Abstract: A battery operated medical instrument that can operate on either rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries or can be recharged using either a 120 Volt or a 220 Volt outlet.

Abstract: A convertible battery handle is provided in which an extended end cap contains a drive spring electrically insulated from the battery circuits to physically hold the rechargeable battery pack or non-rechargeable battery cells in proper position and a coaxial helical spring electrically connected into the battery circuit. The helical spring has a length insufficient to make electrical contact when the handle is utilized with a rechargeable battery pack, but when a pair of non-rechargeable dry cells are positioned in the handle the electrical circuit is completed through the spring. A safety diode is placed in the series with the electrical circuit for the non-rechargeable cells to prevent inadvertent charging of the cells.

Abstract: A blood pressure measuring device including a housing, a rubber bulb connected to the housing for providing fluid under pressure to a cuff and a gauge on the housing for indicating the pressure of the fluid in the cuff. In the housing there is a piston and rolling diaphragm assembly arranged so that the piston is moved by the fluid under pressure. The piston in turn moves the free end of a leaf spring operatively connected to the gauge needle whereby movement of the piston causes the needle to rotate with respect to its dial. The leaf spring is engaged by an adjustable fulcrum that can be moved on one axis to adjust for the zero setting of the gauge needle and on another axis to control the spring rate of the spring. By controlling the spring rate, the gauge can be accurately calibrated. The adjustments for the fulcrum are accesible from the exterior of the housing. The device also includes a valve for bleeding the fluid under pressure and a trigger element for operating the valve.

Abstract: A battery handle for an electrically illuminated diagnostic instrument, the handle being able to accommodate either non-rechargeable or rechargeable cells. The handle is constructed so that rechargeable cells can be recharged without removing the cells from the handle. Non-rechargeable cells are insulated from the recharging circuit so that if the handle is inadvertently placed in a recharging unit with non-rechargeable cells in it, the latter will not be damaged. The handle includes a neck portion to which different diagnostic instruments can be releasably connected, and with no instruments attached the neck portion can be used as a general illuminator with particular utility as a throat illuminator.

Abstract: An improved construction for electrically illuminated otoscopes whereby more light is provided and the light is whiter and more uniform than the light output of prior art instruments. To obtain more light, a larger than normal lamp is employed which preferably is a halogen lamp as the latter gives a whiter light than a vacuum lamp and has a longer life span. Since a larger lamp produces more heat and would be more of an obstruction if positioned in the usual location, the lamp is positioned in the base of the instrument and its light is transmitted from there to a point in the viewing passage through the instrument by a bundle of optical fibers. The fiber bundle minimizes viewing passage obstruction and assists in providing the uniform, diffuse illumination that is desired without light loss.