Abstract: A tissue cutter with forceps-like handles at its proximal end for actuating the cutter. The cutter includes a tube to receive cut-off pieces of tissue. A stripper strips the pieces of tissue from a cutting tool. A stripper rod, which is spring-loaded and subject to being locked and released moves the tissue into the tube, this operation being accomplished by completion of a cutting sequence.

Abstract: A dilator for surgical use having a ball on the end of a thin stiff stem. A plurality of telescoping tubes are adapted to be slid along the stem and atop one another so as successively to enlarge the path opened by the dilator. An endoscope shaft can be slid over the set of tubes so as to occupy the region they have enlarged, and to permit them and the probe to be withdrawn so an endoscopic procedure can be performed.

Abstract: An injection breathing laryngoscope which includes an outer laryngoscope tube having a proximal and a distal open end, said tube having an inner wall which forms a passage between the ends, and an insert tube insertable into the proximal end of said passage, and itself having an inner and an outer wall, the inner wall defining a second passage open from end to end. The outer wall of the insert fits in the inner wall of the laryngoscope tube, and the inner wall of the insert supports a fiber optics bundle tube and a gas injection tube, the insert, when fully installed in the laryngoscope tube, terminates within the laryngoscope tube at a location substantially spaced from the distal end of the laryngoscope tube. The tubes are rotatable relative to one another. If desired, the inner wall of the laryngoscope tube and the outer wall of the insert tube can have matching, locking conical tapers to lock the tubes in an adjusted relative position.

Abstract: An injection syringe useful in the medical arts for injecting high viscosity pastes, especially in endoscopic applications. The syringe includes a long cylinder with a relatively small diameter bore. A relatively short cannula can be connected to the cylinder to receive paste from the bore. The cylinder has a large hoop strength, and may be flexible. Paste is extruded by a piston assembly which includes a driven piston and a flexible piston rod adapted to be advanced by a grip mechanism. Preferably the piston rod is a flexible wire which includes a plurality of balls that are spindled on it, and are side-supported by the cylinder.

Abstract: Transmission system for digital control of electrical devices, by means of standardized or uniformly releasable pulse combinations corresponding to the desired control operations, which pulse combinations are sent selectively at least from a first and a second of the devices to be controlled to a two-conductor line system, which line system connects all devices in parallel with each other, whereby the connection line is under a constant bias voltage.

Abstract: A divisible outer tube for a rectoscope is provided which can be opened up for removing the rectoscope therefrom during an examining procedure, such structure maintaining air tightness for ballooning the intestines and also maintaining convenience for working in combination with a colonoscope. A bayonet joint is provided between the rectoscope and the outer tube for releasable connection.

Abstract: A concave mirror is mounted on a head band and is associated with a light source for lighting an area to be inspected for medical purposes. A support for the mirror has a viewing path in which is incorporated a prism which is constructed to have a main viewing path for use by the person wearing the head band and to have a branch path for viewing by a second person. A viewing tube and eyepiece is secured to the support for viewing the branch path of the prism, and such tube is of sufficient length to allow convenient viewing by the second person.

Abstract: The distal insulated end of an endoscope shaft has an inner layer made from a material having a higher heat resistance than the material in the insulated end. Such heat resistant layer preferably contains a ceramic material and is constructed as an inner ring which is inserted and cemented into a correspondingly sized inner groove in the insulating material.

Abstract: An endoscope shaft directs its rays into a camera lens and a shutter is provided to control exposure of film to the rays. At least two viewfinders are arranged in spaced relation for viewing by two or more persons simultaneously, and movable beam splitting prisms in the paths of the rays deflect rays from the lens into the viewfinders for the simultaneous viewing by the two or more persons.

Abstract: Support means is provided for mounting an ultrasonic oscillator for engaging washing water in a conventional sink, for use in cleaning medical instruments. One form of support means is an overflow pipe adapted to be inserted at its lower end in the drain opening of a conventional sink and stabilized at its upper end by an arm extended pivotally from the oscillator power supply control positioned adjacent the sink, the oscillator being mounted on the upper end of the overflow pipe and the overflow pipe having a water inlet opening intermediate its ends for establishing the maximum level of washing water in the sink. Another form of support means is a float structure adapted to float on washing water contained in a conventional sink, the float structure mounting an ultrasonic oscillator for engaging the washing water.

Abstract: The elongated, hollow, thin-walled metal shaft of an operation endoscope is lined internally throughout its length by a separate thin-walled sleeve of electrical insulating material, the shaft and sleeve being mounted removably on a common head independently of each other in such manner that they are separable by relative longitudinal movement in the direction by which the sleeve is retracted rearwardly relative to the shaft, thereby affording retraction and replacement of the sleeve without removing the shaft from the operation site.