Abstract: A system is provided for marking on a recording medium (36), such as a label, the location of imaged tissue with respect to an exposed surface of the tissue (34). Tissue is imaged by a microscope (11) capable of imaging sections of the tissue below the exposed tissue surface through optics. A ring (32) applied to the surface of the tissue stabilizes the tissue to the optics and localizes a portion of tissue surface through an aperture in the ring. An actuator (38) is connected to both the ring and the microscope for moving the ring to adjust the position of the tissue with respect to the optics, thereby allowing an operator of the system to survey different images of tissue sections with the microscope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical obturator which includes a sleeve having a longitudinal bore between a proximal end and a distal end. The longitudinal bore of the sleeve is configured to receive at least a portion of an endoscope or like image transferring system. An image passing member, such as an optical window is positioned at the distal end of the sleeve and is provided to permit optical images to pass into the longitudinal bore of the sleeve and to permit illumination light to pass to the surgical site. An automatically retracting blade is positioned distal to the image passing member to facilitate penetration of body tissue.

Abstract: A system is provided for marking on a recording medium (36), such as a label, the location of imaged tissue with respect to an exposed surface of the tissue (34). Tissue is imaged by a microscope (11) capable of imaging sections of the tissue below the exposed tissue surface through optics. A ring (32) applied to the surface of the tissue stabilizes the tissue to the optics and localizes a portion of the tissue surface through an aperture in the ring. An actuator (38) is connected to both the ring and the microscope for moving the ring to adjust the position of the tissue with respect to the optics, thereby allowing an operator of the system to survey different images of tissue sections with the microscope.

Abstract: An improved system for cellular surgery which includes a laser for producing a laser beam, and confocal optics for scanning and focusing the laser beam in tissue and generating confocal images of the tissue in accordance with returned light from the tissue. The confocal images are visualized on a display. The system includes a controller for enabling the operator to select one or more cells of the tissue in the displayed confocal images for surgical treatment. The controller operates the laser and confocal optics in a first mode to treat the tissue when the confocal optics focus the laser beam at least one region associated with the selected cells in the tissue, but at all other times operates the laser and confocal optics in a second mode which does not damage the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical obturator which includes a sleeve having a longitudinal bore between a proximal end and a distal end. The longitudinal bore of the sleeve is configured to receive at least a portion of an endoscope or like image transferring system. An image passing member, such as an optical window is positioned at the distal end of the sleeve and is provided to permit optical images to pass into the longitudinal bore of the sleeve and to permit illumination light to pass to the surgical site. An automatically retracting blade is positioned distal to the image passing member to facilitate penetration of body tissue.

Abstract: An improved system for cellular surgery which includes a laser for producing a laser beam, and confocal optics for scanning and focusing the laser beam in tissue and generating confocal images of the tissue in accordance with returned light from the tissue. The confocal images are visualized on a display. The system includes a controller for enabling the operator to select one or more cells of the tissue in the displayed confocal images for surgical treatment. The controller operates the laser and confocal optics in a first mode to treat the tissue when the confocal optics focus the laser beam at least one region associated with the selected cells in the tissue, but at all other times operates the laser and confocal optics in a second mode which does not damage the tissue.

Abstract: A cassette for retaining a specimen of surgically exposed tissue from a patient in an orientation that facilitates optical sectioning of the tissue by a confocal microscopic or other optical imaging microscope. The cassette includes a base member having a rigid optically transparent window upon which a tissue specimen is situated, a pliable membrane locatable over a substantial portion of the base member including the window, and an upper member, having an aperture therethrough, which can cover the base member to provide an enclosed cavity between the membrane and the window sealing the tissue specimen therein. With the tissue specimen in the enclosed cavity of the cassette, the edges of the tissue specimen may be positioned planar against the window and retained in that position by bonds formed between the membrane and window at multiple points or locations around the tissue specimen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical obturator which includes a sleeve having a longitudinal bore between a proximal end and a distal end. The longitudinal bore of the sleeve is configured to receive at least a portion of an endoscope or like image transferring system. An image passing member, such as an optical window is positioned at the distal end of the sleeve and is provided to permit optical images to pass into the longitudinal bore of the sleeve and to permit illumination light to pass to the surgical site. An automatically retracting blade is positioned distal to the image passing member to facilitate penetration of body tissue.

Abstract: A tray or holder for tissue specimens, especially of excised tissue, such as biopsied specimens, is used with a confocal imaging system, especially a laser scanning confocal microscope system. The tray may be disposable after imaging of the specimen carried therein or may archive the specimen. A window supports the specimen. Clamps mounted inside the tray restrain the tissue. A compliant bag is mounted outside the tray on one side of a window of the tray on which the specimen is disposed. During imaging the specimen is immersed in a liquid contained in the tray having an index of refraction which closely matches the index of refraction of the tissue. The bag also contains an index matching liquid preferably having the same index as the liquid in the tray. A stabilizing plate is attached to a surface of the bag which faces the window.

Abstract: A cassette for retaining a specimen of surgically exposed tissue from a patient in an orientation that facilitates optical sectioning of the tissue by a confocal microscopic or other optical imaging microscope. The cassette includes a base member having a rigid optically transparent window upon which a tissue specimen is situated, a pliable membrane locatable over a substantial portion of the base member including the window, and an upper member, having an aperture therethrough, which can cover the base member to provide an enclosed cavity between the membrane and the window sealing the tissue specimen therein. With the tissue specimen in the enclosed cavity of the cassette, the edges of the tissue specimen may be positioned planar against the window and retained in that position by bonds formed between the membrane and window at multiple points or locations around the tissue specimen.

Abstract: A system is provided having a clamping apparatus with first and second members, which are spaced apart from each other. An attachment mechanism is connected to the first member for attaching the apparatus to a confocal imaging system. This attachment mechanism has a surface with a window facing the tissue to be examined. Opposing this surface is a third member connected to the second member. A clamping mechanism includes the first and second members for clamping the tissue between the surface of the attachment mechanism and the surface of the third member, thereby stabilizing the tissue to the confocal imaging system. The window of the attachment mechanism presents the clamped tissue to the confocal imaging system.

Abstract: A tray or holder for tissue specimens, especially of excised tissue, such as biopsied specimens, is used with a confocal imaging system, especially a laser scanning confocal microscope system. The tray may be disposable after imaging of the specimen carried therein or may archive the specimen. A window supports the specimen. Clamps mounted inside the tray restrain the tissue. A compliant bag is mounted outside the tray on one side of a window of the tray on which the specimen is disposed. During imaging the specimen is immersed in a liquid contained in the tray having an index of refraction which closely matches the index of refraction of the tissue. The bag also contains an index matching liquid preferably having the same index as the liquid in the tray. A stabilizing plate is attached to a surface of the bag which faces the window.

Abstract: A colorimeter capable of calibrating color monitors, whether having cathode ray tube or liquid crystal (LCD) displays, is provided by a photometric array of photodetector and optical filter pairs. The filters include long-pass, edge filters which cover overlapping regions at the upper end of the visible spectrum and a filter which covers the entire visible spectrum. The outputs of the photodetectors are digitally synthesized to provide a response which mimics the response established by the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) xyz (bar) functions almost perfectly. The response which is mimicked may be represented by the CIE color matching functions. The pairs and the associated components are mounted on a printed circuit board captured in a clamshell housing and having an array of apertures which define angularly constrained fields of view of a surface from which the light, to be colormetrically analyzed, emanates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for projecting an image of a surgical field along an optical path to intersect a display screen which is nonperpendicular to the optical path and adjacent the surgical field. A video projector system and accompanying optics impart at least one of a tilted focal plane or depth of focus to the projected image. The optical path of the projected image is located adjacent the surgical field. A sterilizable display screen is located in the optical path adjacent the surgical field so that a normal to the screen is noncoincident with the optical path and the projected image on the screen is of constant focus across the screen.

Abstract: An improved system for cellular surgery which includes a laser for producing a laser beam, and confocal optics for scanning and focusing the laser beam in tissue and generating confocal images of the tissue in accordance with returned light from the tissue. The confocal images are visualized on a display. The system includes a controller for enabling the operator to select one or more cells of the tissue in the displayed confocal images for surgical treatment. The controller operates the laser and confocal optics in a first mode to treat the tissue when the confocal optics focus the laser beam at at least one region associated with the selected cells in the tissue, but at all other times operates the laser and confocal optics in a second mode which does not damage the tissue.

Abstract: A system is provided having a clamping apparatus with first and second members, which are spaced apart from each other. An attachment mechanism is connected to the first member for attaching the apparatus to a confocal imaging system. This attachment mechanism has a surface with a window facing the tissue to be examined. Opposing this surface is a third member connected to the second member. A clamping mechanism includes the first and second members for clamping the tissue between the surface of the attachment mechanism and the surface of the third member, thereby stabilizing the tissue to the confocal imaging system. The window of the attachment mechanism presents the clamped tissue to the confocal imaging system.

Abstract: A tagging device for marking the location of lesions within the body prior to a surgical procedure such as excision or biopsy. The device includes an elongated tube having one end supported on a housing and a second end extending distally therefrom. An anchor is positioned within the distal end of the elongated tube and has an elongated member extending proximally therefrom. An actuation assembly including a plunger is movable within the tube to engage and push the anchor from the distal end of the tube. The anchor and the actuation assembly are positioned and configured such that the anchor is pivoted from a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube to a position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube as it as being pushed from the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoscopic sheath for protecting and/or changing an angle of view of an endoscope. The sheath has a distal portion configured to engage a distalmost portion of an endoscope imaging optics. The distal portion houses structure for changing the angle of view of an endoscope. In a preferred embodiment, this structure includes a prism. The distal portion may additionally house structure for changing the angle of illumination of an illumination portion of an endoscope. This structure may be a prism or a curved light guide or at least one angled optical fiber. Both the structure for changing the angle of view of an endoscope and the optical member for changing the angle of illumination of an endoscope may be positioned within the distal portion to align with the respective imaging or illumination elements of the endoscope.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for carrying and attaching separate components of a compression anastomosis device to the end of tissue of a tubular hollow organ, which includes an elongated housing having a proximal end and a distal end; first and second compression anastomosis device components; a supporting member operatively associated with the distal end of the elongated housing, for supporting the first and second compression anastomosis device components; and assembling structure associated with the supporting member and operable from the proximal end of the elongated housing, for assembling the first and second compression anastomosis device components within tubular body tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical obturator which includes a sleeve having a longitudinal bore between a proximal end and a distal end. The longitudinal bore of the sleeve is configured to receive at least a portion of an endoscope or like image transferring system. An image directing member is positioned at the distal end of the sleeve and is provided to direct optical images into the longitudinal bore of the sleeve. A movable blade is positioned distal to the image directing member to facilitate penetration of body tissue.