Abstract: Disclosed is an autoclavable fiber-illuminated stylet and visual probe useful in assisting in the performance of intubations and other medical procedures. The stylet has a removably attached handle having a light source from which extends encased, malleable fiber-optic cables capable of transmitting light to the local area to be seen (e.g. in the vicinity of the epiglottis). The local are may be viewed through a removably attached scope via the second fiber optic cable.

Abstract: An addition (20) to a pivot joint or pivot hinge device, more specifically to a rehabilitative pivot joint brace (10), either within the manufacturing process or as a suitable attachment, which provides the ability to bias or resist the rotation of the pivot joint when such a resistive force would be beneficial. The addition (20) is suitably attached to a pivot joint device (14) composed of an upper frame section (16) connected to a lower frame section (18) by a pivot joint assembly (26) which enables the upper and lower frame sections to pivot about a transverse axis (12). The addition (20) produces a desired level of resistance to the flexion and extension of the body joint and in a determined degree of equilibrium through the combined efforts of a tension control assembly (30) and an equilibrium control assembly (28) which are associated by a connection (36).

Abstract: Percutaneous access devices are provided with cleaning elements for in situ cleaning of viewing scope lenses during surgical procedures. The access devices will comprise a cannula having an access lumen therethrough. The cleaning element will be disposed at or near the distal end of the cannula, preferably over or across a distal port of the cannula. The cleaning element may comprise an elastomeric membrane, an open cell foam pad, one or more articulated plates, or a combination thereof. Cleaning of the lens of the viewing scope is effected by moving the lens between positions proximal of and distal to the cleaning element.

Abstract: An introducer is provided which directs a probe, such as TE ultrasound probe, into the esophagus. The introducer of the present invention consists of a pilot member and a coaxially fitting sheath. The pilot member may be an endoscope-like element and the sheath is an elongate flexible member. The outside diameter of the pilot member insertion tube is roughly the same as that of the TE probe while the outside diameter of the sheath is sized for passage into the esophagus. When assembled coaxially, the pilot member and sheath fit slidingly together.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for use in endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures. The instrument includes a handle portion, an endoscopic portion extending from the handle portion, an articulating section pivotably connected to a distal end of the endoscopic portion, and a bladed retractor assembly operatively associated with the articulating section. Structure is provided for maintaining spacing between the blades of the retractor assembly and for controlling actuation of the retractor assembly.

Abstract: An orthopedic cushion for supporting the back when sitting comprising a cushion assembly and a rear support is disclosed. The cushion assembly has a front outer surface and a stiffening backbone that is essentially curved in cross section in a plane perpendicular to the front outer surface. The backbone is also provided with spaced zones. The rear support has an upper portion and a lower portion and is foldable about a zone interposed between the upper and lower portions. Means is provided for removably connecting the upper and lower portions to the spaced zones of the backbone.

Abstract: In an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument assembly, an elongate tubular instrument guide is inserted into a biopsy channel of an endoscope or laparoscope. The tubular instrument guide is provided with a distal end portion having a spring bias tending to form the distal end portion into an arcuate configuration. The tubular instrument guide is longitudinally slidable in the biopsy channel, whereby the distal end portion may be alternately maintained in a relatively straightened configuration in a distal end of the biopsy channel and moved outside of the biopsy channel to assume the arcuate configuration. An elongate flexible endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument is slidably inserted into the tubular instrument guide so that an operative tip at a distal end of the instrument may project outwardly from the distal end portion upon an ejection of at least a part of the distal end portion of the tubular instrument guide from the biopsy channel.

Abstract: A protective tube covering an insertion portion of an endoscope is shorter than an inner structure of the insertion portion, and a protective tube covering a bending portion is longer than an inner structure of the bending portion. The front end of the protective tube of the insertion portion, as well as the rear end of the protective tube of the bending portion, is disposed a predetermined distance rearwardly from a portion of connection between the inner structure of the insertion portion and the inner structure of the bending portion. The protective tube of the bending portion covers not only the inner structure of the bending portion but also the above connection portion and the front end portion of the inner structure of the insertion portion.

Abstract: A protective covering for a medical instrument, such as an endoscope, is described. The covering includes an elongated hollow sheath having a wall of flexible material. The sheath is substantially gas and water impervious. The sheath further includes auxiliary access tubes associated with the sheath for providing a variety of functions, such as instrument manipulation, and fluid removal. The distal end of the sheath is provided with a cap having an optically clear window to allow the lens portion of the medical instrument to operate.

Abstract: An orthopedic brace for rigidly supporting a human arm and shoulder, having a positioning rod for infinitely varying the elevation of the arm through a coarse adjustment and a fine adjustment, and having universal joints on the positioning rod for infinitely varying the orientation of the arm.

Abstract: A cloth body having a central knee hole wrapped around a patient's knee to treat knee flexion contractures. Hook and loop straps secure the cloth body to the patient's knee. Longitudinally extending pockets on opposite sides of the knee hole contain a longitudinal support element and an air bladder. Inflation of the air bladder supports the patient's knee in a rigid position.

Abstract: An endoscope having a pair of tubular side-by-side scopes contained within a body cavity, and the proximal end preferably detachably mounted on a dual prism-eyepiece housing for enabling illuminated stereoscopic viewing of the body cavity.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for use in endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery. The instrument includes a handle portion and an endoscopic portion. The endoscopic portion has an elongated tubular section having opposed proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of which extends from the handle portion, and an articulating section which is pivotally connected to the tubular section adjacent the distal end thereof. Tool means depend from the articulating section and a linkage mechanism is associated with the endoscopic portion for pivoting the articulating section relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular section, within a 90.degree. sector of rotation. In addition, the instrument includes means for rotating the endoscopic portion about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A plurality of night splints for treatment of different infant foot deformities. The splints comprise a pair of top plates (36a and 37a) with base plates 32 or 33, or foot plates (30 or 30a) having an articulated clutch (67) and clutch socket (68), with a dynamic dorsiflexory splint which is able to correct in multiple planes of adjustment simultaneously. In compound deformity problems the universal night splint allows the following simultaneous functions:1. abduction/adduction of the foot to the leg,2. abduction/adduction of the forefoot to the rearfoot,3. varus/valgus relationship of the rearfoot to the leg,4. varus/valgus relationship of the forefoot to the rearfoot,5. dorsiflexion/plantarflexion of the foot and leg, and6. abduction/adduction of foot and leg to cardinal sagittal plane.

Abstract: A laryngoscope with an extensible tip section is provided. The tip section extends from the blade and is remotely actuated to cause it to extend or retract as desired by the physician. The tip section is provided with alignment guides and retaining elements, and is lockable in the extended position. The laryngoscope permits remote manipulation of the blade to provide greater operational flexibility in using the laryngoscope.

Abstract: A new and improved laparoscopic trocar and sleeve assembly in which the trocar is provided with a transparent tip and accommodates a light telescope for supplying a video console so that while the trocar is being surgically inserted through the abdominal wall and into the abdominal cavity, visualization on the video console will be possible to avoid injury to blood vessels in the abdominal cavity wall or injury to any of the internal organs located in the abdominal cavity. A handle provided on the trocar facilitates manipulation and control of the trocar tip penetration. Once clear visualization is established, conventional laparoscopic procedures can be carried out safely.

Abstract: A heated back support comprising an elongated strap having a securement means at one end and a securable means at the other end, the strap adapted to be worn around a user's body, a plurality of heating elements coupled to the strap such that the elements are positionable adjacent to a user's back, a power source, and a switch means coupled to the power source and heating elements for selectively energizing the elements to heat a user's back.

Abstract: A speculum for dilating a body cavity includes a base and a number of arms pivotably attached to the base. There is an actuator movably attached to the base for causing each of the arms to move relative to each other from a closed position to an opened position so that a body cavity can be smoothly opened after the arms have been inserted into the body cavity.

Abstract: A fiberscope is constructed with one or more of a pivoted eyepiece, a cannula insertion assembly capable of housing a retractable fiber bundle and/or delivering distention fluid, a disposable sheath and seal assembly and an encasement for a fiber bundle. The distal end of the encased bundle can be advanced or withdrawn from its protective sheath. When advanced, it may be reoriented in direction by means of linkage to structure which can be manipulated from outside the instrument.

Abstract: An ankle joint brace with a dorsal leg shell extending over the back of the oot, which can be fastened by strappings or similar devices to the calf. In order to improve the function and the structure of this ankle joint brace, the leg shell is extended by a frontal shell section underneath the sole of the foot and, in the area of the ankle joint outer ligaments, it is taken inward and tapered sharply toward the back, creating a cut-out, and an elastic rubber tensioning strap holds the leg shell with a dynamic pull, underneath and outward on the frontal shell section on one side and inward and above in the calf area on the other side, the leg shell being flexible in dorsal extension and pronation because of its shape, while the tensioning strap restricts supination and plantar flexion.