An assist device includes: a connecting section communicatively connected to the channel; a holding section attached to an outer side of either the insertion section of the endoscope or an operation section connected to the insertion section; and a flexible section forming an insertion path through which the treatment instrument is inserted, and including an expansion-and-contraction section including a more deformable structure than any other parts in an entire length between one end and another end of the flexible section. The flexible section is connected to the connecting section at the one end and connected to the holding section at the another end.

An apparatus for capsule endoscopy, the apparatus comprising a capsule that comprises: at least one inflatable bladder configured to form a toroid having a hole and an outer periphery when inflated; a plurality of continuous tracks, each extending through the hole and around the outer periphery of the at least one inflatable bladder; and a propulsion system configured to drive the continuous tracks; wherein the capsule is configured such that the continuous tracks slip over the at least one inflatable bladder when driven by the propulsion system.

Tools and systems are provided for the delivery of accessory devices to endoscopes. A device delivery system for delivering an endoscopic device to an endoscope, comprises an insertion instrument having a pair of pivotable arms. The arms extend from a device delivery portion of the insertion instrument at a first end, into a handle portion at an opposed, second end, and are connected together at a pivotable connection. A bracket is connected to a back plate for placement of a device to be delivered thereagainst. An extension shaft extends from the back plate for placement through a working channel of the endoscopic device to be delivered. The system further comprises a removable spacer for enclosing the device delivery end of the insertion instrument.

In order to acquire height information regarding a subject disposed on the internal surface of an elongated tubular member, an image processing apparatus according to the present disclosure, includes a processor the processor including hardware and configured to perform the steps of receiving a first image and a second image acquired from a subject using an optical system having a field of view in a direction of at least about 90 to a central axis of the optical system, the first image acquired at a first position, the second image acquired at a second position, the second position different from the first position along the central axis; and calculating a distance between the subject and the central axis of the optical system, based on a distance between the first position and the second position, and based on the corresponding points in the third image and in the fourth image.

An endoscope system for diagnosis support and a method for controlling the same. An endoscope module and an endoscope adaptor module are capable of taking images in the body and further measuring the temperature, humidity, volume and air flow in the body. According to the images, temperature, humidity, volume and air flow in the body, an auxiliary diagnosis module may diagnose suspected diseases in the body and may display, to the outside, a disease diagnosis list for the suspected diseases in the body.

A bending portion for endoscope includes: a distal end side bending tube in which a plurality of bending pieces are continuously and pivotably coupled; a proximal end side bending tube coupled to a proximal end side of the distal end side bending tube and including a bending element with a bending moment for obtaining a predetermined bending angle greater than a bending moment of the distal end side bending tube; and an operation wire actively bending the distal end side bending tube and the proximal end side bending tube by pulling and relaxing, wherein pulling and relaxing of the operation wire actively bend the distal end side bending tube and the proximal end side bending tube.

Provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is a coupling device configured to receive first and second devices. The coupling device may define a first passageway having an inner surface with a first coefficient of friction and defining a first axis. The coupling device may define a second passageway having an inner surface with a second coefficient of friction and defining a second axis, wherein at least a portion of the second axis is at an angle relative to the first axis.

A coupling device for use with a bronchoscope includes a first portion and a second portion extending laterally from the first portion. The first portion defines a first passageway therethrough configured for receipt of a bronchoscope. The second portion defines a second passageway therethrough configured for receipt of a surgical instrument. The first passageway defines a first axis and the second passageway defines a second axis that is parallel with the first axis.

The present invention provides an endoscopic clip device and a clip in which a connection operation between a clip and an operation wire is facilitated, and in which a procedure can be quickly performed by reducing an exchange frequency of a treatment instrument body. An endoscopic clip device (100) according to the present invention includes a clip (110) that has a plurality of arms (120) for gripping a living body tissue and a locking portion (130), and a treatment instrument body that comprises an elongated sheath (10) and an operation wire (20) in which a chunky distal connection portion (50) is disposed in a distal end. In a state where the distal connection portion (50) is accommodated in an accommodation portion (134), the operation wire (20) is drawn to a proximal side in a forward/backward movement direction so that the arms (120) are closed to grip the living body tissue. In a state where the arms (120) are closed, the operation wire (20) is further drawn to the proximal side so that the distal connection portion (50) causes a protruding portion (140) to be deformed outward and the accommodation portion (134) is opened. In this manner, the distal connection portion (50) is drawable from the accommodation portion (134).

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses, devices, and methods for locks for endoscopic accessories. In one implementation, an adjustable lock for an endoscopic accessory includes a body slidably mounted upon a rail of the endoscopic accessory, and an arm extending about a portion of the body. The arm may be connected to the body and pivotable relative to the body between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, teeth on an inner surface of the arm may engage a toothed rack on the rail such that the adjustable lock is secured to the rail. In the open position, the teeth on the inner surface of the arm may be clear of the toothed rack such that the lock may slide relative to the rail.