A medical device includes a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an articulation member integral with or attached to a distal end of the shaft. The articulation member includes a first portion coupled to a second portion, the second portion is receivable in a slot defined by the first portion, and the handle is coupled to each of the first portion and the second portion and to articulate the first portion independently of articulating the second portion.

A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric, perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.

A conduit switching device includes a body, an endoscope connection port, a fluid supply port, a fluid suction port, a first conduit in the body and the fluid supply port, a second conduit in the body and the fluid suction port, a common conduit in the body and the endoscope connection port, and a switching mechanism configured to be switched between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the first conduit communicates with the common conduit, and the second conduit does not communicate with the common conduit. In the second state, the first conduit does not communicate with the common conduit, and the second conduit communicates with the common conduit.

This invention relates generally to a medical device, and more specifically, to a vaginal surgical apparatus. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes, a vaginal manipulator probe that is at least partly insertable into a vagina, the vaginal manipulator probe including an end portion that includes a bullous tip and that includes a space that accommodates a cervix therewithin; and at least one prominence incorporated with the vaginal manipulator probe operable to assist with identifying one or more positions of at least one anatomical structure or orienting the vaginal manipulator probe.

An ear endoscope device for use in a surgical procedure in an ear includes a handle, a visualization shaft extending from the handle, a tool guide extending from the handle parallel to the visualization shaft and configured to guide a tool into the ear with the visualization shaft, an imaging sensor at a distal end of the visualization shaft, and a light source. In some embodiments, the ear endoscope is combined with a suction device. In other embodiments, it may be combined with another tool.

Endoscope assemblies, biopsy caps, and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscope assembly may include an endoscope having a channel formed therein and a port that provides access to the channel. A cap may be coupled to the port. The cap may include a base having a securing member for securing the cap to the port, an outer shell and a brush section disposed within the interior volume adjacent the disk shutter section, the brush section including a plurality of brushes arranged in a helical fashion.

A protective sheath for a bronchoscope is provided, comprising a flexible and collapsible sleeve having a first open end and a second open end; wherein the first open end includes a first resilient member adapted to sealably connect to a bronchoscope control unit; and wherein the second open end includes a second resilient member adapted to sealably connect to an adapter device for receiving the bronchoscope. The sleeve is constructed from a nonpermeable, collapsible, and food grade plastic. A suction port is preferably attached to the sleeve adapted to fluidically remove air and fluids from the sleeve during the bronchoscopy procedure.

A laparoscopic flexible suction/irrigation device of the present invention encases a inner rigid cannula with an outer flexible cannula. Upon translating the distal end of outer flexible cannula beyond the distal end of the inner rigid cannula, the outer flexible cannula returns to a preexisting curvilinear shape. This curved extension can thereafter be positioned via a proximal handle to concavities within the surgical site for precise and effective fluid retraction.

An improved flexible endoscopic instrument to precisely and efficiently obtains samples of flat polyps and multiple polyps from a patient by debriding one or more polyps and retrieving the debrided polyps without having to alternate between using a separate cutting tool and a separate sample retrieving tool and may be used with an endoscope. In one aspect, the cutting tool is coupled to a flexible torque coil or torque rope that is configured to transfer rotational energy from a powered actuator through the length of the endoscope onto the cutting tool.

A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric, perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.