Abstract: A method for use in endoscopic investigations comprises the steps of providing an endoscopic insertion member with a suction line, inserting the endoscopic insertion member with the suction line into a patient, and visually inspecting organic tissues inside the patient with the endoscopic insertion member. To collect a fluid specimen, a port cover on the suction line is moved with respect to the suction line to open a port in the line. A specimen vial is coupled to the suction line at the opened port so that the suction line communicates with the vial. A vacuum is applied to the suction line to draw a fluid specimen into the vial. Subsequently, the vial is detached from the suction line, and the port cover moved back into position to again cover the port.

Abstract: A single axis three way valve for endoscopes. The valve has a repose, closed setting and two active settings. In one active setting, a common port to the endoscope is connected to suction, and in the other active setting it is connected to a source of irrigation liquids. The valve has two spools, one of which is connected to a finger pad for actuation, and which is spring-loaded to a closed position. The other spool is spaced from the first, and also is spring-loaded closed . The first valve is opened by initial movement. Further movement closes its port and abuts the other spool to open its respective port.

Abstract: A side-looking type endoscope which leads out a manipulating tool from the side surface of the end portion thereof. A raising table for raising a manipulating tool is provided at the end portion. An arcuate groove is formed in the raising table in such a manner that the arcuate groove has a linear bottom line and the inclination of the linear bottom line when the raising table is erect is different from the inclination of the wall of the exit passage of the manipulation tool insertion channel. An arcuate groove having a curvature radius suitable for guiding the manipulating tool which is bent when the raising table is erect is formed at a part of the arcuate groove having a linear bottom line, thereby enabling a smooth movement of the manipulating tool.

Abstract: A method of treating obesity comprises a screening phase, a reducing phase, an adaptive phase and a sustaining phase. The reducing and adapting phases involve the consumption of a weight loss beverage as a meal substitute for some meals. The method of treatment involves not only nutrition, but also instruction and involvement in exercise and personal effectiveness.

Abstract: An endoscope stand for supporting an endoscope having a control part where the proximal end portion of a light guide cable includes a light guide connector attached to the distal end thereof and the proximal end portion of an insert tube being connected to each other. The endoscope stand comprises a control part support member for supporting the control part of the endoscope substantially horizontally, an insert tube supporting member which is disposed substantially horizontally to place the insert tube of the endoscope thereon, cover sheets which are impermeable to water. The cover sheets are removably placed on the control part supporting member and the insert tube supporting member, respectively. A light guide connector supporting member supports the light guide connector so that the light guide cable will not touch any of the surroundings.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a handle assembly and an elongate probe defining a channel which extends to a distal end of the endoscope. A fiber is disposed in the channel and has a failure mode characterized by a first bending radius. The channel is potted with a compound which distributes bending stresses along the fiber providing the fiber with a failure mode characterized by a second bending radius shorter than the first bending radius. An associated method includes the step of potting the channel with an epoxy having, in a cured state, a durometer of about Shore 70A.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for presenting information to be learned and/or memorized, wherein the information is reduced to a columnar format, reduced to a reduced text column format which includes only capitalized letters and logical symbols, and further reduced to a fully reduced text cue column format so that the capitalized letters are replaced by fully reduced text symbols; the information is presented by first displaying the topic, topic type and text column format, next displaying the topic, topic type and reduced text cue column format, next displaying the topic, topic type fully reduced text cue column format; and finally concealing topic, topic type, text column, reduced text cue column, and fully reduced text cue column; the information is reinforced by first displaying the topic, topic type and fully reduced text cue column, next displaying the topic, topic type and reduced text cue column, and finally displaying the topic, topic type and text column.

Abstract: A laparoscope assembly has a miniature video camera mounted either proximally or distally in its insertion tube and has an optical fiber bundle that extends to the distal end of the insertion tube from a light source which can be incorporated in a video processor. The light source can be formed of one or more low-wattage metal halide discharge lamps (i.e., 20 watts) with an ellipsoidal reflector to concentrate the visible light from the lamp onto the proximal end of the optical fiber bundle. The lamp produces balanced white visible light but very little infrared.

Abstract: A removable control knob/brake assembly for an endoscope having a handle and an insertion tube. The assembly is intended to be used with endoscopes which use protective bags or sheaths to isolate the insertion tube and the remainder of the handle from the internal environment of a patient. The control knob/brake assembly is not otherwise protected so, after being used, it must be removed for cleaning. A simple push button release mechanism is provided to easily remove the assembly from the handle. Retaining screws and a retaining clip are provided to prevent the control knob/brake assembly from coming apart when the assembly is removed from the handle. To attach the assembly to the handle, it merely is pushed on the handle.

Abstract: A borescope (FIGS. 1 and 4) comprises an objective probe (2) connected to a body (8), an occular assembly (12) pivotally connected to the body so as to be pivotally movable about a pivotal axis (16) extending transversely with respect to the objective probe, and an optical fibre bundle (53) connected to a light source (19) and extending through the probe to illuminate an object presented to the probe. The occular system comprises a housing (11) pivotally connected to the body and cooperating with the body to define a channel (50) through which a flexible portion of the optical fibre bundle extends from the occular assembly into the body whereby pivotal motion of the occular assembly is accommodated by flexure of the optical fibre bundle within the channel. A tubular pivot member (34) is connected to the body and defines the pivotal axis.

Abstract: The present invention allows operating room personnel to easily and expeditiously drape an endoscope. The present invention is preferably made of polyethylene or some other suitable plastic material. The cylindrical drape cartridge itself acts as a shroud and functions as a sterile barrier. The drape cartridge consists of an inner and outer polyethylene tube which retains the polyethylene drape within its walls. The proximal end of the cartridge is mechanically secured by detents and a chamfer that encase a corrugated pattern of the polyethylene drape. The inner tube acts as a mandrel, allowing the drape to be compressed in a manner that accommodates the various lengths of required draping while lessening the bulk of the draping system.

Abstract: A steerable sheath for use with one of several optical catheters is provided to be positioned in a passageway leading to a body cavity of a patient for observation and/or treatment. The apparatus includes an elongated, deformable, hollow body having a distal end and a proximal end. An optical catheter is removably extendable through the body and has a distal end which is alignable with the distal end of the body and a proximal end extendable outwardly beyond the proximal end of the body. An articulatable hollow, cylindrical member is provided within the sheath body at the distal end thereof and extends along the sheath body for a short distance toward the proximal end. A first generally cylindrical yoke is pivotally mounted about an axis at the proximal end of the sheath body. The proximal ends of a first pair of wires which extend longitudinally within the sheath body from the distal end thereof to the proximal end are attached to the first yoke and offset 90.degree. from the first yoke axis.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a sheath has flexibility, and includes a first lumen for guiding a conducting wire in the sheath and a second lumen for injecting contrast medium, which are made of insulating material. The wire exposes itself outside at openings formed in the terminal position of the first lumen, and thus forms a dissecting section for dissecting a contact tissue with supplied high-frequency current. The proximal portion of the sheath is connected to a bifurcating section for bifurcating the sheath into a first path having substantially the same cross-sectional area as the first lumen and communicating with the first lumen for guiding the wire so that the wire will not buckle up and a second path communicating with the second lumen. An operation handle for advancing or withdrawing the wire is connected externally to the back of the first path.

Abstract: An apparatus for endoscopic surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, heel spur syndrome, or other conditions requiring fibrous tissue division and a method for endoscopic treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome are disclosed which include a slotted cannula, an obturator for guiding the cannula into a body opening, an elevator, a retractor, and a hooked surgical knife. The elevator and retractor are used in separating tissue at a surgical opening into the wrist, hand, foot or other location and the obturator and cannula are inserted into the opening for endoscopic division of the carpal ligament, plantar fascia or other tissue. The obturator is removed and a videoarthroscope is inserted in the one end of the cannula while the knife is inserted in the other end to permit direct observation of the procedure as the ligament is divided in one step. The instruments are very small and leave only small openings which reduce the trauma and facilitate early recovery from the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A cavitoscope with a flexible, remotely controlled distal end permits controlled targeting of a field to be visualized within a patient. The cavitoscope incorporates a hinged distal end remotely operable by an extensible cable that pushes on the distal end to cause it to angle away from the axis of the cavitoscope.

Abstract: A method for use in laparascopic surgery comprises the steps of (a) piercing an abdominal skin surface of a patient to form a hole in the skin surface, (b) inserting through the hole a tensile member, (c) lifting the abdominal wall of the patient away from a backside of the patient by exerting tension on the tensile member, and (d) drawing air into the abdominal cavity of the patient during the step of lifting.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, an endoscope is provided which has an imaging tissue or stone removal basket for removal of unwanted tissue or stone from an operative site, such as a body passageway or cavity. The endoscope includes an elongated tube, having a distal end and a proximal end. An elongated basket having a circular distal end with a central opening therein and a proximal end which is attached to the periphery of the distal end of the tube is provided. The basket is formed as a plurality of spaced flexible members which normally bow outwardly between the distal end and the proximal end of the basket. An optic fiber bundle is slidably received within the tube and is of smaller diameter than the tube. Structure is provided for selectively adjusting the optic fiber bundle along the tube so that the distal end of the bundle is selectively located from a position within the circular distal end of the basket to a position at the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: The endoscope for introduction into a hollow organ of a living thing makes it possible for the hollow organ to be pulled against a more solid outer structure and to fix it thereto for the duration of the treatment. The endoscope is therefore provided with a retaining device, which can be used in the outer shaft of the endoscope and is guided therein, and has a plurality of hook elements, on the distal end of which hooks are formed by pushing out from the distal end of the outer shaft as a result of spreading, and with a stop disc which can be adjusted on the outer shaft. Spreading of the hook element ends can be controlled optically. After spreading the hook element ends, the endoscope is drawn back until it rests on the hollow organ in order to fix the hollow organ and secured in this position by means of the stop disc.

Abstract: An apparatus for augmenting exercise of body muscle(s) comprising one or more articles of close-fitting wearing apparel employing one or more removable elongate resistance members, loosely enclosed in passageways along a portion of the length of the apparel, which resistance members releasably anchored at one end to a fixed-in-place member such as a belt or a shoulder harness and attached at the distal end to the extremity of an arm or leg, the apparatus being devised so as to increase the energy required by a user to flex his arms or legs over the energy level necessary without the resistance of the elongate resistance members.

Abstract: An endoscope including a flexible shaft having a distal end which can be deflected by a manually operable mechanism on a handle assembly. The shaft includes an elongate member having longitudinal fins that extend radially outward. A hollow lumen through the core member forms a fluid channel, and the radially extending fins provide channels for accommodating optical fibers and pull wires. The member has a substantially continuous cross-section enabling it to be inexpensively extruded.