A hydraulically driven surgical apparatus may be a tube enclosing a first channel filled with a first fluid. Changing a fluid pressure in the first channel may trigger a deformation of the tube. The deformation of the tube may perform an action associated with a surgical procedure. Related methods for steering a hydraulically driven surgical apparatus are also provided.

An ultrasound endoscope includes: a transducer unit arranged on a distal end side in an insertion direction to an inside of a subject and configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave; a bendable tube arranged on a proximal end side relative to the transducer unit, the bendable tube including a plurality of ring-shaped members that are joined with each other along the insertion direction and bendable in at least two directions; a flexible tube arranged to be continuous to the proximal end side of the bendable tube; and a flexible board inserted to an inside of the bendable tube and configured to electrically connect the transducer unit. The flexible board includes a helical portion that is formed in a helical shape following an inner surface of the bendable tube, and that is fixed to the inner surface of the bendable tube at a part.

The disclosed technology is directed to a bendable tube bendable by a bending wire that comprises a plurality of bending pieces configured to be joined together. The bending pieces including a distal-end bending piece disposed at a foremost end of the bendable tube. The distal-end bending piece includes a flat portion forming a flat surface. An attaching portion is disposed on the flat portion. The attaching portion having a first insertion region and a second insertion region. The bending wire is inserted from within the distal-end bending piece outwardly of the distal-end bending piece through the first insertion region. The bending wire is inserted from outside the distal-end bending piece into the distal-end bending piece through the second insertion region. The bending wire disposed outside the distal-end bending piece between the first insertion region and the second insertion region being attached to the distal-end bending piece by the attaching portion.

A variable stiffness device includes a first elongated member including high-bending stiffness portions and a low-bending stiffness portion between adjacent high-bending stiffness portions, a second elongated member arranged along the first elongated member and including shape-memory members and a connecting member between adjacent shape-memory members, a heater to heat a shape-memory member in the low-bending stiffness portion to increase the bending stiffness, and a moving mechanism to move the second elongated member relative to the first elongated member. When the heater heats a first shape-memory member in the low-bending stiffness portion, a second shape-memory member next to the first shape-memory member is arranged in a high-bending stiffness portion.

An endoscope includes a flexible member and a variable stiffness apparatus installed in the flexible member. The variable stiffness apparatus includes a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member movable along the first longitudinal member. The first longitudinal member includes a first high bending stiffness portion and a first low bending stiffness portion. The second longitudinal member includes a second high bending stiffness portion, a second low bending stiffness portion, and a soft member arranged in the second high bending stiffness portion and the second low bending stiffness portion. Stiffness of part of the variable stiffness apparatus in a longitudinal axis direction is varied by changing a relative position of the first and second longitudinal members.

The endoscope of the invention includes: an insertion portion; a multi-lumen tube including bending operation wire insertion holes; bending operation wires inserted into the bending operation wire insertion holes; a wire retaining member including two opening portions; a pressing member that presses a distal end surface of the multi-lumen tube through the wire retaining member; a treatment instrument insertion channel; a distal end rigid member including a through hole; and a pipe member. A contact area of the wire retaining member with a distal end surface of the multi-lumen tube is set to be larger than a contact area of a pressing member with the wire retaining member. The pressing member is disposed between the two opening portions of the wire retaining member. The wire retaining member includes a pipe holding portion that holds the pipe member and is held between the distal end rigid member and the multi-lumen tube.

The present disclosure relates generally to a simplified transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe mid-handle assembly for actuating the pull cables that control the flexion of the distal end of the gastroscope portion of a TEE probe. The assembly includes a containment frame, two control wheels, two coaxial shafts each coupled to one of the control wheels, with an elongated flexible member wrapped around each shaft. The elongated flexible members may be friction belts, timing ladders, pulley cables, timing belts, or drive tapes to translate the rotational motion of the control wheels into linear motion of the gastroscope pull cables. The assembly may also include a brake switch that, when engaged, applies a resistance to rotation of the shafts and control wheels. In some embodiments, control wheels and containment frame are made of molded plastic, and the elongated flexible members are made of elastomeric compounds moulded over Kevlar, nylon, or metal reinforcement members to reduce stretch and increase life.

A surgical port placement device with integrated vision and illumination is provided. The surgical port placement device comprises: a cannula, a hand piece connected with to cannula, an obturator inserted into the cannula, a camera and an illumination element residing at the distal end of the port placement device.

An endoscope includes: a first bearing including a first recess along a first central axis; a second bearing disposed in the first recess and provided with a second central axis intersecting the first central axis in the state of being disposed in the first recess, the second bearing including a second recess along the second central axis and being retained turnably around the first central axis; and an operation lever disposed in the second recess, and including a shaft member retained turnably around the second central axis.

The subject invention pertains to percutaneous surgical device with variable stiffness for percutaneous procedures, including but not limited to pericardiocentesis, and flexible neurosurgical devices for procedures, including but not limited to intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation and third ventriculostomy and brain tumor biopsy, and methods of making and using them.