Abstract: The disclosure is of a device for connecting togetheer two optical devices, and is primarily intended for quick connection and disconnection of two optical devices such as an endoscope and a viewing tube or two lenses.

Abstract: A lithotrite which forms part of an instrument used by urologists for crushing concretions in the urinary tract is provided by the invention as a modified form of the cutting loop of a resectoscope, which is an instrument normally used in transurethral resection procedures.

Abstract: In a resectoscope of the type having inflow and outflow conduits and in which suction is applied to the outflow conduit, a damaged cutting loop must be replaced by blind insertion of the new loop through the annular passage between the tube which surrounds and holds the telescope and the tube which forms the inner boundary of the outflow conduit, and into the opening of a passage through the fixed block of working element. Such insertion is facilitated by the present invention by the addition to the stem of the loop of a member of arcuate cross section having its axis parallel to the stem of the loop, which is positioned adjacent the proximal end of the stem and which engages and at least partially surrounds the tube which surrounds the telescope and which positions and guides the stem of the loop as it is inserted.

Abstract: A resectoscope used in performing transurethral operations has a telescope extending longitudinally of the instrument which is supported and stabilized by an elongated metallic tube which at its proximate end is fixed to the block of the electrotome. In accordance with the invention the distal end of the tube is extended beyond the distal end of the telescope sufficiently that there will be no interference with illumination through the telescope and the distal end of the tube is coated for a substantial distance from its extreme distal end with a material which is nonconductive to electricity, resistant to high temperatures and chemicals used in transurethral procedures, and provides an antifriction surface on a surface to which it adheres.

Abstract: A cutting loop assembly for a resectoscope, which is used in performing transurethral operations, has spaced arms comprising insulated electrically conductive wires extending from a stem and connected at their distal ends by a depending bare wire loop. The arms are extended in length at their distal ends sufficiently that arcing between the upper ends of the depending loop and the adjacent end of the metallic stem of the telescope which forms part of the resectoscope cannot take place at the current and voltage being used. The loop is also inclined from its upper ends to its bottom in a direction proximate to the resectoscope so that its bottom part will cooperate with the lower inner wall of the insulated beak of the sheath of the resectoscope as the cutting loop assembly is moved to rest position, in order to complete a resection which is being performed.

Abstract: The cutting loop assembly forming part of resectoscope is stabilized, strengthened and reinforced by a tube which is slidably mounted on the distal end of the telescope tube and lies between the diverging and parallel arms of the cutting loop and which is shortened at its distal end so that it does not invade the field of vision of the operative field through the telescope tube when the cutting loop is at its maximum distal extension, and the connection of the stabilizing member to the parallel arms of the cutting loop is made by members which extend in a distal direction from the distal end of the stabilizing member, thus compensating for any reduction in the stabilizing and strengthening effect of the tube due to the reduction of its length.