A method of providing and processing an ultrasound capable endoscope assembly that uses an endoscope having a proximal and a distal end, and that has been used previously. The endoscope is cleansed to a level appropriate for re-use within a human body. The method also uses an unused ultrasound assembly, sealed in antiseptic packaging, and which includes a multiple signal pathway connector; an ultrasound transducer head including an ultrasound transducer; and a set of signal pathways, extending from the ultrasound transducer to the multiconductor electrical connector. In the method, the ultrasound assembly is to the endoscope, so that the set of signal pathways extends along the elongate body of the endoscope and the ultrasound transducer head is attached at the distal end. After use, the ultrasound assembly is detached from the endoscope and permanently disposed.

A medical apparatus includes a bendably deformable portion, a deforming-force-transmitting mechanism that is connected to a part of the bendably deformable portion, and an operation portion that applies a deforming force or a shape retaining force to the bendably deformable portion by controlling a tension applied to the deforming-force-transmitting mechanism.

A small diameter surgical tool implements an agonist-antagonist deflectable joint. The deflectable joint is an actuatable bendable structure that uses push-pull, agonist-antagonist action of a pair of nested tubes to actuate the joint. The tubes are designed to have non-central, offset neutral axes, and they are fixed together at locations distal to the deflectable joint, such as at their distal ends. Axial translations of the tubes relative to each other causes a push-pull, agonist-antagonist action between the tubes, which causes the deflectable joint to bend. In one implementation, a deflectable joint can be created in nested tubes by configuring radial portions of the tube sidewalls extending along the joint to have an axial region of reduced stiffness. As a result, axial agonist-antagonist motion between the tubes can cause bending of the deflectable joint.

An endoscope operation section of the present invention includes an operation section having a second longitudinal axis extending in a substantially same direction as a first longitudinal axis of an insertion section, the operation section being configured to be grasped by an operator, a bending operation member, including an axis crossing the second longitudinal axis at an acute angle during nonoperation, and configured to bend the insertion section, a first pedestal section to which a suction operation member is attached, a second pedestal section in which a surface projecting further in the forward direction by a predetermined height than the first pedestal section is formed, the predetermined height being set to a higher position in the forward direction than a position of a suction tube connecting member of the suction operation member, and a pressing operation member provided on the surface of the second pedestal section and pressed and operated.

A flexible tube insertion apparatus includes a flexible insertion section to be inserted into a subject and bent by a reaction force from the subject, a variable stiffness unit provided in the insertion section and configured to change a stiffness of the insertion section, and a shape detector configured to detect a bent shape of the insertion section. The apparatus further includes a force specifier configured to acquire a distribution of the reaction force on a distal side from a predetermined point in the bent shape and specify a maximum reaction force position, and a stiffness controller configured to control a stiffness of the variable stiffness unit so as to increase a stiffness of the variable stiffness unit between the predetermined point and the maximum reaction force position.

A medical system that includes a medical device having an imaging device configured to capture images of a target site. A location of the target site is determined based on the images. The medical device includes a light source configured to direct light onto the location of the target site, and a processor and non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to move a sensor of a medical instrument toward the location of the target site based on the sensor detecting the light at the target site.

The present invention relates to an endoscope (1) comprising a flexible insertion tube (2) and a bending portion (3) controllable from a proximal side and being distally connected to the insertion tube (2), wherein in the bending portion (3) a pull rope (11) runs for a pivoting movement of the bending portion (3), the pull rope (11) being anchored to the distal end of the bending portion (3), and wherein a biased elastic element (30) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the bending portion (3) in parallel to the pull rope (11).

An endoscope system, comprises an endoscope device that includes a handle, a shaft projecting from the handle, a flexible tip coupled to a distal portion of the shaft, and a pair of pull wires extending from the handle portion through the shaft portion and coupled to the flexible tip. The handle portion includes a control wheel assembly coupled to the pair of pull wires. The handle includes a control lever coupled to the control wheel assembly. Manipulation of the control lever causes rotation of the control wheel assembly, which then causes deflection of the flexible tip via the pull wires. The control wheel assembly comprises at least two control wheels. Each of the at least two control wheels are capable of independent rotation to provide accurate tensioning of the pair of pull wires during assembly of the endoscope system.

A medical system including a flexible instrument such as a lung catheter or bronchoscope provides a control mode in which direct manual control of insertion can be used with computer-assisted control of instrument characteristics such as the orientation or rigidity of a portion of the instrument. To facilitate manual insertion control, a mechanism can provide low inertia and friction for movement along an insertion axis. One implementation employs a manual grip of the instrument for control of insertion pressure, a joystick or other input device for computer-assisted steering, and a foot pedal for control of stiffness or compliance in the instrument. Another implementation employs a joystick for computer-assisted steering and for control of stiffness or compliance in the instrument.

A movable elongated structure includes a distal end side tube, a base end side tube, traction wires, and a wiring aid routed by the traction wires arranged between the distal end side tube and the base end side tube, wherein the wiring aid guides the pair of traction wires from a pair of base end side wire lumens provided in the base end side tube to be introduced into a pair of distal end side wire lumens provided in the distal end side tube.