Abstract: In an endoscope designed for laser lithotripsy use is made of a laser lithotripsy unit having a guide tube insertable in the barrel of the endoscope, which guide tube encloses a laser light guide which carries at its distal end a fused-on head to concentrate the beam. The laser light guide is guided in the guide tube so as to be axially displaceable and immobilizable, thus making it possible for the distance between the head and the concretion intended for destruction to be adjusted to obtain optimum energy transmission, the relevant conditions being maintained during the operation by virtue of the fact that the distal end of the guide tube for the lithotripsy unit is held in contact with the concretion.

Abstract: A uretero-renoscope assembly comprises a first shaft to accommodate an optical system and an auxiliary instrument passage, this first shaft being connected at its proximal end to a housing provided with connections for a light conductor cable and for the infeed or discharge of flushing fluid or the like. The first shaft has a cross-sectional area which decreases in steps in the distal direction, and has a circular cross-section at its proximal end which merges into an oval cross-section at the distal end. A second shaft of circular cross-section can be pushed onto the first, with the first shaft in position in the ureter after withdrawal of the uretero-renoscope, forming a further stepped increase in cross-section and providing a further passage, for example for flushing fluid.

Abstract: An endoscope, in particular a resectoscope, for excising tissue, having a barrel insertable into a body cavity for feeding in and draining out an irrigating liquid and for carrying a working element which can be actuated from the proximal end of the endoscope and whose field of activity can be monitored visually through an endoscope telescope positioned at the proximal end of the endoscope, in which to protect a surgeon, a protective shield can be releasably secured on a lengthwise segment of the endoscope, namely on a lengthwise segment comprising those segments of the working element and of the endoscope telescope which project proximally from the barrel of the endoscope.

Abstract: An instrument such as a ureterotome for slitting stenoses in bodily passages. A shaft for inserting into the ureter has a blade set in a distal shaft portion. During insertion the blade projects axially with a distal rounded-off cutter extremity out of the shaft this being its inoperative position. When the shaft is in place the blade may be outwardly pivoted through a distally open longitudinal slot of the shaft by means of a proximal handle and of a traction wire. The shaft being traversed laterally beside the blade by a passage for passing through a guiding wire by means of which the ureterotome is introduced into the ureter.

Abstract: For widening puncture channels of the kidney, use is made of catheters increasing by steps in diameter, which are inserted consecutively into the kidney through a puncture channel over a guiding rod. One of the catheters is equipped, beside its central passage, with a guiding passage parallel to the former and intended for a second guiding wire.

Abstract: An instrument for endoscopic operations has trocar sleeve and a trocar sleeve insert which can be introduced and axially displaced in the trocar sleeve. In the working position, the trocar sleeve insert protrudes beyond the trocar sleeve in the distal region. The trocar sleeve can be fixed by flexible auxiliary instruments in the region of the organ to be treated. The trocar sleeve insert can be fixed in the organ wall by sealing lips.

Abstract: A uretero-renoscope comprises a renoscope shaft and interchangeable first and second optical systems which can be inserted through the shaft and coupled to it at its proximal end. The first optical system has a straight-through objective and is also adapted to allow the passage through it of instruments such as a stone disintegrator. To enable the kidney and/or ureter to be inspected for debris after disintegration of a stone, the first optical system can be withdrawin from the shaft, leaving the shaft in place in the urinary tract, and replaced by a second optical system having a delfected angle of view, suitably of about 70.degree. C. this avoids the necessity of withdrawing and replacing the shaft itself.

Abstract: An instrument insert for a uretero-renoscope comprises a hollow elongate shaft proximally connectible through an outer shaft of the uretero-renoscope and having an optical system extending through it. A steerable deflector device for a flexible auxiliary instrument extending through the insert being provided proximally adjacent the distal objective of the optical system, whereby the distal end of an instrument such as a cannula passing through the insert shaft can be guided from the proximal end of the uretero-renoscope while being viewed through the optical system.

Abstract: The ureteral renoscope comprises a shaft of oval or egg-shaped cross-section which is divided by an inner shaft into two axial passages of which one is traversed by an optical system and the other is traversed by an auxiliary instrument. Cross-sectional space is left free in each of said passages for the inflow and outflow of scavenging fluid.

Abstract: A device for shattering stones in bodily cavities or ducts; incorporating an endoscope. A passage for auxiliary instruments and for flushing of a bodily cavity extends through the shaft of the endoscope. A casing section at one end of the endoscope comprising a light connector stub and an angled eyepiece element. The casing section may have coupled to it an insertion element comprising two closable passages, of which one is for passing a stone disintegrator instrument and the other is for passing a flexible probe locating the stone. Both said passages communicate with the adjacent end of a cross-sectionally substantially oval passage through the shaft.

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: This invention relates to coupling members for coupling an optical system to an endoscope shaft, of the kind comprising a locking ring whose proximal terminal surface has an excision through which may pass an annular collar of the optical system insertible into the shaft, and having a radial guiding stud which is engagable in a groove or slot of the shaft provided with an inclination and which, by twisting out of the insertion position of the optical system, couples the optical system to the shaft in the manner of a bayonet joint. According to this invention, the locking ring has an internal annular groove arranged to receive a spring bent into a circular or partially circular shape and bearing against the bottom of the groove. One end of the spring is connected to the locking ring and the other end of the spring is connected to the shaft. When the annular collar is inserted in the locking ring, the spring is reduced in circumference and is stressed by rotation of the locking ring.

Abstract: This invention relates to resectoscopes of the kind comprising an optical system extending through a shaft and an HF cutting electrode which is axially displaceable by means of a guided bearer on a guide traversing the optical system and is rotatable together with the shaft around the axis of the optical system.According to the invention, the optical system is a stereo system that provides a viewing angle of 180.degree., and a cylinder is provided with a fastening device to secure the proximal end of the cutting electrode. The cylinder is rotatably and axially displaceably installed within the guided bearer in the guide traversing the optical system. This guide is of polygonal cross-section and is rotatable conjointly with the cutting electrode and the shaft around the axis of the optical system.

Abstract: This invention relates to endoscopes comprising for inserting an implant liner into an opening through a stricture in the urethra.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices for injecting pastes or fluid substances into human obturation organs or sphincters by means of an injection tube which is axially displaceable through an endoscope shaft combined with an optical system and is provided with a distal cannular, and which proximally with respect to the connector member, joining the same to the endoscope stem is connected to a head, which is displaceable on a proximal reinforcing sleeve traversed by said optical system, and is chargeable with paste.According to the invention a cylinder which is arranged to be filled with material to be injected is connected to the injection tube. A piston is screwable into the open proximal extremity of the cylinder and this piston is provided with external handle means, specifically a head wheel, and the cylinder is joined to the displaceable head.

Abstract: Endoscope instrument assembly in which a dual channel guide member, containing a telescope in one channel and a support for a slitting blade in the other channel, is displaceable from an inner barrel and replaceable by a separate elongated tube which is sized to receive the same telescope and which has at its distal end an annular cutting edge.

Abstract: A cutting loop device for a resectoscope comprising two arms carrying two parallel cutting loops of wire in the distal end region of the device, the more proximal of said cutting loops being connectable via one of said arms to the live pole of a high frequency current source and the more distal of said cutting loops being connectable via the other of said arms to the neutral pole of said source.

Abstract: A resectoscope has an outer barrel and an inner tube which have, at a distal end region of the resectoscope, respective angled portions which constitute the jaws of a forceps having, at a proximal end region of the resectoscope, a scissors grip comprising two limbs which are connected to the barrel and the inner tube respectively, the inner tube being adapted to receive an optical system to be passed therethrough, and an insulated cutting loop being carried by one of the jaws.