Abstract: A tool actuating assembly for a multi-function surgical instrument is disclosed. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention can be utilized in a variety of differently configured multi-function surgical instruments and can be embodied in various physical configurations. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention provides for more efficient use of the tools of the instrument by the surgeon who is utilizing the instrument.

Abstract: Ear observation apparatus for self-inspecting the external auditory meatus and/or the tympanic membrane, characterized in that it comprises inspection means (2) for the external auditory meatus associated to reflection means (3) able to reflect the image of said external auditory meatus and/or tympanic membrane, illumination means (6) being provided for illuminating said external auditory meatus and/or tympanic membrane, said reflection means (3) being angularly set with respect to said inspection (2) means such as to reflect the image of the external auditory meatus and/or tympanic membrane on an external mirror.

Abstract: A device for releasably holding and positioning a heart valve prosthesis includes a handle having a first end, a second end and a super elastic shaft interconnecting the first and second ends. A connector is positioned at the second end of the handle and includes a plug portion having a pair of raised members and diametrically opposed guide slots. A low profile pusher-rotator is releasably engaged with the plug portion and includes diametrically opposed guide tabs engaged with the guide slots. A manually flexible release portion of the pusher-rotator includes a pair of engagement members engaged in a snap fit with the raised members. The release portion can be manually distorted to release the engagement members and the raised members for separation of the handle and the pusher-rotator.

Abstract: A thin-walled elastic sheath that can be stretched axially over an elongated imaging device to closely conform to the device and isolate the device from an external environment, and a method of forming such a sheath, are shown and described. The method includes the steps of heating at least a portion of a sheet of an elastomeric material to an elevated temperature to form a malleable heated portion of the sheet, pressing an elongated forming tool against the sheet at a location central with respect to the heated portion of the sheet, stretching the heated portion of the elastomeric material with the forming tool until an elastic conforming portion of the sheet is conformed to at least a portion of the length of the forming tool, and removing the forming tool from the conforming portion of the sheet to leave the thin-walled, elastic sheath having a wall thickness approximately equal to or less than 0.006 inches.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus having an inflatable balloon near a distal end of a multi-lumen catheter, with a plurality of blood flow passageways formed through the interior of the balloon from a proximal face of the inflated balloon to a distal face of the inflated balloon. Chilled saline solution is introduced through a supply lumen of the catheter to inflate the balloon in a feeding artery of the selected organ; this allows blood to flow through the blood flow passageways of the balloon, from one exterior face of the balloon to another exterior face. The saline solution continues to circulate around the blood flow passageways inside the balloon, to cool the blood, eventually exiting the balloon through a return lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an autologous graft by distending a donor blood vessel and harvesting the distended portion of the vessel. Also provided is a device for in vivo or in vitro vessel distension. Typically the device is implanted, for example using endoscopic techniques, in a patient sometime prior to another surgery on that patient which includes implanting a vascular graft. The device includes a stretching mechanism which is attached to a donor blood vessel, means for operating the stretching mechanism to cause the vessel to distend, and a controller, preferably externally located, for controlling the operating means. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a pair of opposed straps, attached to a healthy, small-diameter donor blood vessel such as a femoral artery in the leg. The straps are displaced from each other over a period of time to continuously distend or elongate the donor vessel. The distended portion of the donor vessel is excised at the time of the bypass surgery.

Abstract: An far infrared ray irradiation apparatus having a human body mounting portion, an operable cover portion, and a plurality of infrared ray irradiation sources for achieving an improved performance in medical treatment. The infrared ray irradiation sources irradiate far infrared rays not containing near infrared rays of wavelength less than 4 &mgr;m, and each of the far infrared irradiation sources is provided at a position close to the portion of the human body to be irradiated so that a whole human body accommodated in a space formed by the human body mounting portion and the operable cover portion can be uniformly heated to a desired temperature without causing any low temperature burns in the human body.

Abstract: A propellant support apparatus to help a self-propelled colonoscope in its smooth insertion, said colonoscope being insertable in the colon of a patient by driving a plurality of endless belts, mounted along the flexible section of an insertion tube of the colonoscope, without causing pain to the patient even at initial insertion of the colonoscope, comprising an insertable anal pipe (1) that has a smooth outer surface and a high frictional inner surface. By using motive force produced by friction between the high frictional inner surface (3) of the insertable anal pipe (1) and the outside circles of endless belts (23), mounted along an insertion tube (21) of the colonoscope, the propellant support apparatus helps the insertion tube (21) to propel forward, without causing damage to the inside wall of the anus, whereby the colonoscope can be inserted into the colon smoothly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method permit a general practitioner to obtain specimens from a bodily orifice of an animal, such as, for example, a sinus specimen from a nasal area of a human. The apparatus includes a specimen access tube fixedly or removably connected to a speculum, which may be a standard nasal speculum attachment. Anti-contamination structures, either inside or outside the specimen access tube protect against contamination of the specimen due to contact with other matter in the bodily orifice. In accordance with the method, a practitioner advances the specimen access tube into the bodily orifice, and advances the speculum toward the orifice to visualize the advancement of the specimen access tube. When the tip of the specimen access tube is proximate the specimen to be collected, the practitioner advances an applicator into the end of the specimen access tube such that a head of the applicator contacts and holds the specimen.

Abstract: A calibrating device for detecting the position, firstly, of the axis of the shank (axis of action) and, secondly, of the front end (point of action or line of action) of a surgical instrument relative to an reference position determination device 42 mounted on the rear part of the instrument, has: two clamping-device carriers, each with a clamping device, in a clamping state the clamping devices bringing the shank of the instrument into a clearly defined clamped position; a supporting plate 12 on which the front end of the instrument rests in the clamped state; and a reference position determination device 42, the axis of action being essentially perpendicular to the supporting plate 12 in the clamped position, and the supporting plate and the reference position determination device 42 being connected firmly to one another.

Abstract: A hood for an endoscope which is detachably mounted near a distal end portion of the endoscope. The hood has a balloon adapted to be expanded into a substantially cylindrical configuration by injecting a fluid into the balloon, and to be contracted by discharging the fluid out of the balloon. A visual field of the endoscope can be secured by expanding the balloon, and can be prevented from being shaded by contracting the balloon.

Abstract: An endoscope has an anchoring and positioning device, in the form of an inflatable balloon, at its distal end section. The distal end of the endoscope has a section length, a major peripheral part, and a minor peripheral part. The inflatable balloon, being shaped as a cradle, circumscribes the major peripheral part of the distal end section. A window section is located on the minor peripheral part. The balloon is capable of spacing the window section from a wall of a passage surrounding the endoscope, thereby providing a good view and sufficient working space for the operation of the endoscope. A catheter to flow a fluid in and out of the balloon is coupled to the balloon.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument having an end effector assembly at a distal end, a flexible member connected to and extending from the end effector assembly and a handle assembly connected to the flexible member. The handle assembly includes a handle member, a nose member and a biasing element. The handle member has an inner bore. The hollow nose member has a shank configured for insertion into the inner bore. The biasing element is located within the inner bore and biases the flexible member relative to the handle member. The handle member may have a keyway or a projection configured for insertion into a keyway, and the nose member may have the other of the keyway or the projection. The flexible member has a retaining element affixed to its proximal end. The flexible member is inserted through the nose member with the retaining element located proximate the proximal end of the nose member and thereby retained between the handle member and the nose member.

Abstract: Instrument holder comprising a shank (1) equipped with a head (2) designed to receive an instrument and a locking component (4) pushed against the head by a spring (9) bearing on a ring (11) sliding on the shank, and having means of connection (8, 12) on the shank which is engaged by rotation of the ring, in such a way that the release of the ring allows the locking component, the spring and the ring to slide freely in order to permit cleaning of the instrument holder.

Abstract: A thermal treatment pack and corresponding retainer apparatus that provide not only a desirable thermal source, but also a highly configurable retainer apparatus. According to one embodiment, the thermal source includes frozen peas stored in transparent bags. The transparent bags are selectively attachable through hook-and-loop fasteners. According to the preferred embodiment, the retainer apparatus includes two washable cloth strips. The cloth strips include hook-and-loop fasteners for attaching the transparent bags to the retainer apparatus.

Abstract: A flexible sheath that is to be inserted into or removed from a treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope has a thick portion formed locally near the base end. The thick portion has a larger outside diameter than the other portions. The base end of the flexible sheath 1 is inserted into a connection member which is to be connected to the base end. The thick portion and an adjacent portion of the connection member are pressure-inserted in series into a soft coupling tube to fix the connection between the flexible sheath and the connection member.

Abstract: A device for dragging and positioning of a member within a duct in a body comprising a rod, having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the rod is coupled to a loop, designed to be slidably mounted over a guidewire, and wherein said loop is provided with hooking means, onto which a member to be guide and positioned within a duct in a body is hooked, so that when advancing the rod from its distal end, the loop slides forward over the guidewire, and drags the member to the desired target location.

Abstract: A method of treating a brain disorder by heat transfer from brain tissue comprising the steps of surgically cutting a heat transfer aperture into a patient's skull, thereby exposing a predetermined portion of patient's brain; surgically implanting into said heat transfer aperture a heat pump having one or more electrical sensor elements and one or more temperature sensor elements; surgically implanting a heat transfer management unit in a body cavity of said patient such that a micro controller of the heat transfer management unit is connected to one or more activity sensor elements and one or more temperature sensor elements contacting brain tissue and connecting the heat transfer management unit to said heat pump via a lead bundle. Optionally, the heat transfer unit may be located external to the patient's body.

Abstract: A thermal cover member for delivering a fluid to a patient's body, such as heated or cooled air, includes a hollow housing member having an inlet port for receiving the pressurized fluid. A plurality of cells are positioned about the housing member to create fluidic spaces for applying the fluid to the body of the patient. Each cell has a non-inflatable canopy with a continuous perimeter sealingly connected to the housing member with the housing member having a plurality of exit ports communicating with each cell to provide an egress of fluid. The fluidic spaces within a cell can be dimensioned to accommodate anatomical configurations of the patient's body and a thermo-chromatic indicator can be provided on the cover member to indicate a temperature of the corresponding fluidic space. The canopy can be transparent to permit viewing of the patient's body.

Abstract: A device for a heat treatment of a body part, comprising a heating element (1) and means (2) for holding the heating element against the body part to be heat-treated. The heat element (1) comprises a plurality of separate heating cells (6) and is flexible in such a manner that it may be adapted to abut said body part.