An illumination source, comprising: (a) at least one coherent light emitting device (CLED) configured for emitting coherent light having an optical path; (b) at least one optical element in said optical path for converting at least a portion of said coherent light to incoherent light, said optical element being configured to emit said incoherent light in a direction; and (c) a light control mechanism (LCM) for altering said direction of said incoherent light.

An endoscope includes a tube and a pair of image sensors. The tube includes a proximal portion, and a distal portion pivotably coupled to the proximal portion. The distal portion defines a longitudinal axis. The image sensors are disposed in a linear array along the longitudinal axis defined by the distal portion.

An endoscope having a camera and a tubular enclosure. A distal end of the camera may be movable from a first position in line with a longitudinal axis of the tubular enclosure to a second position lateral of the longitudinal axis of the tubular enclosure. Some embodiments are configured such that no portion of the endoscope obstructs a view from the distal end of the camera as the distal end of the camera is moved from the first position to the second position.

An endoscope includes a shaft assembly having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft assembly, and an elastomeric body housing an image sensor and at least one LED is comprises a distal end of the shaft. The elastomeric body is deformable between a repose straight insertion profile and a deflected offset profile by the insertion of a tool shaft through the shaft assembly and an expandable-collapsible working channel in the elastomeric body. The viewing angle of the image sensor is moved from a first selected angle to a second selected angle when the elastomeric body is actuated from the repose profile to the deflected offset profile.

An oral photography system and method can include: a chassis, the chassis including a chassis base and a vertical chassis extension, the vertical chassis extension extending upward from the chassis base, and the vertical chassis extension including: a magnetic clamp having a first clamping element for securing an imaging device to the vertical chassis extension, the imaging device including a second clamping element, a diffusion panel attachment coupled to the vertical chassis extension, and a light panel attachment coupled to the vertical chassis extension; a diffusion panel releasably affixed to the diffusion panel attachment; and a light panel releasably affixed to the light panel attachment.

An improved endoscopic device for obtaining 3-dimensional human vision simulated imaging with real dynamic convergence in therapeutic, diagnostic, and other applications. Imaging probes are mounted on a tubular shaft and a simple/sleek slider moves back-and-forth on the shaft, with slider movement optionally modified and redirected to affect imaging probe convergence/divergence. Imaging probe convergence/divergence can be optionally manual for visual target selection, and the probe arms upon which the imaging probes are mounted may also be moved through a combined 180 degree movement range using a manual control. The first and second movement transmitting means respectively adapted to cause slider-initiated convergence, or manual convergence, of the imaging probes each share at least one integrated movement element with the control means adapted for engaging and disengaging the first and second movement transmitting means. The endoscope can be fitted with different diagnostic and therapeutic systems, and can be adapted to work with robotic systems.

An endoscope having a camera and a tubular enclosure. A distal end of the camera may be movable from a first position in line with a longitudinal axis of the tubular enclosure to a second position lateral of the longitudinal axis of the tubular enclosure. Some embodiments are configured such that no portion of the endoscope obstructs a view from the distal end of the camera as the distal end of the camera is moved from the first position to the second position.

A Spectrally Encoded Forward View or Multi-View Endoscope, Probe, and Imaging Apparatus and system, and methods and storage mediums for use therewith, are provided herein. At least one apparatus or system may comprise a first waveguide; an optical system; and a diffraction grating. The first waveguide may be for guiding light from a light source to an output port of the first waveguide. The optical system may comprise at least a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface. The first reflecting surface may be arranged to reflect light from the output port of the first waveguide to the second reflecting surface. The second reflecting surface may be arranged to reflect light from the first reflecting surface back through the first reflecting surface to the diffraction grating. The diffraction grating may diffract light from the second reflecting surface in several lights/colors of non-zero diffraction orders in a first direction.

An imaging apparatus is adapted for use in an optical instrument having an elongated shaft with a transparent distal end portion. The imaging apparatus includes and image sensor assembly, a first articulating structure, and a second articulating structure mounted on the first articulating structure. First and second lateral side support structures at the lateral sides of the image sensor assembly are each mounted on the second articulating structure so as to position the image sensor assembly in an operating position in the instrument transparent end portion. The connection to the second articulating structure allows an articulation of the image sensor assembly about a lateral articulation axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft distal end portion. This lateral articulation is in addition to the ability of the first articulating structure to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft distal end portion.

An information processing apparatus and information processing method are provided to interpret the meaning of a result of voice recognition adaptively to the situation in collecting voice. The information processing apparatus includes a semantic interpretation unit that interprets a meaning of a recognition result of a collected voice of a user on a basis of the recognition result and context information in collecting the voice.