A system for determining a probability of normal rectal tissue composition within a region of interest of an ultrasound or photoacoustic image of the rectal tissue is disclosed. The system includes a computing device with at least one processor configured to receive at least one of a photoacoustic image and an ultrasound image; select a region of interest within the at least one of a photoacoustic image and an ultrasound image; transform the region of interest into the probability of normal rectal tissue composition using a CNN model; and display the probability of normal rectal tissue composition to an operator of the system.

An image processing device including a housing and a processing circuit in the housing, the processing circuit including a processor and memory, the memory including a neural network model and proximity suppression logic, the neural network model comprising a single-pass neural network model trained with training images corresponding to an endoscopic procedure and defining anatomic references observable in the training images, wherein the neural network model is configured to process images, to detect the anatomic references in the images, and to output a set of anatomic references including identifiers and confidence values representing the likelihoods that the anatomic reference identifiers are correct, and wherein the proximity suppression logic is configured to change the confidence values of the anatomic references in the set of anatomic references based on a prior position of the endoscope to identify an anatomic reference indicative of the current position of the endoscope.

A speculum comprising a lower member including a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lower blade extending from the proximal end of the handle, an upper blade configured to be movable with respect to the lower member, and an illumination assembly including at least one light source, at least one power source housed in the handle and an ejection mechanism for removal of the at least one power source from the handle, wherein the at least one power source is housed in the handle at a position closer to the proximal end of the handle than to the distal end, and wherein the ejection mechanism is configured to remove the at least one power source via an opening formed in the distal end of the handle.

A speculum comprising a lower member including a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lower blade extending from the proximal end of the handle, an upper blade configured to be movable with respect to the lower member, and an illumination assembly including at least one light source, at least one power source housed in the handle and an ejection mechanism for removal of the at least one power source from the handle, wherein the at least one power source is housed in the handle at a position closer to the proximal end of the handle than to the distal end, and wherein the ejection mechanism is configured to remove the at least one power source via an opening formed in the distal end of the handle.

The present invention discloses a steering device for use in a body lumen of a patient. The steering device comprises a flexible tube; a plurality of spaced-apart elements positioned along at least a portion of the tube; wherein the plurality of spaced-apart elements and the tube form a single integrated unit; and at least two steering wires having at least a portion passing through the spaced-apart elements and at least a portion passing within the tube. According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering device for use in a body lumen of a patient, comprising: a flexible tube; at least two steering wires having at least a portion passing within the flexible tube; at least two spring-like sleeves; each spring-like sleeve at least partially enclosing a steering wire respectively; wherein the spring-like sleeve has a variable pitch along its length; such that the flexible tube comprises at least two portions having different bending properties.

The present invention discloses a steering device for use in a body lumen of a patient. The steering device comprises a flexible tube; a plurality of spaced-apart elements positioned along at least a portion of the tube; wherein the plurality of spaced-apart elements and the tube form a single integrated unit; and at least two steering wires having at least a portion passing through the spaced-apart elements and at least a portion passing within the tube. According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering device for use in a body lumen of a patient, comprising: a flexible tube; at least two steering wires having at least a portion passing within the flexible tube; at least two spring-like sleeves; each spring-like sleeve at least partially enclosing a steering wire respectively; wherein the spring-like sleeve has a variable pitch along its length; such that the flexible tube comprises at least two portions having different bending properties.

A supporting apparatus for supporting insertion of a flexible insertion member is provided. In the supporting apparatus, an attention point acquisition unit specifies a first attention point specified by a shape of the insertion member. A first displacement acquisition unit acquires a first displacement, which is a positional change of the first attention point. A second displacement acquisition unit acquires a second displacement of a second attention point. A displacement information calculation unit compares the first displacement of the first attention point and the second displacement of the second attention point with each other and calculates displacement information. A determination unit determines state of the insertion member or the subject, based on the displacement information.

An endoscopic instrument (312, 820, 824) includes an outer tubing (206) extending from a proximal tubing end to a distal tubing end, a flexible torque component (200) extending through the outer tubing, an articulation assembly (400, 500, 600, 700, 828), and an end effector (450, 550, 650, 750, 824). The articulation assembly (400, 500, 600, 700, 828) is coupled to the distal tubing end and includes a plurality of segments (404, 408, 504, 604, 704) and at least one control member (412, 512, 612, 712) extending from a proximal control end to a distal control end coupled with the plurality of segments. The control member manipulates an orientation of at least one segment of the plurality of segments responsive to receiving a control input at the proximal control end. The end effector (450, 550, 650, 750, 824) is coupled to a distal end of the flexible torque component such that manipulating the orientation (516, 616, 620) of the at least one segment controls an orientation of the end effector (450, 550, 650, 750, 824) relative to the outer tubing (206) and rotation of the flexible torque component (200) controls an angle of rotation of the end effector relative (450, 550, 650, 750, 824) to the outer tubing (206).

Transparent domes useful for covering at least a lens located on a scope's distal face, taking the form of a single layer membrane affixed to the distal end of the scope, a solid cap attachable to and detachable from the distal end of the scope, or an inflatable and deflatable balloon having an exterior wall for contacting at least the lens at the scope's distal face. Methods for performing diagnostic or diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within bodily cavities including collapsed intestines using transparent domes and scopes.

Transparent domes useful for covering at least a lens located on a scope's distal face, taking the form of a single layer membrane affixed to the distal end of the scope, a solid cap attachable to and detachable from the distal end of the scope, or an inflatable and deflatable balloon having an exterior wall for contacting at least the lens at the scope's distal face. Methods for performing diagnostic or diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within bodily cavities including collapsed intestines using transparent domes and scopes.