Abstract: An endoscope comprising a control section and a shaft extending from the control section. The shaft has a frame with a one-piece tube along a majority of a length of the shaft. The tube comprises a superelastic alloy and slots into the tube along at least one-section of the tube. Superelastic properties of the superelastic alloy allow the tube to bend proximate the slots without substantial permanent deformation of the tube. The superelastic alloy provides the shaft with adequate stiffness and torque resistance to be inserted into a patient's body.

Abstract: An endoscope having a control section and a shaft extending from the control section. The shaft comprises an outer cover; a tubular braid member located, at least partially, inside the outer cover; and a support frame located, at least partially, inside the tubular braid member. The support frame comprises a shape memory member which is spiral shaped. The shape memory member is comprised of a superelastic shape memory alloy. A first length of the support frame comprises the shape memory member having a first width and/or thickness a second length of the tubular shape comprises the shape memory member having a different second width and/or thickness such that the support frame has different respective stiffnesses along the first and second lengths.

Abstract: A continuous flow endoscope comprising a working element and an outer sheath assembly. The working element comprises a frame including a telescope guide tube and a fluid passage through the frame and into the telescope guide tube. The outer sheath assembly is connected to the frame. The outer sheath assembly comprises an outer tube located around a portion of the telescope guide tube. The outer tube and the telescope guide tube form a fluid outflow conduit therebetween along a majority of the length of the outer tube.

Abstract: A medical instrument comprising a Veress needle, a dilating obturator, and a cannula. The Veress needle has a tubular safety obturator with an opening in its front section at a needle tip of the Veress needle. A guide with a guide slot can be positioned in a patient's vagina against the posterior fornix of the vagina to guide the Veress needle through the vaginal and peritoneal walls. A guide wire may be passed through the Veress needle and through the hole in the peritoneum wall formed by the Veress needle to guide the dilating obturator through the hole.

Abstract: A grooved slider forming part of an electrode for use with a resectoscope is shown. The electrode includes an electrode lead member having an elongated conductor member. The elongated conductor member has a first end and a second end with an insulative cover extended therebetween. The first end has a protruding electrode adapted to be electrically connected to an electrosurgical generator and the second end terminates in an active member. An electrode support member is operatively connected to the active member. The electrode support member has an elongated semi-rigid bifurcated arm terminating in a conductive core spaced a predetermined distance from the active member. The bifurcated arm is covered with an insulative material except at the distal end where the grooved slider is located.

Abstract: A retrieval basket is provided for use with a surgical device adapted to capture calculi. The retrieval basket includes wires extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the basket wherein the wires converge at the proximal and distal ends. The wires in a proximal portion of the retrieval basket incline radially at an angle away from the basket's axis along relatively straight paths. The wires in a distal portion of the retrieval basket converge radially toward the axis along relatively curvilinear paths.

Abstract: A surgical irrigation system utilizing a flow sensor device; upon sensing fluid flow, the flow sensor device activates a fluid acceleration or pumping mechanism to pump fluid to a surgical site; the flow sensor device is capable of being conveniently located between an elevated source of fluid and a surgical handpiece; since the flow sensor device activates the pumping mechanism, the surgical handpiece is liberated from use of an electrical-type switch to activate the pumping mechanism, and, instead, is provided with a valve for mechanically starting and stopping fluid flow.

Abstract: A deflection cover for a medical endoscope comprises a tubular covering that protects the articulation system of an endoscope during sterilization procedures where pressure differentials are generated. The deflection cover is of a single layer of a selected material whose properties provide the deflection cover with adequate flexibility, thinness, and strength for use on a medical endoscope. The deflection cover may include a reinforcement structure, such as a helically oriented thread, to increase the tube's pressure resistance without impeding the tube's longitudinal flexibility, which is needed to allow the articulation system in the endoscope to deflect through its intended range of motion.

Abstract: A medical instrument having a shaft with a bending neck, an ultrasound device at a distal end of the bending neck, a working channel extending through the shaft with a tubular working channel made from superelastic material extending to an opening proximate the ultrasound device, and a biopsy needle located in the working channel. The needle is comprised of superelastic material and is extendible and retractable out the working channel opening in an imaging path of the ultrasound device.

Abstract: A medical instrument comprising a Veress needle, a dilating obturator, and a cannula. The Veress needle has a tubular safety obturator with an opening in its front section at a needle tip of the Veress needle. A guide with a guide slot can be positioned in a patient's vagina against the posterior fornix of the vagina to guide the Veress needle through the vaginal and peritoneal walls. A guide wire may be passed through the Veress needle and through the hole in the peritoneum wall formed by the Veress needle to guide the dilating obturator through the hole.

Abstract: A composition for a bulk conducting glass comprising P.sub.2 O.sub.5, V.sub.2 O.sub.5, PbO, and FeO, the ratio of the molar percentage of P.sub.2 O.sub.5 to V.sub.2 O.sub.5 being in the range of about 1 to about 6, and the P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and V.sub.2 O.sub.5 being present in an aggregate amount of at least about 50 mole percent, the PbO being present in the glass in an amount in excess of 15 mole percent, and the FeO being present in amount of about 0 to about 30 mole percent. The composition may also include MnO or Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 in an amount of up to about 2 mole percent. The composition may be formed into fibers for use in microchannel plates and other devices where bulk conductivity in glass is advantageous.

Abstract: A video signal compensator and method for compensating for differential picture brightness of an optical image due to uneven illumination is shown. The video signal compensator includes a device for generating a compensating signal substantially representing at least one parameter of a compensating waveform required to produce a video signal representing an optical image having a substantially uniform brightness.

Abstract: A relay lens for an endoscope or optical instrument is shown. The relay lens includes a first rod-type lens element having a first end and a second end. The first end defines a substantially spherical surface and the second end defines a convex surface. An optical element is positioned in axial alignment with and adjacent the first rod-type lens element. The optical element has a concave surface and a convex surface. The concave surface of the optical element is bonded to the convex surface of the second end of the first rod-type lens element forming a single bonded gap between the concave and convex surfaces. A second rod-type lens element having a first end and a second end, wherein each of the first end and second end defines a substantially spherical surface, is positioned in an axially aligned relationship with the first rod-type lens element and spaced from at least one of the first end of the first rod-type element and the concave surface of the optical element.

Abstract: A seal for the accessory port of a medical instrument comprises a first region having an aperture formed in elastomeric material. The aperture permits an accessory of slightly greater diameter to be sealably introduced through the accessory port of the instrument. The seal includes a second region of elastomeric material distal to the first region, which includes a hatch with a closeable passageway. The hatch sealably engages the accessory and also seals the accessory port when no accessory is in place. The first region and/or the second can be stretched and distorted as an accessory passes therethrough. Therefore, it is preferable to dispose a relief cavity between the aperture and the hatch. The relief cavity separates the two regions so that the aperture and hatch can each independently maintain an effective seal around an accessory. The relief cavity also provides a break between the aperture and hatch that minimizes drag on the accessory.

Abstract: A shaped conductive core electrode member having an elongated curved sharp leading cutting edge forming part thereof for use with a resectoscope is shown. The electrode includes an electrode lead member having an elongated conductor member having a first end and a second end with an insulative cover extended therebetween. The first end has a protruding electrode adapted to be electrically connected to an electrosurgical generator. The second end terminates in an electrode support member which is operatively connected to or forms an integral part of the shaped electrode as an active member. The electrode support member has an elongated semi-rigid bifurcated arm terminating in a conductive core. The bifurcated arm is covered with an insulative material except at the distal end where the shaped electrode is located.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising a handle and a flexible shaft connected to the handle. The flexible shaft has an active deflection section and a passive deflection section with a control wire support member therein. The endoscope also has a control wire connected to the active deflection section. A portion of the control wire is housed in the control wire support member. The control wire support member is made from a superelastic alloy material and is resiliently deflectable bending with the passive deflection section without permanent deformation or substantial fatigue over a working life of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope having a shaft with a semi-rigid tube and a malleable tube. The malleable tube is connected to and extends from a distal end of the semi-rigid tube. The connection of the two tubes includes dimples stamped into the semi-rigid tube that inwardly project into holes in the malleable tube.

Abstract: I An endoscope having a deflection control and a shaft connected to the deflection control. The shaft has a deflectable section operably connected to the deflection control by drive cables. The deflectable section comprises rigid rings and flexible connection members connecting the rings to each other. The connection members are comprised of a superelastic shape memory alloy. The connection members retain the deflectable section in a predetermined shape. The connection members can be resiliently bent to bend the deflectable section without permanent deformation of the connection member over a working life of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope having a shaft with a deflectable section. The deflectable section has a plurality of rings movably connected in series to each other. The rings are connected to each other by first and second interlocking sections. The first interlocking sections have eyelet shaped sections. The second interlocking sections have tabs with sections larger than the windows in the eyelet shaped sections.

Abstract: A resectoscope with a working element and an electrode. The working element has a movable actuator assembly with a receiving area for receiving a proximal end of the electrode. The receiving area has an entrance, a plug area, and a curved section between the entrance and the plug area. The electrode has a proximal end with a connection section for connection to an electrical plug connector in the plug area. The proximal end also has a flexible section next to the connection section. The flexible section resiliently deforms along the curved section of the receiving area in the actuator assembly.