An endoscope having an operating handle including a handle housing arranged at a proximal end and an insertion tube extending from the handle towards a distal end of the endoscope and terminating in a steerable tip part at the distal end of the endoscope, the endoscope further including a control mechanism with a Bowden cable having an outer guide tube having a first length between a proximal end and a distal end of the outer guide tube and an inner pull-wire having a second length between a proximal end and a distal end of the inner pull-wire, the second length being longer than the first length, the proximal end of the outer guide tube is affixed to the operating handle by an adhesive.

According to embodiments, a substantially coaxial arrangement of a camera, a light source, and an ultrasonic sensor can be positioned in an housing of a system that can be deployed from the tool port of a standard bronchoscope. Illumination from the light source facilitates positioning of the system by an operator using information from the camera. The ultrasonic system can determine when an object to be biopsied is adjacent to a biopsy needle.

A system may comprise a catheter including a wall having an inner surface defining a main lumen. The system may also comprise a device including an elongate flexible shaft configured to be slideably inserted within the catheter main lumen and a structure disposed around an outer surface of the elongate flexible shaft. The structure may be configured to engage with a plurality of flat surfaces comprising a portion of the inner surface to prevent rotation of the device within the main lumen.

A system may comprise a catheter including a wall having an inner surface defining a main lumen. The system may also comprise a device including an elongate flexible shaft configured to be slideably inserted within the catheter main lumen and a structure disposed around an outer surface of the elongate flexible shaft. The structure may be configured to engage with a plurality of flat surfaces comprising a portion of the inner surface to prevent rotation of the device within the main lumen.

A system may comprise a first catheter having a first steerable segment and a second catheter disposed within the first catheter. The second catheter may have a second steerable segment. The system may also comprise an imaging element supported at a distal end of the second catheter, a coil reference sensor supported at a distal portion of the second catheter, and a processor in electrical communication with the coil reference sensor. The processor may be configured to determine a position of a distal portion of the first catheter with reference to the coil reference sensor.

A system may comprise a first catheter having a first steerable segment and a second catheter disposed within the first catheter. The second catheter may have a second steerable segment. The system may also comprise an imaging element supported at a distal end of the second catheter, a coil reference sensor supported at a distal portion of the second catheter, and a processor in electrical communication with the coil reference sensor. The processor may be configured to determine a position of a distal portion of the first catheter with reference to the coil reference sensor.

An endoscope add-on assembly adapted to be attached to a target endoscope. The assembly includes an ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, including a communications cable connected to an ultrasound imaging head and an imaging head movement sub-assembly, including a conduit, holding a tension member that is attached to the ultrasound imaging head. Further included are connective elements, adapted to permit the endoscope add-on assembly to be attached to the target endoscope. Finally, the imaging head movement sub-assembly is detachable from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, thereby permitting the imaging head movement subassembly to be processed separately from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, after use.

The invention provides an electrosurgical instrument for delivering radiofrequency and microwave energy to biological tissue in order to cut and coagulate the tissue. The electrosurgical instrument comprises a coaxial transmission line for conveying radiofrequency (RF) energy and microwave energy, and an energy delivery tip coupled to a distal end of the coaxial transmission line. The energy delivery tip comprises: a first electrode electrically coupled to an inner conductor of the coaxial transmission line and protruding beyond a distal end of an outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line; a second electrode electrically coupled to the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line and extending coaxially along a portion of the first electrode; and a dielectric body disposed between the first electrode and second electrode. The first electrode comprises a projecting nib that protrudes beyond a distal end of the dielectric body. The second electrode and the dielectric body comprise portions that are exposed at the distal end of the energy delivery tip. The first electrode and second electrode are configured as (i) a bipolar structure for delivering the RF energy conveyed by the coaxial transmission line, and (ii) an antenna for radiating the microwave energy conveyed by the coaxial transmission line.

A sliding motion transfer member (22) for the kinematic chain of an actuator mechanism of an endoscope. The sliding motion transfer member (22) has a proximal end and a distal end (21). The sliding motion transfer member (22) is adapted to receive motion activation input and to move in a sliding manner in response to said motion activation input, thereby transferring motion to an elongate motion transmission member (27) extending from the distal end (21) of the sliding motion transfer member (20). The sliding motion transfer member (22) comprises a first passage (36) adapted for receiving a proximal section of said elongate motion transmission member (20) and an adhesive.

An endoscope system includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a subject; a distance measurement unit configured to measure a distance between the insertion portion and an object by transmitting and receiving millimeter waves or submillimeter waves; and a flexible waveguide that has one end that is connected to the distance measurement unit and another end that is exposed to outside from a distal end of the insertion portion, the flexible waveguide being configured to propagates the millimeter waves or submillimeter waves transmitted and received by the distance measurement unit.