Abstract: An investment cast bronze end effector blade for a disposable laparoscopic surgical instrument having a push rod is disclosed. The end effector blade has an aperture for engaging either the push rod or a connecting staple which couples the push rod of the instrument to the end effector blade. The end effector blade has a body member having a sharp edge element and a base element integral with integral first and second masses of bronze. The base element is an extended portion substantially parallel to and in an offset configuration with the sharp edge portion, and includes an aperture to which the push rod or connecting staple couples. The first mass of bronze integral with the investment cast end effector blade bridges the offset configuration between the sharp edge element and the base element. The second mass of bronze integral with the investment cast blade partially surrounds the aperture of the base element and extends to the end of the base element remote from the sharp edge portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning the body of a patient in relation to equipment for contactless comminution of concrements such that the focal point of equipment is made to coincide with a concrement; the patient who lies on a rest which is moved with the patient on it in a longitudinal direction, tilted about it, and moved also laterally and in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal and lateral directions of movement; a water filled cushion with controlled water level is adapted for interpositioning between the equipment for comminution and focusing, and the patient, a plurality of differently oriented X-ray beams are provided for locating a concrement in the patient and images are marked through a light pen or the like on X-ray monitors; a control provides for homing-in the rest in relation to the comminution equipment such that its focal point coincides with the concrement as previously detected.

Abstract: A cryosurgical probe having a probe head which is cooled by Joule-Thomson cooling, and is then used to freeze bodily tissue during a surgical procedure. A steerable catheter is connected between the probe head and a probe handle to enable the probe head to be guided with safety and precision along arteries of the body to the target area.