Abstract: A fabricator resource receives an assembly including a first portion of material and a second portion of material. Initially, the first portion of material in the assembly may have a different modulus of elasticity than the second portion of material. The fabricator resource exposes the assembly to one or more heating/cooling cycles. Exposure of the assembly to the one or more heating/cooling cycles modifies a modulus of elasticity of the first portion of material and a modulus of elasticity of the second portion of material to desired target values (such as substantially same or different values).

Abstract: A fabricator resource receives an assembly including a first portion of material and a second portion of material. Initially, the first portion of material in the assembly may have a different modulus of elasticity than the second portion of material. The fabricator resource exposes the assembly to one or more heating/cooling cycles. Exposure of the assembly to the one or more heating/cooling cycles modifies a modulus of elasticity of the first portion of material and a modulus of elasticity of the second portion of material to desired target values (such as substantially same or different values).

Abstract: Hermetically sealed enclosures and constructions are disclosed for use in endoscopic systems, particularly endoscopic systems with electronic imaging and illumination systems in the enclosures. Compound optical windows are also disclosed for use in the systems. The compound optical windows may have separate panes for an imaging system and an illumination system, and contrast-reducing optical boundaries are between panes.

Abstract: An optical probe, for example, a medical endoscope, having a removable lens cell. In an embodiment, the optical probe has an elongated tube with a proximal portion terminating at a proximal end and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion terminating at a distal end. The elongated tube defines an axial lumen wherein a lens cell holder is disposed proximal the distal portion. The lens cell holder has an axial holder bore for at least partially containing the lens cell within and removably coupled with the holder bore.

Abstract: Sterilizable electronic video cameras for an endoscope are provided. The electronic video camera comprises an enclosure, a lens cell, a lens cell holder, an image sensor, a motorized focusing system, and switch control. The enclosure comprises a housing and a cover, the housing defining a cavity therein. The cover has a window disposed therein, the housing and cover adapted for hermetic coupling. The lens cell is slidably disposed in the lens cell holder. The image sensor is in optical communication with the lens cell and window. The motorized focusing system is adapted to axially reciprocally move the lens cell relative to the lens cell holder controlled by the switch. The switch control is activated external to the enclosure and is hermetically sealed therewith. The lens cell, lens cell holder, image sensor, and the motorized focusing system, as an assembly, are coupled to the cover and disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed enclosures and constructions are disclosed for use in endoscopic systems, particularly endoscopic systems with electronic imaging and illumination systems in the enclosures. Compound optical windows are also disclosed for use in the systems. The compound optical windows may have separate panes for an imaging system and an illumination system, and contrast-reducing optical boundaries are between panes.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed enclosures and constructions are disclosed for use in endoscopic systems, particularly endoscopic systems with electronic imaging and illumination systems in the enclosures. Compound optical windows are also disclosed for use in the systems. The compound optical windows may have separate panes for an imaging system and an illumination system, and contrast-reducing optical boundaries are between panes.

Abstract: A medical retrieval basket device, comprising a plurality of basket wires forming a basket, the basket including a wire collector at its distal end, the wire collector having a substantially rigid body for receiving the wires, the wire collector securing the wires at the distal end of the basket so as to provide a substantially tipless basket.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed enclosures and constructions are disclosed for use in endoscopic systems, particularly endoscopic systems with electronic imaging and illumination systems in the enclosures. Compound optical windows are also disclosed for use in the systems. The compound optical windows may have separate panes for an imaging system and an illumination system, and contrast-reducing optical boundaries are between panes.

Abstract: An endoscope including a handle; and a shaft extending from the handle. The shaft has a front end with a first active deflection section and a second active deflection section. The first active deflection section is limited to deflection in a first plane and the second active deflection section is limited to deflection in a second different plane. The first plane is angled to the second plane.

Abstract: Sterilizable electronic video cameras for an endoscope are provided. The electronic video camera comprises an enclosure, a lens cell, a lens cell holder, an image sensor, a motorized focusing system, and switch control. The enclosure comprises a housing and a cover, the housing defining a cavity therein. The cover has a window disposed therein, the housing and cover adapted for hermetic coupling. The lens cell is slidably disposed in the lens cell holder. The image sensor is in optical communication with the lens cell and window. The motorized focusing system is adapted to axially reciprocally move the lens cell relative to the lens cell holder controlled by the switch. The switch control is activated external to the enclosure and is hermetically sealed therewith. The lens cell, lens cell holder, image sensor, and the motorized focusing system, as an assembly, are coupled to the cover and disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: An optical probe, for example, a medical endoscope, having a removable lens cell. In an embodiment, the optical probe has an elongated tube with a proximal portion terminating at a proximal end and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion terminating at a distal end. The elongated tube defines an axial lumen wherein a lens cell holder is disposed proximal the distal portion. The lens cell holder has an axial holder bore for at least partially containing the lens cell within and removably coupled with the holder bore.

Abstract: A system for mounting a part in an instrument housing includes a mounting surface inside the housing, and at least one resiliently deformable securing element that can removably restrain the part inside the housing so that the part is secured against the mounting surface. The securing element preferably comprises an elastomeric component so that elastic deformation of the component may be used to secure the part and absorb shock. The system is particularly suited for use with medical instruments, particularly, digital endoscopes.

Abstract: A medical retrieval basket device, comprising a plurality of basket wires forming a basket, the basket including a wire collector at its distal end, the wire collector having a substantially rigid body for receiving the wires, the wire collector securing the wires at the distal end of the basket so as to provide a substantially tipless basket.

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 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.