A surgical system comprising a steering tool and a powered tool. The steering tool includes a shaft defining a bore with a bendable section, an inelastic cable, and an elastic cable. The elastic cable may be arcuately spaced from the inelastic cable. The powered tool comprising a tube assembly with a tube flexible section, a working head, and a motor. The tube assembly is configured to be removably disposed through the shaft such that the tube flexible section is seated within the bore of the bendable section of the steering tool. The elastic cable is configured to be placed in tension, and the inelastic cable causes the shaft bendable section and the tube flexible section to bend towards the inelastic cable while the inelastic cable and the elastic cable remaining in tension to resist radial loading on the working head. Methods for using the surgical system are also disclosed.

A medical system includes a flexible elongate instrument and a control system. The flexible elongate instrument includes a plurality of wires useable to control articulation of the flexible elongate instrument. The control system is configured to monitor movement of the flexible elongate instrument, determine an extent of motion of the flexible elongate instrument based on the monitoring, and determine a mode of operation for the flexible elongate instrument from a plurality of modes of operation based on the monitoring. The plurality of modes of operation includes a retraction mode, an insertion mode, and a parking mode. The control system is further configured to, in response to a change in the mode of operation, alter a rigidity of the flexible elongate instrument with a rate of rigidity change that is based on the extent of motion using one or more of the plurality of wires.

The disclosed technology is directed to an endoscope having respective first and second operations, a movable member, respective support and friction members, a cam member and a click mechanism all of which are engaged with one another to operate the endoscope during an operation. First and second operation members are disposed in the endoscope and are rotationally operated around a predetermined axis to carry out operation of the endoscope. A movable member is disposed inside the first operation member and is movable between a first position and a second position. A cam member having a cam surface that is made with an inclination with respect to the predetermined axis and abuts against part of the movable member. A click mechanism holds the cam member at the first position or the second position.

An endoscope includes a shaft assembly having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft assembly, and an elastomeric body housing an image sensor and at least one LED is comprises a distal end of the shaft. The elastomeric body is deformable between a repose straight insertion profile and a deflected offset profile by the insertion of a tool shaft through the shaft assembly and an expandable-collapsible working channel in the elastomeric body. The viewing angle of the image sensor is moved from a first selected angle to a second selected angle when the elastomeric body is actuated from the repose profile to the deflected offset profile.

An example medical device is disclosed. The example medical device includes an elongate member having proximal end region and a distal end region. The medical device also includes an end effector having a proximal end region and a distal end region. Additionally, the medical device includes a connection member coupled to the distal end region of the elongate member and the proximal end region of the end effector, the connection member having a first outer surface and a first outer diameter. The medical device also includes a first bushing positioned adjacent to the connection member, the first bushing having a second outer surface and a second outer diameter larger than the first outer diameter.

An endoscope add-on assembly adapted to be attached to a target endoscope. The assembly includes an ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, including a communications cable connected to an ultrasound imaging head and an imaging head movement sub-assembly, including a conduit, holding a tension member that is attached to the ultrasound imaging head. Further included are connective elements, adapted to permit the endoscope add-on assembly to be attached to the target endoscope. Finally, the imaging head movement sub-assembly is detachable from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, thereby permitting the imaging head movement subassembly to be processed separately from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, after use.

A bending operation mechanism includes a bending operation member configured to bend a bending portion, a wire pulling member configured to rotate along with rotation of the bending operation member, a lock operation member supported to a rotational axis, a cam member having a cam surface and integrally provided with the lock operation member, and a brake member having a cam follower surface capable of sliding relative to the cam surface. The cam member moves along with rotation of the lock operation member. The brake member moves in a direction in which a contact surface contacts a circumference of the wire pulling member as the cam follower surface slides on the cam surface in accordance with movement of the cam member.

A control device includes a processor including at least one hardware unit, the control device controlling an endoscope having a channel through which a treatment instrument is inserted, the endoscope including an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a subject and a rigidity variable unit provided in the insertion portion and configured to be capable of partially changing rigidity of the insertion portion. The processor detects formation of a bent portion in the insertion portion based on a detection result of a shape of the insertion portion, and in a case where the processor detects the formation of the bent portion in the insertion portion, the processor performs control of increasing rigidity of the rigidity variable unit located on a proximal end side in the bent portion.

An insertion apparatus in the invention includes: a multi-lumen tube provided in an insertion portion and formed in a bendable manner, the insertion portion being inserted into a subject, a distal end member arranged so as to cover a distal end of the multi-lumen tube; a braided tube into which the multi-lumen tube is inserted, a distal end edge portion of the braided tube being disposed between the distal end member and the multi-lumen tube; and a wire configured to bend the multi-lumen tube by traction, in which the braided tube includes a gap through which the wire passes from an outside of the braided tube to an inside of the braided tube.

An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.