Abstract: A stereoscopic image acquisition and display system and associated method, suitable for effective eye-hand co-ordination during videoscopic surgery, is provided. The problems of previous three-dimensional acquisition and display systems are addressed by ensuring that the convergence angle for image acquisition lies within the range of 3 to 16 degrees and that the observer's visual convergence is set within similar limits. Simultaneous display of left and right eye images avoids the problems of field sequential displays. By providing the observer with a displayed image which is sufficiently bright and ensuring that the binocular disparity between corresponding points in the left and right eye images is correct, the system allows the observer to fuse a pair of stereo-images, without causing conflict between visual accommodation and convergence. The location of the displayed image may be adjusted.

Abstract: An assembly of cannula and endoscope and dissection tip facilitate surgical procedures at remote surgical site in tissue of a patient. Relative rotation of the cannula about the endoscope from clamped rotational fixation of the cannula and endoscope is made possible by flexing a resilient clamping segment, and such relative rotation promotes convenient positioning of an eccentric tissue-dissecting tip about a vessel being harvested from within tissue of a patient. Color tinting of the tip or color-tinted illumination of tissue at a remote surgical site enhances contrasting visualization through the tip via the endoscope among the tissue types encountered at the surgical site within a patient. A tool bridge or lateral support mounts to a more rigid component such as an endoscope that extends from the proximal end of a cannula to support a more flexible surgical instrument also extending from the proximal end of the cannula.

Abstract: An endoscopic terminal processor for an electronic endoscope, which accommodates within its casing an illumination light source along with a video signal processor for an electronic endoscope. A circuit board of the video signal processor is supported compactly in an upright position within the casing, and fixedly connected at one end to an inner surface of a side panel of the casing, and loosely supported at the other free end on a damper member adapted to restrict flapping movements of the circuit board about the fixed end and to permit movements in other directions to some extent to evade collisional impacts or shocks which might be transmitted from the casing.

Abstract: An exercise dumbbell includes a handle and weight plates maintained in spaced relationship relative thereto. At least one latch is movable into and out of engagement with desired weight plates to prevent movement of the engaged weight plates in a first direction, and thereby secure same relative to the handle. At least one catch is connected to the at least one latch and operable in a second, discrete direction to encourage the latch to remain engaged with the weight plates.

Abstract: Supplemental weights are selectively movable into and out of a path traversed by the top plate in a weight stack. Preferably, the supplemental weights include a half-weight and a quarter-weight which are movable in any combination into the path of the top plate and into concentric alignment with the top plate.

Abstract: A torque generator device for simulating in physical exercise apparatus a load opposing a force exerted by a user includes an asynchronous motor controlled by a variable speed drive of the flux vector control reversible type whose current is controlled by a torque regulator loop. The variable speed drive fixes the flux in the motor so that the torque can be controlled independently. The torque regulator loop processes measurements from a force sensor which it compares with a force set point to control the current fed into the motor by the variable speed drive. The device thus generates a constant torque which opposes the force exerted by the user.