Abstract: A light source provided in an endoscope is controlled to provide a constant comparatively low luminance when the object is to be observed, and to provide a first lowered and then gradually increased luminance when the object is to be photographed. The voltage and consequently, the luminance is first further lowered below the comparatively low luminance for observation when the object is to be photographed and the voltage is then increased so that a high luminance results. A control circuit is connected between a shutter release signal generating circuit and a light source to control the voltage across the light source upon receipt of the shutter release signal.

Abstract: The invention discloses an endoscope, and particularly a rectoscope, having an improved means of securing a cover to the head housing of the endoscope using a releasable hinge. In a preferred embodiment a pin removably located in a bore forms the hinge for the cover connection.

Abstract: Speculum apparatus for use in connection with gynecological endoscopy examination includes a first substantially L-shaped inner member defined by an elongate first handle portion, a first dilating portion extending angularly with respect to said first handle portion, and a first connecting portion integrally interconnecting the first handle and dilating portions, and a second substantially L-shaped outer member defined by an elongate second handle portion, a second dilating portion extending angularly with respect to said second handle portion, and a second connecting portion integrally interconnecting said second handle and dilating portions. The connecting portion of the outer member is received within the channel shaped interior of the first connecting portion and shoulders defined on the second dilating portion engagingly mate with terminal edges of wall portions provided on the first connecting portion so as to provide a detachable pivotal interconnection between the inner and outer members.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument having a tip which is cooled by the Joule-Thomson expansion of a pressurized gas. The gas is conveyed to the tip by an inlet tube and exhausts through an exhaust tube connected to the rear of a fitting. The tip is connected to the forward portion of the fitting. The rear and forward portions of the fitting are rotatably connected by a bearing coupling which enables the tip to be rotated independent of the inlet and exhaust tubes.

Abstract: A reflective device is disclosed which forms an enclosure, the self supporting walls of the device being provided with a highly reflective surface which will reflect and spread light rays, particularly those of the ultraviolet spectrum. The enclosure is made of a plurality of panels that are hingedly and flexibly interconnected in such a way that in the preferred embodiment the device assumes the form of an inverted frustum. Panels adjust semi-automatically to a multiplicity of different angles, providing optimum reflection on a person or persons within the enclosure.

Abstract: A glass or plastic tube is sealed and provided with an enlarged bulb of optical clarity and minimum distortion which fits over and is spaced from the end of an endoscope.

Abstract: An optical catheter including an absorption chamber and distensible semipermeable diaphragm are disclosed for the simultaneous measurement of blood gases, blood pressure and pulse rate.

Abstract: A mouth corner spreader used for spreading both corners of the mouth for facilitating medical examination, treatment, photographing or other works in the mouth. The device comprises a pair of hook structures arranged in opposed relation to each other and designed to fit to the mouth corners, each of said hook structures consisting of a substantially C-shaped external portion, a substantially C-shaped internal portion provided spaced-apart from said external portion and a joining portion joining said external and internal portions along the inside edges of the C-shaped portions, and a substantially U-shaped elastic spring arm connecting said pair of hook structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a foreign matter from the human body cavity includes a sheath to be inserted into the body cavity, a foreign matter trapping section and a device for selecting the flexing length of the flexing portion of the sheath. The sheath is made of a flexible material, and the foreign matter trapping section comprises a ring member disposed at the front end of the sheath and trapping wires extending through the lateral side wall of the sheath with their corresponding ends connected to the ring member in circumferentially spaced relation and their other ends individually movable longitudinally of the sheath. By individually operating the trapping wires a foreign matter within the body cavity can be positively caught by or held within a cage defined by the trapping wires. The flexing length selection device can properly adjust the flexing length of the flexing portion of the sheath to be inserted into the body cavity.

Abstract: A sealing device for an endoscope intended to effect sealing between an endoscope guide hole and an operating wire inserted thereinto is set in a medical instrument-leading chamber provided in a distal end portion of an endoscope, and is formed of a substantially hollow cylindrical or trumpet-shaped elastic member. One end of the sealing device is hermetically connected to a wall of the medical instrument-leading chamber to which the endoscope guide hole in the distal end portion is opened. The other end of the sealing device is also hermetically connected to the intermediate point of that portion of the operating wire which projects into the medical instrument-leading chamber from the endoscope guide hole, the operating wire being used to turn a rotary member in order to define the direction in which the forward portion of the medical instrument is to be directed in a body cavity.

Abstract: An airway for insertion into the mouth and pharynx for assisting intubation comprising an elongate body having a straight section joined to a curved section and a face plate secured to the straight section at its free end. The body of the airway has an elongate U-shaped central channel open at the top and a pair of elongate open-sided U-shaped channels on either side of the central channel. The upper defining wall of one of the open-sided channels has an opening therein through which a tubular member inserted in the channel may be guided for accommodating suctioning of the nasopharynx. A tubular member may be intubated in the other side channel for simultaneously suctioning the hypopharynx.

Abstract: A suction control device for an endoscope comprises an outer tube assembly having one end connected to the proximal end of the endoscope and an inner tube assembly coaxially inserted into the outer tube assembly. The inner tube assembly leads an elongated medical instrument therethrough to a channel in the endoscope. An air chamber is defined between the outer tube assembly and the inner tube assembly and communicates with the channel in the endoscope and with a suction pipe fixed to the outer tube. The proximal ends of the inner tube assembly and the outer tube assembly are covered with a flexible cap of a flexible material which is provided with an air inlet communicating with the inner tube assembly and another air inlet disposed near the first air inlet for communication with the air chamber such that both air inlets can be simultaneously blocked by a finger cushion.

Abstract: In the illustrated embodiment, a field generator may be arranged on the body or at an interval therefrom, and produces a defined irregular field. For detecting the field flux a first surface with a plurality of sensor elements is provided, at least a part of which is distributed in two lines running parallel to each other and coupled electrically differentially together. At an interval from the first surface there is provided a second surface, parallel thereto, with further, correspondingly arranged sensor lines. The sensor lines of both surfaces run parallel to one another; the differential signals of the line pair of the first surface are electrically differentially linked to the differential signals of the line pair of the second surface. The device is in particular intended for measuring the location, the attitude and/or the change in location or, respectively, attitude of the jaw or of a tooth of a patient.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for endoscopes and cystoscopes formed substantially entirely from resilient synthetic resinous material which in relatively unstressed condition forms a hook-like appendage at a distal end thereof, and which may be distorted to rectilinear configuration to fit within a channel in an endoscope barrel. The appendage may be of either endless or bifurcated configuration defining an enclosed area which is covered by a web-like membrane preventing the entry therebetween of any loose tissue which would otherwise be entrapped within the retractor when the same is withdrawn after use.

Abstract: A blood collection device comprising, a housing having a retention space and a hollow needle connected to a distal portion of the housing. The device has an expansible collection bag defining a collection chamber communicating with the needle. The bag is movable responsive to arterial blood pressure between a first configuration of reduced dimensions with air substantially removed from the chamber, and a second configuration of extended dimensions with the chamber enlarged to receive blood.

Abstract: Measuring arrangement for decreasing the emotional influence on instrumental diagnostical measurements, wherein the patient under test is encouraged to assume a rest condition by practicing the biological feed-back method, the operator observes the success of this activity on instruments, and the diagnostical measurements are performed when this instrumentally observed value falls within a predetermined domain that is characteristic of the rest condition. The arrangement comprises instruments for performing the diagnostical measurements, an EEG unit for providing biological feed-back, at least one further unit for conducting similar observations by biological feed-back on at least one of the temperature, pulse and skin conductivity of the patient, at least one operational mode switch, and an indicator unit to furnish information to both the patient and the operator about the value of the feed-back characteristic.

Abstract: A cardiotachometer includes features which reliably filter out interfering background signals and provide for relatively low power consumption. A differential amplifier is connected to a three electrode input so as to effectively reduce common mode errors. The output of the differential amplifier is connected to an automatic polarity selecting circuit and an automatic gain control amplifier so as to make the unit as independent as possible from user adjustment. The device includes an eight bear counter for producing a single output pulse for every eight input pulses. The output of the eight beat counter is connected to a dual slope analog-to-digital converter for developing a display which is directly related to the average heart rate over a eight beat period and inversely related to the voltage applied to the circuit. A low power liquid crystal display is connected to the output of the dual slope circuit.

Abstract: A cuff system particularly useful with tracheal tubes and the like including an expandable cuff insertable into a patient's trachea for sealing engagement with the trachea wall. The cuff is formed around an elongated tubular member by a flaccid readily deformable non-distensible wall. A liquid reservoir comprised of a flaccid readily deformable wall communicates with the cuff via a filling pipe whose ends respectively open into the reservoir and cuff. The reservoir is mounted in a semi-rigid squeezable protective housing. The cuff system interior volume enclosed by the reservoir, filling pipe, and cuff contains no gas and is supplied with the cuff evacuated and lying against the tubular member and with the reservoir and filling pipe containing a quantity of liquid. A selectively operable valve is provided to control flow through the filling pipe.