The present invention proposes a method of transforming a traditional, single-use medical tube to a novel one with add-on endoscopic capabilities. A tiny, transparent shell is added at the distal end of the medical tube for containing lighting sources inside, and the lighting source can be any small-size LED, OLED, or LED device. Moreover, the tube has one additional lumen for installing power wires of the lighting sources, and another isolated lumen for inserting a flexible endoscope (video/image camera system) to observe targets inside human body. For minimizing outer diameter and cost, this endoscope does not include any built-in lighting source. While in use, the endoscope is first inserted into the medical tube through its specific lumen, and the lighting source at the tip is on. Secondly, the whole medical tube is safely inserted into human body for diagnosis or treatment with the help of endoscopic videos. In general, the medical tube is disposable, and the endoscope can be reused after proper sterilization procedures.

An imaging device includes: an image sensor including a plurality of pixels; a transmission cable configured to transmit power to the image sensor; a power source provided on a proximal end side of the transmission cable and configured to supply a voltage to the image sensor; a pulse signal superimposing unit provided on the proximal end side of the transmission cable and configured to superimpose a pulse signal on the voltage; a separator connected between the image sensor and the transmission cable and configured to separate an offset voltage and a pulse voltage from the voltage; a pulse signal detector connected between the separator and the transmission cable on a distal end side of the transmission cable and configured to detect the pulse signal superimposed on the offset voltage; and a timing generator configured to generate a driving signal based on the detected pulse signal.

Various embodiments are directed to battery packs for use with surgical instruments. The battery packs may comprise a plurality of cells and at least a portion of the plurality of cells may not be electrically connected to one another. The battery packs may comprise a switch or other mechanism for interconnecting the plurality of cells and may also comprise, or be used in conjunction with, a discharge switch or plug configured to electrically connect an anode of the battery pack to a cathode of the battery pack, for example, via a resistive element.

Various embodiments are directed to battery packs for use with surgical instruments. The battery packs may comprise a plurality of cells and at least a portion of the plurality of cells may not be electrically connected to one another. The battery packs may comprise a switch or other mechanism for interconnecting the plurality of cells and may also comprise, or be used in conjunction with, a discharge switch or plug configured to electrically connect an anode of the battery pack to a cathode of the battery pack, for example, via a resistive element.

A laryngoscope system includes a body having a handle and an arm, a camera mounted on a distal end of the arm, and a removable blade having a channel sized to fit over the arm to couple the blade to the body. The blade includes a magnet, and a sensor disposed in the body is responsive to the magnet. The laryngoscope system also includes a processor disposed in the body and programmed to enable at least one monitoring function in response to a signal from the sensor.

A composite cable includes a twisted wire formed by twisting a plurality of signal lines, and a plurality of power lines that are arranged on a circumference of a circle concentric with the twisted wire so as to surround an outer circumference of the twisted wire and are twisted around the twisted wire.

A camera control unit for an endoscope includes a power supply, an identifying portion, a control portion, and a switch. The power supply generates a required voltage for each of the plurality of various endoscopes expected to be connected to the camera control unit. The identifying portion identifies the required voltage of one of the various endoscope connected to the camera control unit. The control portion controls the power supply in such a manner that power having the required voltage is generated according to an identification result of the identifying portion. The switch is disposed on a power supply path connected to the power supply. The switch is set to alternate between conduction and/or blocking of the power supply path.

Electric power of a required voltage is supplied to an endoscope distal end portion, and a distal end temperature is prevented from being higher. An imaging device having an imaging element, and its peripheral circuit and a first circuit part including a first regulator as a power circuit are built in the endoscope distal end portion. The first circuit part is connected to a second circuit part via a cable. The second circuit part includes a second regulator supplying electric power to the first regulator. By the overcurrent detection function of a temperature detecting unit or a regulator arranged, when at least one abnormality of a temperature abnormality and an overcurrent in the distal end portion is detected, the output of at least one of the first regulator and the second regulator is stopped, and supply of power to the distal end portion is stopped.

The present invention relates to an endoscope including a connector configured to be coupled to an external device to receive power from the external device, wherein the connector comprises: a power receiving part comprising a slider configured to move by receiving power from the external device and a sliding rail on which the slider moves; a main frame supporting the power receiving part; power transmission cables disposed on one side of the main frame and configured to transmit power to a bendable section; a rotating structure rotatably coupled to the main frame and configured to receive rotational force in response to a movement of the slider; and a chain-slider assembly configured to work in concert with the rotating structure to transmit power to the power transmission cables.

Errors in a blended stream that would result in non-display or obscuring of a live video stream from a medical device may be automatically detected, and a failover stream corresponding to the first live video stream may be displayed to medical personnel. For example, one or more second input streams that are being blended may contain no data or invalid data which may result in the blended stream not displaying (or obscuring) the live video stream (if the blended were displayed). Switching from blending to a failover buffer may occur within the time to process a single video image frame. Upon detection (prior to display) that the blended stream would not display the live video stream, display of the live video stream from the failover buffer may be initiated. Other aspects are also described and claimed.