Abstract: An endoscope with a removable valve includes a tensioning device. The tensioning device includes a resilient body having a base and at least one prong extending generally orthogonal to the base. The base is a planar member, and the at least one prong has a compressive portion extending along a length of the at least one prong so as to generate a responsive force to a compression.

Abstract: A pressure control and leak test system for a medical instrument includes an upper housing, a valve member, and a vent opening arrangement. The upper housing includes a cavity for fluid communication with an interior of the medical instrument and an aperture in fluid communication with the cavity. The valve member includes a stem within the aperture and a cap section. The cap section includes a proximal-facing end with a bottom surface and a distal-facing end. The vent opening arrangement includes a first feature of the cap section and a second feature on the distal end of the upper housing. The valve member rotates relative to the housing causing the first feature and the second feature to seal the cap section with the housing in a first position and separate the cap section from the housing in a second position.

Abstract: A pressure control and leak test system for a medical instrument includes an upper housing, a valve member, and a vent opening arrangement. The upper housing includes a cavity for fluid communication with an interior of the medical instrument and an aperture in fluid communication with the cavity. The valve member includes a stem within the aperture and a cap section. The cap section includes a proximal-facing end with a bottom surface and a distal-facing end. The vent opening arrangement includes a first feature of the cap section and a second feature on the distal end of the upper housing. The valve member rotates relative to the housing causing the first feature and the second feature to seal the cap section with the housing in a first position and separate the cap section from the housing in a second position.

Abstract: A pressure relief vent includes a vent enclosure, a connector, and a pressure relief arrangement. The vent enclosure defines a vent interior volume and the connector is operable to connect the vent enclosure to an instrument requiring pressure relief. The vent enclosure has a proximal end and a distal end, with the connector being located at the proximal end. The pressure relief arrangement is operable to remain in a closed condition in normal operation, but move from the closed condition to an open condition in response to a predefined pressure differential so as to release pressure from the instrument. A vent opening device may be included with the pressure relief vent and is operable to move the pressure relief arrangement to the open condition or open a separate passage through the vent enclosure to the atmosphere responsive to a manual operation applied at the vent enclosure distal end.

Abstract: A pressure relief vent includes a vent enclosure, a connector, and a pressure relief arrangement. The vent enclosure defines a vent interior volume and the connector is operable to connect the vent enclosure to an instrument requiring pressure relief. The vent enclosure has a proximal end and a distal end, with the connector being located at the proximal end. The pressure relief arrangement is operable to remain in a closed condition in normal operation, but move from the closed condition to an open condition in response to a predefined pressure differential so as to release pressure from the instrument. A vent opening device may be included with the pressure relief vent and is operable to move the pressure relief arrangement to the open condition or open a separate passage through the vent enclosure to the atmosphere responsive to a manual operation applied at the vent enclosure distal end.

Abstract: A fluid atomizer is disclosed. The fluid atomizer comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end. A removable reservoir containing a fluid disposed therein is connected to the body. A discharge plate is disposed at the distal end, wherein the discharge plate includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough. An ultrasonic oscillator is disposed in the body for transmitting the fluid from the reservoir to the discharge plate and through the plurality of openings, wherein transmission of the fluid through the plurality of openings atomizes the fluid.

Abstract: A system for transmitting the light required for a medical device is disclosed generally comprising an endoscope body, a light guide for transmitting light from a light source to the instrument body, where the light guide includes a bundle of optical fibers having a tapered portion, and a ceramic housing disposed around at least part of the tapered portion of the bundle. In certain embodiments, the ceramic has a pigment for improving insulation. In some embodiments, the taper and ceramic housing are located in an endoscope handle, which may be coupled to the endoscope body via an input post, and in certain embodiments, the inner diameter of the ceramic housing has an increase substantially equal to the decrease of diameter of the taper.

Abstract: Methods of creating tooling designs for, and the production of, one or more polarizer groups on a workpiece. Each such group includes an optically transmitting substrate with one or more discrete polarizer pixels thereon. The polarizer groups are used with optical instruments having a number of optical channels. In the method, one or more physical characteristics of at least one optical channel of the optical instrument are measured. Based on the determined physical characteristics, one or more discrete polarizer groups to be created on the substrate are defined, by defining for each such group a location on the substrate for the group, the size, shape and location within the group of each polarizer pixel of the group, and the polarization orientation for each such polarizer pixel of the group. The area of each polarizer pixel is then filled with tooling information that will establish its polarization orientation.

Abstract: A hand-held dental mirror carrying a sharpening stone for a dental instrument such as a curette, comprising a shaft supporting a mirror, a hand grip coupled to the shaft, and a sharpening stone coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: A fluid atomizer is disclosed. The fluid atomizer comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end. A removable reservoir containing a fluid disposed therein is connected to the body. A discharge plate is disposed at the distal end, wherein the discharge plate includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough. An ultrasonic oscillator is disposed in the body for transmitting the fluid from the reservoir to the discharge plate and through the plurality of openings, wherein transmission of the fluid through the plurality of openings atomizes the fluid.