A steerable instrument for endoscopic and/or invasive type of applications, such as in surgery, which has an elongated tubular body having a proximal end part with a first actuation flexible zone having a first diameter and a distal end part having a first distal flexible zone having a second diameter that is different from the first diameter. A cylindrical diameter adaptation section is arranged to connect the proximal end part to the distal end part such that a flexion in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal center axis of the longitudinal tubular body of the first actuation flexible zone results in an amplified or attenuated flexion of the first distal flexible zone.

An endoscope system is provided, which comprises an endoscope having a hollow tube formed therein, a flexible elongate member having a first end for operational control and a second distal end for operation of robotic members, one or more actuators coupleable to the flexible elongate member at the first end thereof, and an anti-buckling tube arranged with respect to the hollow tube at the first end of the endoscope to prevent buckling of the flexible elongate member during translation of the one or more actuators. Different embodiments are also disclosed, including an endoscope comprising one or more flexible tendons having a wire coil sheath which includes wire having a substantially rectangular cross section, or an endoscope comprising a rotational-motion transmitting device, one or more flexible tendons and one or more electrical wires having anti-kink support thereon, a coupling means constraining the robotic member to an asymmetric range of motion, or torque joint means comprising a centrally aligned pulley for coupling the robotic member.

A Stylet device that allows for the articulation of tubing and provides a method for positioning of the tubing during intubation or other procedures while the tubing is located within a passage-way or lumen of a subject, such as an airway, organs, veins, intestines and the like. Where unique anatomical conditions are present in a subject, rendering standard intubation devices inadequate, the articulation capabilities of the apparatuses of the current invention are of particular use during methods of use and further promote the non-occlusion of the central cavity of the tube.

An insertion device comprising an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a subject and having a longitudinal axis in a state of forming a straight line. A bending portion is provided at a distal end side of the insertion portion. A bending tube is provided in the bending portion. A traction member is disposed in the bending portion. The bending tube includes a first joint ring and a second joint ring. The first joint ring is joined to the second joint ring in an adjacent manner. The first joint ring has a first contact portion where the traction member contacts an outer peripheral portion of the first joint ring. The second joint ring has a second contact portion where the traction member contacts an inner peripheral portion of the second joint ring. Application of tension on the traction member bends the bending portion.

An endoscopic bendable tube includes: an integrally formed resin tube; at least two wires embedded in a tube wall of the resin tube from a proximal end side to a distal end side of the resin tube, the at least two wires being parallel to a tube axis direction of the resin tube and being at positions facing each other; and a plurality of pairs of through slits formed in the tube wall of the resin tube in the tube axis direction, each pair of through slits being formed facing each other in the tube wall of the resin tube.

An endoscope having a handle, the handle including a frame with bearings, a control device with trunnions extending from opposite sides of a body of the control device, shell parts together enclosing a cavity accommodating the frame and at least partly the control device therein, the shell parts including a first column and a second column extending into the cavity from opposite sides, wherein the shell parts and the frame each are formed as separate components, wherein the trunnions of the control device and preferably the columns are supported by the bearings of the frame so that the control device is rotatable about a pivot axis, and wherein the first and second columns of the shell parts are arranged to retain the trunnions of the control device between the first and second columns of the shell parts.

A laparoscopic surgical apparatus for performing a surgical procedure through a single incision in a patient's body includes a gross positioning arm supported on a moveable platform, the gross positioner including a head; at least one articulated tool positioning apparatus coupled via a tool controller to an underside of the head, the articulated tool positioning apparatus being configured to receive a tool for performing surgical operations, the tool controller being actuated by the head to cause movements of the articulated tool positioning apparatus for performing surgical operations; and wherein the gross positioner is configured to permit the head to be positioned to facilitate insertion of the articulated tool positioning apparatus through the incision into the patient's body.

A patterned tube for use with a scope or similar medical device can include at least one flexible section. The at least one flexible section can include a plurality of first cuts having a first thickness, a plurality of second cuts having a second thickness. Particular ones of the plurality of second cuts can be located substantially opposite particular ones of the plurality of first cuts. The at least one flexible section can further include a plurality of bending moment transfer portions. Particular ones of the bending moment transfer portions can be located between particular ones of the first cuts and particular ones of the second cuts.

A medical probe includes a shaft for navigation in a patient body, and first and second deflection mechanisms. The shaft ends with a flexible section and a spring, followed by a rigid distal tip having one or more medical devices coupled thereto. The first deflection mechanism is configured to deflect the flexible section relative to the shaft. The second deflection mechanism is configured to deflect the distal tip relative to the first flexible section by using the spring.

An endoscope having an operating handle comprising a handle housing arranged at a proximal end and an insertion tube extending from said handle towards a distal end of the endoscope and terminating in a steerable tip part at the distal end of the endoscope, the endoscope further comprising a control mechanism with a Bowden cable having an outer guide tube having a first length between a proximal end and a distal end of said outer guide tube and an inner pull-wire having a second length between a proximal end and a distal end of said inner pull-wire, said second length being longer than said first length, the proximal end of the outer guide tube is affixed to the operating handle by means of an adhesive.