A method of authorizing a limited use intravascular device can include determining if the intravascular device is in communication with a clinical system; determining if the intravascular device is authorized for clinical operation without providing the clinical system access to intravascular device data stored on the intravascular device; and providing an authorization signal to the clinical system. An intravascular device can include a flexible elongate member including a sensing component at a distal portion and a connector at a proximal portion, the connector including: a memory component configured to store a parameter value; a processing component; and a charge storage component configured to power the memory component and/or the processing component; wherein the processing component is configured to determine if the flexible elongate member is authorized for clinical operation using the parameter value without providing the parameter value to a clinical system.

A removable and replaceable sheath may be coupled to a medical instrument used during a procedure, and may enable one or more functional features of the medical instrument while maintaining a sterile barrier between the instrument itself and the treatment site. The sheath may be replaced prior to a subsequent use, and sterilization of the medical instrument is not required due to the sterile barrier. Sheaths may include an embedded memory that stores procedure configurations and procedure results, longitudinal channels for delivering power or irrigation, optical elements for providing procedure specific endoscopic views, and other features. One sheath may be fitted to an endoscope for imaging and tissue ablation. Another sheath includes a balloon usable during sinuplasty procedures. Yet another sheath may be fitted to a sonic ablation instrument to provide improved transmission of sonic power to tissue.

A system and method for controlling a capsule endoscope is provided. The control method includes: measuring a magnetic field value of the environment in which the capsule endoscope is subjected; obtaining a critical magnetic field value for suspension of the capsule endoscope according to the magnetic field value; adjusting a traction force on the capsule endoscope according to the critical magnetic field value for suspension; and controlling the movement of the capsule endoscope in a horizontal and/or vertical direction, wherein the movement of the first magnet is controlled by moving the second magnet, and the capsule endoscope is in a quasi-suspended state as moving in the horizontal and/or vertical direction. The system and method reduce friction between the capsule endoscope and wall of the target area during movement by controlling the capsule endoscope in a quasi-suspended state, which makes the scanning of the target area more accurate.

A medical capsule, comprising an enclosure, the enclosure comprising an opening at one end along an axial direction; a PCB group and a functional unit which are arranged inside the enclosure; wherein the PCB group comprises a plurality of PCBs which are connected through flexible printed circuits and are spaced from each other, and the functional unit comprises a battery unit electrically connected to the PCB; and a pressure detection unit, comprising a pressure transmission film assembled at the opening, a pressure sensor positioned in the enclosure, and a pressure collecting and processing circuit board electrically connected to the pressure sensor, wherein the pressure collecting and processing circuit board is connected to one of the PCBs through a flexible printed circuit. The medical capsule is simple in structure, easy to equip and allows for expansion of functions as needed.

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 surgical tool, consisting of a handle and a flexible insertion tube, having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end configured to be inserted into an orifice of a living subject. The tool has an inner tube, which is bendable without breaking over a range of angles in response to a bending force, and which retains the bent shape after the bending force has been removed. The inner tube is located within the insertion tube. A flexible tubing defines a lumen and is contained within the inner tube. A tool working tip is configured to contact tissue in the subject and to mate with a distal termination of the inner tube. A rigid outer tube grips outer surfaces of the working tip and of the inner tube so as to maintain an opening of the working tip in communication with the flexible tubing lumen.

A rapid exchange detachable endoscope includes a transmission system having a shaft with two linear translation nuts mounted on oppositely threaded portions of the shaft so that rotation of the shaft in one direction moves the two linear translation nuts further away from one another and rotation of the shaft in an opposite direction moves the two linear translation nuts closer together to control an insertion tube tip. A control handle can be attached and detached from the transmission system, allowing an insertion tube associated with the transmission system to remain in vivo and allow for exchange of overtubes.

A steerable endoscope is provided with active steering control. An endoscope includes a flexible tubular body with first and second articulating segments, and a camera. In an embodiment, the endoscope includes an orientation sensor. A controller for the endoscope performs an automated analysis of an alignment between the motion axis of the endoscope and the viewing axis of the camera, and actively steers the endoscope to improve the alignment.

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.

Example embodiments relate to robotic arm assemblies. The robotic arm assembly includes forearm and upper arm segments. Upper arm segment includes distal motor. Robotic arm assembly includes elbow coupling joint assembly connecting distal end of upper arm segment to proximal end of forearm segment via a serial arrangement of proximal and distal elbow joints. Proximal elbow joint is located between upper arm segment and distal elbow joint. Distal elbow joint is located between proximal elbow joint and forearm segment. Proximal elbow joint forms proximal main elbow axis. Distal elbow joint forms distal main elbow axis. Elbow coupling joint assembly includes distal elbow joint subassembly connected to forearm segment. Elbow coupling joint assembly includes proximal elbow joint subassembly connecting upper arm segment to distal elbow joint subassembly. Proximal elbow joint subassembly is configured to be driven to rotate forearm segment relative to proximal main elbow axis.