A catheter includes a handle and an elongate member extending from the handle. The catheter may also include steering system coupled to the handle. The steering system may be configured to deflect at least a portion of the elongate member in at least one direction. The catheter may also include a locking mechanism configured to lock the portion of the elongate member in a deflected configuration, and a lever coupled to the handle. The lever may be configured to move from a first position to a second position to engage the locking mechanism. The lever may also be configured to be separably retained at least at one of the first position or the second position to prevent movement therebetween.

A system a guidewire and a tensioning mechanism. The guidewire includes a thin elongated structure and an outer shell around a first portion of the thin elongated structure. A second portion of the thin elongated structure is exposed outside the thin elongated structure. The tensioning mechanism is configured to engage the second portion of the thin elongated structure to move the guidewire between a flexible state and a rigid state.

There is provided an endoscope that allows the distal end portion of a wire and a treatment tool-elevator to be easily connected to each other. An engaging portion (100) is provided at the distal end portion of a wire (60). An elevator (30) is provided with a contact portion (101) that applies a rotational moving force acting in a fallen direction to the elevator (30) in a case where the engaging portion (100) is in contact with the contact portion. The elevator (30) is provided with a housing portion (102) in which an opening (104) is formed. A wall portion (81) is provided at a position that faces the movement trajectory of the engaging portion (100) in a case where the elevator (30) is moved between an elevated position and a fallen position in a state where the engaging portion (100) is in contact with the contact portion (101). In a state where the engaging portion (100) is in contact with the contact portion (101), the wall portion (81) regulates the movement of the engaging portion (100) in a direction where the engaging portion (100) enters the opening (104) in a case where the elevator (30) is present between the elevated position and the fallen position and allows the movement of the engaging portion (100) in the direction where the engaging portion (100) enters the opening (104) in a case where the elevator (30) is present between the fallen position and an attachment/detachment position.

A visualization device for a robotic surgery apparatus includes a housing configured to be removably attached to a mounting interface of the apparatus and be positioned adjacent an insertion device of the apparatus. The housing includes first and second openings positioned on an exterior of the housing. The housing includes a substantially flexible camera tube with a first end attached to the housing and a second end including at least one camera. The second end is inserted through the first opening in the housing, pass through interior of the housing, and exit the housing through the second opening in the housing. The second end extends away from the housing toward a region of interest outside the housing or retract away from the region of interest and back toward the housing. The camera tube forms a loop around a portion of the housing.

Provided is an endoscope capable of operating a bending part with a higher degree of freedom while enabling a related-art operation of moving a pair of bending operating wires forward and backward. The endoscope has an insertion part having a bendable bending part; an operating part continuously provided on a proximal end side of the insertion part; a pair of bending operating wires inserted into the insertion part and fixed to a distal end side of the insertion part; a first bending operating mechanism that operates the bending part by moving the pair of bending operating wires forward and backward in conjunction with each other; and a second bending operating mechanism that operates the bending part by independently moving the pair of bending operating wires forward and backward.

Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and reusable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. the catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree.

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 surgical tool including an inelastic and elastic cable to impart a bend to a shaft. A steering assembly is coupled to the shaft and configured to cause longitudinal displacement of the shaft relative to the body to tension the cables to bend the shaft bendable section in a direction of the flexible inelastic cable. The surgical tool may include an active tip with one of the cables being configured to supply energy to the active tip. The surgical tool may be a shaver that includes a shaver shaft having a flexible section configured to be aligned with a shaft bendable section with the motor of the shaver supported on a cradle of a body. The shaft bendable section may be formed by links with the flexible inelastic cable being arcuately spaced apart from tabs within sockets that engage adjacent links.

A surgical apparatus includes a housing, a test port retainer, a pressure test chamber, and an image capture assembly. The housing includes a pressure test port. The test port retainer includes a test port retainer housing, a probe seal, and a liquid exclusion barrier. In one aspect, the test port retainer also includes a hydrophobic membrane mounted within the test port retainer housing. The pressure test chamber includes a manifold and a central tube. The first end of the central tube is affixed to the image capture assembly to form a pressure seal, and the second end of the central tube is coupled to the test port retainer so that the pressure test port communicates with the interior volume of the central tube through the test port retainer.

A system for modularly assembling a scope device includes an optical module which has an optical housing and a longitudinal member extending distally therefrom. A distal end of the member includes a camera for visualizing a target area, electric wires and a light source extending from the camera to the optical housing. The system also includes a deflector module coupleable with the optical module. The deflector module includes a deflector housing and a deflector shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft includes a first channel sized, shaped and configured to receive the member therein and a deflectable portion extending along a distal portion of the shaft. The deflector housing includes an actuator for deflecting the deflectable portion, the optical and deflector housings including corresponding connecting elements to engage one another when the member is inserted through the first channel and the deflector and optical housings are coupled.