Abstract: An endoscope including a disposable probe and a non-disposable focusing ocular. The probe comprises negative and positive gradient index of refraction objective elements and a transfer module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anchoring suture to bone includes an anchor formed by twisting a wire to provide a loop with two legs extending distally from the twist. Each leg bends outwardly through 180.degree. to define respective knee segments between inner and outer leg segments, the outer leg segments terminating in sharp points for penetrating a bone tunnel wall. The outer leg segments are initially parallel and define an anchor width smaller than the bone tunnel diameter, thereby permitting the anchor to be inserted into and removed from the tunnel. The anchor is deployed with an insertion tool arranged to deformably pivot the outer leg segments about the knee segments, thereby causing the pointed ends to penetrate the tunnel wall in response to applied withdrawal forces. The anchor wire may be assembled on an anchor sleeve through which the loop projects proximally while the outer leg segments reside in wire relief recesses defined in the sleeve periphery.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive method and apparatus are provided for increasing the pressure at which fluid may be delivered by a lavage/irrigation system.

Abstract: A surgical router for cutting anatomical tissue includes an outer tubular member and an inner member rotatably disposed in said outer member and having a pair of router blades disposed distally of a distal end of the outer member and equally spaced about a longitudinal axis of the inner member and a pair of flutes disposed between the router blades. The flutes have bottoms and sides transverse to the flute bottoms, with the flute bottoms angularly intersecting a passage in the inner member to form aspiration ports within and integral with the flutes. The router blades have leading walls, trailing walls and clearance walls with a width between the trailing walls that is tapered in a distal direction. The leading walls correspond to the flute sides and are curved about the inner member axis in the direction of rotation of the inner member in the outer member.

Abstract: A pair of endoscopic scissors having an actuating means at the proximal end and a pair of pivotable scissor blades at the distal end. The actuating means is adapted to be squeezed to a predetermined point when the scissor blades are fully closed, at least one of the blades being provided with a stop surface adjacent its proximal end in order to prevent the blade tips from crossing over each other in their fully closed position. The gap between the actuating means at the proximal end of the instrument enable the application of additional force between the pivotable scissor blades without causing the blades to cross-over each other.

Abstract: A target for use in white balancing video cameras and, in particular, video cameras suitable for endoscopic use. The target is molded from an elastomeric material having the ability to diffuse a substantial portion of light incident upon the target from a video camera. A user may use the target to white balance a video camera by placing the camera directly on the target and adjusting the light intensity of the camera's light source. In the case of an endoscopic camera, the distal tip of the scope (extending from the camera) is placed directly on the target. The user need not be concerned about aiming the camera at a selected white target and holding it a certain distance from the target.

Abstract: An endoscope coupler includes a sealed chamber and a lens assembly longitudinally movable within the chamber for focusing an image to be received by a video camera. Spaced permanent drive magnets located exteriorly of the chamber are magnetically coupled with respective permanent driven magnets secured to the lens assembly in the chamber for moving the lens assembly simultaneously with movement of the drive magnets. A focusing ring is rotatable but not longitudinally movable about the chamber and translates the drive magnets and, therefore, the driven magnets and lens assembly longitudinally in response to focusing ring rotation. Frictional retaining rings disposed between the chamber and the focusing ring resist movement of the focusing ring to provide enhanced tactile response when the focusing ring is manually moved by an operator.

Abstract: A surgical interference screw includes an axial bore extending entirely through the screw and hexagonally or otherwise configured at least at its ends to be drivable from either end. A driver includes a shaft with a forward bone penetrating tip. The screw is slid onto the shaft to expose the tip forwardly of the screw prior to inserting the screw into bone tissue. The forward portion of the shaft has a hexagonal or other periphery to engage the bore and turn the screw. The top of the shaft protruding from the end of the screw may be variously shaped as a trocar, pick, twist-drill bit, or gimlet thread. Plural drivers may be provided with different tips for various tasks. The relatively thick shaft and long engagement area between the screw and driver prevent screw mis-alignment and loss. The hexagonal or similar socket at least at both ends of the screw permits engagement by the driver and revision from either end. Irrespective of which end is driven, the screw can be revised in either direction.

Abstract: An improved endoscope assembly includes a quantity of optically transparent liquid filling the space between facing windows of adjoining mechanically and optically coupled components to eliminate fogging due to condensation and thereby provide improved image quality. One component includes a male connector with its window at its mating end. The other component has a recess defined therein for receiving the male connector. A stop member on the connector abuts the other component to define maximal insertion of the connector and establish a space between the windows for retaining the liquid. The space between the windows is sufficiently small to permit retention of the liquid in the recess by means of surface tension.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument which is able to be disassembled in order to facilitate cleaning of the instrument or replacement of certain components. The instrument comprises a handle portion at the proximal end of an elongated rotatable shaft, the handle portion including a pair of handles biased into a normally open position and movable between the normally open position and a closed position. Movement of the handles within the normal range serves to axially move an elongated working element situated within the hollow interior of the elongated sleeve, the proximal end of the working element shaft having a stud adapted to be received within a stud recess in one of the handles. The stud recess has a front slotted wall and an open top end. A spring means is provided in order to bias the handles during normal operation and a latch means is provided in order to disengage the spring.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a disposable probe and a non-disposable focusing ocular. The probe includes a transfer module assembly including one or more relay modules, and an objective element including a distal glass window, a molded plastic prism and three molded plastic lenses. Each of the relay modules contains an entry glass rod, an intermediate glass rod, and an exit rod, each having flat end surfaces and two identical molded plastic doublets. The elements of the ocular are all of glass and include an axially movable focusing doublet and two non-movable doublets. The disposable probe introduces certain aberrations into the image. The non-disposable focusing ocular corrects these aberrations. A single curved surface is formed on the distal glass window of the probe; all other curved optical surfaces of the disposable probe are formed on molded plastic members, thereby reducing the cost of the probe sufficiently to be cost-effective for single patient, disposable use.

Abstract: The present invention allows operating room personnel to easily and expeditiously drape an endoscope. The present invention is preferably made of polyethylene or some other suitable plastic material. The cylindrical drape cartridge itself acts as a shroud and functions as a sterile barrier. The drape cartridge consists of an inner and outer polyethylene tube which retains the polyethylene drape within its walls. The proximal end of the cartridge is mechanically secured by detents and a chamfer that encase a corrugated pattern of the polyethylene drape. The inner tube acts as a mandrel, allowing the drape to be compressed in a manner that accommodates the various lengths of required draping while lessening the bulk of the draping system.

Abstract: A suturing needle is illustrated which can engage a suture to an outer housing, thereby presenting a relatively smooth surface at the distal end of the apparatus to minimize tissue trauma. A lock feature prevents unexpected extension of the needle from the outer housing which could release the suture. A finger switch is used to overcome the locking mechanism when it is desired to release the suture. The distal end of the housing and the needle are a generally similar flat profile to minimize uneven edges which could damage the tissue. The suture is retained in a hook located in the needle, the opening for which is retracted in the housing to retain the suture.

Abstract: A retractable surgical instrument having a transversely preformed, curved operative element extendible from a straight, linear sheath. The operative element is retained in the retracted position until the distal tip of the instrument has been positioned at a work site. Cutting edges on the curved operative element may be formed in a variety of styles, one such style being embodied as an arthroscopic knife wherein the tip of the knife blade is preformed such that it maintains a transverse curve when it is extended to an operating position. The cutting edges of the transverse knife blade may extend longitudinally from the protective sheath in which case the edges are spaced from the inside surfaces of the linear sheath by the cooperative action of a raised bearing surface on the knife and the edge of the sheath adjacent the concave side of the curve as well as by laterally extending edge protection projections.

Abstract: An endoscopic tissue retractor capable of being inserted through an endoscopic tube and subsequently capable of forming a T-shaped bar at its distal end. The legs of the "T" may be aligned with the axis of the tissue retractor for insertion within an endoscopic tube and situated transversely to the longitudinal axis for actual use. In use, the legs extend to diametrically opposed sides of the longitudinal axis of the tissue retractor and are rotatable in a plane passing through the axis of the endoscopic tube. A transversely slidable locking mechanism is provided to lock the components of the tissue retractor in a desired position.

Abstract: A thin-walled sleeve of polymeric or similar material is heat shrunk or otherwise closely fitted over a flexible torque-transmitting shaft in an angled rotary surgical instrument. The sheath primarily provides a seal to maintain aspiration or suction through the porous flexible shaft, and also provides an additional bearing surface on the distal end of the flexible shaft, facilitates insertion and removal of the flexible shaft, and provides a low friction surface between the flexible shaft and outer sheath of the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical forceps particularly useful in least invasive surgery includes an elongate probe formed of an outer tubular member and an inner member movable in the outer probe member, stationary and movable jaws coupled with the distal ends, respectively, of the outer and inner probe members, and a handle squeezable to move the movable jaw relative to the stationary jaw to rearwardly or forwardly cut tissue or grasp tissue. A force diverting mechanism is responsive to the force applied to the handle exceeding a predetermined force to provide the surgeon with an indication of the excessive force and protects the jaw components at the distal end of the surgical forceps. A suction passage is formed in the forceps for aspirating cut tissue and assisting the positioning of tissue between the jaws, and suction can be produced continuously or controlled via the handle. The handle includes locking and latching mechanisms to hold the jaws in a closed position.

Abstract: A flexible, elongated suture passing device or shuttle capable of advancing monofilament or multi-stranded suture material to a remote work site. The suture shuttle is formed of a plurality of woven or braided fiber strands which are coated, over all but a central portion of the strands, with a material having a flexible exterior surface. A part of the central portion of the strands is formed into an eyelet for receiving a suture therethrough. A method is disclosed wherein one end of the suture shuttle is advanced to a work site until the eyelet passes through the tissue at the work site. This enables suture to be passed through the eyelet so the shuttle may be withdrawn to pass the suture back through the tissue to be sutured. Repeating this process brings any desired number of suture leads through the tissue so a knot may be tied.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical procedure and instruments are disclosed for the treatment of transverse carpal ligaments and similar anatomical structures. The procedure enables the release of the carpal ligament under endoscopic control and through only a single incision. A uniquely shaped grooved cannula is provided to enable access to the carpal tunnel while also stabilizing instruments used in the procedure. The procedure involves the insertion of the cannula into the carpal tunnel through a single incision. The cannula has a longitudinal groove which is positioned to face or abut the ligament and which axially receives an endoscope through its proximal open end and obliquely receives a knife which is then positioned to cut the ligament from the side where the scope is placed.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument formed of relatively movable, cooperating, inner and outer elongate tubular members wherein one of the inner and outer tubular members is made of a gall-resistant material providing an elongate bearing surface along substantially the entire length of the surgical cutting instrument to allow the inner and outer tubular members to be mounted with virtually no gap therebetween for precision cutting without wear or abrasion, metal flaking, galling and seizure and while permitting the other of the inner and outer tubular members to be made from 300 Series stainless steel. When the outer member is made from gall-resistant material, the inner member made from 300 Series stainless steel can be provided with an elongate bearing surface therealong formed by surface hardening the inner member or coating the inner member with thin, dense chromium.