Abstract: A flat urinary drainage bag that can be worn by a patient over the abdomen with the bag suspended from a waist-encircling belt is disclosed. The device includes an inlet tube for connection to a urethral catheter and a valve-equipped drain tube that extends downwardly from the bag when the drain tube is used to drain the contents therefrom. The lower end of the bag is foldable upwardly to position the drain tube in an upwardly-facing raised position against the bag's front wall, and a retaining strap is located across the front wall for holding the drain tube in its raised position. Spot attachments that secure the ends of the strap to the bag's front wall also secure the front and rear walls of the bag together, thereby performing multiple functions of limiting bulging of the bag in use, reducing sloshing of the bag's contents, and securing the retaining strap (and the raised drainage tube) in place.

Abstract: An endoscope which provides ample illumination to a surgical field or diagnostic site is disclosed in which a lens train having objective and relay lenses or electronic means for transmitting images therethrough is covered by an outer casing formed from a woven cylindrical sheath composed of a multiplicity of interlaced spirally-extending bundles of optical fibers and an embedding medium for securely interlocking the bundles together. The proximal end of the braided or woven sheath forms a light-receiving post for receiving and transmitting light through the individual fiberoptic cables to their distal ends which terminate around the periphery of the field lens or lenses. Constructing the outer casing of the endoscope from woven fiberoptic bundles provides an adequate quantity of fiberoptic cables to supply ample illumination to the field for endoscopes with one or more field lenses. The construction of the braided sheath also allows the endoscope to be efficiently manufactured.

Abstract: An endoscope which provides ample illumination to a surgical field or diagnostic site is disclosed in which a lens train having objective and relay lenses for transmitting images therethrough is covered by an outer casing formed from a woven cylindrical sheath composed of a multiplicity of interlaced spirally-extending bundles of optical fibers and an embedding medium for securely interlocking the bundles together. The proximal end of the braided or woven sheath forms a light-receiving post for receiving and transmitting light through the individual fiberoptic cables to their distal ends which terminate around the periphery of the field lens or lenses. Constructing the outer casing of the endoscope from woven fiberoptic bundles provides an adequate quantity of fiberoptic cables to supply ample illumination to the field for endoscopes with one or more field lenses. The construction of the braided sheath also allows the endoscope to be efficiently manufactured.

Abstract: An endoscope which is provided at its distal end with two fixed field lens assemblies, one facing generally forwardly and the other laterally, the endoscope also being provided with an adjustable control allowing the practioner to switch at will between the illuminated surgical or diagnostic site as viewed by one field lens or the other without removing the endoscope from the patient.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly, and the surgical instrument associated with it, capable of providing superior visibility of an operative site while at the same time insuring the transmission of tactile information to the surgeon through the handle of the instrument. The endoscope assembly comprises an optical head equipped with a connector or connectors for externally and releasably attaching the head to a surgical instrument at the neck portion adjacent the operating end thereof, an eyepiece or other viewing unit remote from the head, and an elongated flexible cable extending between the two. In the embodiment disclosed, the cable contains a light-transmitting waveguide for illuminating the operative area and a fiberoptic bundle for transmitting a coherent image of the area so illuminated. The cable may also be provided with a passage for delivering irrigating fluid (liquid or gas) to the operative site.

Abstract: A sterile midstream urine collector having an open-ended tubular body and a cup mounted therein, the cup having its open top equipped with a cover that is formed at least in part of a water-soluble material. During use of the device, the cover initially deflects a stream of urine flowing through the collector and within seconds dissolves sufficiently to allow a subsequent uncontaminated portion of the stream to enter the cup. A sample evacuation passage extends from the cup and communicates, or is adapted to communicate, with a collection tube assembly which may take the form of an air-evacuated collection tube with a piercable stopper or a syringe with a retractable plunger.

Abstract: A tray and basin combination particularly useful for soaking medical implements, such as urological instruments, in a treatment solution. In use, the tray is self-elevating within the basin; however, a magnetic retainer is provided for selectively holding the tray in a lowered condition, with the articles supported thereby immersed in the treatment solution, until the treatment is completed and the tray is to be raised.

Abstract: A method for collecting urine from a catheterized ambulatory patient. A flat urinary drainage bag is worn by the patient over the abdomen with the bag suspended from a waist-encircling belt. A urethral catheter has a proximal end communicating with the upper portion of the bag just below waist level and a distal end retained within the patient's bladder. A valve-equipped drain tube extends downwardly from the lower edge of the bag, the valve being manually operable for periodically draining the contents of the bag. An anti-reflux flap valve is disposed within the bag at the inlet thereof for preventing reverse-flow of fluid from the bag back into the catheter. Although the inlet for the bag is disposed above the distal end of the catheter when the device is worn by an ambulatory patient, intraperitoneal pressure on the bladder resulting from normal body actions nevertheless causes urine to flow from the bladder into the abdominal bag.

Abstract: A urological instrument for use with an endoscope and an endoscope sheath to facilitate the insertion of one or more catheters or flexible instruments from the bladder into the ureter. The instrument includes an elongated sleeve for receiving the stem of the endoscope, a deflecting element pivotally mounted at the distal end of that sleeve, and a mechanism at the proximal end of the sleeve for operating the deflecting element. The mechanism is spring-loaded so that the deflecting element normally assumes a retracted position generally parallel with the axis of the sleeve. Such mechanism also includes a finger lever for selectively controlling the angular position of the deflecting element. A finger brace projects outwardly from the sleeve on the opposite side from the lever.

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument having a sheath, a grasping and/or cutting jaw assembly at one end of the sheath, a housing at the sheath's opposite end, and a plunger slidably supported by the housing and connected to the jaw assembly by means of an actuator rod extending through the sheath. The housing and plunger portions of the instrument are adapted to be coupled to a handle unit, if desired, for manipulation of the instrument and operation of the jaw assembly. The structure and method for facilitating quick removal and replacement of the jaw assembly and actuator rod are disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable unitary drape particularly suited for use in performing transurethral surgery of the bladder and prostate, and similar operations. A thin flexible finger cot projects from the body of the drape, the cot having a bulbous distal end portion and an elongated neck portion of reversed taper and reduced wall thickness. An annular retention rib projects outwardly from the cot at the juncture of the neck and end portions and, in one embodiment, the wall thickness of the neck portion is even further reduced in an arcuate intermediate section to increase tactile sensitivity in that zone for the surgeon. The cot may be supplied in longitudinally collapsed form. Because of its configuration and construction, the cot tends to be self-retaining in use.