A probe includes an articulating member with at least two vertebrae elements sequentially arranged along a long axis of the elongate ultrasound imaging probe. The articulating member includes pivots located between the at least two vertebrae elements. The pivots are disposed off-center relative to the at least two vertebrae elements. The pivots are spatially oriented to provide a pivot point for a different articulation direction of a vertebra element. The probe further includes a plurality of guides, including at least one guide for each of the respective different pivot directions. The probe further includes an actuator with a set of controls, each control configured to actuate a different pair of the plurality of guides for controlling opposing articulation directions, wherein the actuator reduces stress induced on at least one of a pushed guide or a non-activated guide, wherein the stress is induced in response to the actuator pulling a guide.

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.

Medical instruments such as catheter systems and endoscopic systems that exhibit reduced backlash during their operation are disclosed. The reduction of backlash avoids the use of protrusions or fins that can significantly obstruct fluid flow through working channels of the instruments. According to one embodiment, a medical instrument comprises a first member having an inside surface defining a first lumen and a second member extending in the first lumen and having an outside surface cooperating with the inner surface of the first member to define an intermediate longitudinal passage therebetween. One of the inside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member is permanently formed to have a sinuous shape defining predisposed locations for contacting the other one of the inner surface of the first member and the outer surface of the second member to reduce backlash during relative longitudinal movement.

An image calibration inspection tool includes: a plurality of substantially rectangular markers, two orthogonal sides of which are connected by an arc-shaped curve; and a calibration chart in which the plurality of markers are formed on a metal plate through machining, laser marking, or the like, wherein two of the markers in a diagonal direction are separated by a predetermined distance.

An image calibration inspection tool includes: a plurality of substantially rectangular markers, two orthogonal sides of which are connected by an arc-shaped curve; and a calibration chart in which the plurality of markers are formed on a metal plate through machining, laser marking, or the like, wherein two of the markers in a diagonal direction are separated by a predetermined distance.

An upper gastrointestinal bleeding monitoring system includes a detection device and a signal processing device to determine bleeding condition of an upper gastrointestinal tract by using relation of time and intensity ratios of RGB three primary colors. The detecting device is placed to the upper gastrointestinal tract of a patient via his/her mouth or nasal passage and then stay the upper gastrointestinal tract for several days for detection of bleeding. The signal processing device may receive and display signal from the detection device to help medical professionals check if bleeding occurs in an upper gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, a procedure of determination of bleeding in an upper gastrointestinal tract with the upper gastrointestinal bleeding monitoring system is described.

A robotic link may include a link having an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface, and a pair of outer hinge portions on a first end of the link. Each outer hinge portion may have an inner bearing surface positioned between the inner wall surface and an outer ear. The link may include a pair of inner hinge portions on a second end of the link. Each inner hinge portion may have an outer bearing surface positioned between the outer wall surface and an inner ear.

The endoscope includes an imaging device that is provided in a tip portion of an insertion part capable of being inserted into a body cavity. The imaging device includes an image sensor that photoelectrically converts imaging light incident on an image receiving surface thereof through an imaging lens provided in a lens barrel, and a circuit substrate including a connecting surface facing a terminal face that is a surface opposite to the image receiving surface of the image sensor. A plurality of terminals are uniformly arranged longitudinally and laterally in a two-dimensional matrix form on the terminal face of the image sensor, and the connecting surface of the circuit substrate and the terminal face of the image sensor are connected to each other through the plurality of terminals. The total area of the plurality of terminals on the terminal face occupies 10% or more of the area of an imaging area of the image receiving surface.

A catheter includes a handle and an elongate member extending from the handle. The catheter may also include steering system coupled to the handle. The steering system may be configured to deflect at least a portion of the elongate member in at least one direction. The catheter may also include a locking mechanism configured to lock the portion of the elongate member in a deflected configuration, and a lever coupled to the handle. The lever may be configured to move from a first position to a second position to engage the locking mechanism. The lever may also be configured to be separably retained at least at one of the first position or the second position to prevent movement therebetween.

A medical device inspection system may include a base, a medical device holder on the base, a fiber scope holder on the base, a moveable roller moveably attached to the base such that it is free to rotate around an axis and move from a first position to a second position along the base, and a feeder coupled with the base for feeding a flexible portion of the fiber scope into a lumen of the medical device. During use, the flexible portion of the fiber scope may extend from the handle, around the moveable roller, and through the feeder to enter an opening in the lumen of the medical device.