Era Endoscopy S.r.l.

Korea Institute of Science and Technology

Samuele Gorini

Giuseppe Pernorio

Paolo Dario

Arianna Menciassi

Alberto Arena

Cesare Stefanini

Dino Accoto

Alberta Arena

A tubular guide suitable for use as an operating channel for the passage of surgical instruments in an inch-worm-type locomoted endoscopic instrument is described. The guide is fixed to the ends of the central body of the endoscopic instrument and has an elastic and corrugated intermediate portion so as to follow the elongations and the contractions of the central body of the endoscopic instrument without creating an obstacle to the passage of instruments.

Flexible and extensible tubular guide and manufacture process thereof

An endoscopic device for autonomous locomotion through a selected body cavity in a predetermined direction, the device comprising a hollowed, cylindrical body that extends between two, preferably, the front and rear, end portions, respectively. The body is made of a relatively elastic material and includes an anchor for temporarily and alternately attaching the end portions to a wall portion of the body cavity in synch with corresponding axial extensions and contractions of the body. The body incorporates a reinforcement structure distributed along its length that is substantially rigid in a radial direction and yields in an axial direction, the structure specifically comprising either a plurality of relatively rigid rings or at least one helical spring.

Self-propelled endoscopic device

An endoscopic device capable of autonomous locomotion through a body cavity in a pre-established direction of displacement is described. The endoscopic device comprises a tubular body that extends between a front end portion and a rear end portion and a reinforcement structure distributed along the length of the tubular body. Each end portion includes an anchoring means for temporarily and alternately attaching the end portions to a wall of the body cavity.

Endoscopic device

A teleoperated endoscopic capsule for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes inside an animal body cavity, comprising a body () with a plurality of locomotion modules () placed on its surface, suitable for moving said body in the body cavity. The capsule also comprises an energy source inside said body and a microcontroller in the body () for actuating the locomotion modules () on the basis of commands teletransmitted by an operator. A video camera is then provided for capturing images controlled by said microcontroller and a transceiver system for receiving the commands teletransmitted by the operator and for transmitting the images gained through the video camera.

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Montecalvoli, Italy

Samuele Gorini