A system for performing minimally invasive surgery includes a holding arm, a holding arm interface, an actuation unit detachably disposed on the holding arm interface, and an endoscopic sheath assembly disposed on the holding arm interface opposite the actuation unit. The actuation unit includes a component bay configured to receive a camera, lens and first and second removable and disposable cartridges. Each cartridge includes a concentric tube array extending therefrom, each array including at least one guide tube and a surgical tool disposed inside the guide tube. Numerous safety and communication features are disposed on the various components of the system to ensure failsafe operation and to prevent damage to equipment or harm to patients.

The invention encompasses devices and methods that at least partially entrap the droplets and aerosols from a person undergoing an aerosol/droplet-generating procedure, thereby reducing a health care worker's direct exposure to such health hazards. The device includes a planar cover structure impermeable to aerosols, droplets, fluids and gas. The planar cover structure providing a barrier between a health care worker and the body cavity or orifice of a patient. A hollow tubular extension forming an opening on the planar cover structure and the opening is configured to be positioned approximately on top of the body cavity or orifice of the patient. The opening configured to be reversibly closed via a closure mechanism.

An endoscope accessory, such as a coupler device, is provided that includes a main body with a visualization section for allowing viewing of tissue by the endoscope and a proximal end configured for attachment to a distal end portion of the endoscope. The device includes a passage within the main body having an open distal end and a proximal end aligned with the working channel of the endoscope. A locking element on the coupler device secures an angle of exit of an instrument passing through the passage.

An entry guide tube and cannula assembly, a surgical system including the assembly, and a method of surgical instrument insertion are provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a cannula having a proximal portion that operably couples to an accessory clamp of a manipulator arm, and a distal tubular member coupled to the proximal portion, the tubular member having an opening for passage of at least one instrument shaft. The assembly also includes an entry guide tube rotatably coupled to the proximal portion of the cannula, the entry guide tube including a plurality of channels for passage of a plurality of instrument shafts, wherein the entry guide tube is rotatably driven relative to the proximal portion of the cannula by rotation of at least one instrument shaft about a longitudinal axis of the entry guide tube.

An apparatus for advancing a device through a gastrointestinal tract. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes first and second grabbing mechanisms adapted to grab and release tissue of the gastrointestinal tract, the first grabbing mechanism being releasably attachable to the device, the second grabbing mechanism being attached to an outer element configured to at least partially surround the device, the first and second grabbing mechanisms being axially movable with respect to each other along the gastrointestinal tract; and a radially expandable blocking element disposed proximal to the first grabbing mechanism and movable with the first grabbing mechanism with respect to the second grabbing mechanism, the blocking element being adapted to move tissue of the intestinal tract with respect to the second grabbing mechanism when the blocking element is moved toward the second grabbing mechanism. The invention also includes corresponding methods.

An insertable sleeve accessory and a method for use is provided. The insertable sleeve includes a cylindrical sleeve body. The cylindrical sleeve body includes an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a hollow sleeve channel, and at least one open end. The cylindrical sleeve body is configured to be inserted into a vaginal cavity of a patient. The sleeve body is further configured to receive an insertion portion of a medical speculum in the hollow sleeve channel subsequent to being inserted into the vaginal cavity.

This invention relates to a tip protector for an instrument such as an endoscope or borescope, the instrument comprising an elongate shaft having a distal tip and said tip including an end face. A tip protector device comprises a guard portion including an elongate tubular portion and a cap arranged to extend over the end face of the instrument; first and second connection members extending from the tubular portion and being movable relative to each other between a first, disengaged position in which said tip of the instrument can be inserted into and removed from the guard portion, and a second, gripping position in which the tip protector grips the shaft of the instrument, the first and second connection members being biased in the first position; and complementary engagement features on the first and second connection members configured to retain the first and second connection members in the gripping position.

An otoscope, comprising: (a) a flexible speculum, operable to be inserted into an ear canal; (b) a stopper, coupled to the flexible speculum, operable to limit penetration depth of the flexible speculum into the ear canal; and (c) an imaging sensor, located inside the flexible speculum, operable to capture an image of an eardrum of the ear canal; wherein a flexibility of the flexible speculum allows alignment of the imaging sensor according to a shape of the ear canal.

A sheath for an intraoral scanning tip, where polarization is not substantially altered during scanning.

An endoscope device is provided, which includes: an insertion part inserted into an examination subject; an outer coat tube disposed at an outer circumferential portion of the insertion part; a fixing member at least a part of which is inserted into the outer coat tube, and the fixing member being in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the outer coat tube; a tight binding thread wound around the outer coat tube, the tight binding thread being made flat in a state in which at least a void is pressed to be flattened, and the tight binding thread being wound such that a longitudinal surface in a flat cross section of the tight binding thread is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the outer coat tube; and a resin layer formed on the outer coat tube to cover the tight binding thread.