Abstract: An endoscope including a handle; and a shaft extending from the handle. The shaft has a front end with a first active deflection section and a second active deflection section. The first active deflection section is limited to deflection in a first plane and the second active deflection section is limited to deflection in a second different plane. The first plane is angled to the second plane.

Abstract: A flexible ureteropyeloscope having a control section and a shaft extending from the control section. The shaft has a front end with a first active deflection section connected in series with a second active deflection section. The control section is adapted to independently deflect the first and second defection sections. The first and second active deflection sections are adapted to deflect such that a distal end of the ureteropyeloscope can be placed in a calyx of a lower pole of a kidney without the need to passively deflect the front end of the shaft against kidney tissue of a patient to reach the calyx of the lower pole.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising a control section and a shaft extending from the control section. The shaft has a frame with a one-piece tube along a majority of a length of the shaft. The tube comprises a superelastic alloy and slots into the tube along at least one-section of the tube. Superelastic properties of the superelastic alloy allow the tube to bend proximate the slots without substantial permanent deformation of the tube. The superelastic alloy provides the shaft with adequate stiffness and torque resistance to be inserted into a patient's body.

Abstract: A flexible ureteropyeloscope having a control section and a shaft extending from the control section. The shaft has a front end with a first active deflection section connected in series with a second active deflection section. The control section is adapted to independently deflect the first and second defection sections. The first and second active deflection sections are adapted to deflect such that a distal end of the ureteropyeloscope can be placed in a calyx of a lower pole of a kidney without the need to passively deflect the front end of the shaft against kidney tissue of a patient to reach the calyx of the lower pole.

Abstract: An endoscope having a control section and a shaft extending from the control section. The shaft comprises an outer cover; a tubular braid member located, at least partially, inside the outer cover; and a support frame located, at least partially, inside the tubular braid member. The support frame comprises a shape memory member which is spiral shaped. The shape memory member is comprised of a superelastic shape memory alloy. A first length of the support frame comprises the shape memory member having a first width and/or thickness a second length of the tubular shape comprises the shape memory member having a different second width and/or thickness such that the support frame has different respective stiffnesses along the first and second lengths.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising a handle and a flexible shaft connected to the handle. The flexible shaft has an active deflection section and a passive deflection section with a control wire support member therein. The endoscope also has a control wire connected to the active deflection section. A portion of the control wire is housed in the control wire support member. The control wire support member is made from a superelastic alloy material and is resiliently deflectable bending with the passive deflection section without permanent deformation or substantial fatigue over a working life of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope having a shaft with a semi-rigid tube and a malleable tube. The malleable tube is connected to and extends from a distal end of the semi-rigid tube. The connection of the two tubes includes dimples stamped into the semi-rigid tube that inwardly project into holes in the malleable tube.

Abstract: An endoscope having a shaft with a deflectable section. The deflectable section has a plurality of rings movably connected in series to each other. The rings are connected to each other by first and second interlocking sections. The first interlocking sections have eyelet shaped sections. The second interlocking sections have tabs with sections larger than the windows in the eyelet shaped sections.

Abstract: A resectoscope with a working element and an electrode. The working element has a movable actuator assembly with a receiving area for receiving a proximal end of the electrode. The receiving area has an entrance, a plug area, and a curved section between the entrance and the plug area. The electrode has a proximal end with a connection section for connection to an electrical plug connector in the plug area. The proximal end also has a flexible section next to the connection section. The flexible section resiliently deforms along the curved section of the receiving area in the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A pivotable handle assembly for an endoscope such as an operative laparoscope having a proximal end is shown. The handle assembly includes a handle support operatively connected to the proximal end of a laparoscope. A handle including a mounting end is operatively connected by a member to the handle support. The mounting end is pivotally attached to the handle support enabling the handle to be pivoted relative to the operative laparoscope.In the preferred embodiment, the operating laparoscope is a video operating laparoscope and includes an image transferring member for producing an optical image at the proximal end of the laparoscope. A video camera is operatively connected to the proximal end to receive the optical image.A method for using the video operating laparoscope with a pivotable handle assembly in a surgical procedure is also shown.

Abstract: A flexible ureteropyeloscope having a control section and a shaft extending from the control section. The shaft has a front end with a first active deflection section connected in series with a second active deflection section. The control section is adapted to independently deflect the first and second defection sections. The first and second active deflection sections are adapted to deflect such that a distal end of the ureteropyeloscope can be placed in a calyx of a lower pole of a kidney without the need to passively deflect the front end of the shaft against kidney tissue of a patient to reach the calyx of the lower pole.