Abstract: A surgical instrument for improved viewing of a surgical site by a surgeon from the perspective of a working element of the instrument. The surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft with a distal operating portion extending at least about one-fourth of the length of the shaft. A working element is disposed on a distal end of the shaft. An elongated fiberoptic assembly is included, having image fibers with a distal end with an objective lens for defining a predetermined field-of-view, and a coupling device at a proximal end for coupling same to a viewing system. A mounting device is utilized for mounting the fiberoptic assembly to the shaft along the length of the distal operating portion thereof. The distal end of the image fibers is positioned with a predetermined portion of the working element within the field-of-view of the fiberoptic assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument incorporating visualizing optics is disclosed. The instrument comprises a handle supporting a rigid, curved, hollow shaft, a spherical tip is located on the distal end of the shaft providing a surface that will not tear or easily penetrate tissue. A fiber-optic assembly, containing at least one illumination transmitting fiber, a plurality of image-carrying fibers and an objective lens mounted near the distal end of the image fibers runs the entire length of the shaft. The objective lens is mounted relative to an opening in the tip allowing either axial viewing or side viewing. Light for illuminating the surgical site passes through one or more illumination fibers and through the opening in the spherical tip of the probe. Light reflected from the tissue at the tip of the probe is focused onto the distal face of the image assembly by an objective lens and is then transmitted to the proximal end of the image assembly.

Abstract: A unitary contact laser scalpel for orthopedic or other operative procedures. The scalpel comprises a tapered conical member in part of ceramic or similar material characterized by high strength and low coefficient of thermal conductivity. A cylindrical passage is formed along and through the central axis of the ceramic member into which an optical fiber is secured. The distal end of the optical fiber may be oriented flush with the tapered end of the conical member or it may define a tapered extension of the ceramic material. The tapered end of the conical member may have a narrow diameter generally in the order of twice that of the optical fiber and may be coated with an enamel material. Alternatively, a larger diameter optical fiber may be employed with the combination of ceramic and fiber being formed as a conical contour.