A61B1/0607

OPTICALLY GUIDED FEEDING TUBE ASSEMBLIES, FEEDING TUBE TIPS, AND RELATED METHODS
20180000320 · 2018-01-04 ·

A feeding tube assembly and feeding tube tip secure a viewing lens proximal of the distal end of the feeding tube tip. The feeding tube tip can include a plurality of protrusions that extend radially inward to secure the viewing lens. The feeding tube assembly and feeding tube tip can be used to improve image quality by keeping tissue from abutting the viewing lens as the feeding tube tip is inserted into a patient.

ENDOSCOPE
20180013937 · 2018-01-11 ·

An endoscope includes at least one lens having a circular exterior shape in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis, an image sensor that has a square exterior shape in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and has one side whose length is same as length of a diameter of the lens, a sensor cover that has a square exterior shape in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and has one side whose length is same as one side length of the image sensor, a bonding resin portion that fixes the sensor cover to the lens, the optical axis of the lens coinciding with a center of the imaging area.

IMAGING CAPSULE
20180008130 · 2018-01-11 ·

Described embodiments include a capsule, including a cyclically everting sleeve shaped to define a sleeve interior, a fluid, configured to facilitate the everting of the sleeve, contained within the sleeve interior, and a plurality of electrically-conductive coils coupled to the sleeve. The coils are configured to, when at least two of the coils are magnetized, advance the capsule within a lumen by applying an everting force to the sleeve. Other embodiments are also described.

Processing images from annular receptor arrays

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.

LIGHTING SOURCE AND ENDOSCOPE

A lighting source and an endoscope are provided, and the lighting source is used for the endoscope. The lighting source includes a light-emitting diode (LED) chip and a substrate; the LED chip is arranged on and fixedly connected to the substrate, and is packaged into the lighting source; and the lighting source is circular ring-shaped or arc-shaped. The endoscope includes an endoscope tube; an objective lens, located at one end of the endoscope and at least partially located inside the endoscope tube; and the lighting source.

Optical bulb for surgical instrument port

An optical bulb for a medical device includes first and second bodies. The first body has a substantially hemispherical distal side. The second body extends from the first body and includes a mechanical connection point at or near the proximal side of the second body. An instrument channel extends through the optical bulb from the proximal side of the second body to the distal side of the first body. An imaging channel extends an aperture defined in the proximal side of the second body and terminates between the proximal and substantially hemispherical distal sides of the first body. The distal end of the imaging channel is substantially hemispherical. The first body is configured and arranged to provide a substantially uniform image path within a field of view of a camera disposed in the imaging channel.

Offset illumination of a scene using multiple emitters in a fluorescence imaging system

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.

Endoscopic instrument

This disclosure relates to instruments and methods of performing an endoscopy. An endoscope for producing images of a surgery in vivo may include a hub and an imaging rod extending from the hub, the imaging rod being configured to receive light and direct the light to an imaging sensor located adjacent to a distal end of the imaging rod, the hub and the imaging rod being attached to form an assembly having a center of mass established distally of the hub. In other implementations, the hub may be omitted.

TROCAR WITH DETACHABLE LIGHTING SYSTEM

A trocar is provided that is adapted to insert a lighting attachment into a body cavity. The trocar connects at its distal end to the lighting attachment such that it can be pushed into the body cavity. An endoscope may then be inserted through the trocar into the body cavity. The lighting attachment is configured to detach from the trocar and attach to the endoscope head to provide additional lighting to the endoscope. The lighting attachment includes foldable lighting panels that expand when in use in order to light a wider field of view. The lighting attachment may be powered by induction coil from the endoscope.

Stereo imaging miniature endoscope with single imaging and conjugated multi-bandpass filters

An endoscope includes a housing with a distal end insertable into a cavity; an image capture device at the distal end to obtain 3D images, and process them to form a video signal; and a folded substrate folded into a U-shape having first and second legs. The image capture device includes a detector and a lens system with right and left multi-band pass filters having right pass bands that are complements of left pass bands. The lens system receives the 3D images including right and left images. The detector faces the lens system to obtain the right and left images. A processing circuit faces the proximal end behind the detector to process signals from the detector. The folded substrate includes the detector at an outer side of the first leg facing the lens system and the processing circuit at an outer side of the second leg facing the proximal end.