinicians regarding the position of one or more hidden identified structures and/or provide one or more proximity indicators. In various instances, a robotic camera of the surgical visualization system can monitor and track one or more tagged structures.

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.