Abstract: Improved exploratory, pre- and post- surgical techniques are now available due to an improved endoscope which uses a housing with a window member thereon. Due to the window's angle and the air-pocket between the viewing tip of the endoscope and the window, exceptional vision is provided without the need to create artificial chambers within the body. Should the window become occluded with debris, the surgeon can easily clean the window by wiping it against a nearby organ or muscle to dislodge the debris. Since no inflating gas is used, techniques employing the endoscope create minimal trauma and are ideally suited for exploratory surgery, pre-surgical inspection of the operation site, and post-surgical inspection to assure the operation obtained the desired results.

Abstract: An improved endoscope assembly for exploratory and general surgery which permits exceptional vision while eliminating the requirement of both washing of the lense and expansion of the body cavity. Using a standard endoscope, a housing is placed over the end of the endoscope. The housing is equipped with a window for viewing through by the endoscope's viewing tip. The window is arranged at an angle different from the angle of the viewing tip so that light is reflected back into the housing, and not into the viewing tip. The interior of the housing is coated with a light absorbing material to eliminate back-scattering of light into the viewing tip of the endoscope which degrades the endoscope's vision. An air-chamber between the viewing tip of the endoscope and the window assures the crispest vision possible. Further, fogging of the window is eliminated through the use of heating wires, dry gases, or the like so that the endoscope is also useful for cadaver lessons.