Provided are: an image diagnosis assistance apparatus capable of assisting diagnosis of an endoscopic image captured by an endoscopist; a data collection method; an image diagnosis assistance method; and an image diagnosis assistance program. The image diagnosis assistance apparatus is provided with: a lesion assessment unit that assesses, by a convolutional neural network, the denomination and the position of a lesion which is present in a digestive system endoscopic image of a patient captured by a digestive system endoscopic imaging device and information about accuracies thereof; and a display control unit that performs control for generating an analysis result image in which the denomination and the position of the lesion and the accuracies thereof are displayed and for displaying the image on the digestive system endoscopic image.

The present invention discloses an insertion unit, a bending section and an intubation system for use in a body lumen of a patient. The insertion unit comprises an inner elongated shaft structure being capable of torque transmission around its length axis and having spring-like and flexibility properties and an outer elongated shaft structure at least partially surrounding the inner elongated shaft structure and having spring-like properties and a continuous and flat outer surface. The inner elongated shaft structure has a distal end, and is capable of being connected to an optical head. The insertion unit is configured to transmit pushing and rotation forces along a length of the insertion unit. The integral insertion unit is configured and operable to bend the distal tip in all directions and to fully rotate the distal tip.

A system includes a processor, a memory configured to store a digital model of the colon and previous anomalies in the digital model based on previous colonoscopy data and to include instructions stored therein. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the system to access a frame image captured by a colonoscope, process the frame image to detect current anomalies and debris, display the frame image on a display, display a first shape at positions of the previous anomalies in the frame image based on correlation between the frame image and the digital model, and display a second shape at positions of the current anomalies in the frame image.

A system includes a processor, a memory configured to store a digital model of the colon and previous anomalies in the digital model based on previous colonoscopy data and to include instructions stored therein. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the system to access a frame image captured by a colonoscope, process the frame image to detect current anomalies and debris, display the frame image on a display, display a first shape at positions of the previous anomalies in the frame image based on correlation between the frame image and the digital model, and display a second shape at positions of the current anomalies in the frame image.

System and method for advancing and retracting a tubular medical instrument within a body lumen and evacuating lumen material therefrom. A shaft of the medical instrument is inserted through a central bore of a probe, an evacuation adaptor, and a swivel fastener unit, respectively mounted onto a distal carriage, a central carriage, and a proximal carriage of a translation mechanism. The probe is directed toward cavity entrance of body lumen using an adjustment mechanism coupled to a translation mechanism beam. A central probe unit of probe is maintained sealingly coupled to cavity entrance by propelling distal carriage along beam. The evacuation adapter is maintained sealingly coupled to the probe by propelling central carriage along beam, concurrent with displacement of a hollow tube of probe relative to central probe unit. Lumen material is evacuated using evacuation adaptor. The medical instrument is advanced and retracted by propelling proximal carriage along beam.

An external endoluminal fixator device to fix rectal prolapse and/or vaginal and/or uterine and/or urinary bladder prolapse by passing through it, includes a head configured at distal end of the external endoluminal fixator device such that the head passes through an anorectum or a vagina of a body. The device then includes a hollow shaft connected with the head which is in angulation corresponding to usage in the anorectum or a sacral hollow or the vagina of the body and an endoluminal fixator device handle connected with the hollow shaft at proximal end of the external endoluminal fixator device, configured to remain outside of anus or vagina to have a sturdy grip so as to push up the head of the endoluminal fixator device either trans-anally or vaginally with the anorectum or the vagina against undersurface of the anterior abdominal wall.

An external endoluminal fixator device to fix rectal prolapse and/or vaginal and/or uterine and/or urinary bladder prolapse by passing through it, includes a head configured at distal end of the external endoluminal fixator device such that the head passes through an anorectum or a vagina of a body. The device then includes a hollow shaft connected with the head which is in angulation corresponding to usage in the anorectum or a sacral hollow or the vagina of the body and an endoluminal fixator device handle connected with the hollow shaft at proximal end of the external endoluminal fixator device, configured to remain outside of anus or vagina to have a sturdy grip so as to push up the head of the endoluminal fixator device either trans-anally or vaginally with the anorectum or the vagina against undersurface of the anterior abdominal wall.

An apparatus and method is provided for accessing an abdominal cavity of a patient via the anus for any number of surgical operations, e.g., colon cancer, appendectomy, lymph node biopsy, etc. The apparatus includes a tubular body that extends to an open end having a plurality of holes. The tubular body is inserted into the intestine of the patient, and a clamp is inserted through the tubular body of the apparatus and into the intestine. The clamp and the attached intestine is then pulled into the tubular body, so that the intestine can then be cut. The clamp and the adjacent intestine are then moved out of the tubular body so that the surgery may be performed through the intestine. The cut ends of the intestine can then be reattached (e.g., stapled, sutured, etc.) following completion of the surgery.

An apparatus and method is provided for accessing an abdominal cavity of a patient via the anus for any number of surgical operations, e.g., colon cancer, appendectomy, lymph node biopsy, etc. The apparatus includes a tubular body that extends to an open end having a plurality of holes. The tubular body is inserted into the intestine of the patient, and a clamp is inserted through the tubular body of the apparatus and into the intestine. The clamp and the attached intestine is then pulled into the tubular body, so that the intestine can then be cut. The clamp and the adjacent intestine are then moved out of the tubular body so that the surgery may be performed through the intestine. The cut ends of the intestine can then be reattached (e.g., stapled, sutured, etc.) following completion of the surgery.

A rigidity variable apparatus includes: a rigidity variable member having a cylindrical shape, a bending rigidity of the rigidity variable member increasing by being heated; a heater having a cylindrical shape and arranged along the rigidity variable member on an inside of the rigidity variable member in a radial direction, the heater being configured to heat the rigidity variable member; a filler arranged so as to fill a gap between the heater and the rigidity variable member in the radial direction, the filler being configured to transfer heat from the heater to the rigidity variable member; and a tube arranged along the heater on an inside of the heater in the radial direction.