Abstract: A color endoscope having a component viewing head that is easily inserted into a relatively small opening or cavity and an electrical section that is capable of producing a readout signal containing full color image information that is compatible with standard format television for storing, displaying or otherwise processing the color information.

Abstract: This invention relates to endoscopes comprising for inserting an implant liner into an opening through a stricture in the urethra.

Abstract: A new concept in painting various substrates is implemented by angle bias container/applicator trim packages having the capability of storing solid paint and other dimensionally stable materials while additionally functioning as a useful applicator. Such applicators are advantageous in that they allow painting without conventional brushes, rollers and similar implements and are readily disposable.

Abstract: A piston type air pump, for forced lung ventilation, with a variable length of stroke and a variable timing of inspiratory and expiratory phases. The pump includes a stepless change, variable radius crank arm, controllable during pump operation for changing the volume capacity of the pump. The drive motor is arranged for movement for varying the timing of piston in-movement to the piston out-movement for varying the time ratio of inspiration to expiration.

Abstract: A consumable rectangular package with tear-away strips and collapsible handle is a useful container/applicator for solid paints, coatings, adhesives and other dimensionally stable gel-type materials. Such applicators are advantageous in that they allow painting without conventional brushes, rollers and similar conventional implements and are readily disposable.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided in a respirator for measuring the amount of gas passed to a patient through a supply line. The arrangement includes a self-oscillating fluidistor for dividing the gas flow into part volumes of a given magnitude and for generating an electrical pulse for each part volume passing therethrough. The fluidistor includes two outputs and a control channel having a temperature-dependent resistor located therein and an amplifier and pulse-forming circuit connected to the resistor so as to generate electrical pulses whose number is related to the number of part volumes flowing through the control channel of the fluidistor. A binary counter is connected to the amplifier and pulse-forming circuit for counting the number of pulses over a predetermined time interval while a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter, having first and second inputs, generates an analog signal corresponding to the number of pulses produced per time interval.

Abstract: A housing contains a light source, a monochromator, a photosensitive unit and an oscilloscope-type display. A flexible bundle of fiber-optic elements extends from within the housing out, and is provided at its outer end with a spacing ring. The spacing ring is placed against a skin surface, holding the ends of the fiber-optical bundle properly spaced and oriented relative to the skin surface. At the other end of the bundle, the bundle is subdivided into one branch which receives light from the source, and another branch which emits light refleced from the skin surface into the monochromator. The monochromator projects the spectrum of the skin-reflected light onto the photosensitive unit. The output signal of the photosensitive unit, in a sequential and periodic manner, contains information concerning successive spectral components of the skin-reflected light. The sweep of the display is synchronized with this periodic sequence, so as to display a spectral analysis of the skin-reflected light.

Abstract: The present invention discloses herewith an endoscope by which pressurized air is led into an inner portion of the endoscope. A plug of a light-transmitting optic bundle tube which communicates with the inner portion is covered, partially or totally, by a gas-tight cap which has a pressure inlet. The pressurized air is led from the pressure inlet into the inner portion of the endoscope through a terminal part or a gap of the plug.By these provisions, an internal pressure of the endoscope is raised to an extent not smaller than the external pressure of a cleanser in order to prevent the cleanser from flowing into the inner portion of the endoscope when washing and/or sterilizing a non-waterproof endoscope. In addition, a pinhole on a flexible sheath can easily be detected by testing a leakage of the pressurized air as for a waterproof endoscope.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a nuclear kymogram of regional wall motion of an organ under study such as a human heart includes injecting a radioisotope into the blood stream which accumulates in the cardiac blood pool or myocardium. A scintillation camera having a reduced generally elongated area of data recordation is positioned overlying a selected portion of the heart and positional "events" occurring along the major axis of the area of recordation are swept across a CRT in synchronism with the ECG signal. Successive real-time displays each in synchronism with the ECG signal are accumulated to provide a nuclear kymogram.

Abstract: A device for sealing an endoscope channel is provided in the operation section of an endoscope and comprises a hollow cylindrical member connected at one end to the proximal end of a channel disposed in the sheath of the endoscope and a tubular member of an elastic material disposed in the hollow cylindrical member and connected at one end sealingly to the other end of the hollow cylindrical member. The other end portion of the tubular member is bent to form a sealing portion which can prevent air introduced into a body cavity from flowing back therefrom through the channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing appendage tissue from avian species such as domestic fowl and principally from commercial chickens and turkeys is disclosed. When the appendage is the beak, the method is known as debeaking and the invention is a method comprised of the step of burning and simultaneously cauterizing a hole through a portion of a bird's beak in order to damage the tissue and precipitate eventual rejection thereof outwardly from the point of damage, and apparatus which includes means adapted to position the bird's beak between and in contact with opposing electrodes projecting into the apparatus which effect the burning as aforesaid. A power source for the electrodes providing an open circuit voltage of sufficient magnitude to initiate current flow through the beak when opposing sides of the beak contact the electrodes.

Abstract: A distributor wherein a belt conveyor transfers batches of tobacco particles from a main magazine into a wide upright duct. The level of different portions of the upper surface of the supply of tobacco in the duct is monitored by several photosensitive detectors which transmit signals for adjustment of a paddle wheel which removes surplus tobacco from the transfer conveyor by brushing off more or less tobacco from different portions of the conveyor, as considered transversely of the direction of movement of the conveyor, in order to maintain the entire upper surface of the tobacco supply in or close to a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A portable artificial kidney designed for continuous use includes a catheter with filter properties. The body portion of the catheter has an infusion duct which opens into the surface of the catheter and is provided with surface channels which are covered by a semi-permeable membrane. Ducts are provided which communicate with the channels. One duct is operatively coupled to a suction pump to remove the filtrate. Another duct serves to supply a rinsing solution and the infusion duct serves to replace the liquid which has been filtered off.

Abstract: A larynx stroboscope device capable of photography following the anode or cathode terminal of a flash discharge tube is connected to a photographing charge-discharge capacitor by the release operation of a camera. A trigger pulse is applied to the trigger terminal of the flash discharge tube in synchronization with a vocal cord vibration signal so that the flash discharge tube emits light while the shutter of said camera is open. Upon completion of a photographing operation, all the functions are automatically restored to the states obtained before the release operation. Alternatively, a charge-discharge system may be used. By the release operation of a camera supply of charging current to said capacitor is suspended. Thereafter a trigger pulse is applied to the trigger terminal of said flash discharge tube in synchronization with a vocal cord vibration frequency so that said flash discharge tube emits light while the shutter of said camera is open.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for determining a newborn infant's capability to orally accept nourishment. In accordance with the method of the invention, a test nipple is inserted in the mouth of an infant. Further method steps comprise measuring the suction which the infant applies to the test nipple, and measuring the expression force which the infant applies to the test nipple. The infant's capability of orally accepting nourishment is then determined as a function of the measured suction and expression. In accordance with the apparatus of the invention, there is provided a test nipple, and first and second transducers adapted for coupling to the test nipple. The first transducer is operative to generate a suction-indicative electrical signal, and the second transducer is operative to generate an expression-indicative electrical signal. A timing circuit is provided for defining successive time intervals.

Abstract: A base member has an electrically conductive layer thereon. An electrical power source and indicator device, such as a lamp, buzzer, etc. are electrically connected to the conductive layer. A metallic clip is provided on the base member, also electrically connected to the power source, and spaced from the conductive layer. A question and answer member is mounted on the base member with the clip in electrical connection with a second conductive layer which is part of the question and answer member. The question and answer member has a control opening in registration with a correct answer indicia whereby finger pressure on the correct answer indicia causes an electrical connection to be made between the second conductive layer of the question and answer member and the conductive layer on the base member to complete the electrical circuit to the indicator device. The question and answer member may be an integral or laminated layered structure.

Abstract: A surgical implement is disclosed for performing in combination a retracting and illuminating function within body cavities formed during surgery. The retraction function is performed by a blade, which can be segmented for flexible bending, mounted generally at right angles to a support shaft manipulatable by a handle. Miniature lamps present in the blade and powered by small batteries located in the handle perform the illumination function within the body cavity around which the retraction function is simultaneously performed.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a distal end section, a pair of axially spaced annular cuffs mounted on the distal end section or a cuff member mounted on the distal end section having an opening formed in its intermediate portion and sealingly fitted at its edge portions on the distal end section, and a chamber formed in the distal end section and opened at the opening in the cuff member. By the expansion of the cuffs or the cuff member, a closed space is defined by the inner surface of a body cavity where an affected part exists, and the cuffs or the cuff member, and a medical instrument is accessible to the affected part through the chamber with blood or other body fluids cleared from the space during the treatment of the affected part. A communication duct extends along the digital end section such that it allows the blood or other body fluids to freely flow in the body cavity while the affected part is being treated.

Abstract: An in vivo illumination system includes an elongate cannula and a fiber optic cable passing through the cannula having a lens disposed in an opening in the distal end of the cannula and a condenser lens disposed in a housing adapted to be mounted on the end of a light source such that the lenses provide concentrated light from the light source at the distal end of the cannula. The cannula has an aperture formed in a side wall thereof at the distal end to permit the flow of fluids through the cannula, and an adapter assembly is utilized to mount the condenser lens on the light source, the adapter assembly including a spherical lens for concentrating light from a lamp in the light source on the condenser lens.

Abstract: A device allowing direct measurement of tibial torsion.This mechanical device utilizes two hinged members and an angle measuring means to directly ascertain the amount of torsion of the tibia in the coronal plane.