Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.

Abstract: What is provided is an endo-surgical tool that includes imaging optics therein, the various components of which, including its tools, electronics and visualization components, can be used in the sterile surgical field. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the cannula portion of the tool is adapted to a particular type of endo-surgical procedure, while the handle, which includes at least a portion of the imaging circuitry for the device, can be used with a plurality of differently adapted cannulas.

Abstract: An endoscopic device for the partial fundoplication for the treatment of GERD, comprises: a) a distal bending portion and a flexible portion suitable to be positioned in extended shape within the esophagus of a subject; b) a positioning assembly comprising two separate elements, one of which is located on said distal bending portion, and the other on said flexible portion; c) a stapling assembly comprising a staple ejecting device, wherein said staple ejecting device is located on either said bending portion or on said flexible portion, said staple ejecting devices being in working positioned relationship when said two separate elements of said positioning assembly are aligned; and d) circuitry for determining when said two separate elements of said positioning assembly are aligned.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.

Abstract: Methods of creating tooling designs for, and the production of, one or more polarizer groups on a workpiece. Each such group includes an optically transmitting substrate with one or more discrete polarizer pixels thereon. The polarizer groups are used with optical instruments having a number of optical channels. In the method, one or more physical characteristics of at least one optical channel of the optical instrument are measured. Based on the determined physical characteristics, one or more discrete polarizer groups to be created on the substrate are defined, by defining for each such group a location on the substrate for the group, the size, shape and location within the group of each polarizer pixel of the group, and the polarization orientation for each such polarizer pixel of the group. The area of each polarizer pixel is then filled with tooling information that will establish its polarization orientation.

Abstract: A method includes advancing an apparatus having an elongated member transorally into the stomach. The apparatus includes a distal end effector having first and second members configured to engage tissue. The first and second members are movable relatively toward one another generally in a first plane. The method includes moving the distal end effector relative to the elongated member in the first plane such that the distal end effector is retroflexed out of alignment with the elongated member to position the first and second members for engagement with the tissue. At least one of the first and second members carries a fixation device for fixing engaged portions of tissue together.

Abstract: A hand-held dental mirror carrying a sharpening stone for a dental instrument such as a curette, comprising a shaft supporting a mirror, a hand grip coupled to the shaft, and a sharpening stone coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: A speculum for use with a body opening, such as a vagina, rectum or surgical wound, may have an insertion portion with an arcuately-shaped wall and a slot that extends along a length of the wall. An end face of the wall at the distal end of the insertion portion may be arranged at a non-perpendicular angle to the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion. A flange portion joined at a proximal end of the insertion portion may have a continuous band that extends radially outwardly from the wall and includes a notch that communicates with the slot. A handle portion may have a gripping surface extending proximally at a bottom side of the flange portion with an arcuate shape that is approximately concentric with the wall of the insertion portion. A top side of the flange portion may be free of the handle portion.

Abstract: A variably-polarizing optical probe assembly. The assembly includes an optical probe having one or more optical light delivery channels that emit incident light from the sample end of the probe toward a sample being investigated, and one or more optical light-receiving channels that receive incident light from the sample. A variably-polarizing substrate assembly is coupled to the sample end of the probe. The substrate assembly includes an optically transmitting substrate and one or more discrete polarizer areas on a face of the substrate, each such polarizer area defining a polarization orientation, with the polarizer areas together defining one or more different polarization orientations. The substrate assembly is arranged relative to the probe such that one polarizer area covers at least one light delivery channel and one polarizer area covers at least one light-receiving channel.

Abstract: An endoscopic device for the partial fundoplication for the treatment of GERD, comprises: a) a distal bending portion and a flexible portion suitable to be positioned in extended shape within the esophagus of a subject; b) a positioning assembly comprising two separate elements, one of which is located on said distal bending portion, and the other on said flexible portion; c) a stapling assembly comprising a staple ejecting device, wherein said staple ejecting device is located on either said bending portion or on said flexible portion, said staple ejecting devices being in working positioned relationship when said two separate elements of said positioning assembly are aligned; and d) circuitry for determining when said two separate elements of said positioning assembly are aligned.

Abstract: A target is viewed by means of a coherent fiber optic bundle comprising a two dimensional array of fibers. A one dimensional linear light detector array, fixed relative to the coherent fiber optic bundle, receives an image of the target and detects light through only a slice of the image to provide dimensional information with respect to the edges of the target. A polyfurcated bundle may view different linear dimensions of the target and allow for the use of the single linear array to detect the multiple dimensions. Electronics provide for detection of target edges by means of a curve fitting technique, computation of dimensions and control of light source intensity and exposure time. Illumination is by a noncoherent light source and a collimator positioned behind the target or by a fiber optic bundle and a light guide plate positioned to illuminate the target from the front.

Abstract: A target is viewed by means of a coherent fiber optic bundle comprising a two dimensional array of fibers. A one dimensional linear light detector array, fixed relative to the coherent fiber optic bundle, receives an image of the target and detects light through only a slice of the image to provide dimensional information with respect to the edges of the target. A polyfurcated bundle may view different linear dimensions of the target and allow for the use of the single linear array to detect the multiple dimensions. Electronics provide for detection of target edges by means of a curve fitting technique, computation of dimensions and control of light source intensity and exposure time. Illumination is by a noncoherent light source and a collimator positioned behind the target or by a fiber optic bundle and a light guide plate positioned to illuminate the target from the front.