An endoscope system includes an endoscope, a video processor, a power source unit, and a parameter control device. The endoscope includes an image pickup unit and an illumination unit. The power source unit supplies electric power to the image pickup unit and the illumination unit. The video processor includes an image processing unit configured to generate an endoscope image. The parameter control device includes a data collection unit, a determination unit, and a parameter determination unit. When the data collection unit acquires one or more pieces of start information during execution of electric power consumption reducing processing, the determination unit determines to stop the electric power consumption reducing processing and execute high image quality achieving processing.

An airway intubation device having a one-piece molded body of biocompatible material with an ergonomically designed hand piece for left hand manipulation. The body includes a cap piece and linear-curved-linear insertion piece having a channel in one side thereof for insertion of an endotracheal tube. The channel has a wide entry portal disposed ahead of the hand piece so that a clinician may load the channel with a tube while the insertion piece is in the mouth of the patient without having to view the entry portal. The device includes illumination means and viewing means comprising an eye piece or a video display unit mounted to the cap piece so that a clinician can view the insertion of the tube between the vocal cords of a patient without contact.

An embodiment comprises and apparatus having an image capture device with an image axis and a gyroscope operable to indicate the orientation of the image axis. An embodiment of a capsule endoscopy system comprises an imaging capsule and an external unit. The imaging capsule may comprise an image capture device having an image axis and a gyroscope operable to indicate the orientation of the image axis. The external unit may comprise a gyroscope operable to indicate an orientation of a subject and a harness wearable by a subject and operable to align the gyroscope with the subject. The imaging capsule may send and image to an external unit for processing and display, and the external unit may provide for calculation of the image-axis orientation relative to the body.

A Carpal Tunnel Release (CTR) surgical tool is disclosed. The CRT tool is useable to perform CTR surgically endoscopically through an incision in the patient, and includes dedicated optical components within the tool. The tool also includes wireless communication means to broadcast video images from the camera to an external display without the use of any cabling. The CTR tool is modular, thus allowing different portions of the tool to be replaced, including a blade tip assembly. The CTR tool is comprised of components manufactured of materials that can be cleaned and sterilized using an autoclave alone, which allows the tool to be more easily and cheaply used in subsequent surgeries, and in contexts that may lack the resources and support traditionally necessary for surgery. The CTR system may simply comprise of the tool (and its cheaper replacement parts), a monitor having wireless capability, and a simple autoclave.

A reduced area imaging device is provided for use in medical or dental instruments such as an endoscope. The imaging device is provided in various configurations, and connections between the imaging device elements and a video display may be achieved by wired or wireless connections. A connector assembly located near the imaging device interconnects the imaging device to an image/power cable extending through the endoscope. The connector provides strain relief and stabilization for electrically interconnecting the imager to the cable. The connector also serves as the structure for anchoring the distal ends of steering wires extending through the body of the endoscopic device. The connector includes a strain relief member mounted over a body of the connector. The connector allows a steering wire capability without enlarging the profile of the distal tip of the endoscopic device.

A surgical retractor has a shaft with an integral blade. The shaft and the blade are joined at an angle. The blade has an upper surface. A plurality of LED lights are embedded within the blade and are exposed at the upper surface. The blade surrounding the LED lights is opaque. The retractor may further include a camera mounted on the blade. Also disclosed is a surgical retractor kit including a mounting ring, at least one of the aforementioned surgical retractors, and a coupler for releaseably mounting the retractor to the ring.

A speculum comprising a lower member including a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lower blade extending from the proximal end of the handle, an upper blade configured to be movable with respect to the lower member, and an illumination assembly including at least one light source, at least one power source housed in the handle and an ejection mechanism for removal of the at least one power source from the handle, wherein the at least one power source is housed in the handle at a position closer to the proximal end of the handle than to the distal end, and wherein the ejection mechanism is configured to remove the at least one power source via an opening formed in the distal end of the handle.

An intubation device for intubating a patient includes a handle for holding the intubation device by a user, a single-use intubation blade that includes a retainer clip and a mounting lug held fixedly to the intubation blade by the retainer clip, a ratchet collar that is rotatably connected to the handle. The ratchet collar is rotatable with respect to the intubation blade in a first travel direction to mount the intubation blade to the handle and in a second travel direction to dismount the intubation blade from the handle. The intubation device also includes a disabling mechanism for preventing re-use of the intubation. The disabling mechanism includes a break-away section of the retainer clip, and gear teeth that have a first gear tooth surface. When the ratchet collar is rotated the first gear tooth surface breaks the break-away section dislocating the mounting lug.

A capsule endoscope includes: a function-performing device configured to perform a function; a power source configured to supply power; a first inductor including a cored coil, the first inductor being configured to boost a voltage of the power and output a first voltage; a second inductor including an air-cored coil, the second inductor being configured to boost a voltage of the power and output a second voltage; a detector configured to detect a magnetic field applied from outside; and a controller configured to perform control to supply first power according to the first voltage to the function-performing device, when the magnetic field detected by the detector has a magnitude less than a threshold, and to supply second power according to the second voltage to the function-performing device, when the magnetic field detected by the detector has a magnitude not less than a threshold.

Portable surgical systems, methods, and kits are described. The surgical systems may include a camera configured to capture images, viewing equipment configured to receive and display the captured images, a processor, and a stand. The camera, the viewing equipment, the processor, and the stand are configured to be housed in a case. Surgery may be performed using the surgical system by retrieving surgical components from the case, assembling the retrieved surgical components into a surgical system, positioning a patient within the surgical system for surgery, configuring the surgical system, performing the surgery with the surgical system, reconfiguring the surgical system during the surgery, disassembling the surgical system after the surgery, and placing the components in the case.