Abstract: An endoscope with a flexible shaft, which consists of individual sub-assemblies releasably connected to each other. The proximal end of a flexible shaft is joined to a connecting portion and the distal end of the shaft can be steered into different positions by adjustment of an operating wire by means of an adjusting lever. The connecting portion can be coupled releasably to the distal end of the handle portion, at the proximal end of which an eyepiece portion is arranged. A hand-operated control means for the operating wire is provided in the handle portion, wherein the proximal end of the operating wire is clamped by a receiver in the control means. The receiver can be opened by operation of the adjusting lever for the purpose of releasing the above mentioned wire end, by moving the adjusting lever forwards of a neutral position. Moving the adjusting lever backwards from the neutral position effects longitudinal movement of the operating wire for controlling movement of the flexible shaft.

Abstract: A nasal splint is described to separate the mucoperiosteum within a nasal cavity. The splint includes an elongate base sized and shaped to separate the inferior conchae. A flexible wing extends away from the base to separate the walls of the middle conchae when the splint is in place within the nasal cavity. A hollow tube is also provided on the base for defining an air passage.

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 endoscope has a fiber optic image bundle which is insertible into a separate sterile sleeve such that the fiber optic image bundle need not be sterilized prior to use. A window formed proximate the distal end of the sleeve facilitates viewing through the fiber optic image bundle. A biasing means urges the fiber optic image bundle into abutment with the window to facilitate proper optical alignment thereof.

Abstract: A medical observation instrument has a body and an observation sleeve. The body has a grip portion, and a support portion disposed at a distal end of the grip portion. This support portion has a circular arcuate portion. The observation sleeve is made of a transparent material. The observation sleeve has a mount portion of a circular section received in and removably attached to the support portion of the body. A light emission member is received in a receiving hole formed in an inner peripheral surface of the support portion. An illumination light from the light emission member is emitted toward the mount portion of the observation sleeve, reflected by the inner peripheral surface of this mount portion, passed through a peripheral wall of a distal end portion of the observation sleeve while being reflected by inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the observation sleeve, and then output forwardly of a distal end face of the observation sleeve.

Abstract: A device that establishes communication between the interior and exterior of an endoscope using a communicating valve, and which is hygienic and free from leakage. The device has a valve opening member for causing a valve body to be disengaged from a valve seat against the urging force of biasing members, and has porous members which are permeable to air but impermeable to water, and which block the channels of communication between the interior and exterior of an endoscope. The device is detachable from the outside of the communicating valve.

Abstract: A protector for a wound on a body part has a pouch of waterproof material having at least one open end having an edge and a predetermined width so that the body part with the wound can be inserted into the pouch with the body part extending through the open end and past the edge. An elastic strap has a pair of ends one of which is permanently attached to the pouch adjacent the edge. The strap has a length equal to at least twice the width of the open end. A closure attached to the pouch adjacent the edge can be secured to the strap so that the strap can be wound around the edge to press same against the body part and can be secured to the closure to maintain the edge pressed against the body part.

Abstract: Means for preventing contamination of the surgical viewing instrument including a flexible bag mounted on the proximal end of a hollow double walled tubular elongated member concentrically mounted to a borescope or surgical viewing instrument where the space between the walls define a passage for flowing fluid to a cuff or vortex generator disposed at the distal end of the tubular member which defines a discretely configured discharge port for flowing fluid over a lens surface for cleansing and defogging purposes. The lens serves to prevent blood, body fluid and other contaminates from back flowing and contaminating the surgical viewing instrument. A two-piece locking handle may be used to lock the lens cleaning apparatus to the borescope. Another embodiment includes a flexible tube utilized with the cuff.

Abstract: Sterile disposable coverings for endoscopes and similar optical medical instruments are disclosed together with a method for preparing such coverings. By forming a heated polymeric film with a mandrel of appropriate shape and dimensions, relatively long-length, very small diameter, closely-fitting, thin-walled sleeves are produced, each having a thin, substantially inelastic, optically transparent window formed continuously integral with the sleeve at or proximate to the closed, distal end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A spinal support pad for use by persons reclining or sleeping provides support for the lumbar area and side regions of the waist. The normally concave areas of the body tend to sag when a person is lying on a firm or semi-resilient surface, such as a standard mattress, resulting in abnormal spinal curvature, e.g., lordosis and/or scoliosis and resulting muscular pain and distress. The support pad of the present invention provides support for the body in these areas, preventing undue curvature of the spine and the problems associated with such undue curvature. The support pad comprises a support portion and belt portion, with the two portions combining to encircle the waist area of the user; the support portion forms the majority of the total circumference of the device. The belt portion may be joined to each end of the support portion, or may pass through a pocket within the support portion to divide the support portion into two pockets, each containing a pad.

Abstract: A robot for performing endoscopic procedures includes a plurality of segments attached to each other through an articulated joint. Actuators can move the segments together and apart and change their angular orientation to allow the robot to move in an inchworm or snake-like fashion through a cavity or lumen within a patient. Inflatable balloons around the segments inflate to brace a temporarily stationary segment against the lumen walls while other segments move. A compressed gas line attached to the back segment provides compressed gas to inflate the balloons and optionally to drive the actuators. The lead segment includes a television camera and biopsy arm or other sensors and surgical instruments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber-illuminated stylet or probe useful for among other things in assisting in the performance of intubations. The stylet has a handle having a light source from which extends an encased, malleable fiber-optic cable capable of transmitting light to the local area to be seen (e.g. in the vicinity of the epiglottis).

Abstract: The invention creates an elastic variable tension medical device that relieves pain due to injury, disease, ailment, infirmity, condition, or the like. The elastic variable tension medical device is comprised of multiple strips of elastic material stacked one on top of another and forming a stack of elastic strips. Hook and loop fasteners are attached to each end of the elastic variable tension medical device for securing the elastic variable tension medical device around a part of the body. Reinforcing ribs on the elastic variable tension medical device provide increased strength and reduce folding and binding of the elastic material. The elastic variable tension medical device is wrapped around an appropriate part of the body with sufficient tension to relieve the targeted pain. It is adjusted by the user to achieve the desired pain relief.

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. Once clear visualization is established, conventional laparoscopic procedures can be carried out safely.

Abstract: One endoscopic surgical tool is used in conjunction with a laser that is powered through a small diameter laser power tube. The tool includes a bendable, rigid tube having a lumen sufficiently larger than the laser power tube such that upon application of an axial, inboard directed force, the laser power tube is axially compressed within the lumen of the bendable tube. The tool further includes a coupling tube which provides suction through the lumen of the bendable, rigid tube. Further enhancements of this tool include an axial movable, soft touch casing surrounding the tube. The tool may include a handle at the proximal end of the tube and a branch coupler and second bendable, rigid tube with suction control valves for the primary bendable tube and the branch bendable tube.

Abstract: An orthopaedic support includes a sheet of foam material that has been compression molded in specific areas. These areas have a thickness and density that is different from other areas of the support and serve to better fit the support to the body. The support may include compression molded grooves or cavities to accommodate straps, struts, gel-filled pads, inflatable bladders, pumps, and other accessories. The support may be compression molded into a shape that conforms to the general contour of the part of the human anatomy that it supports. The support may also include compression molded grooves that reduce bunching when the support is bent, and may include molded edges to minimize skin irritation during activity.

Abstract: An improved arm sling includes a forearm support section having a resealable opening in a bottom panel for permitting exercise, flexure and extension of a patient's forearm without removing the sling harness from the patient. A splint pocket is also provided for housing a removable splint for supporting the patient's hand in a neutral position. An external pocket encloses a foam cushion for conforming engagement with the patient's waist, thus providing an abduction effect.

Abstract: A inflatable sheath for ultrasonic imaging, with a fiber optic endoscope, of a bodily passageway or cavity area of interest. The inflatable sheath, having an ultrasound transducer therein, is introduced into the distal end of an endoscope. Typically the endoscope comprises an elongated shaft that has at least a pair of fiber optic bundles and an open lumen extending therethrough. Fiber optic illumination of the area just distal to the distal end of the endoscope is provided through one of the fiber optic bundles, and observation of the lit area is provided through the other bundle. The open lumen is provided for introducing an inflatable sheath, guided by a pushing shaft, into the illuminated area. Once inserted, the sheath can be inflated with a fluid sonolucent ultrasound coupling medium, and the pushing shaft can then be removed, the distal portion of the inflated sheath holding the sheath in place (with respect to the lumen of the endoscope) as the pushing shaft is removed.

Abstract: A pulling wire for tip articulation mechanism of endoscope is fitted with an overload preventing spring in the middle thereof. This spring is arranged to stretch upon more than a certain amount of tension. Elongation of the overload preventing spring absorbs any excessive tension which is exerted upon the pulling wire as a result of motion restriction of the endoscope. This spring is fabricated such that the material wire thereof is spirally coiled, and is simultaneously twisted so that forcing pressure is introduced in the spring in the direction in which the adjoining ring portions thereof are brought into pressure contact with one another it is subjected to tension.

Abstract: An intubation assisting device includes an elongate stylet having a lens at a distal end thereof, a flexible bellows region proximal to the lens, and a semi-malleable region proximal to the flexible bellows. The stylet is mountable upon a body portion that has a handle mountable thereto. The body and styler have internally disposed therein an optical fiber assembly that enables a physician to view a patient's internal anatomy during an intubation procedure with the aid of an eyepiece disposed at a proximal end of the body portion. A pair of control cables extend within the bellows region of the stylet to the exterior of the device to facilitate articulation of the distal end of the stylet.