A handle for a medical device includes a proximal segment defining a proximal lumen extending therethrough and sized and shaped to receive an endoscopic medical device therein. A medial segment is received within a distal portion of the proximal segment and has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter thereof. A medial lumen extends through the proximal segment and is open to the proximal lumen. A distal segment is received within a distal portion of the medial segment and defines a distal lumen extending therethrough open to the medial lumen. The distal segment has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the medial segment. The medial segment includes a first movement limiting mechanism limiting movement of an endoscopic medical device inserted therethrough along an axis of the distal lumen and a second movement limiting mechanism limiting advancement of an endoscope attached to the distal body portion.

An endoscope can include an elongate, manipulable shaft with a distal-end visualization element and a handle body comprising at least one control surface for manipulating a distal region of the shaft, where the handle body includes a passage through which a length of the shaft is passable, and where the handle body includes a novel connection structure configured for firmly, securely, and removably mounting the handle to a channel of another endoscope in a manner axially aligning the passage with the channel to provide a path of communication for the shaft. A dual medical endoscope system can be constructed including a first and a second medical endoscope, where the first endoscope comprises an accessory channel with a proximal mounting port providing access thereto, and where the second endoscope comprises a handle body that is securely and removably attached to the proximal mounting port.

A hand-held vision sensor apparatus comprises a plurality of light sources, control activation elements and an image sensing array, encased within a housing such that the control activation elements are disposed at a user-accessible location on the housing. The housing further includes a pair of exit apertures for emitting illumination directed toward a medical specimen and an entrance aperture for capturing reflected light from the medical specimen. The light sources are disposed in alignment with the pair of exit apertures, and the image sensing array is aligned with the entrance aperture. The control activation elements are utilized to energize the light sources and control the functioning of the image sensing array. A computer port may be included and used to communicate command controls to the light sources, image sensing array and control activation elements in a manner that allows for a remotely-located technician to communicate with the hand-held vision sensor.

Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device.

A medical system according to the present invention comprises: a medical device comprising an insertion part comprising an angulating part, and angulation wires attached to the angulating part; and an actuator, detachably connected to the medical device, that electrically actuates the angulation wires to angulate the angulating part. The angulation wires comprise a first angulation wire and a second angulation wire. When the medical device is not attached to the actuator, the first angulation wire and the second angulation wire are in a mechanically connected looped state. When the medical device is connected to the actuator, the first angulation wire and the second angulation wire are in a second state in which the two are independently electrically actuated.

A surgical endoscope for manipulation by a surgical robot arm. The surgical endoscope comprises a shaft having a distal end for insertion into a patient and a proximal end. An endoscope interface is attached to the proximal end of the shaft. The endoscope interface is configured to engage a robot arm interface of the surgical robot arm. The endoscope interface comprises an endoscope wedge mechanism moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The endoscope wedge mechanism comprises endoscope wedge elements which are displaceable such that collective displacement of the endoscope wedge elements actuates the endoscope wedge mechanism between the unlocked position and the locked position.

A video endoscope that includes a handle with a housing and an interface portion rotatably mounted relative to the housing, and an elongate shaft with one or more electronic image sensors, wherein a proximal end section of the shaft is detachably connected to the interface portion of the handle, where the interface portion includes a first connector element electrically connected to an electric transmission element of the interface portion and the shaft includes a second connector element electrically connected to the one or more electronic image sensors, the first and second connector elements co-operating to form a detachable electrical connection, and where the handle includes an electrical connection assembly arranged at an exterior of the interface portion forming an electrical connection to at least one stationary electric and/or electronic component of the handle in a multiplicity of rotational positions of the interface portion relative to the housing.

A control system for a colonoscope having a shaft deflectable via two rotatable knobs is provided. The system includes a first drive unit mounted externally to a housing of the colonoscope. The first drive unit includes a first drive mechanism for engaging the two rotatable knobs or gears replacing the two rotatable knobs. The system further includes a second drive unit attachable to the shaft of the endoscope. The second drive unit is capable of linearly translating the shaft forward and backward. A user interface engageable by a palm of a hand controls the first drive mechanism.

Some implementations of the disclosure relate to an adapter, comprising: a distal part comprising: a first channel running through the length of the distal part from a first opening at a distal end of the adapter to a second opening at a proximal end of the distal part, wherein a shaft of an endoscope is configured to be threaded through the first channel; and a second channel configured to removably couple the adapter to an outer surface of an instrument such that, after the shaft of the endoscope is threaded through the first channel, a tool portion of the instrument is adjacent the shaft of the endoscope; and a first coupler proximal to the distal part, the first coupler configured to be locked to a second coupler of the endoscope after the shaft is threaded through the first coupler and the first channel.

A system comprises an instrument having a bendable portion with first and control elements extending in the bendable portion and a control system operably coupled to an actuator and a sensor. The control system operates to, while the bendable portion is in a neutral position, command the actuator to move the first control element a first amount until slack is removed from the first control element and command the actuator to move the second control element a second amount until slack is removed from the second control element. The control system also receives a first control element calibration position after moving the first control element the first amount and receives a second control element calibration position after moving the second control element the second amount. The control system also commands the actuator to bend the bendable portion from the neutral position and determine a resulting shape of the bendable portion.