Abstract: A sigmoidoscope comprising at least one disposable part (1), in combination with means (10) for insufflation of a body cavity with a medium via the sigmoidoscope; said medium being susceptible to contamination by a contaminant (as herein defined) during use of the sigmoidoscope, said insufflation means (10) and said sigmoidoscope (eg part 1) being connected, or adapted for connections one to the other; the sigmoidoscope and/or the insufflation means being provided with disposable contamination prevention means (18), or being so formed and arranged, that no non-disposable part of the sigmoidoscope (eg 15) and no non-disposable part of the insufflation means is exposed to any contaminated medium during use of the sigmoidoscope.

Abstract: A piston of an air and water supply valve in an endoscope comprises: a base cylinder; a water supply switching piston; and an air supply switching piston, which is inserted in the water supply switching piston. An air supply button functioning as a check valve is attached to the top end of the air supply switching piston, and air is supplied by slightly pressing the air supply button and water is supplied by deeply pressing the air supply button. If liquid flows back, the air supply button functions as the check valve to prevent the backflow from flowing into the base cylinder from the air supply switching piston.

Abstract: The thermal body wraps of the present invention comprise a unified laminate structure having at least one continuous layer of a flexible material having a substantially rectangular, dog bone-like shape and having a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a plurality of heat cells, and means for releasably attaching the thermal body wrap to a user's body. Preferably the heat cells are placed into positions fixed within or to the unified structure of the thermal body wraps, relative to each other and sufficiently close to provide controlled, sustained, and uniform heat to the body or body part of the user.

Abstract: A treating instrument for an endoscope has a flexible sheath and an operating part connected to the proximal end of the flexible sheath. A first buckling preventing member formed from a flexible cylindrical material covers a proximal end portion of the flexible sheath. One end of the first buckling preventing member is secured to the operating part. A second buckling preventing member formed from a flexible cylindrical material overlaps the first buckling preventing member at a region extending from an intermediate position on the first buckling preventing member to the proximal end thereof. One end of the second buckling preventing member is secured to the operating part.

Abstract: The invention discloses an endoscope having an outer tube in whose distal end area are mounted an endoscope objective whose image is transmitted by an image transmitter to the proximal end of the endoscope, and a distal end window which closes the outer tube in a fluid- and gas-tight manner, and through which the path of the rays of the endoscope objective runs. The disclosed endoscope is characterized in that the distal end window and/or the proximal eyepiece window are glued in a manner known per se by their rim into the outer tube, the eyepiece cup or an adapter set into the outer tube or eyepiece cup, and in that a solderable ring-shaped layer is applied on at least one end surface of the end window for additionally joining the end window to the outer tube or adapter by means of a soldering layer.

Abstract: A guide tube which stabilizes a guide position of a scope inserted into an object to be observed and serves to prevent a surface wall portion of the object to be observed from being pinched by a leading end. A metal ring and a hard plastic ring having a ring like convex portion are attached to a leading end of a main tube of the guide tube. The ring like convex portion is made, for example, of an elastic polyurethane resin and a protruding end has an inside diameter D1 which is slightly smaller than an outside diameter of a scope to be guided. The guide tube is capable of bringing the scope into close contact with an inside of the convex portion. Furthermore, the metal ring makes it possible to confirm a location of the guide tube by x-ray radioscopy inspection.

Abstract: An endoscope air sending device (15) has a compressor (13), an air tank (34), an air filter (35), a pressure control valve (38), a pressure sensor (14), and a discharge valve (12) are provided. The compressor and the air tank are communicated with each other through an air tube (AT5), and the air tank and the air filter are communicated with each other through an air tube (AT4). The air filter and the discharge valve are communicated with each other through an air tube (AT3), and the pressure control valve, the air sensor and the discharge valve are also communicated with one another through the air tube (AT3). By communicating those components with one another in the above-described manner, a closed space is formed.

Abstract: One or more portions of an inflatable thermal blanket that is sized sufficiently to fully cover a patient are gathered and maintained in a non-inflated condition by a closure such that a thermally-controlled inflating medium admitted into the blanket is prevented from being admitted into the gathered portion(s), thereby leaving a primary part of the patient covered and exposing a part of the patient for medical attention. Thereafter the closure can be released to permit the inflating medium to be admitted into the gathered portion such that the gathered portion self-erects and assumes an inflated condition. The released thermal blanket covers the entire patient and bathes the patient in the inflating medium. The closure can be provided as an elongated tape strip with a central perforation that can be separated.

Abstract: A directionally expandable standoff device for use with an imaging instrument is disclosed. The standoff device has an elastic sheath configured for placement over a probe of an imaging instrument and a substantially rigid cover configured for placement over the elastic sheath, the cover containing an opening exposing a portion of the elastic sheath. The standoff device allows controlled positioning of the tissue surface within the cavity of a patient's body during imaging analysis.

Abstract: A sheath for use on a closed loop Joule-Thomson cryosurgical probe, and the combination of the sheath and the closed loop probe. The sheath is slipped over the probe, thereby separating the probe from the environment. The sheath has a grip which fits over the handle of the cryosurgical probe, and an extendible shroud which can be longitudinally extended to cover tubing and which are attached to the handle. The sheath has a hollow multi-lumen catheter shaped and sized to fit snugly over the cannula of the cryosurgical probe. The catheter is not thermally conductive, preventing transfer of heat from the ambient to the gas mixture, and preventing the freezing of tissues at undesired locations along the catheter. A thermally conductive cap or tip is attached to the distal end of the hollow catheter. The thermally conductive cap or tip is biased against the cold tip on the probe by a biasing element in the sheath assembly, to promote heat transfer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a foot warming exothermic device comprises placing an exothermic composition of a viscous fluid form by printing or coating on one surface of a thin sheet base material and in at least one predetermined portion of the one surface to such a configuration as to cover a desired site of a human foot, and then placing a thin sheet covering material on the fluid exothermic composition so as to cover the exothermic composition, at least one or part of the base material and the covering material being gas permeable.

Abstract: A probe for a speculum for use in examining the interior of a body cavity. The probe comprised an elongated tubular member (1) having a first and second end and an expandable sealing element (2) encircling said tubular member at or near the first end (3). A means for admission of a fluid (50) is provided to the interior of said sealing element to effect expansion thereof. A removable closure means is adapted to engage the second end (30). A means for admission of a fluid into the bore of said tubular member is also provided (32). The closure means provides a line of sight and extending there through and along the bore of the tubular member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device having an orifice covered by an optical device (3), which is to be prevented from being dirtied. For that reason the device comprises a housing (1), in which a ring-shaped socket (2) supporting the optical device is rotatably journalled by means of a bearing arranged around the periphery of a socket (2). Moreover, the socket (2) is provided with a rim turbine blades (8) against which one or more jets of pressure air from nozzles (10, 11) in the housing (1) are directed.

Abstract: A pair of generally semicircular, passage blocking valves (33b) that are made of an elastic material are provided in such a way as to block the passage leading to the inlet of a channel 4 of an endoscope and in such a state that the diameters (33c) of the two blocking valves abut to interfere with each other and that the abutting surfaces of the two blocking valves (33b) are closed in a normal state but are spread apart elastically by the insertion of a treatment tool.

Abstract: A laryngoscope having a flexible blade which is hinged and having in the handle articulation control for the hinged portion of the blade as well as an actuator for a pair of balloons on the blade connected with double-lumen tubes.

Abstract: A patient's body temperature is regulated by using an enclosure to enclose a portion of the patient's body in an isolated environment. In accordance with one embodiment, the patient's entire body below his head is enclosed. Once enclosed, the patient is surrounded by heated vapor that is injected into the enclosure. The heated vapor condenses on the patient's skin to warm the patient quickly, efficiently and safely. This embodiment is well suited for the treatment of hypothermia patients. In accordance with alternative embodiments, only a portion of the patient's head is enclosed. In these embodiments, an enclosure is placed on the patient's head, and heated vapor is fed into the enclosure. Excess air and vapor are preferably dissipated by vents in the cap, whereas excess condensate is preferably absorbed by an absorbent layer provided in the cap. These embodiments are well suited for regulating a patient's body temperature in a surgical setting.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument with cutting tool has a shaft for introduction into duct-like body passages such as a rectum, trachea, or esophagus, and has an endoscopic optical system. Arranged in said shaft is a cutting tool, for introducing an incision in the circumferential direction of said body passage, that by way of a displacement mechanism can be extended out of said shaft beyond the periphery of said shaft and retracted back thereinto.

Abstract: A portable, thermal cauterizing forceps device for use in surgery. The device incorporates a pair of ceramic heater elements mounted within the tips of the tines of a forceps. The forceps is used to grasp tissue or blood vessels and apply heat to effect cauterization. In the case of the first embodiment of the invention, the forceps instrument incorporates a battery and control electronics. The thermal-forceps is of a self-contained wireless, handheld disposable design. In a second embodiment of the invention, the forceps handpiece is connected to an external power source. Both embodiments of the forceps incorporate set of rapidly heating ceramic heater elements that may be composed of silicon nitride. An LED provides the operator feedback as to the operating level of the heaters and/or battery reserve. Enhancements to the second embodiment include a rechargeable power supply, variable control of the heater temperature, as well as a, digital display of the tip temperature.

Abstract: The endoscopic light source apparatus has an illuminating light converging mechanism (20) in which a lightguide connector (3) to be connected displaces a condenser lens (22) in a direction parallel to the optical axis of illuminating light so that irrespective of the length of the lightguide connector (3), the illuminating light entrance end face (4a) of the lightguide connector (3) is located near the position in which the rays of illuminating light converge, and a filter inserting and retracting mechanism (30) which moves in operative association with the illuminating light converging mechanism (20) such that a light attenuating filter (31) is inserted into or retracted from the rays of illuminating light depending upon the length of the lightguide connector (3).

Abstract: The shape memory segmented detachable coil assembly includes a plurality of hollow, tubular coil segments, and a plurality of connector members, with adjacent coil segments connected together by the connector members. The connector members are currently preferably hollow, tubular connector members that are advantageously detachable from selected portions of the coil segments by application of energy to one or more selected connector members. A heat activation member is used for heating one or more selected connector members to disconnect selected portions of the coil assembly. The heat activation member typically can be advanced axially through or over the coil assembly, and currently preferably comprises a fiber optic, although the heat activation member can also comprise a heat pipe, or a device for generating heat by RF energy or electrical resistance.