Exemplary apparatus for method for forming at least one spectral encoding endoscopy configuration. For example, it is possible to modify a spacer configuration and an lens optics configuration to have respective predetermined lengths, and also to modify a dispersive optics configuration to have a further predetermined length. Further, the modified spacer and modified lens optics configurations can be attached to one another to form a combined spacer-lens optics configuration. The modified dispersive optics configuration can be attached to a substrate to form to form a grating substrate configuration. Additionally, the combined spacer-lens optics configuration can be connected to an optical fiber, and the modified attached dispersed optics configuration can be connected to the modified attached lens optics configuration to form the spectral encoding endoscopy configuration(s) which can extends along a particular axis. The dispersive optics configuration can be modified to be at a predetermined angle with respect to the particular axis.

A method for transmitting information includes deriving a transfer function that relates a first image formed over a first area on an end face (38) of a multimode optical fiber (40) and a second image formed over a second area extending over a side (42) of the multimode optical fiber. Optical information is input to the multimode optical fiber through one of the first and second areas. Following transmission of the optical information through the multimode optical fiber, the optical information that is output from the other of the first and second areas is detected and decoded using the transfer function.

Vision systems on catheters, cannulas, or similar devices with guiding lumens include receptors distributed in annular areas around respective lumens. Each of the receptors has a field of view covering only a portion of an object environment, and the field of view of each of the receptors overlaps with at least one of the fields of view of the other receptors. A processing system can receive image data from the receptors of the vision systems and combine the image data to construct a visual representation of the object environment.

A flexible endoscope of the present invention includes a catheter portion and a connection plug. The catheter portion includes an image guide, a light guide, and a catheter tube that surrounds the image guide and the light guide in a longitudinal direction, and the connection plug includes a hollow cover that accommodates the proximal end of the catheter tube, a flexible tube that protrudes from the hollow cover and through which the catheter tube is passed, a first connection terminal that is connected to the light guide extending from the proximal end of the catheter tube, and a second connection terminal that is connected to the image guide extending from the proximal end of the catheter tube. The image guide and the light guide are slidable inside the catheter tube, and at least one of the image guide and the light guide is arranged curved inside the hollow cover of the connection plug.

A device comprising includes an insertable structure usable in a surgical theater, a fiber optic line extending through the structure, wherein a computer system is configured to determine a shape of the fiber optic line extending through the structure, and one or more electromagnetic sensors wrapped at least in part around one or more portions of the fiber optic line, wherein the computer system is configured to determine a position and orientation of the one or more electromagnetic sensors, wherein the computer system is configured to determine a shape and a position of the structure based on the determined shape of the fiber optic line extending through the structure and the determined position and orientation of the one or more electromagnetic sensors.

Offset illumination using multiple emitters in a fluorescence imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The emitter comprises a first emitter and a second emitter for emitting different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm.

An example imaging apparatus that can operate at shortwave infrared (SWIR) wavelengths are provided. An example imaging apparatus may include a fiber optic bundle, a distal lens, an illumination assembly, and an imaging detector. The fiber optic bundle may comprise a plurality of fibers and may be configured to guide light energy at a SWIR wavelength. The distal lens may be disposed on a distal end of the fiber optic bundle and the distal lens configured to focus light energy at the SWIR wavelength. The illumination assembly may be configured to output illumination at the SWIR wavelength adjacent to the distal end of the fiber optic bundle toward an object. The imaging detector may be operably coupled to a proximal end of the fiber optic bundle and configured to receive imaging light energy at the SWIR wavelength reflected from the object and guided through the fiber optic bundle.

An instrument for performing thorascopic repair of heart valves includes a shaft for extending through the chest cavity and into a heart chamber providing access to a valve needing repair. A movable tip on the shaft is operable to capture a valve leaflet and a needle is operable to penetrate a capture valve leaflet and draw the suture therethrough. The suture is thus fastened to the valve leaflet and the instrument is withdrawn from the heart chamber transporting the suture outside the heart chamber. The suture is anchored to the heart wall with proper tension as determined by observing valve operation with an ultrasonic imaging system.

The disclosure relates to diagnostic, surgical, and/or therapeutic devices for being introduced into the human or animal body or for in vitro examination of human or animal blood samples or other body cells, in particular to an endoscope or a disposable endoscope that includes at least one illumination light guide and/or image guide for transmitting electromagnetic radiation, the illumination light guide or image guide having a proximal end face for incoupling or outcoupling of electromagnetic radiation and a distal end face for incoupling or outcoupling of electromagnetic radiation. The proximal and/or distal end faces consist of plastic elements that are transparent at least partially or in sections thereof, the transparent plastic being biocompatible and/or having non-toxic properties to human or animal cell cultures for exposure durations of less than one day. This allows for the production of assemblies for disposable endoscopes, inter alia.

[Object] To acquire distance information concerning a living tissue through an endoscope with higher accuracy irrespective of the diameter of the endoscope. [Solution] An imaging device according to the present disclosure includes: a ranging light source section configured to output ranging light for measuring a distance at a predetermined timing; an image sensor on which an image of the imaging target is formed; a ranging light image sensor on which optical feedback of the ranging light from the imaging target is imaged; a branch optical system configured to coaxially branch incident light into three types of optical paths different from one another; and a distance information calculating section configured to calculate distance information concerning the imaging target on a basis of a result of detection of the optical feedback. In the branch optical system, a first optical path among the three types of optical paths is used as an optical path configured to guide the ranging light whose applied position on the imaging target has been controlled to the imaging target, a second optical path is used as an optical path configured to form an image of the imaging target on the image sensor, and a third optical path is used as an optical path configured to image the optical feedback on the ranging light image sensor. The distance information calculating section calculates a spaced distance to the imaging target by a Time Of Flight method on the basis of the result of detection of the optical feedback.