Abstract: An improved eye glass or spectacle is provided which includes means for transmitting light in the form of a fiber-optic bundle disposed in or forming an arm of the spectacle frame. In one embodiment, the spectacle frame includes a pair of lens-holding members connected by a bridge, and a pair of side-supporting arms, each of the side arms including a first end pivotally connected to the lens-holding members and a second end including an ear-engagement portion. The light-transmitting means includes a fiber-optic bundle which is disposed in or forms at least one of the side-supporting arms. The fiber-optic bundle includes an optical face adjacent the first end of the side-supporting arm for projecting light within the viewing area of the spectacle frame. The second end of the side arm includes suitable means for connecting the fiber-optic bundle to a power supply for transmitting light through the fiber-optic bundle to the optical face for projecting light within the viewing area of the spectacle frame.

Abstract: A fiber optics element is provided which includes a fiber optics bundle having at least two optical surfaces or faces and support means supporting at least a portion of the fiber optics bundle with one optical face in a desired initial position, and yieldable means cooperating with the fiber optics bundle to permit movement of said one optical face relative to its said initial position upon application of pressure to said one optical face.In a preferred embodiment, the fiber optics element includes a fiber optics bundle having an optical surface or at each end, and is especially adapted for use in combination with a dental handpiece in a manner such that one optical face extends through the turbine housing portion of the dental handpiece. The fiber optics element further includes a tubular guide member, resilient support means in the form of a flexible tubular member, and a plunger assembly; the fiber optics bundle extends through each of the above components.

Abstract: An autoclavable instrument, such as an autoclavable laryngoscope, is provided which includes fiber optics illuminating means and is especially adapted for medical and/or dental applications. The illuminating means includes an elongated sintered glass rod formed from an oriented fiber optics bundle comprising a plurality of glass fibers. The elongated glass rod may include curved or bent portions so as to conform to the contours of the instrument. A method is also provided for making an instrument as described above.