Abstract: A method for forming a lens housing containing a polymeric lens including inserting a mandrel having a distal face with negative features of the desired polymeric lens into a cylinder and filling a reservoir formed between the distal face and a distal end of the cylinder with a curable polymeric lens material. The curable polymeric lens material is cured in place within the reservoir thereby forming the desired polymeric lens. The proximal surface of the polymeric lens is formed and shaped by the distal face of the mandrel, while the distal surface of the polymeric lens is dependent upon the amount of the curable polymeric lens material placed in the reservoir and the volume of the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for forming a lens housing containing a polymeric lens including inserting a mandrel having a distal face with negative features of the desired polymeric lens into a cylinder and filling a reservoir formed between the distal face and a distal end of the cylinder with a curable polymeric lens material. The curable polymeric lens material is cured in place within the reservoir thereby forming the desired polymeric lens. The proximal surface of the polymeric lens is formed and shaped by the distal face of the mandrel, while the distal surface of the polymeric lens is dependent upon the amount of the curable polymeric lens material placed in the reservoir and the volume of the reservoir.

Abstract: Optical systems for flexible and rigid endoscopes that have a low diffraction limit and small geometrical optical aberrations, the systems including an aperture stop where the diameter can be adjusted to select either higher resolution or higher depth of field. The optical systems can include a lens group either to focus on different object distances or on a fixed average object distance. The aperture stop can be adjusted to increase either depth of field or resolution dependent on the endoscopic and surgical situation. Simple symbols help the surgeon to adjust the aperture stop to these situations. The surgeon can either look around the body cavity with large depth of field but moderate overall resolution or focus on a small area with less depth of field but greater resolution. The balance between resolution and depth of field can be adjusted by an automatic image control. Fields in the image field are defined and software used in the camera controller analyzes the sharpness of the different fields.

Abstract: Optical systems for flexible and rigid endoscopes that have a low diffraction limit and small geometrical optical aberrations, the systems including an aperture stop where the diameter can be adjusted to select either higher resolution or higher depth of field. The optical systems can include a lens group either to focus on different object distances or on a fixed average object distance. The aperture stop can be adjusted to increase either depth of field or resolution dependent on the endoscopic and surgical situation. Simple symbols help the surgeon to adjust the aperture stop to these situations. The surgeon can either look around the body cavity with large depth of field but moderate overall resolution or focus on a small area with less depth of field but greater resolution. The balance between resolution and depth of field can be adjusted by an automatic image control. Fields in the image field are defined and software used in the camera controller analyzes the sharpness of the different fields.

Abstract: A directional illumination system for use with an endoscope for creating shadows in an object field for improving depth perception and contrast. The directional illumination system includes an endoscope distal tip including a plurality of light ports and a plurality of illumination fibers extending within the endoscope distal tip and arranged to direct light through the plurality of light ports onto an object field. At least one light source is operatively coupled to the plurality of illumination fibers for supplying light to the illumination fibers. A switching mechanism is operatively coupled to the plurality of illumination fibers and the at least one light source for selectively delivering light to the illumination fibers.

Abstract: A battery powered surgical handpiece system including a surgical instrument having a housing containing a motor and a motor controller portion, and a battery pack configured for detachably coupling to the surgical instrument, the battery pack including a thermoelectric cooler. The thermoelectric cooler is directly thermally coupled between the motor controller portion and a thermally conductive element supported by the battery pack, the thermally conductive element being movable between a first position where the thermally conductive element is spaced apart from an internal housing of the battery pack and a second position where the thermally conductive element is thermally coupled to and between an external housing of the battery pack and the internal housing of the battery pack.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to a digital controller for surgical handpieces. The controller is programmable and configurable by software which may be used with a variety of types of handpieces. The controller is equipped with environmental sensors that detect pressure, humidity and temperature, and operational sensors that detect the angle and placement of the rotor of a motor. These sensors provide data used for testing and evaluating the function of the handpiece. A filter program is provided which removes electronic noise from collected data. The controller includes an electronic memory writer and reader to download firmware, control parameters for handpiece operation and read logged data from sensors to determine motor function. The sensor includes a hermetic enclosure constructed from a heat conducting material and that is non-ferromagnetic to allow communication between the trigger and controller.

Abstract: A method of assembling an optical relay assembly including forming a line of optical components within an optical component aligning groove of a first base member and directing the line of optical components from the optical component receiving groove into a cylinder covered by a shrinkable tube. The cylinder, line of optical components and shrinkable tube are then positioned within a cylinder receiving groove of a second base member and the line of optical components are extruded from the cylinder into the shrinkable tube. The line of optical components and shrinkable tube are advanced along the cylinder receiving groove and through a heating area for shrinking the shrinkable tube about the line of optical components.

Abstract: A rongeur including a stationary shaft having a length that terminates in a foot plate, a cutting slide slideably coupled with the stationary shaft and terminating in a cutting edge, a breach extending between the foot plate and the cutting edge for receiving human tissue, and handle means for slidably moving the cutting slide longitudinally relative to the shaft member. The cutting slide is provided with a pair of opposing tracking arms arranged about a distal end of the cutting slide and a third tracking arm arranged about the proximal end of the cutting slide. The tracking arms are slidably and detachably received within corresponding tracking slots in the shaft member when the rongeur is in a closed position. The tracking arms are disengaged from the tracking slots by rotating the cutting slide about a pivot axis that extends substantially parallel to the length of the shaft member thereby placing the rongeur in an open position.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to a digital controller for surgical handpieces. The controller is programmable and configurable by software which may be used with a variety of types of handpieces. The controller is equipped with environmental sensors that detect pressure, humidity and temperature, and operational sensors that detect the angle and placement of the rotor of a motor. These sensors provide data used for testing and evaluating the function of the handpiece. A filter program is provided which removes electronic noise from collected data. The controller includes an electronic memory writer and reader to download firmware, control parameters for handpiece operation and read logged data from sensors to determine motor function. The sensor includes a hermetic enclosure constructed from a heat conducting material and that is non-ferromagnetic to allow communication between the trigger and controller.

Abstract: A wide field video endoscope objective and method of assembly the objective including four groups with five lenses, a mechanical housing containing the entire image forming elements, a aperture stop, a centering member and a retainer sleeve. The centering member is at first centered over the photo sensitive area of the chip and bonded to the surface of the cover glass. The retainer sleeve slides over said centering member and is glued to the centering member and the housing of the video chip. The objective housing with the optical elements is screwed on the centering member to adjust for focusing.

Abstract: A rongeur including a shaft having a foot plate, a cutting slide, a breach extending between the foot plate and the cutting slide and a handle assembly for moving the cutting slide along the shaft. The cutting slide includes a pair of tracking arms arranged about a distal end of the cutting slide and a third tracking arm arranged about the proximal end thereof. The tracking arms are received within corresponding tracking slots in the shaft when the rongeur is in a closed position. The tracking arms are disengaged from the tracking slots by rotating the cutting slide about a pivot axis that extends parallel to the length of the shaft thereby placing the rongeur in an open position. To prevent inadvertent disengagement of the tracking arms from the tracking slots, a trigger assembly is provided which arrests proximal movement of the cutting slide.

Abstract: A wide field video endoscope objective and method of assembly the objective including four groups with five lenses, a mechanical housing containing the entire image forming elements, a aperture stop, a centering member and a retainer sleeve. The centering member is at first centered over the photo sensitive area of the chip and bonded to the surface of the cover glass. The retainer sleeve slides over said centering member and is glued to the centering member and the housing of the video chip. The objective housing with the optical elements is screwed on the centering member to adjust for focusing.

Abstract: A wide field video endoscope objective and method of assembly the objective including four groups with five lenses, a mechanical housing containing the entire image forming elements, a aperture stop, a centering member and a retainer sleeve. The centering member is at first centered over the photo sensitive area of the chip and bonded to the surface of the cover glass. The retainer sleeve slides over said centering member and is glued to the centering member and the housing of the video chip. The objective housing with the optical elements is screwed on the centering member to adjust for focusing.