Registration of a surgical image acquisition device (e.g. an endoscope) using preoperative and live contour signatures of an anatomical object is described. A control unit includes a processor configured to compare the real-time contour signature to the database of preoperative contour signatures of the anatomical object to generate a group of potential contour signature matches for selection of a final contour match. Registration of an image acquisition device to the surgical site is realized based upon an orientation corresponding to the selected final contour signature match.

An ear nose and throat (ENT) imaging and analysis system includes an endoscope usable to capture images of the nasal canal and other aspects of patient anatomy. Endoscopic images may be presented to a user via a touchscreen display, and the software may provide different imaging modes that aid in identifying particular anatomical structures or areas within the nasal canal. In one mode, the system uses an object recognition process to identify the nasal valve opening within the images at a relaxed state, and during forceful inhalation, and then calculates the difference between the two states, which may be suggestive of nasal valve collapse. In other modes, the system is configured to identify abnormalities of the inferior turbinate, septum, or other anatomy, as well as empty spaces within the nasal canal, as well as areas and volumes of empty space and user defined boundaries.

Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for switching a control scheme to control a set of system modules and/or modular devices of a surgical hub. A surgical hub may determine a first control scheme that is configured to control a set of system modules and/or modular devices. The surgical hub may receive an input from one of the set of modules or a device located in an OR. The surgical hub may make a determination that at least one of a safety status level or an overload status level of the surgical hub is higher than its threshold value. Based on at least the received input and the determination, the surgical hub may determine a second control scheme to be used to control the set of system modules. The surgical hub may send a control program indicating the second control scheme to one or more system modules and/or modular devices.

An electronic endoscope system includes a plotting unit which plots pixel correspondence points, which correspond to pixels that constitute a color image that has multiple color components, on a first color plane according to color components of the pixel correspondence points, the first color plane intersecting the origin of a predetermined color space; an axis setting unit which sets a predetermined reference axis in the first color plane; a transform unit which defines a second color plane that includes the reference axis, and subjecting the pixel correspondence points on the first color plane to projective transformation onto the second color plane; and an evaluation value calculating unit which calculates a prescribed evaluation value with respect to the color image based on the pixel correspondence points subjected to projective transformation onto the second color plane.

The present disclosure relates to visualizing an operative field in the context of a dental operating theater, and more specifically, to a portable, modular, multifunctional intraoral imaging system to assist a practitioner in performing a medical or dental procedure in a confined space (e.g., intraoral cavity or mouth of a patient). The system may include an intraoral camera apparatus having a camera unit equipped with a wireless transmitter, and a viewscreen mounted to an articulated stand or dental delivery unit, wherein the camera wirelessly may transmit an image to a viewscreen located directly in front of a dental practitioner. The practitioner may look directly ahead at a high-definition screen to view the operative field. A dental practitioner may use the apparatus to perform micro-surgical procedures in a confined operative area with less-than-ideal visibility and access, without the present, though generally accepted, physical difficulties and limitations.

An image capturing apparatus includes: a columnar main body having proximal and distal ends, and having a predetermined length therebetween so as to enable insertion of at least the distal end into an oral cavity; at least one light source provided on the proximal or distal end side of the main body, or to the main body, configured to emit light having a predetermined frequency band; a diffuser plate provided on the proximal or distal end side of the main body, or to the main body, configured to diffuse the emitted light toward the oral cavity; and a camera provided on the proximal or the distal end side of the main body, or to the main body, configured to capture an object image based on reflected light which has been diffused by the diffuser plate and reflected from the oral cavity.

A turn fixing mechanism portion of an endoscope apparatus includes: a turning portion connected to a turning unit turnably disposed; a fixed portion configured to turnably support the turning portion; an elastic member interposed between the turning portion and the fixed portion; and a holding member configured to fix a turned position of the turning unit by pressing the turning portion toward a side of the fixed portion to compress the elastic member in a turning axis direction to generate a predetermined frictional force.

A surgical controlling system for controlling the 3D spatial position of at least one articulating surgical tool includes a controller configured to provide instructions to control movement of the surgical tool. The controller comprises a processor to determine a location of the surgical tool using at least one location estimating feature and to determine movement of the surgical tool using a database in communication with at least one movement detection feature. The location estimating feature is configured to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of the surgical tool at any given time t, and the movement detection feature is configured to detect movement of the surgical tool.

TNE provides the opportunity to make the care of children with EoE and other gastrointestinal or aerodigestive conditions safer, more efficient, and less costly while simultaneously advancing our understanding of the pathophysiology and natural course of this condition. A pediatric endoscope was developed to facilitate TNE in children with EoE. The pediatric endoscope (combined gastroscope, bronchoscope, laryngoscope) includes a 3-4 mm flexible, fiber optic endoscope that allows HD TV viewing with the head of a pediatric bronchoscope that allows four way tip deflection, a scope stiffening apparatus to minimize the endoscopes flexibility when needed, a foot and hand activation to allow air/water insufflation and image/video capture, a light source, 2 mm biopsy channel.

An illumination optical system for endoscope includes a rod lens as an optical element. The optical element includes a proximal end surface through which light enters and a distal end surface configured to emit the light. The distal end surface includes a diffusion region configured to diffuse emitted light. The diffusion region includes a plurality of concave portions and a plurality of peripheral regions surrounding the concave portions. Each concave portion includes a plurality of inclined surfaces as total reflection surfaces that are inclined with respect to the distal end surface. Each peripheral region includes a transmission surface configured to emit light totally reflected by the total reflection surfaces after passing through the proximal end surface and light not totally reflected by the total reflection surfaces.