Abstract: An optical component assembly method including shrinking a first end of a heat shrink tube about a first optical component, inserting a loading portion of a loading tube into a second end of the heat shrink tube, radially-inserting a plurality of optical components into a staging portion of the loading tube thereby forming a line of optical components, the staging portion being seamlessly coupled to and integrally-formed with the loading portion, moving the line of optical components from the staging portion into the loading portion, and removing the loading portion from between the line of optical components and the heat shrink tube thereby depositing the line of optical components in the heat shrink tube. The line of optical components is fixed and optically aligned within the heat shrink tube by applying radial pressure, axial pressure and heat to the line of optical components simultaneously.

Abstract: An optical component assembly method including shrinking a first end of a heat shrink tube about a first optical component, inserting a loading portion of a loading tube into a second end of the heat shrink tube, radially-inserting a plurality of optical components into a staging portion of the loading tube thereby forming a line of optical components, the staging portion being seamlessly coupled to and integrally-formed with the loading portion, moving the line of optical components from the staging portion into the loading portion, and removing the loading portion from between the line of optical components and the heat shrink tube thereby depositing the line of optical components in the heat shrink tube. The line of optical components is fixed and optically aligned within the heat shrink tube by applying radial pressure, axial pressure and heat to the line of optical components simultaneously.

Abstract: An optical component assembly method including shrinking a first end of a heat shrink tube about a first optical component, inserting a loading portion of a loading tube into a second end of the heat shrink tube, radially-inserting a plurality of optical components into a staging portion of the loading tube thereby forming a line of optical components, the staging portion being seamlessly coupled to and integrally-formed with the loading portion, moving the line of optical components from the staging portion into the loading portion, and removing the loading portion from between the line of optical components and the heat shrink tube thereby depositing the line of optical components in the heat shrink tube. The line of optical components is fixed and optically aligned within the heat shrink tube by applying radial pressure, axial pressure and heat to the line of optical components simultaneously.

Abstract: An objective assembly for use with small endoscopes like uretheroscopes, the objective assembly including a lens having an optical surface that includes a partial wedge. The partial wedge directly faces an aperture stop thereby limiting the F-number of the objective.

Abstract: A method of assembling an optical relay assembly including forming a line of optical components within an optical component aligning groove of a first base member and directing the line of optical components from the optical component receiving groove into a cylinder covered by a shrinkable tube. The cylinder, line of optical components and shrinkable tube are then positioned within a cylinder receiving groove of a second base member and the line of optical components are extruded from the cylinder into the shrinkable tube. The line of optical components and shrinkable tube are advanced along the cylinder receiving groove and through a heating area for shrinking the shrinkable tube about the line of optical components.

Abstract: An endoscope testing apparatus including a base, a main rail coupled to the base, a first centering mount coupled to the main rail, an optical test target holder coupled to the main rail, a second centering mount coupled to the optical test holder, the second centering mount being coaxially alignable with the first centering mount, and an optical scanning device coupled to the main rail and coaxially alignable with the first centering mount and the second centering mount. The test target holder includes an optical test target having a selectively adjustable distance between the optical test target and the second centering mount and a selectively adjustable angle formed between an axis formed by the centering mounts and the test target.

Abstract: The invention relates to test equipment for rigid endoscopes, but also for flexible endoscopes and video endoscopes. The equipment includes an enclosure having a cover hingedly coupled to a base, an optical test target coupled to the cover, an endoscope support stand pivotably coupled to the enclosure and a bed contained within the base including a plurality of indentations shaped for receiving individual pieces of endoscope testing equipment. The testing equipment can include magnification loupes, light post adapters, battery powered light sources, cleansing tissues and a ruler. A support bracket is coupled between the cover and the endoscope support stand wherein the endoscope support stand is pivotably coupled to the support bracket.

Abstract: A rongeur including a shaft having a foot plate, a cutting slide, a breach extending between the foot plate and the cutting slide and a handle assembly for moving the cutting slide along the shaft. The cutting slide includes a pair of tracking arms arranged about a distal end of the cutting slide and a third tracking arm arranged about the proximal end thereof. The tracking arms are received within corresponding tracking slots in the shaft when the rongeur is in a closed position. The tracking arms are disengaged from the tracking slots by rotating the cutting slide about a pivot axis that extends parallel to the length of the shaft thereby placing the rongeur in an open position. To prevent inadvertent disengagement of the tracking arms from the tracking slots, a trigger assembly is provided which arrests proximal movement of the cutting slide.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of supporting a large number of optical lenses having opposed lens surfaces and an outer peripheral area including a rotatable holder for supporting and retaining the lenses and a drive device coupled to the holder for rotatably driving the holder to centrifugally force a liquid from the surface of the lenses. The method includes positioning the lenses within the holder and retaining the rod lenses in a manner allowing all of the surfaces to be cleaned and dried without contacting the opposed lens surfaces to the holder, applying a liquid to the exposed surface of the lenses, and spinning the lenses at a high rate of speed to clean and dry them. To increase the effectiveness of the apparatus, the drive device can include ultrasonic transducers for ultrasonically cleaning the rod lenses while they are held within the holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel spill resistant formulations comprising either a weak base or a weak acid as the pharmaceutical ingredient, a liquid base, a clay and a water soluble cellulose ether. The clay and cellulose ether allow for a broader pH range into which the pharmaceutically active agent may be dispersed or dissolved, and therefore allows for easier preparation and formulation of the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel spill resistant formulations comprising either a weak base or a weak acid as the pharmaceutical ingredient, a liquid base, a clay and a water soluble cellulose ether. The clay and cellulose ether allow for a broader pH range into which the pharmaceutically active agent may be dispersed or dissolved, and therefore allows for easier preparation and formulation of the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel spill resistant formulations comprising either a weak base or a weak acid as the pharmaceutical ingredient, a liquid base, a clay and a water soluble cellulose ether. The clay and cellulose ether allow for a broader pH range into which the pharmaceutically active agent may be dispersed or dissolved, and therefore allows for easier preparation and formulation of the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel spill resistant formulations comprising either a weak base or a weak acid as the pharmaceutical ingredient, a liquid base, a clay and a water soluble cellulose ether. The clay and cellulose ether allow for a broader pH range into which the pharmaceutically active agent may be dispersed or dissolved, and therefore allows for easier preparation and formulation of the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel spill resistant formulations comprising either a weak base or a weak acid as the pharmaceutical ingredient, a liquid base, a clay and a water soluble cellulose ether. The clay and cellulose ether allow for a broader pH range into which the pharmaceutically active agent may be dispersed or dissolved, and therefore allows for easier preparation and formulation of the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel spill resistant formulations comprising two or more hydrocolloidal polymers and an effective amount of a pharmaceutically active agent. The formulations have a viscometric yield value of a semi-solid, and a pH and spill-resistant consistency allowing for easier preparation and use of the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel spill resistant formulations comprising either a weak base or a weak acid as the pharmaceutical ingredient, a liquid base, a clay and a water soluble cellulose ether. The clay and cellulose ether allow for a broader pH range into which the pharmaceutically active agent may be dispersed or dissolved, and therefore allows for easier preparation and formulation of the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The present invention is a modularly structured endoscope with an interchangeable image transmission unit and an endoscope casing which includes the optical fiber system. Due to the modular design, the light transmission unit can be repaired independently of the image transmission unit.

Abstract: The present invention is a modularly structured endoscope with an interchangeable image transmission unit and an endoscope casing which includes the optical fiber system. Due to the modular design, the light transmission unit can be repaired independently of the image transmission unit.

Abstract: The present inventive composition concerns a composite delivery system having a substantially hydrophobic exterior comprising:(a) an agglomerated mixture of a core material selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, flavoring agents and mixtures thereof and a matrix wherein the matrix comprises:(i) about 0.5% to about 20% fat soluble lecithin;(ii) about 65% to about 90% of an edible material having a melting point in the range of about 25.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. selected from the group consisting of (a) a fatty acid having an iodine value of about 1 to about 10; (b) natural waxes; (c) synthetic waxes; and (d) mixtures thereof,(b) about 0.5% to about 20% of a glyceride; and(c) a silicone based anti-foaming agent in a concentration of about 0.001% to about 0.5%; said composite having a melting point in the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 90.degree. C.

Abstract: Substantially anhydrous, non-staling chewing gum composition containing a homogenous premixture of a chewing gum base and a polyisobutylene having an average molecular weight of about 20,000 to about 100,000 in combination with a sweetening agent.