Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the automatic identification of components of medical apparatus systems, in particular, components of endoscopy systems. There is provided a unit which is separate from at least one of the components (30a, 30b) to be identified, this unit includes a write-read head. This unit may for example be one of the system components such as a camera head (18) in a video endoscope system. Each component to be identified includes a writable and readable data carrier which stores data signals indicating component parameters. Contents of the data carrier can be read in by transmission of the data to the write-read head from the separate unit and may here be registered and where appropriate, activate control and/or regulation procedures.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-surgical instrument having a probe stem whose distal end is provided with an electrode connectable to an HF current source. To enable the electrode to be used both for coagulation and for resection accompanied by coagulation, the electrode has a part-spherical portion and an annular portion. This annular portion is arranged to project up at an angle from a plane face of the part-spherical portion.

Abstract: A technoscope for internal inspection of plant such as special aircraft power units equipped with non-circular, preferably cornered (e.g. square) wall ports comprises a rigid first metal guide shaft of non-circular cross-section insertible into one of the wall ports and having a lateral distal outlet guide, and a guiding element which passes through said first guide shaft and has a flexible distal portion, an intermediate portion whose cross-section matches that of the first guide shaft and a proximal control system for controlled deflection of said flexible distal end. The guiding element is used to guide a flexible endoscope shaft to the desired site within the plant to be inspected.

Abstract: This invention relates to a piezoelectric transducer for generating ultrasonic oscillations, in which a bolt joining two metal elements clamping the transducer elements is constructed as a flushing passage, and to which a curved tubular shaft is connected via an end fitting comprising a passage. The shaft has its internal diameter enlarged as far as beyond the area of its curvature, and the bolt is traversed on the one hand by a plastics material tube connectible to the end fitting and may be connected at the proximal side of the transducer to a flushing pipe.

Abstract: This invention relates to piezoelectric transducers for generating ultrasonic oscillations having an end fitting joined to a distal metal element of a transducer which is connected to a wire emerging in the form of a loop structure. The invention consists in that the loop structure receiving the stone which is to be broken up comprises several wire strands forming a basket, which are coupled together at the extremities of the basket by means of tubular coupling elements and extent to the end fitting in twisted form.

Abstract: A device for removing excrescences and polyps in a body cavity, has a resilient wire loop for fitting around the excresence or polyp, at the distal end of a tubular guide and connectible to a voltage source, the loop being movable by a proximal handle between a position in which the loop is retracted in the guide and an expanded position in which two opposed sides thereof terminate in a distal bulge, one of the sides of the loop having an inwardly kinked proximal portion in front of the distal end of the guide and the other side of the loop having at least two outwardly pointing kinks.