Fluorescent imaging systems for performing an endoscopic procedure, such as a retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure may include a first light source for emitting light in the visible spectrum, or light in the near infrared (NIR) spectrum, or both. A light source bandpass filter may block the emitted light in the visible spectrum, or in the NIR spectrum, or both. A first sensor may be capable of detecting the light in the visible spectrum, or the light in the NIR spectrum, or both. A sensor bandpass filter may block the detected light in the visible spectrum, or in the NIR spectrum, or both. The first or a second light source, or the first or a second sensor, or combinations thereof, may be removably disposed on a duodenoscope.

A system for aiding placement of a nasogastric tube or a nasoduodenal tube and a method for using the same is disclosed, and the system comprises that of: a placing tube; a three-way connector, having a first port, a second port, and a third port, the first port being on the opposite end to the second port, the first port being adjacent to the third port, the first port being connected with a proximal end of the placing tube, the third port being adapted for pumping air or fluid into the three-way connector; an endoscope, having an insertion tube and an image-capturing device, the distal end of the insertion tube being a bending section, the image-capturing device being located in the front end of the bending section; and a display unit, connected with the endoscope.

A suturing apparatus comprises an invaginating device secured to a distal end of an endoscope for invaginating two parts of the interior of a wall of a vessel, for example, a stomach to be sutured together to form a gastric sleeve. The invaginating device includes a suction chamber for forming invaginated parts of the interior of the wall of the vessel. A suturing instrument extending through an instrument channel of the endoscope extends into the invaginating device, and is urged into or adjacent the suction chamber for inserting a suture into the invaginated part in the suction chamber. The next invaginated part is then formed, and the suture is inserted into it. The suture is then tightened to draw the two invaginated parts together.

There are provided a medical image processing apparatus, an endoscope system, a diagnosis assistance method, and a program capable of coping with an erroneous determination while utilizing an observation completion determination in which image processing is used and of suppressing oversight of an observation target part by a doctor. The medical image processing apparatus includes at least one processor. The at least one processor acquires a medical image; makes, on the basis of the medical image, an observation completion determination as to whether observation is completed for a target part; performs display control for causing a determined result of the observation completion determination to be displayed on a display device, receives a user input including an instruction for correcting display content indicating the determined result of the observation completion determination, and causes corrected content based on the user input to be reflected in the display.

A system for performing minimally invasive procedures in a working space within a body lumen of a patient including a flexible catheter configured to receive a working instrument therethrough. The flexible catheter has a working space expanding system positioned at the distal portion, the working space expanding system including first and second flexible elements movable from a non-expanded insertion position to an expanded position forming an expanded region to expand the working space within the body. The first and second flexible elements are connected at a distal region by a coupling structure. A stabilizing member stabilizes the distal portion of the flexible catheter.

A detachable endoscope includes: an operation part for operating the front end of an insertion part having a lighting photographing part to be bent and a detachable unit for detachably coupling the operation part and the insertion part, wherein the detachable unit includes: a first detachable module connected to first, second, third, and fourth operation wires arranged parallel to each other so that the respective one ends are connected to the front end inside the insertion part and provided on the rear end of the insertion part, a second detachable module connected to first, second, third, and fourth connection wires of a direction conversion part for converting a rotational motion into a linear motion in the operation part and provided on the front end of the operation part, and a bending control part for adjusting an angle at which the front end of the insertion part is bent and displaced vertically or horizontally.

A system is described herein. The system includes a smart nasogastric tube and a computing device. A distal end of the smart nasogastric tube is received by an internal area of a patient and includes a tip, a non-heating light source, and a camera. The tip includes a plurality of side holes or slots used for suctioning and an offset diagonal funneled slot proximate the camera used to pass a sponge brush under direct visualization. The camera is configured to capture a high definition and color video of the internal area of the patient and transmit the video to an application of a computing device. The smart nasogastric tube also includes a central tube for suctioning, feeding or lavage with a proximal port. The application of the computing device receives the video from the camera such that a healthcare professional can view the video in real-time. The video may further be transmitted to a third-party via a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) compliant message or live video stream. The smart nasogastric tube may be presented to patients in many points of implementation, such as emergency departments, urgent care centers, a family practitioners officer, or a medical ward.

A cannulation method includes inserting an endoscope into a duodenum, bringing a distal end section of the endoscope to a position where a duodenal papilla is within a field of view of the endoscope, promoting secretion of pancreatic juice or bile by administering a drainage stimulant, determining an amount of relaxation of the duodenal papilla, and performing cannulation into a biliary duct through the duodenal papilla where the amount of relaxation is greater than a predetermined amount.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.

An access system includes a proximal handle, an overtube coupled to the handle, and an endoscope port extending through handle and overtube sized for receiving an endoscope therethrough. The overtube includes anatomic wall securing system that secures a distal portion of the overtube within a hole in the anatomic wall. The overtube is provided with a shaped distal portion or a controllably shapeable distal portion that aids in directing an endoscope inserted through the port to a particular location within the peritoneal cavity. The access system includes a system for insufflating/deflating the peritoneal space separately from the body cavity accessible via a natural orifice. The access system includes a closure system to cinch closed the hole made in the anatomical wall after the access system has been removed from the hole. Methods are provided for inserting the access system through the anatomical wall to perform intra-abdominal surgery.