Abstract: An otoscope comprises a guide tube which is to be inserted into the external auditory meatus of a patient and a side-viewing microscope which is reciprocated through the guide tube. A light beam direction-diverting device is provided in the distal end section of the guide tube. Where the microscope is in a retracted position, the light beam direction-diverting device faces an illumination window and observation window in the lateral wall of the distal end section of the microscope to divert light beams emitted from the illumination window ahead of the microscope in its axial direction and light beams conducted to the guide tube along the microscope toward the observation window. The microscope protrudes from the proximal end of the guide tube. When, therefore, the proximal end of the microscope is pushed into the guide tube, the distal end of the microscope protrudes from the distal end of the guide tube. A microscope-actuating device is provided between the guide tube and microscope.

Abstract: A high frequency electrosurgical instrument for an endoscope comprises a flexible tube which has at a distal end portion a pair of wire guiding holes spaced from each other in the axial direction of the tube. In the distal end portion of the tube a flexible coil is inserted, which extends at least between the wire guiding holes. An electrode wire extends in the tube from a distal end of the flexible coil, comes out of the tube through the wire guiding hole located adjacent to the distal end of the tube, reenters the tube through the wire guiding hole located adjacent to the proximal end of the tube and through a pair of turns of the coil which are located near the latter wire guiding hole, extends through the tube to the proximal end of the tube, and is connected to a high frequency power source. The electrode wire is reciprocable within the tube, except for its distal end portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for resecting tissue inside the human body cavity by means of high-frequency currents which comprises an electrically insulating elongate tubular sheath, a first electrode exposed at the distal end portion of the sheath, a snare capable of advance and retreat within the sheath and bringing tissue to be resected which is grasped thereby into close contact with the first electrode, the snare constituting a second electrode, the snare constituting a second electrode, a control wire capable of advance and retreat within the sheath and coupled to the snare, whereby the snare is controlled, and a means for supplying high-frequency currents to the snare and the first electrode through the interior of the sheath.

Abstract: A laser knife comprises a tubular member adapted to be inserted into the coeloma by passing through the forceps channel of an endoscope, a laser radiation emitter and acceptor disposed in opposing relationship with each other on the distal end of the tubular member, a laser radiation transmission member for conveying laser radiation to the emitter, a laser oscillator for supplying laser radiation to the transmission member for the purpose of cauterizing an affected part, and means for conveying laser radiation impinging on the acceptor to the outside of a physical body subsequent to the completion of cautery.

Abstract: A laser knife comprises a tubular member adapted to be passed through a forceps channel of an endoscope for insertion into a coeloma, holders disposed at the distal end of the tubular member for holding an affected part within the coeloma which is to be cauterized, a laser radiation transmission member for irradiating the affected part held by the holders with radiation from a laser, and a pad on the holders for accepting the laser radiation subsequent to the completion of the cautery, thus preventing the irradiation of normal tissues with the laser radiation.

Abstract: An endoscope has a control section and a tube section connected to the control section to be conducted into the body cavity, wherein a channel running through the tube section contains a guide tube which is made flexible along the entire length or near the distal end portion, and reciprocates through the channel, thereby causing the distal end portion of the guide tube to be pushed out of or be withdrawn into the distal end portion of the tube section, a wire, one end of which is fixed to the distal end of the guide tube is received in the tube section so as to be pulled toward the control section, and the distal end portion of the guide tube pushed out of the distal end of the tube section can be freely flexed by the pulling force of the wire.

Abstract: A laser knife includes a tubular member adapted to be inserted into the coeloma by being inserted into the forceps channel of an endoscope, a pair of oppositely located laser radiation emitter and acceptor members on the distal end of the tubular member, a laser radiation receiving element disposed on the acceptor for accepting laser radiation which is used for purpose of cautery subsequent to the completion thereof and performing a photoelectric conversion of such radiation, a laser radiation transmission member for transmitting laser radiation to the emitter, and a laser radiation isolator interposed between the transmission member and a laser oscillator and responsive to a laser radiation accept signal from the element for interrupting the supply of laser radiation into the transmission member. In this manner, unwanted irradiation of normal tissues with the laser radiation is automatically terminated after a desired affected part has been cauterized.

Abstract: An instrument is adapted to be inserted through an endoscope channel into the body cavity of the human being together with an endoscope and remove a foreign substance such as polyp and stone within the body cavity of the human being. The instrument has trap means separable from the elongated tubular instrument body and the trap means are left within the body cavity of the human being, while being supported from the forward end of the supporting wire introduced into the body cavity of the human being together with the tubular instrument body, after they trap the foreign substances. The trapped foreign substances are drawn out through a supporting wire from within the body cavity of the human being together with the trap means when the endoscope is withdrawn from within the body cavity of the human being.

Abstract: A medical instrument such as forceps attached to an endoscope, wherein a base member is provided at the base end of the forceps; a slider connected by wire to a movable head fitted to the tip of the forceps is slidably mounted on a base member provided at the base end of the forceps; a bore formed in the slider contains a pawl, and a spring and stem both cooperating in urging the pawl for engagement with toothed portions formed on the base member; when the knob portion of the stem projecting outward from the bore is depressed, then the pawl is disengaged from the toothed portions and as the result, the knob portion is so actuated as to tilt the stem sideways for latching, thereby keeping the pawl in a disengaged position, and allowing the slider freely to slide over the base member.

Abstract: The forceps device for an endoscope includes a toggle joint operated through a wire coupling by the wire operation. Said toggle joint has a pair of forceps levers whose forward end portions constitute an operating section and whose intermediate portions are pivotally supported, and a pair of links connected between the base ends of said pair of forceps levers and said wire coupling.

Abstract: An apparatus for ligation of affected part in coeloma comprises an inner and an outer flexible tube. A ligature or tie-up thread is provided with a loop formation, one end of which is disposed within the inner tube. The outer tube houses the loop formation, the inner tube and a pair of holding wires which are associated with the loop formation. In use, the outer tube is inserted into a coeloma and then retracted relative to the inner tube to move the loop formation out of the outer tube, whereupon the holding wires cooperate with the loop formation to extend it into an enlarged loop, which is then engaged with an affected part in the coeloma. Subsequently, one end of the loop formation is externally pulled through the inner tube, reducing the area of the loop for the purpose of ligation of the affected part.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an electrode operating member which is disposed within the distal end portion of an electrically insulating flexible tube which is adapted to be inserted into a coeloma. A plurality of electrodes for treating an affected part are attached to the electrode operating member, which is in turn moved by an operating wire passing through the tube, thereby enabling a movement of the electrodes out of or back into an opening formed in the end of the flexible tube. A high frequency current is supplied to the electrodes through the operating wire or a separate power cable.

Abstract: A clip member of substantially a figure "eight" shape is detachably attached to an instrument body. The instrument body has an outer flexible tube, an actuating tubular member inserted into the outer tube, and a wire inserted into the actuating tubular member. A holder is detachably mounted through a guide member to the forward end portion of the actuating member. To the forward end of the wire is secured a hook member for anchoring the clip member. A pair of clamping portions of the clip member is opened by forcefully engaging a pair of offset portions of the clip member with the inner surface of the holder, and closed by forcefully engaging a pair of intersecting portions with the inner surface of the holder. As a result, any affected portion of a body cavity of a human being is clipped by the clip member associated with the holder. The clip member, together with the holder, is left within the body cavity with the clamping portions thereof closed.