Abstract: A composition for tissue welding is provided. The composition comprises an active compound, a solvent, and an energy converter and is insoluble in physiological fluids. A method for welding a tissue is also provided. The method comprises contacting a tissue with the above composition and exciting the composition such that the tissue becomes welded.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope of the present invention includes a video-scope having an image sensor, a video-processor, to which a proximal end of the video-scope and a monitor are respectively connected, a character and mark generation controller, and an area-image changer. The character and mark generation controller generates character signals and indicator-mark signals, and then feeds the character signals and the indicator-mark signals to the monitor. The image-area changer changes a size of an image-area of the object image displayed on the screen of the monitor to another size, thus the object image is selectively displayed within one of plural image-areas on the screen in accordance with a size change of the image-area.

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 a desired amount of weight 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: An endoscope for intubating an endotracheal tube includes an elongated insertion portion including at least an image transmitting optical fiber bundle, an illumination light transmitting optical fiber bundle, and a bendable element, an operation portion connected to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion, a bending operation mechanism provided in the operation portion, an endotracheal tube connection section provided in the vicinity of a joint between the insertion portion and the operation portion; and a bendable element for bending the insertion portion provided so as to extend from the inside of the insertion portion to the bending operation mechanism.

Abstract: An avionics simulator is provided in which an operational flight program processor is provided as a functional equivalent to a central processing unit of an avionics system of an aircraft being simulated. Accordingly, the Operational Flight Program may be run in the operational flight program processor in the same manner in which it would be run in the central processing unit of the avionics system of the aircraft itself. Accordingly, identity of operation is attained without the necessity of complex programming and/or interface generation. The remainder of the avionics simulation computer is software or firmware configured to replicate aircraft operation, responses, and data input.

Abstract: In an electronic endoscope, a video-scope has an image sensor for photographing an object image and a light guide for guiding light toward an object. A video-processor has a light source, a stop, a signal conversion circuit, a histogram processing circuit, and a CPU. When the video-scope is connected to the video-processor, light emitted from the light source is guided by the light guide and radiates from a distal end of the light guide, so that an object image is formed on the image sensor. The object image is then converted into the image-pixel signals. Further, a representative value, which relates to a brightness of the object image, is calculated on the basis of the image-pixel signals through the signal conversion circuit, the histogram processing circuit, and the CPU. Then, a control of light radiating from the distal end of the light guide is performed at regular time-intervals. Namely, the stop is controlled such that the brightness of the object image is proper.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element assembly unit in which it can easily be promoted to make the diameter of the tip portion of an endoscope thinner by changing the configuration of a circuit board in relation to an image element. In this assembly unit, an imaging element body formed while holding a lead portion between an electrode of a CCD and a cover glass is produced, for example, on the TAB system, and this imaging element body is connected to a circuit board having a storing groove. Then, the width in the electrode arranging direction of this circuit board is formed shorter than the width in the electrode arranging direction of the CCD, and at a position where both ends of this circuit board retreat from both ends of the CCD, these are connected by a lead portion. By doing so, the diameter of the tip portion can be made thinner since the sides of both ends of the circuit board arranged on the side of the inside peripheral surface of a tip portion holding barrel retreat inside.

Abstract: A modified dumbbell incorporating a means for securing various weighted attachments thereby allowing a user to use one dumbbell for multiple degrees of weight. The modified dumbbell herein generally having an attachable insert assembly and a one-piece dumbbell having a female connector and an incorporated spring-loaded pin. The insert assembly having a male connector is joined with the female connector of the dumbbell yielding the male connector to be engageable with the spring-loaded pin for fixed attachment. The insert assembly may come in various sizes and in either singular or plural form. Further, the one-piece dumbbell and its mating insert assembly may have a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical configuration.

Abstract: A blow-moldable container, having a centrally located, generally tubular handle spanning a central recess has improved balance and ergonomics over existing blow-molded containers. Such a balanced container has great utility as a handheld freeweight, or as a container for pourable substances. An integrally molded base allows our container to be stood upright on end like a regular bottle. Products may be marketed in such containers under the premise that the consumer automatically acquires a freeweight by purchasing the product. The inclusion of fitably engageable contours on its top and bottom surfaces makes such a container stackable with others of its kind, for ease of packaging, shipping, and storage. A graduated set of handheld fillable freeweights may thus be compactly stored without a special rack. Since blow-molding offers great economy of production for sufficiently large numbers of containers, the average person will now be able to afford an entire graduated set of freeweights.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, or plug, for closing an inlet port. The inlet port is formed in a sheet of a typically flexible material. The inlet port is designed to mate with an air hose nozzle. The plug blocks the inlet port when no air hose nozzle is engaged. The plug has a generally planar shape with coplanar extensions extending radially from the plug body. The plug is engaged by causing at least two of the extensions to be received in the inlet port. When the extensions are received, the plug is retained gains the inlet port.

Abstract: Improving upon conventional endoscope patent, the proposed design (Creeping colonoscope) has a new mechanism for movement of the conventional colonoscope in the large intestine. This method of movement, which resembles climbing a ladder, where hands could assist the climbing force of the feet results from consecutive appliance of a pair of sucking arms on the tip of the colonoscope to the adjacent mucosa. The sucking arms adhere to the mucosa by vacuum power provided by an external suction device and pull the mucosa toward the tip of the fiberoptic colonoscope after mucosal adhesion. Successive repetition of this operation not only pulls the mucosa over the colonoscope but also moves the colonoscope tip onward. It should be noted that this mechanism of action is not a substitute of the primary mode of movement of the colonoscope induced by pushing of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for endoscopes which can supply air and water according to each application by regulating air and water flow rates independently. Although air and water may be supplied with one pump, the present invention controls air and water flow rates separately by using an air supply pump and water supply pump and by controlling a plurality of open-close valves installed, for example, on atmospheric escape pipes. The air channel and water channel are connected, for draining, by a first connecting pipe. If the air supply pump is used also for water supply and the water supply pump is used also for air supply, it is possible to supply air and water at a high flow rate fast enough even for high-speed water injection. If a fixed flow rate is used for a specified time at the start, specific operations can be simplified.

Abstract: A holistic method of therapeutic laser treatment for body tissues in a problematic area, comprising the following steps: using a laser discharge probe to irradiate the tissues in the problematic area and additionally treating a body energy path through the problematic area by irradiating the body tissues along an energy path, as defined in Eastern medicine, through the problematic area so that energy flow is normalized in the problematic area. One aspect of this provides for a method as above wherein the energy flow path comprises meridians of energy flow as defined in acupuncture and wherein treatment points along the energy flow path comprise acupuncture points. In yet another preferred aspect, the energy flow path comprises Jin Shin Jyutsu energy flow paths and the treatment points along the energy flow paths comprise energy spheres. Stimulating tissue along an energy path in the body rectifies energy flow through the specific body area and thereby alleviate problems in that area of concern.

Abstract: In a bendable tube of an endoscope, a plurality of joint rings each having a rotational axis perpendicular to a direction of bending of an insertion section of the endoscope are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the insertion section. A pair of connection tongue portions provided to project in a longitudinal direction of the joint rings are rotatably connected by means of a shaft member. An end face of a small-diameter portion of the shaft member, which comprises the small-diameter portion and a large-diameter portion, is welded to one of the tongue portions through a rotary shaft hole, which is formed in the other tongue portion and has a diameter slightly greater than a diameter of the small-diameter portion.

Abstract: A self-spotting apparatus for free-weights (101) provides two cable assemblies (107A, 107B) with one end of each cable assembly attached to a free-weight assembly (115) and the opposite end attached to respective linear weight-support assemblies (123A, 123B) via respective weight-responsive engagement blocks (125A, 125B). Guide rods (127A, 127B) allow vertical motion of the engagement blocks and maintain engagement orientation relative to the support assemblies. The engagement blocks engage the respective support assemblies for static support of the free-weight assembly. Lifting of the substantial weight of the free-weight assembly and activation of disengagement bias is required to disengage the engagement blocks from the respective support assemblies to allow free motion of the free-weight assembly. The apparatus provides self-spotting for barbells (115) and dumbbells (247A).

Abstract: According to the present invention, a fixing member is integrated with a mouthpiece body through slide grooves and a rotational groove, and this improves the portability. Moreover, a guide tube can easily be fixed to the mouthpiece body only by rotating the fixing member with the rotational groove. Furthermore, an index is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide tube. The index is composed of scale lines formed at regular intervals and scale numbers formed at predetermined scale lines. The scale numbers represent the distances from a front end of the guide tube to the scale line, and the distances from a back end of the guide tube to the scale line. The index of the guide tube is used in combination with an index formed on an endoscope insertion part, and this makes it possible to correctly recognize the insertion length of the endoscope insertion part inserted into a body cavity of a subject.

Abstract: A system is provided for photographing an open surgical procedure, comprising a high resolution endoscopic video camera, a surgical lamp having a handle covered by a sterile, compressible sheath and being positioned in spaced relation to the open surgical site, and a clamp for securing the video camera to the handle. A preferred clamp for securing the video camera to the handle is also provided.

Abstract: A mechanical weightlifting machine in which the machine has a support structure with an elevated pivot having a pivot axis and an articulating mechanism engaging the pivot. The articulating mechanism having at least one articulating structure with a lever arm that has a depending link connected to the weight being used by the weightlifter. The articulating structure having an adjustment mechanism with a displaceable connection device connected to a counterweight. The adjustment mechanism having means for moving the displaceable connection device relative to the pivot axis and actuation means for actuating the means for moving, in order to vary the effective weight removed from or applied to the weight being used by the weightlifter.

Abstract: A fluorescence endoscope includes an illuminating light projecting system which projects illuminating light onto a part inside a body, a first objective optical system which causes the illuminating light reflected at the part of the body to form a normal image of the part, an excitation light projecting system which projects onto a part inside the body excitation light, and a second objective optical system which causes fluorescence emitted from the part to form a fluorescence image. A normal image CCD takes the image formed by the objective optical system and outputs a normal image signal representing the normal image and a fluorescence image CCD takes the fluorescence image formed by the second objective optical system and outputs a fluorescence image signal representing the fluorescence image. A measuring light projecting system projects measuring light at a wavelength in the wavelength range of the fluorescence onto a part inside the body.

Abstract: Operating an exercise device using a weight-lifting arm thrust delivered similar to execution of a martial art karate maneuver, as permitted by rotatably mounted hand grips, and to the end of increasing the weight of the exercise resistance to the arm thrust.