171 results about "Colonoscopes" patented technology

An insertion device (82) to aid introduction of an overtube (90) into a colon over a previously inserted colonoscope (2). The insertion device (82) comprises an elongate tubular sheath (80), which defines a lumen to receive the colonoscope (2) and the overtube (90), a band (61) of resilient material to hold the sheath (80) to the colonoscope (2) during introduction of the colonoscope (2) with the insertion device (82) mounted thereto into a colon, and an inflatable holder (81) for gripping the sheath (80) to the colonoscope (2) during insertion of the overtube (90) into the sheath (80). The holder (81) is deflated to release the grip on the colonoscope (2) and the insertion device (82) is at least partially removed from the colon after the overtube (90) has been inserted into the colon.

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 computer-based method that allows automated measurement of a number of metrics that likely reflect the quality of a colonoscopic procedure. The method is based on analysis of a digitized video file created during colonoscopy, and produces information regarding insertion time, withdrawal time, images at the time of maximal intubation, the time and ratio of clear versus blurred or non-informative images, and a first estimate of effort performed by the endoscopist. As these metrics can be obtained automatically, the method allows future quality control in the day-to-day medical practice setting on a large scale. In addition, the method can be adapted to other healthcare procedures. The method may be useful to assess progress during colonoscopy training, or as part of endoscopic skills assessment evaluations.

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.

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 flexible surgical drape has an adhesive side and a non-adhesive side. The adhesive side is adhesive across substantially its entire face. The drape consists of a flexible sheet suitable for covering a substantial portion of a patient's body. A pocket for catching patient secretions and other fluids is attached to the adhesive side of the drape. The drape contains an opening capable of receiving a removable valve, which, when in place, seals off the opening and prevents the passage of gases, secretions, and fluids that are typically present during a medical procedure. The valve can be made to lock into the opening so as to reduce the likelihood of its inadvertent removal. An examining tool such as a colonoscope fits through a hole extending through the valve and thus can be passed from one side of the drape to the other. A reservoir suitable for holding a lubricating substance is securely attached to and forms part of the valve, and the examining tool when inserted through the valve passes through this lubricating substance and is coated by it.

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 mechanism for an automated self-propelling endoscope. The system augments the conventional "proximal-push" mechanism commonly used in colonoscopy with an innovative "distal-pull" mechanism. The distal-pull mechanism includes external application of a force at the proximal end of the endoscope that is translated into force that is exerted upon and moves the distal (leading) end of the scope further into the colon.

A handgrip for colonoscope shaft is equipped with force, torque, and acceleration sensors allowing for a comprehensive characterization of colonoscope shaft motion, including recognition of obstacles and recording of forces and torques applied at various times during a colonoscopy procedure. An electronic unit is adapted to receive sensors 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.

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.

Spiral-wound materials, spirals, and shafts made therefrom that have wraps with edges that may nest within one another are described. Such edges allow the spiral to achieve a smaller bending radius, meaning tighter turns and more flexibility due to the ability of adjacent wraps to nest within each other when the shaft is bent. Spirals having wraps with edges capable of nesting can be used in the medical field for devices that track anatomy, such as endoscopes, colonoscopes, catheters, and the like.

The invention relates to a method for processing of a three-dimensional image data set, wherein the three-dimensional image data set is converted to a data set suitable for a two-dimensional image reproduction. The invention further relates to apparatuses for performing the required calculations and / or for reproduction of the data representations. The invention is particularly appropriate for medical applications of endoscopy, in particular, coloscopy.

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for deriving a three-dimensional (3D) surface from colonoscopic video are disclosed. According to one method for deriving a 3D surface from colonoscopic video, the method comprises: performing video frame preprocessing to identify a plurality of keyframes of a colonoscopic video, wherein the video frame preprocessing includes informative frame selection and keyframe selection; generating, using a recurrent neural network and direct sparse odometry, camera poses and depth maps for the keyframes; and fusing, using SurfelMeshing and the camera poses, the depth maps into a three-dimensional (3D) surface of a colon portion, wherein the 3D surface indicates at least one region of the colon portion that was not visualized.

The present invention relates to a dry composition for reconstitution in water comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG), optionally sodium sulphate, citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, simethicone, effective for bowel cleansing, in particular of colon, prior to diagnostic, surgical or therapeutical procedures, in particular colonoscopy.

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.

The present invention provides compositions, systems, kits, and methods for preparation prior to a colonoscopy or other gastrointestinal procedure. In particular, the present invention provides a colon lavage system comprising an aqueous portion and a solid portion.

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.