A device for determining the surface topology and associated color of a structure, such as a teeth segment, includes a scanner for providing depth data for points along a two-dimensional array substantially orthogonal to the depth direction, and an image acquisition means for providing color data for each of the points of the array, while the spatial disposition of the device with respect to the structure is maintained substantially unchanged. A processor combines the color data and depth data for each point in the array, thereby providing a three-dimensional color virtual model of the surface of the structure. A corresponding method for determining the surface topology and associate color of a structure is also provided.

An endoscope includes an insertion part that includes a distal end and a proximal end, and a distal-end-portion body that is provided on a distal end side of the insertion part and formed with a treatment tool outlet from which a treatment tool is led out. The distal-end-portion body includes an observation window, a nozzle that ejects washing water to the observation window, a standing base that is disposed in a standing base-housing portion adjacent to the treatment tool outlet and is rotationally moved between a standing position and a falling position, and a guide wall that is disposed at a position facing the nozzle with the observation window interposed therebetween and guides the washing water to the standing base-housing portion. Washing water, which has been ejected from the nozzle and has passed the observation window, is guided to the standing base-housing portion by the guide wall.

There is provided herein a tip section of a multi-viewing element endoscope, the tip section comprising: two or more side-pointing viewing elements positioned at or in proximity to a distal end of said tip section, wherein each of said two or more side-pointing viewing elements having a discrete illuminator associated therewith, wherein the field of view provided by the two or more side-pointing viewing elements covers a front and side views; a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.

An endoscope of the invention includes: an insertion portion; a distal end portion; a pair of first observation image acquiring sections; a second observation image acquiring section; a pair of nozzles, each of which includes a spouting port for spouting fluid toward each of the pair of first observation image acquiring sections; a pair of first protruding portions, each of which is located close to the front surface of the distal end portion and has a maximum dimension in the radial direction larger than a dimension in the radial direction of each of the nozzles, and a pair of second protruding portions, each of which is located farther from the front surface of the distal end portion and has a maximum dimension in the radial direction larger than the dimension in the radial direction of each of the nozzles.

Disclosed is an endoscope system comprising an endoscope having at its distal end at least one front-facing camera and multiple side-facing cameras, with each of the front-facing and side-facing cameras capturing a corresponding participating sub-view. The endoscope system further comprises an image display device adapted to receive the corresponding participating sub-views, and integrate and combine the corresponding participating sub-views to form a combination panoramic view covering or substantially covering a vicinity of 360-degree or substantially 360-degree surrounding the distal end.

An image capturing assembly for use in an endoscope includes a manifold with a base and a casing extending outward from the base, a partially enclosed housing adapted to physically attach to the manifold, a foldable LED carrier substrate capable of carrying a plurality of LEDs, a flexible optical carrier substrate capable of carrying a plurality of camera sensors, and a tip cover adapted to cover the manifold, housing, LED carrier substrate, and optical carrier substrate. The manifold includes at least one continuous channel extending throughout its length. The foldable LED carrier substrate includes a central, forward facing portion, adapted to carry at least one illuminator for a front viewing element, and a pair of arms extending proximally from the central portion. Each arm includes at least one foldable protrusion adapted to carry an illuminator for a side viewing element.

An optical assembly adapted to be positioned within an endoscope tip and having three modular camera units, comprising: a front modular camera unit defined by a front central axis and a first and second side modular camera units defined by first and second side central axes that are substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the front central axis. Each modular camera unit further comprises a holder for housing an associated optical element and an image sensor in data communication with a corresponding printed circuit board. The front, first side and second side modular camera units are respectively positioned in first, second and third compartments of an assembly holder.

The present specification describes a circuit board design that uses circuit boards for illuminator sets associated with the various optical assemblies. In one configuration, front and side illuminators are assembled on front and side illuminator circuit boards. Leaf connectors associated with each illuminator are provided to interface with a common base board.

A multi-camera endoscope includes a the tip section comprising: a front looking camera and a front discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the field of view of said front looking camera; a right side looking camera and a right discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the field of view of said right side looking camera; a left side looking camera and a left discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the field of view of said left side looking camera; and a multi-component cover configured to cover and seal said tip section such as to essentially prevent entry of fluids from the environment of said endoscope to inner parts of said tip section. The tip cover includes removable or repositionable window components which provide access to internal components of the tip for repair or removal, without removing the main tip cover.

A teleoperated surgical system is provided that comprises a support arm; a surgical instrument, moveably mounted to the support arm, including a housing a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and having an end effector at the distal end portion thereof; an actuator to impart movement to the surgical instrument; an optical fiber, including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, mounted to the surgical instrument to emit first light from its distal end at the distal end portion of the surgical instrument; and a light source disposed to impart the first light to the proximal end of the optical fiber at a first angle within an acceptance angle of the optical fiber.