Abstract: An endoscope instrument shaft is provided with a bendable distal end piece, the position of which relative to the instrument shaft can be altered by means of at least one tension wire which is actuable proximally of the endoscope and is guided through a guide tube which is fixed at both ends. That side of the end piece, which side has the larger radius of curvature when the end piece is bent is constructed as a return spring and the side of the end piece having the smaller radius of curvature when the end piece is bent is pliable to facilitate bending of the end piece.

Abstract: A modular apparatus comprising a neck band and a variety of inserts to provide different functional capabilities useful and beneficial for the treatment of an injury to the neck and the rehabilitation associated therewith. The neck band is provided with a pocket for receiving the interchangeable insertion of the various inserts. One of the inserts in conjunction with the neck bank provides an apparatus for immobilizing or limiting movement of the neck. A cylindrical insert in conjunction with the neck band provides an apparatus beneficial for improving articular motion of the joints of the neck. An insert filled with a medium that may be either heated or cooled in conjunction with the neck band provides either a hot pack or a cold pack. The neck band is of an elastic material and has formed loops on each of its ends to facilitate utilization of the neck band for exercise routines, either by using the band by itself or using the band with one of the inserts inserted in the pocket.

Abstract: Hydrotherapic rehabilitative device characterized in that it comprises an individual rehabilitation horizontal tub (6), whose bottom is partially formed by a vertically movable treadmill platform (9) and whose walls extend downwardly beyond said bottom to delimit a space (7) containing a pool of water and receiving a patient standing on said treadmill platform, when lowered

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical apparatus which provides multidimensional views of the internal area of a biological specimen. The apparatus includes an endoscope connected to an operating microscope. The endoscope can be a sleeve formed by a series of collar elements or a rigid rod. The endoscope contains a guide or lens means for transmitting an optical image and an illuminating means for the transmission of light. A moveable prism is positioned on the end of each of the guide or lens means and serves to enlarge the apparatuses field of view as well as enhance stereoscopic imaging.

Abstract: A surgical manipulator includes an outer tube having an axis extending between distal and proximal ends of the tube. A pair of sidewalls extend axially of the outer tube at the distal end, one of the sidewalls being weakened relative to the other sidewall. An actuator disposed interiorly of the outer tube has a fixed relationship with the outer tube distally of the sidewalls and extends proximally to a handle assembly at the proximate end of the outer tube. A finger tab in the handle assembly is operable to apply compressive stress to the actuator to bend the outer tube toward the one sidewall.

Abstract: A wrist brace to be worn on a user's forearm and hand so as to limit the range of motion of the user's wrist, the brace including a forearm member and a hand member, the forearm member including an elongate, rigid, yet resilient rear sheath adapted to be tightened about the forearm of a user, and the hand member including a rigid, yet resilient front sheath adapted to be tightened about the hand of a user, the front sheath and rear sheath being hingedly secured to one another so as to enable movement of the hand member relative to the forearm member, and accordingly, movement of the wrist of the user, to be regulated by at least one strap extending from the forearm member and at least one retaining loop protruding from the hand member, the strap on the forearm member being structured and disposed to pass through the loop on the hand member and be adjustably tightened utilizing a hook and loop fastener on an exposed surface of the strap.

Abstract: A chemiluminiscent, disposable laryngoscope is disclosed. The device comprises a handle portion with an end and a blade portion which is integrally formed on the end of the handle portion. The blade points away from the handle portion substantially perpendicularly. Inside the blade there is disposed a container which, upon activation, provides chemiluminiscent light. The blade is, at least in portions thereof, formed of translucent material. The unit is selfcontained, self-lighting and disposable as a whole.

Abstract: An articulated tang in clevis joint for incorporation in newly manufactured conventional strap-on orthotic knee devices or for replacing such joints in conventional strap-on orthotic knee devices. The instant tang in clevis joint allows the user the freedom to extend and bend the knee normally when no load (weight) is applied to the knee and to automatically lock the knee when the user transfers weight (load) to the knee, thus preventing a damaged knee from bending uncontrollably when weight (load) is applied to the knee.The tang in clevis joint of the present invention includes first and second clevis plates, a tang assembly and a spacer plate sandwiched and secured between the clevis plates. Each clevis plate includes a bevelled serrated upper section. A bevelled shoe is secured to the tang in close proximity to the bevelled serrated upper section of the clevis plates.

Abstract: A laryngoscope comprised of an integral handle and curved blade with a bivalve element to form an enclosed passageway with the curved blade, the handle shaped to receive a fiberoptic bundle assembly and the interior of the curved blade having a channel into which a fiberoptic bundle assembly may be placed, with the distal end of said channel forming a circumference for containing the distal end of the fiberoptic bundle assembly.

Abstract: An improved elastic orthopedic support brace having a plurality of pockets capable of receiving flexible wire members of varying sizes and configurations for providing adjustable lateral support for a joint and adjustable resistance against the flexion of that joint so that the brace may be customized for a patient having a particular injury.

Abstract: A readily removable slip-on flexible finger covering having a tubular-shaped sleeve-like portion and an elongated elastic strap extending therefrom for securing thereon a fingertip connector for connection between an actuated drive bar of a continuous passive motion device and the fingertip connector located on the distal finger of a hand. The fingertip connector includes a base plate and a connector clip. The base plate is adapted to be secured to or retained by the finger covering and to provide contact with the distal digit of the finger. The connector clip extends outward therefrom and is adapted to engage with a complementary connector attachment that is attached to the drive bar or actuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preformed, light weight, drop foot brace that lifts a foot by exerting a forward force on the heel to pivot the foot upwards about the ankle so that the foot won't drop during walking. The brace is also constructed so as to be light weight, easy to put on and remove and can be comfortably worn inside a shoe or without a show and still provide good lateral support by not covering the underside contact points of the foot. The brace has a shell that generally conforms to the posterior calf and is made of a resilient material that can be curved to provide the means to urge the back of the heel forward.

Abstract: A catheter sleeve assembly with a zipper-like locking structure is positioned on the outer cylindrical surface of an endoscope at a position outside the body while the endoscope is in viewing position inside the body. The zipper-like locking structure is split and the catheter-sleeve assembly is positioned about the endoscope body and locked into place. The catheter-sleeve assembly is then shuttled into and out of the distal viewing site along the body of the endoscope by manual manipulation while the endoscope remains in viewing position. Surgical stapling and tissue removal procedures can be performed with endoscopic surgical instruments passed down a lumen provided in the catheter-sleeve assembly.

Abstract: A harness for minimizing possible back injury from excessive or improper bending and lifting includes a flexible back strap, a pair of flexible shoulder straps attached to the back strap, and an anchor holding the back strap to the wearer's pants. The pair of shoulder straps fit over the wearer's shoulders and below the wearer's shoulder blades so that the wearer has free movement of his scapula and arms. The anchor and pants restrain back bending by the wearer beyond a predetermined maximum angle by the interference of the wearer's pants with the anatomic structure of the wearer's groin.

Abstract: A barbell consisting of two elongate vertical members extending substantially vertically from base supports. A substantially horizontal member is secured between the vertical members. Weights are removably secured to the vertical members adjacent to the base supports.

Abstract: A head clamp which includes a frame with two arms, a bracket on one of the arms capable of rotation to adjust the position of head engaging pins affixed at the ends of the arms. The bracket is rotatable but held in position by a plurality of index pins fixed in apertures in a plate and the bracket is capable of being rotated by moving the pins out of the apertures and rotating the bracket when the head engaging pins have been removed from the patient.

Abstract: An orthopedic brace for supporting the leg of a person. The orthopedic brace has a calf member connected to a thigh member by a knee joint and to a foot member by an ankle joint. Linkage located between the calf member and ankle joint is automatically adjustable during installation on the leg of a person to match the distance between the knee joint and ankle joint with the distance between the knee and ankle of the person.

Abstract: An extension block finger splint for treating proximal interphalangeal joint injuries is disclosed. The finger splint comprises a body including a first portion located distally of the proximal interphalangeal joint, the first portion comprising a curved member dorsally orientable about the distal interphalangeal joint. The body further includes a second portion hingedly and resiliently connected to the first portion at a predetermined an91e, the second portion located proximally of the proximal interphalangeal joint and comprising a curved member dorsally orientable about the finger adjacent the proximal interphalangeal joint. A mechanism, removably disposed on the body, is provided for increasing the predetermined angle by a predetermined increment. Further, a mechanism is provided for releasably securing the splint to the finger.

Abstract: A polycentric variable axis hinge for use in an orthopedic knee brace to provide a mechanical joint between the femoral and tibial cuffs of the brace. The hinge includes a femoral stem which is attached to the femoral cuff and which extends downwardly from the femoral cuff, and it also includes a tibial stem attached to the tibial cuff and extending upwardly from the tibial cuff. The ends of the two stems overlap one another to provide a joint. The distal end of the femoral stem has first and second variable radii slots formed in it, the slots being positioned one above the other and extending in the anterior-posterior direction, and the lower slot being longer than the upper slot. A first bearing pin is mounted on the distal end of the tibial stem, and it is received in the upper slot. Two additional bearing pins are mounted on the distal end of the tibial stem and are received in the lower slot.

Abstract: Athletic footwear including a pair of resilient ankle braces which are supported to the sole, inner lining and a separately bound calf support collar of an athletic shoe. The braces are configured of a deformable polymer and include apertures shaped to accommodate protruding ankle bones. Curved lower ends of each brace mount to the heel region of the sole. Formed pockets or restraint means support the braces to the shoe liner. A separately mounted, cushioned collar restrains the upper brace end to the calf. In other constructions, one or more cushioned brace portions may be supported between the shoe and foot. In still another construction, a two-piece, hinged polymer brace is considered.