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: An endoscope for use in harvesting blood vessels includes a scope body of the type having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough which itself has a proximal and a distal end. The endoscope includes means for viewing an area adjacent the distal end of the lumen, and the lumen has a lateral dimension of a size sufficient to accommodate the blood vessel being harvested and at least one tool for use in harvesting the blood vessel. A first end of the blood vessel section to be harvested is exposed through an incision in the patient's body. A dissecting tool and a gripping tool are inserted through the lumen of the endoscope and used to dissect the blood vessel away from the surrounding connective tissue of the patient's body, using the viewing means of the endoscope to view this dissection in process within the patient's body.

Abstract: A therapeutic wrap is securable in an operative orientation around the forearm for relieving stress of the myofascial structures caused by repetitive motion and vibration trauma, such as "tennis elbow". The wrap has a circumference sufficient to encircle the forearm of a user and includes a pocket for accommodating a pressure pad having plural parallel aligned elongate chambers. The parallel aligned chambers of the pressure pad extend lengthwise in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the forearm when the appliance is secured in the operative orientation. The pressure pad may be formed of an air bladder having plural parallel air chambers and a valve mechanism for allowing the user to increase an air pressure contained within the air bladder chambers.

Abstract: A simple and cost-effective method is disclosed to avoid hypothermia and other adverse effects of administration of chilled fluids such intravenous medicating fluid, an intravenous hydrating fluid or blood to a patient during medical procedures such surgery and post-operative recovery. The method provides heat to such fluids, using an elasticized heating device such that each unit can be quickly and easily replaced with another unit when the heating effect of the first significantly diminished, so that the fluid administered is kept at the desirable administration temperature during the entire surgical procedure.

Abstract: An endoscope, particularly an arthroscope, preferably composed of an illumination module (17) and a viewing module (1) which can be connected together, with the viewing module (1) being provided with an optical system carrying shaft (2) which can be inserted into an interior cannula (18) in the viewing module (17), with the optical system carrying shaft (2) being part of a rotary optical system (3) that is surrounded by an optical system guide sleeve (5). The rotary optical system (3) is mounted in a manner secure against rotation and displacement within the optical system guide sleeve (5) and the viewing module includes a coupling device (9) which is connected with the optical system guide sleeve for connection with a removable optical funnel (12) on the side of the eyepiece.

Abstract: A joint for a hip brace or prosthetic which allows adjustable degrees of pivoting of the leg, rotation of the leg and abduction/adduction of the leg.

Abstract: A fiberoptic/electronic intubating scope with camera and lightweight portable screen is used for the intubation of the trachea (or other body cavities and lumina) in patients where structures such as laryngeal and tracheal structures are not easily viewed directly using standard devices such as a standard laryngoscope and blade because of anatomic or morphologic irregularities or changes.

Abstract: A thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis device includes a jacket having opposite side portions, a back portion, and a releasable front portion. The back portion is integrally formed with the side portions. A compartment is formed within the jacket for receiving padding and a brace member, with the padding being positioned between the patient and the brace member. The brace member is formed from a moldable material so as to conform to the patient's spine. The side portions of the jacket include pockets for receiving side supports to provide lateral trunk stability for the patient. Auxiliary pads can be attached to the side portions to provide additional lateral stability when the patient is sitting in a chair.

Abstract: A cover device which is removably fitted over an endoscope to cover an insert part of the endoscope and a control part connected to the proximal end of the insert part. The cover device includes a tubular sheath for covering the insert part so as to isolate it form the outside, and a control part cover for wrapping the control part. The control part cover is separate from the sheath and spreadably provided in contiguity with the proximal end of the sheath. In addition, a fluid supply tube is disposed such that one end portion of the tube extends through the sheath to communicate with the distal end of the sheath. The other end portion of the tube extends from the proximal end of the sheath along the outside of the control part cover.

Abstract: A removable rigid support brace for supporting a user's limb at a joint thereof comprises a rigid sheath member having an inner surface and sized to extend about and embrace the limb at the joint area. Hinging means disposed centrally in the sheath member enable the ends of the sheath member to pivot relative to each other and in concert with the joint movement. An array of individually adjustable and inflatable fluid filled chambers is mounted upon the inner surface of the sheath member to form a contained volume within said array for receiving the limb. The chambers are operable to customize a secure and comfortable fit of the rigid support brace to the contours of the limb and joint area.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a brace for a scoliosis patient includes a casting board for receiving a patient in a laying-down position and a plurality of pressure pads which are releaseably securable on the casting board for applying lateral pressure to the torso portion of the patient. The apparatus is operative in a method for forming a brace by first positioning the patient in a treatment position on the casting board in which the pressure pads are assembled with the patient to apply predetermined amounts of lateral pressure to precisely defined areas of the torso portion of the patient. The patient is then removed from the casting board, an uncured cast is assembled on the torso portion of the patient and the patient is repositioned in the same treatment position on the casting board while the cast is allowed to cure. The cast can then be used to form a scoliosis brace for the patient by conventional techniques.

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: An apparatus for counting the number of times a medical instrument has been sterilized includes an indicator having sequential indicia and a heat responsive member for indicating a next one of the indicia. Mechanical, fluid mechanical and electronic versions of the invention are disclosed. In the mechanical version, the indicator can be a ratchet member having teeth, a pawl and a display surface containing indicia. A heat responsive element such as a bimetallic member engages the teeth of the ratchet and advances the ratchet each time the apparatus is subjected to the heat of sterilization. A housing with a window masks the display to indicate one of the indicia as advanced by the heat responsive element. Preferred embodiments of the mechanical version include a ring-like ratchet member with interior teeth and an exterior display surface. The number of teeth is preferably one or more less than the number of indicia so that upon advancing the ratchet member to the last indicia, it can be advanced no further.

Abstract: A shoulder brace is provided with two support members each attached at one of its ends to a belt of adjustable length worn about the torso of the user. The support members extend diagonally upwardly across opposite sides of the body whereby their opposite ends are positioned outwardly and above the user's torso. The support members pass through a sleeve adapted to rest on the shoulder of an arm to be supported by the brace. The respective opposite ends of the support members are joined to a support bar from which an arm-receiving sleeve is suspended. By adjustment of the lengths of the support members and by selective bending of said members, the shoulder brace is adapted to fit different body sizes and to suspend the user's arm in a desired position.

Abstract: An assembly and method for restricting shoulder and upper arm motion and supporting a wrist to facilitate healing of the clavicle. The assembly includes a length adjustable, elastic belt or abdominal harness and from which an elastic shoulder strap and support pad are adjustably trained about an injured shoulder. VELCRO fasteners selectively restrain the support pad to the shoulder strap and the shoulder strap and a wrist support to the belt.

Abstract: A wrist brace for therapeutic support of a wrist of a patient comprising a forearm support member and a hand engageable member. The forearm support member has a base portion engageable with a forearm of the patient and first and second side portions extending from the base portion and adapted for traversing opposite sides of the wrist of the patient when the forearm is engaged by the forearm support member. The hand engageable member has a hand grip for supporting the palm or fingers of the patient and a hand grip support for spacing the hand grip from the forearm support member. The hand grip support comprises first and second side portions. The first side portion has a first grip securing region connected to a first end of the hand grip and a first wrist region. The second side portion has a second grip securing region connected to a second end of the hand grip and a second wrist region.

Abstract: A thumb support is provided which both guides and limits thumb movement from the back of the hand while leaving the palm surfaces unobstructed for use. The support contains a moldable support member which can be shaped to conform to the back and sides of the thumb of the user.

Abstract: This laryngoscope has a cylindrical metal casing serving as a handle. An insulated, plastic blade is rotatably mounted near one end thereof on the casing between angularly spaced operating and nonoperating positions. A blade projects from the blade assembly to depress a patient's tongue. Batteries in the casing apply positive electric polarity to an electrode on the casing and negative electric polarity to the casing. A lensed end lamp having a bulb, base and end terminal is mounted on the blade assembly with the terminal in contact with a leaf spring which in turn contacts the electrode when the assembly is rotated to an operating position. A flange on the casing contacts the lamp base to complete a power supply circuit when the blade assembly is rotated to the operating position for lighting the lamp bulb. A light conductive rod extends from the lamp bulb to project light into the patient's larynix while the blade depresses the patient's tongue.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in bracing or exercising a knee joint in a manner that allows bending of the joint only along a predetermined path which approximates the natural bending of the joint. On one side of the joint are upper and lower struts that run along and are attached to the upper and lower leg and are attached to one another near the joint by a connecting mechanism which includes a set of linkage arms and telescoping elements that allow the struts to pivot relative to one another along the prescribed pivot line. On the other side of the joint are other upper and lower struts that run along and are attached to the upper and lower leg and are attached to one another near the joint by a ball and socket connector. The apparatus may be used as a brace or, alternatively, may be used with a cycling mechanism to cyclically flex and extend the joint or with a force-applying mechanism to apply a constant force urging the extension or flexing of the joint.

Abstract: A handle for an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument including a flexible member positioned within a tubular body member extending from the handle. The flexible member is secured about a rotatable flywheel spool in said handle and extends to a tool mechanism at a distal end of the instrument. The flexible member is wound about the flywheel spool and is extended or withdrawn upon movement of the handle.