A flexible tube insertion apparatus includes a flexible tube having flexibility and configured to be inserted into an object to be inserted, one or more external force detectors disposed on the flexible tube and configured to detect a force of an external force applied to the flexible tube when the flexible tube is twisted in at least one direction, and a providing device configured to provide twisting information regarding a twisting direction of the flexible tube for releasing a loop section formed in the flexible tube, according to a direction in which the flexible tube is twisted and the detected force of the external force.

Provided are robotic systems and methods for navigation of luminal network that detect physiological noise. In one aspect, the system includes a set of one or more processors configured to receive first and second image data from an image sensor located on an instrument, detect a set of one or more points of interest the first image data, and identify a set of first locations and a set of second location respectively corresponding to the set of points in the first and second image data. The set of processors are further configured to, based on the set of first locations and the set of second locations, detect a change of location of the instrument within a luminal network caused by movement of the luminal network relative to the instrument based on the set of first locations and the set of second locations.

A tip part (2) for forming a tip of a disposable insertion endoscope (1) the tip part comprising: a camera insertion sleeve (28) provided within the interior spacing, the camera insertion sleeve being formed by a circumferential camera sleeve wall that extends from the distal front wall of the housing to a proximal end of the camera insertion sleeve so that the camera insertion sleeve comprises an open proximal end; a tube insertion sleeve (38) provided within the interior spacing and fixed in relation to the distal front wall, the tube insertion sleeve being formed by a circumferential tube sleeve wall that extends a total tube sleeve length S from the distal front wall of the housing to a proximal end of the tube insertion sleeve so that the tube insertion sleeve comprises an open proximal end; the circumferential housing wall comprises at least one cut-out (41) extending from the proximal end towards the distal front wall, the at least one cut-out leaving space for constructive elements within the at least one cut-out, such constructive elements comprising e.g. fixation, such as crimps, of steering wires and/or alignment elements for alignment of the tip part during manufacture. Furthermore, methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed.

An optical fiber scanning probe includes a rotor and at least one optical fiber. The rotor includes a torque rope rotatable about its central axis. The optical fiber is disposed on the rotor and eccentric relative to the torque rope. A central axis of the optical fiber is substantially parallel to the central axis of the torque rope. When the torque rope rotates about its central axis, the rotor brings a free end of the optical fiber to scan along an arc path.

An endoscope navigation system is provided that updates an anatomy model based on a live camera signal. As the endoscope advances within the patient, a camera signal, and corresponding position signal, of the endoscope, is provided and used to update the anatomy model based on identified divergences between the camera signal at a particular position and anatomy model.

Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for characterizing tissue using light scattering spectroscopy. A tissue characterization probe includes an elongate member having a proximal end and a plurality of distal probe tips at a distal end. A plurality of illumination fibers extend through the elongate member to the distal probe tips such that each distal probe tip includes at least one illumination fiber. A plurality of detection fibers also extend through the elongate member such that each probe tip includes at least one detection fiber. The disclosed devices and systems beneficially enable characterization of tissues within depths greater than 100 gm. The disclosed devices and systems also enable effective characterization of anisotropic tissues, such as cardiac myocardium.

Embodiments relate to surgical systems and methods. The system includes a main assembly having an IMU subsystem, camera, scope head assembly, and processor. Processor processes images and IMU information, including determining whether images include a distal end of the scope head assembly and a cannulation target. Responsive to a determination that images include the distal end of the scope head assembly, the processor generates 3-dimensional position of distal end of the scope head assembly. When images are determined to include the cannulation target, the processor generates 3-dimensional positions of the cannulation target. Processor also generates predictions of one or more real-time trajectory paths for the distal end of the scope head assembly to cannulate the cannulation target.

A method for displaying guidance information using a graphical user interface during an medical procedure comprises displaying, in a first mode of the graphical user interface, first image data from a perspective corresponding to a distal end of an elongate device. The first image data includes a virtual roadmap. The method also comprises transitioning from the first mode of the graphical user interface to a second mode of the graphical user interface. The transition is based on an occurrence of a triggering condition. The method also comprises displaying, in the second mode of the graphical user interface, second image data from a perspective corresponding to the distal end of the elongate device. The second image data includes a target indicator corresponding to a target location and an alignment indicator corresponding to an expected location of the medical procedure at the target location.

Various systems and methods for non-destructive testing (NDT) devices are provided. In one embodiment, an NDT can include a tubular housing including a proximal end and a distal end. The tubular housing can include a head section arranged at the distal end, and a bendable articulation section secured to the head section and arranged proximal to the head section. A sensor can be arranged within the head section, and include a first output terminal having an output signal cable extending along the tubular housing to a control unit arranged at the proximal end of the tubular housing, and a second output terminal grounded within the tubular housing.

An intubation system includes a measurement apparatus that measures physiological parameter of a subject by a measuring section, an intubation apparatus that includes an imaging section placed in a vicinity of a tip end portion of an inserting section to be inserted from a mouth of the subject toward a target site, an intubation displaying section that is disposed integrally with or separately from the intubation apparatus and is connected to the imaging section and the measuring section to display an in vivo image that is taken by the imaging section along with the physiological parameter that is measured by the measuring section, and an overall storage section that stores the in vivo image and physiological parameter that are displayed on the intubation displaying section, in an associated manner.