Abstract: A fiberoptic endoscope includes an axially movable optical fiber guide to compensate for focusing effects, such as thermal expansion or mechanical tolerances. The distal end portion of the optical fiber guide is secured to the distal end of the endoscope while the proximal end portion is permitted to move axially relative to a proximal housing portion of the endoscope. The proximal housing portion includes an eye lens unit secured thereto. A decoupling lens unit is fixed to the proximal end portion of the optical fiber guide so as to move therewith with respect to the eye lens unit.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising an elongated endoscope body having a distal end, an objective carried by the endoscope body adjacent the distal end and an elongated fiberoptic image guide in the endoscope body for transmitting an image proximally. The objective has a curved proximal surface and the image guide has a curved distal end surface which has a shape which generally conforms to the shape of the curved proximal surface of the objective. These surfaces are in close proximity to provide an interface and an index matching medium is in the interface. The objective provides a curved image plane substantially at the interface and the image plane has a shape which generally conforms to the shape of the curved proximal surface of the objective.

Abstract: A method of delivering a substance to a fallopian tube of a patient which includes obtaining transcervical access to a fallopian tube with an everting catheter. Access to the fallopian tube is obtained by everting an everting element of the everting catheter in the fallopian tube. A substance selected from the group consisting of biological material and cytotoxic agents is then delivered through the everting catheter to the fallopian tube to deposit the substance in the fallopian tube.

Abstract: An inflator for use with a catheter having an inflatable component wherein the inflator includes a housing having an elongated plunger passage and an elongated gage passage. The housing includes a one piece main body which defines at least major lengths of both of the passages, and the passages extend in generally side- by-side relationship. The housing has a port which communicates with both of the passages and which can be coupled to the inflatable component of the catheter. A plunger is movable longitudinally in the plunger passage and is extendible out of a plunger opening in the plunger passage. A pressure responsive gage member is movable longitudinally in the gage passage and is responsive to pressure of the fluid adjacent the port. An indicator is responsive to the longitudinal position of the gage member to provide an indication of the pressure of the liquid adjacent the port. A releasable lock carried by the housing limits the plunger movement.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising an elongated endoscope body having a proximal end and a distal end. The endoscope body is sized and adapted for insertion into an interior body region of a patient. Optical components are carried by the endoscope body to enable viewing of the interior body region of the patient. The endoscope body has an outer surface which defines a groove having a portion which extends distally of the endoscope body.

Abstract: This new technique for stacking multiply folded optical paths in an extended region of a laser resonator within a gaseous medium. The path segments are connected together by a set of mirrors located along the resonator perimeter. Moreover, this invention involves a system of stacking unit tiles, each minim containing a multiply folded path, into larger domains. A multiplicity of mirrors is located in the laser resonator around the perimeter of stacked minims. A longer optical path is achieved without a corresponding increase in the number of folding elements, by stacking the minims together and thereby extending the length of the folding elements. The resulting domains fully cover the plane with a grid of evenly spaced and intersecting optical paths. The laser resonator can be used in either a laser oscillator or amplifier, and in either pulsed or continuous wave mode.