163 results about "Colonoscopes" patented technology

An evertable tube having a lumen therethrough, an inflation port for inflating the tube, and a self-closing valve at the inflation port. The tube has an inflation port for inflating the tube to grip a member, such as a probe, in the lumen. Advancement of the member, for example through a colon, will then cause eversion of the tube. The inflation port is provided in the form of an aperture in the outer wall of the tube. The valve comprises a sheath extending from the port along a wall of the tube. The sheath may be fixed to the wall of the tube. The sheath may alternatively be integrally formed with the wall of the tube. The sheath extends from the inflation port along the wall of the tube parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube to an open end of the sheath.

A handgrip for a colonoscope shaft capable of measuring and presenting to the operator of radial and longitudinal forces applied by the operator during the manipulation with the colonoscope. The handgrip includes an internal sleeve positioned over the shaft of the colonoscope so that it can be released and repositioned by depressing a release button. And external sleeve covers the internal sleeve and provides for a convenient grip by the operator. The only means of transmission of force applied by the operator from the external sleeve to the internal sleeve is the engaging means such as a flexible rectangular bar or a set of engaging plates imbedded between the external sleeve and internal sleeve. The engaging means are equipped with a set of sensors such as strain gages positioned on all sides of the bar to measure the forces between the sleeves, which correspond to the forces applied by the operator to the shaft of the colonoscope. The measurements are then transmitted to an electronic unit for data processing and then further to a display system such as a personal computer.

An apparatus and method for cleaning a body cavity, such as a portion of the GI tract, are disclosed. The apparatus can include a colonoscope having viewing optics and a liquid conduit with at least one outlet. The outlet can be positioned to direct a liquid to clean the colon or other cavity in the region being viewed.

A device to aid advancement of a colonoscope through the colon of a patient comprises an elongate body defining a colonoscope lumen. The body provides a fluid tight seal to the colonoscope. The body has an anchor to releasably anchor the interior wall of the colon to the device to enable a colonoscope to be more easily advanced. The anchor may be provided by suction apertures through which a suction is applied to draw the colon into anchored engagement with the body. The anchor may be provided by a balloon and/or foam based anchoring systems may be provided.

A biological navigation device that can be attached or integrated with an elongated element, such as a colonoscope, is disclosed. The device can be used for navigation through a biological lumen. The device can have an everting tube controllably tearable substantially in the direction of the long axis of the device. The elongated element can be deployed through a channel formed in the inner virtual space of the channel extending along the long axis.

A colonoscope includes an elongated body extending between a proximal and a distal end, a tip arranged on the distal end of the elongated body, and a handle arranged on the proximal end of the elongated body, wherein the elongated body generally increases in diameter and flexibility from the distal end to the proximal end. The elongated body preferably has a plurality of segments, each more proximal segment having a larger diameter than each adjacent more distal segment and/or each more proximal segment being more flexible than each adjacent more distal segment. A method for manufacturing a colonoscope includes selecting a length for each segment such that a most distal segment will extend far enough into a corresponding most distal section of the colon to be examined with each more proximal segment advanced through a corresponding more proximal section of the colon.

The present specification is directed towards endoscopes, such as colonoscopes, that provide a broader field of view and allow extended access of surgical tools and also enable efficient packing of all necessary elements in the tip section, while maintaining their functionality. Also described are methods and systems for capturing and displaying still and video images using an endoscope corresponding to a left-side looking, a front-looking and a right-side looking viewing element of an endoscopic tip generated in a native aspect ratio.

A colonoscope as an endoscope has an insertion tube for insertion in a patient's gastrointestinal tract. A head portion is disposed at an end of the insertion tube, for inspecting a large intestine. In combination with this, a device for insertion guide includes a base tube mounted on the head portion. Two propulsion fins are disposed on the base tube to extend in an axial direction of the head portion. A driving mechanism with balloons shifts the propulsion fins between closed and open positions. The propulsion fins, when in the closed position, are disposed to extend along the head portion, and when in the open position, are deployed in a radial direction by setting a distal fin end thereof away from the head portion, to propel the head portion inserted in the large intestine. Furthermore, the balloons set the propulsion fins in the open position alternately with one another.

A colonic overtube for maintaining a sigmoid colon in a straightened configuration has a proximal end for location externally of a colon, and a distal end for insertion into a colon. A colonoscope lumen extends through the overtube to facilitate passing the overtube over a colonoscope. The overtube has a convoluted corrugation which extends along the entire length of the overtube from the proximal end to the distal end. The corrugated configuration of the overtube provides the overtube with laterally flexibility so that the overtube may flex substantially without kinking during advancement of the overtube through a colon. A flexible seal, in the form of a tubular silicone sheath of film material, is provided at the distal end of the overtube for sealing between the overtube and a colonoscope extending through the colonoscope lumen. The flexible nature of the seal enables the seal to adapt itself to the size of the colonoscope extending through the colonoscope lumen to achieve a secure, effective seal between the overtube and a colonoscope regardless of the colonoscope size.

An improved colonoscope and method of removing or adding non-distal fluid from the colon during colonoscopy using a colonoscope. The colonoscope having at least a distal port and a non-distal port or plurality of non-distal ports to remove fluid from a shared channel within the colonoscope. Utilizing multiple ultrasound probes to determine a three dimensional image of anatomy behind the wall of a colon. Using microprocessors, motors to tighten/release wires of the colonoscope. Method of using an external joystick and a joystick on a handle of a colonoscope to effect navigation.

A magnetically guidable medical device for use within the large intestine of a human body. A magnetically guidable guide wire is introduced into the rectum of a body of a patient and maneuvered through the colon under the influence of a controlled magnetic field to a desired location within the body of the patient. An external magnetic field applying means applies an external magnetic field effective to guide the magnetically guidable member within the body of the patient. A colonoscope is advanced over the guide wire so that the advancement and placement of the colonoscope is aided by the magnetically guided guide wire. Either or both the magnetically guidable guide wire and the colonoscope can be viewed using a fluoroscope to assist in positioning it within the body of the patient.

Systems and methods for automated steering control of a robotic endoscope, e.g., a colonoscope, are provided. The control system may comprise: a) a first image sensor configured to capture a first input data stream comprising a series of two or more images of a lumen; and b) one or more processors that are individually or collectively configured to generate a steering control output signal based on an analysis of data derived from the first input data stream using a machine learning architecture, wherein the steering control output signal adapts to changes in the data of the first input data stream in real time.

This invention relates to a solid taste masking formulation of laxatives which can be dispersed in water for oral use for bowel cleaning preparation prior to colonoscopy procedures. This invention also relates to the methods to produce the taste masking laxative formulations.

A handgrip for a colonoscope shaft is equipped with a novel compact multifunction force and torque sensor allowing for a comprehensive characterization of colonoscope manipulation during a colonoscopy procedure. A two-part hinge design of the handgrip in combination with the multifunction sensor provides for a light weight design in a compact package making using the handgrip convenient and natural. An electronic unit is provided to receive the sensor data wirelessly and calculate a variety of motion parameters guiding a medical practitioner during the procedure and aimed at making colonoscopy safer and less painful.

The invention provides a full-automatic segmentation method for a mixed tissue image of a simulated colonoscopy, comprising the following steps of: selecting a suitable threshold value of the air and of the enteral residual liquid; carrying out an initial segmentation for the enteral area through a traditional threshold method; wiping a local volume effect between the air and the enteral residual liquid through a vertical filter; conducting an enteral segmentation through a region growing method; enhancing the boundaries of the colon and other issues through a gradient intensity region growing method; repeating a wiping of the local volume effect between the air and the enteral residual liquid through the vertical filter for the inner part of the colon with enhanced boundaries. The full-automatic segmentation method for the mixed tissue image of a simulated colonoscopy overcomes the problems of the traditional threshold segmentation, eliminates the impacts from the local volume effect, and renders the segmentation results better in conformity with the actual conditions.

A method and apparatus for applying pressure to the abdomen of a patient to facilitate the insertion of a colonoscope is characterized by the use of a tensile compression device in the form of an elastic band which is wrapped around the patient's abdomen and secured in place. The tension of the band is adjusted to apply a desired degree of pressure to the patient's abdomen to reduce loops in the patient's colon so that the colonoscope can be fully inserted into the colon with minimal discomfort to the patient. The ends of the device are connected together when the desired degree of tension is obtained so that constant pressure and support are provided to the patient's colon. Addition pressure can be manually applied simultaneously with the pressure from the tensile device to reduce or eliminate more distal loops in the colon.

An endoscope, such as a colonoscope, is provided for introduction into and along a passageway in a human or animal body in a desired direction of travel. The endoscope is disclosed in association with a fluid propulsion apparatus which can be employed for effecting introduction and advancement of the endoscope.

The invention discloses a robot system for assisting a doctor in operating a colonoscope. The robot system comprises a handle driving mechanism, a colonoscope feeding mechanism, a handle controller pose adjusting mechanism and a pose adjusting driven arm. The handle driving mechanism can replace a traditional mode that a doctor manually pokes an impeller; the rotation angle of the colonoscope tipis adjusted; the colonoscope feeding mechanism can replace a doctor to convey a colonoscope into the intestinal tract of a patient; the handle controller pose adjusting mechanism can adjust the angleand the position of the handle operator to realize convenient colonoscope delivery; the pose adjusting driven arm can adjust the colonoscope to the anus of a patient to realize convenient conveying ofthe colonoscope. The device can replace a traditional mode of manual impeller operation of doctors, a problem that the fingers and the shoulders of the doctors are injured by long-time impeller stirring is solved; meanwhile, the traditional mode of assisting the doctors in operating conveying and opening and closing of biopsy forceps by assistants is replaced, and the purpose that the doctors independently complete colon examination and polyp extirpating work is achieved.

A set of enhancements to further improve the performance of deep learning artificial intelligence algorithms trained to detect and localize colon polyps. The enhancements spanning training data mining efficiencies and automation, training data augmentation, early detection of polyps enable a more performant colon polyp detection solution for use on colonoscopy procedure recordings or live procedures in endoscopy centers.