A motorized control system for a medical device may include a control assembly including a first body with a cradle assembly and a second body moveably coupled to the first body. The cradle assembly may be configured to removably couple to the medical device. The second body may include a gear assembly, a first motor configured to drive a first gear of the gear assembly, and a second motor configured to drive a second gear of the gear assembly. The control assembly may be configured to transition between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The gear assembly may be configured to receive a plurality of knobs of the medical device in the closed configuration. The first motor may be configured to drive the first gear to rotate a first knob. The second motor may be configured to drive the second gear to rotate a second knob.

A controller for an endoscope comprises a handle, a working channel opening connected to the handle at a first location, a control actuator connected to the handle at a second location, a first pull wire extending from the control actuator to the working channel opening within the handle, and a first pull wire tensioner through which the first pull wire extends, wherein the first pull wire tensioner is configured to remove slack from the first pull wire between the first location and the second location.

A medical device may include a stabilizer configured to be coupled to a port of an insertion device. The medical device may further include a shaft configured for telescopic translation within the stabilizer and a grip coupled to the shaft. Further, the medical device may include an actuator coupled to the grip. The actuator may be axially moveable relative to the grip so as to selectively actuate a distal assembly of the medical device.

A medical instrument may comprise a first articulatable segment having a first diameter, and a second articulatable segment having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, wherein the second articulatable segment is coupled to the first articulatable segment and extends in a distal direction past the first articulatable segment. The instrument may also comprise a first force transmission element coupled to the first articulatable segment and extending in a proximal direction from the first articulatable segment to a first connector portion, the first connector portion being configured to be releasably coupled with a first actuator, and a second force transmission element coupled to the second articulatable segment and extending in a proximal direction from the second articulatable segment to a second connector portion, the second connector portion being configured to be releasably coupled with a second actuator. The first and second force transmission elements may be configured to transmit actuation forces, respectively, to articulate the first and second articulatable segments independently of one another.

A medical device may include a stabilizer configured to be coupled to a port of an insertion device. The medical device may further include a shaft configured for telescopic translation within the stabilizer and a grip coupled to the shaft. Further, the medical device may include an actuator coupled to the grip. The actuator may be axially moveable relative to the grip so as to selectively actuate a distal assembly of the medical device.

An insertion apparatus includes an elongated inserting section having a curving section, an input section which is provided in an operating section, receives an arbitrary input to curve the curving section in a movable range including a first range that includes the neutral input position and a second range that has an operation amount from the neutral input position exceeding the first range, a first actuator, a detecting section, a second actuator which gives a force towards the neutral position to the input section, and a control section which operates the first actuator and the second actuator, when the input amount to the input section is in the second range, thereby giving a force to the input section so that an input amount to the input section is in the first range.

An arthroscope having an elongated core with a square radial cross section.

A highly articulated robotic probe (HARP) is comprised of a first mechanism and a second mechanism, one or both of which can be steered in desired directions. Each mechanism can alternate between being rigid and limp. In limp mode the mechanism is highly flexible. When one mechanism is limp, the other is rigid. The limp mechanism is then pushed or pulled along the rigid mechanism. The limp mechanism is made rigid, thereby assuming the shape of the rigid mechanism. The rigid mechanism is made limp and the process repeats. These innovations allow the device to drive anywhere in three dimensions. The device can remember its previous configurations, and can go anywhere in a body or other structure (e.g. jet engine). When used in medical applications, once the device arrives at a desired location, the inner core mechanism can be removed and another functional device such as a scalpel, clamp or other tool slid through the rigid sleeve to perform. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.

A connector assembly for controllable articles is described herein. The connector assembly engages force transmission elements used to transmit force from one or more force generators with the force transmission elements used to manipulate a controllable article. Additionally, the connector assembly provides organization thereby simplifying the process of connecting a plurality of elements, usually with a quick, single movement.

Provided is a control apparatus for a continuum robot system includes: a continuum robot (1), which includes a plurality of curvable portions (111, 112) provided in series in a longitudinal axial direction thereof and each being curvable, and is capable of being moved in the longitudinal axial direction; a drive unit (2) configured to move the continuum robot (1) in the longitudinal axial direction; and a plurality of angle control motors (211, 212) configured to change a distal-end angle (.sub.1, .sub.2) for each of the plurality of curvable portions (111, 112). The control apparatus includes a drive unit speed calculation/control unit (44) configured to calculate a followable speed, and to control the drive unit (2). The drive unit speed calculation/control unit (44) controls the drive unit (2) to move the continuum robot at a speed equal to or lower than the followable speed.