An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.

Laparoscopic devices, systems, and related methods of assembly and use. A laparoscopic device includes a controller connected to a camera rod having a flexible joint adjacent to a tip of the camera rod. The tip is configured to emit an incident light from a light source of the device to illuminate an anatomy of a subject and to receive light reflected from the anatomy back to the tip. The received light is processed to produce images of the anatomy that may be used during a medical procedure. The flexible joint provides a wider range of motion and a wider view angle for the tip, and the controller is more ergonomic to enable the laparoscopic device to be more easily operated.

Exemplary apparatus and method can be provided. For example, using at least one light source first arrangement, it is possible to provide pulses of light to at least one portion of a biological structure. At least one detector second arrangement can be used to detect images from the portion(s) based on the pulses, and provide data based on the detection. With at least one configuration, it is possible prevent and/or reduce a movement of the apparatus within at least one anatomical body (i) is a particular surface of the apparatus, (ii) covers at least one portion of the surface, and/or (iii) extends from the surface. In addition or alternatively, with at least one computer third arrangement, it is possible to receive the data, and control a timing of at least one of activation or deactivation of at least one portion of the first arrangement based on the data.

An insertion instrument includes: a holding member at a distal end of an insertion portion; a first hole formed in the holding member; a second hole that is formed in the holding member and that communicates with the first hole; a long member that is mounted to the holding member and that includes a distal end part and a main body portion; a partitioning member configured to narrow a space in which the main body portion is arranged; and a filler filling a gap around the long member.

An imaging unit includes: a first lens group configured to form a first optical image; a second lens group configured to form a second optical image; an objective lens group having a first region and a second region; a single image sensor configured to generate an image signal; a first holding frame having a first holding hole and a second holding hole; a second holding frame configured to hold the objective lens group; and a third holding frame configured to hold the image sensor. A depth of field of a first optical system formed of the objective lens group and the first lens group is set so as to entirely include a depth of field of a second optical system formed of the objective lens group and the second lens group and to be deeper than the depth of field of the second optical system.

An endoscope insertion observation apparatus includes a processor designed to perform functions including: detecting an insertion state of an insertion portion of an endoscope that is insertable into and extractable from a subject; determining whether or not the insertion portion has reached a second site in the subject from a first site in the subject and/or whether the insertion portion has reached the first site from the second site in the subject based on a detection result of the insertion state; and calculating a duration of movement of the insertion portion from the first site to the second site after determining that the insertion portion has reached the second site, or a duration of movement of the insertion portion from the second site to the first site after determining that the insertion portion has reached the first site.

Some implementations of the disclosure relate to an adapter, comprising: a channel running through the length of the adapter from a first opening to a second opening of the adapter, wherein a shaft of an endoscope is configured to be threaded through the channel; a first coupler configured to removably secure the adapter to a second coupler of the endoscope, the first coupler comprising the second opening; and a rigid attachment segment comprising a surface configured to removably couple the adapter to an instrument or second adapter. The surface of the rigid attachment segment may include multiple grooves and sections alternating along the longitudinal length of the rigid attachment segment, each section protruding relative to the grooves and comprising a recessed indentation or protrusion; and the multiple sections and grooves configured such that the instrument or second adapter can be coupled to the adapter in multiple lengthwise positions.

Described herein are various method of using a direct drive system to perform procedures at a distance. One exemplary method include tying a knot or suturing at a distance with a first and second end effector. The direct drive system can enable sufficient end effector dexterity, including the ability to control various degrees of freedom of end effector movement, and allow a user to perform complicated task at a distance. In one aspect the direct drive system includes flexible tools that permit access to surgical site via a natural orifice.

An assembly for aiding field use of an endoscopic probe is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing assembly for an endoscopic probe and a compatible holder for the housing assembly. The housing assembly includes a tubular conduit for receiving the endoscopic probe and a plug coupled along a distal end of the tubular conduit. The holder includes a pre-configured arm for facilitating an exploration of a pre-determined quadrant of an oral cavity. The explorer includes a plug receiver. Upon coupling the plug receiver with the inversely matching plug, the tubular conduit passes through the opening and into the third axial channel.

The following describes various applications and uses for a controllably rigidizable flexible, device or sheath, Such rigidizing mechanisms can allow for a transition between a rigid state and a flexible state of a sheath. Rigidization can be applied along an entire length of a flexible sheath or along select portions of the sheath, and the rigidization can be of varying stiffness. Rigidization can be user controlled or automatically controlled using computer processes.