A device and method is provided for a suction tool combined with an optical probe. A suction device is provided having a tip with a hollow tubular body, a plurality of optical fibers embedded in the tip and a concentric ring attached to the tip, wherein the ring end has an inner beveled reflective surface opposing the optical fibers. A method is provided for optically measuring tissue in a medical procedure comprising suctioning a tissue using a suction device, sending optical signals along optical fibers through the suction device; directing the signals from the optical fibers onto the tissue using a beveled surface; receiving optical signals from the tissue in optical fibers via the beveled reflective surface; measuring the received optical signals in a spectrometer or detector; and releasing, resecting or ablating the tissue through the suction device.

The present specification describes a method for determining the distance of an object from the tip of an endoscope during an endoscopic procedure, wherein at least one lens is configured to converge light from outside the tip onto a sensor that includes a plurality of photodiodes a portion of which are adjacent pairs of photodiodes configured to be phase detection pixels. The method includes receiving light into each adjacent pair of photodiodes, wherein said light is reflected off a surface of said object; determining a first response curve to said light for a first photodiode of said adjacent pair of photodiodes and a second response curve to said light for a second photodiode of said adjacent pair of photodiodes; identifying an intersection between the first response curve and the second response curve; and using data derived from said intersection to determine said distance to the object.

An imaging module includes: a support substrate that includes a first surface, a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface, and a first mounting terminal disposed on the first surface; a planar light emitter including a light-emitting face, and a light-emitter terminal disposed on the first surface of the support substrate and connected to the first mounting terminal; and a solid-state image sensing device disposed adjacent to the planar light emitter and that includes a light-incident surface that has a quadrangular shape in plan view and that captures an image of an imaging object that is irradiated with light emitted from the light-emitting face.

An insertion assisting instrument has an outer diameter dimension set to satisfy a relationship of xb′<xc′ assuming that an insertion assisting instrument is projected on X-Y coordinates such that a point on a circumference where the insertion assisting instrument has a largest outer diameter (that is, a point on an outer periphery of a proximal-end-side tapered surface at a distal end) is set as an origin and the proximal-end-side tapered surface is brought into contact with an X axis, coordinates of a second point B, which is most distal from the X axis on the circumference where the insertion assisting instrument has the largest outer diameter are (xb′, yb′), and coordinates of a third point C, which is most proximal from the X axis on a circumference at the proximal end of the insertion assisting instrument, are (xc′, yc′).

A surgical device includes a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector, a visualization device, and a constant horizon mechanism. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the handle assembly. The visualization device defines a visualization axis. A first portion of the visualization device extends through the elongated portion, and a second portion of the visualization device is disposed at least partially within the handle assembly. The visualization device is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the handle assembly. The constant horizon mechanism is disposed in operative engagement with the visualization device and is configured to prevent the visualization device from rotating about the visualization axis when the visualization device rotates about the longitudinal axis.

Provided is an endoscope that can connect proximal ends of the first signal lines and a signal relay part together without securing an extra length for the first signal lines. An airtight casing is disposed inside an outer tube of an insertion part, an imaging device and first signal lines are accommodated inside the airtight casing, a distal end of the airtight casing is airtightly sealed by a cover glass, and a proximal end of the airtight casing is airtightly sealed by a partition wall part. The airtight casing is constituted of a first tubular body and a second tubular body, and the second tubular body is disposed in a nested shape with respect to the first tubular body. During the connection between the proximal ends of the first signal lines and the terminal part, the second tubular body is advanced toward the first tubular body.

A deflection prism assembly for an endoscope having a lateral viewing direction. The deflection prism assembly including: a prism holder; and a deflection prism which is received in the prism holder. The deflection prism is formed of a glass. The prism holder includes a reception component and an adjustment component, where the reception component is formed of a ceramic and the adjustment component is formed of a metal. The deflection prism is attached to the reception component and the adjustment component provides a stop for the deflection prism in an axial direction.

The present invention provides a lens unit having a cover member which does not cause deviation in precision and capable of being manufactured efficiently at low cost. In a lens unit 10A, side surfaces of a cover member 14a continuing from a front end surface 29 to a rear end surface located at a lens side are formed in a regular quadrangular prism, at least two of corners of the regular quadrangular prism are in contact with an inner peripheral surface 27 of a housing space 17 of a holder 11a for housing the cover member 14a, a gap 34 is formed between each of the side surfaces of the cover member 14a and the inner peripheral surface 27 of the holder 11a, and an effective area of a light beam is located inside a light receiving area having a regular quadrangular shape surrounded by an outer peripheral edge of the front end surface 29 of the cover member 14a.

A method for forming a lens housing containing a polymeric lens including inserting a mandrel having a distal face with negative features of the desired polymeric lens into a cylinder and filling a reservoir formed between the distal face and a distal end of the cylinder with a curable polymeric lens material. The curable polymeric lens material is cured in place within the reservoir thereby forming the desired polymeric lens. The proximal surface of the polymeric lens is formed and shaped by the distal face of the mandrel, while the distal surface of the polymeric lens is dependent upon the amount of the curable polymeric lens material placed in the reservoir and the volume of the reservoir.

A light transmission optical member for endoscope includes an incident surface provided at a distal end portion of an insertion section, light being made incident on the incident surface as incident light from a proximal end side of the insertion section, and an emission surface for emitting the light as illumination light. The emission surface includes a diffusing section that diffuses the emitted light. The diffusing section includes a plurality of convex-shaped sections extending in a predetermined direction on the emission surface. Each of the convex-shaped sections includes a first slope section having a first angle with respect to the emission surface, and totally reflecting the incident light, and a second slope section having a second angle smaller than the first angle with respect to the emission surface, and transmitting and emitting reflected light totally reflected on the first slope section and the incident light.