An ultrasonic penetrometer may include an enclosure, an ultrasonic sensor, and a rod. The enclosure may include a channel having a first end and a second end. The ultrasonic sensor may be provided at the first end of the channel and may be configured to generate an ultrasound signal through the second end of the channel. An output from the ultrasound sensor may be used to determine a thickness or stiffness of sediment. The rod may have a proximal end facing the ultrasonic sensor and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The rod may be configured to move relative to the enclosure. The distal end may be configured to contact the sediment. The enclosure may be configured to be fluid-tight relative to an exterior of the enclosure such that the generated ultrasound signal travels in a single medium.

An endoscope and lens cleaning device assembly includes a tubular body, a visualization device including a lens, and a lens cleaning device. The visualization device is supported on a distal portion of the tubular body. The lens cleaning device is supported on the distal portion of the tubular body and includes an iris mechanism having a plurality of vanes. The vanes are movable between a first position in which the vanes are positioned radially outwardly of the lens of the visualization device and a second position in which the vanes cover the lens of the visualization device. Each of the vanes has a cleaning surface that is positioned to contact the lens of the visualization device as the vanes move between the first and second positions to clean the lens of the visualization device.

Medical instruments such as catheter systems and endoscopic systems that exhibit reduced backlash during their operation are disclosed. The reduction of backlash avoids the use of protrusions or fins that can significantly obstruct fluid flow through working channels of the instruments. According to one embodiment, a medical instrument comprises a first member having an inside surface defining a first lumen and a second member extending in the first lumen and having an outside surface cooperating with the inner surface of the first member to define an intermediate longitudinal passage therebetween. One of the inside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member is permanently formed to have a sinuous shape defining predisposed locations for contacting the other one of the inner surface of the first member and the outer surface of the second member to reduce backlash during relative longitudinal movement.

An endoscopic cap assembly may include a sleeve and a cap. The cap may include a cap channel extending along an external surface of the cap. The cap may also include an engagement feature extending radially outwardly from the external surface of the cap.

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.

A switch unit includes: a tactile switch; a cable which transmits an operation signal generated when the tactile switch is operated; a formed part where a fitting engagement portion which is disposed on an operation section exterior member at a predetermined position, a recessed surface which is formed on a side of a first end portion with respect to the fitting engagement portion and where the tactile switch is mounted, a cable fixing portion which is disposed on a side of a second end portion which is a side opposite to the first end portion with the fitting engagement portion positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion and to which the cable is connected, and a circuit which electrically connects the recessed surface and the cable fixing portion to each other and transmits an operation signal generated by the tactile switch to the cable are formed.

A joint ring of an endoscope comprises a joint ring body including a joint ring wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end surface, and a second end surface, and a first wire guide attached to the inner surface of the joint ring wall. The first wire guide includes a first wire guide body including a first wire guide wall having a third end surface and a fourth end surface. In a central axis direction of the joint ring body, at least a first portion of the first end surface and at least a first portion of the third end surface are at a first axial position and at least a first portion of the second end surface and at least a first portion of the fourth end surface are at a second axial position.

A cover 20 for covering a circumferential portion of an outer circumferential surface of a rigid endoscope 10 having an observation window portion 14 provided at a tip thereof includes a flexible outer cover member 22 covering the circumferential portion of the circumferential surface of the rigid endoscope 10 and a tubular member 26, provided inside the outer cover member 22, through which a cleaning fluid to be supplied from a base end of the rigid endoscope 10 to the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10 flows inside, and the outer cover member 22 is attached to the outer circumference surface of the rigid endoscope 10 by flexing the outer cover member 22.

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.

An insertion instrument comprises an insertion portion including a bending portion provided at a distal end side of the insertion portion, a first wire provided in the insertion portion, and an operation portion provided at a proximal end side of the insertion portion. The operation portion includes a bending operation unit. The bending operation unit includes a lever having a central shaft defining a central axis, a rotor coupled to the lever, a wire attachment surface to which the first wire is attached. An inner surface of the operation portion includes a receiver body and a restriction body. The receiver body supports the rotor for rotation about the central axis and for movement of the lever from a neutral position to an inclined position, where, in the inclined position, the central shaft is inclined relative to the central shaft in the neutral position. Movement of the lever from the neutral position to the inclined position pulls the first wire to bend the bending portion. The restriction surface restricts a portion of the rotation of the rotor about the central axis.