Abstract: A variety of optical probes and methods have utility in the examination of various materials, especially materials in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways. One type of such optical probe is elongated and includes a distal optical window, a divergent light source, a spatial mixer, and a light collector. Light from the light source is mixed in the spatial mixer to achieve uniform diffuse light in the vicinity of the optical window. The light collector receives light from the target through the spatial mixer. The optical probe may be made of two sections, a reusable section and a disposable. The disposable is elongated and contains a mounting section, an inside surface suitable for the spatial mixing of light, and an optical element which helps to seal the reusable probe section from the target.

Abstract: In a needle cannula extraction device, an engagement stroke moves one engagement member toward another engagement member so as to first engage a needle cannula inserted therebetween. Movement of at least one of the engagement members during a subsequent extraction stroke maintains a generally constant spacing between the engagement members that generally corresponds to a thickness of the needle. The extraction stroke pulls the needle cannula from its hub or other attachment structure, which is held in position. In first and second embodiments, the two engagement members first come together to grip the cannula, and then move together as a unit (with the engaged needle cannula) away from the retained attachment structure. In third and fourth embodiments, a first engagement member is pivotable toward a second engagement member, provided in the form of a backing member, and then away from the retained attachment structure.

Abstract: A variety of optical probes and methods have utility in the examination of various materials, especially materials in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways. One type of such optical probe is elongated and includes a distal optical window, a divergent light source, a spatial mixer, and a light collector. Light from the light source is mixed in the spatial mixer to achieve uniform diffuse light in the vicinity of the optical window. The light collector receives light from the target through the spatial mixer. The optical probe may be made of two sections, a reusable section and a disposable. The disposable is elongated and contains a mounting section, an inside surface suitable for the spatial mixing of light, and an optical element which helps to seal the reusable probe section from the target.

Abstract: A variety of optical probes and optical methods have utility in the examination of various materials, especially materials in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways. An optical probe useful, for example, in examining the epithelia and other tissues of anatomical structures within the body cavities and tubular organs and viscera of mammals is elongated and includes an optical window (240, 302, 1002), a light source (222, 312, 314, 510, 520, 1020, 1200, 1400, 1700), a spatial mixer (224, 304, 2004, 2104, 2204, 2304), and a light collector (210, 320, 720, 1120). The light from the light source is mixed in the spatial mixer, thereby removing any reflected images and irradiation artifacts to achieving uniform diffuse light in the vicinity of the optical window. The light collector receives light from the target through the spatial mixer, but the field of view of the light collector excludes any residual reflections and fluorescence from the spatial mixer.

Abstract: A flexible endoscopic surgical port comprises a trocar tube or cannula made partially or entirely of flexible material which can be inserted into a body wall at an intercostal location to allow the insertion and manipulation of endoscopic surgical instruments within the thoracic cavity. The surgical port includes a hollow tubular body which is inserted through an intercostal opening in the body wall extending into the thoracic cavity with an annular flange at one end of the tubular body projecting radially outward and engaging the body wall adjacent to the opening. The flange is able to flex relative to the tubular body whereby the surgical instrument inserted in the tubular body can be manipulated over a wide range of motion inside the thoracic cavity. A retainer ring can be installed at the end of the tubular body opposite to the flange to secure the surgical port in the body wall. Improved obturators are provided for installation of the flexible surgical port.

Abstract: A flexible endoscopic surgical port comprises a trocar tube or cannula made partially or entirely of flexible material which can be inserted into a body wall at an intercostal location to allow the insertion and manipulation of endoscopic surgical instruments within the thoracic cavity. The surgical port includes a hollow tubular body which is inserted through an intercostal opening in the body wall extending into the thoracic cavity with an annular flange at one end of the tubular body projecting radially outward and engaging the body wall adjacent to the opening. The flange is able to flex relative to the tubular body whereby the surgical instrument inserted in the tubular body can be manipulated over a wide range of motion inside the thoracic cavity. A retainer ring can be installed at the end of the tubular body opposite to the flange to secure the surgical port in the body wall. Improved obturators are provided for installation of the flexible surgical port.

Abstract: A flexible endoscopic surgical port comprises a trocar tube or cannula made partially or entirely of flexible material which can be inserted into a body wall at an intercostal location to allow the insertion and manipulation of endoscopic surgical instruments within the thoracic cavity. The surgical port includes a hollow tubular body which is inserted through an intercostal opening in the body wall extending into the thoracic cavity with an annular flange at one end of the tubular body projecting radially outward and engaging the body wall adjacent to the opening. The flange is able to flex relative to the tubular body whereby the surgical instrument inserted in the tubular body can be manipulated over a wide range of motion inside the thoracic cavity. A retainer ring can be installed at the end of the tubular body opposite to the flange to secure the surgical port in the body wall. Improved obturators are provided for installation of the flexible surgical port.

Abstract: A flexible endoscopic surgical port comprises a trocar tube or cannula made partially or entirely of flexible material which can be inserted into a body wall at an intercostal location to allow the insertion and manipulation of endoscopic surgical instruments within the thoracic cavity. The surgical port includes a hollow tubular body which is inserted through an intercostal opening in the body wall extending into the thoracic cavity with an annular flange at one end of the tubular body projecting radially outward and engaging the body wall adjacent to the opening. The flange is able to flex relative to the tubular body whereby the surgical instrument inserted in the tubular body can be manipulated over a wide range of motion inside the thoracic cavity. A retainer ring can be installed at the end of the tubular body opposite to the flange to secure the surgical port in the body wall. Improved obturators are provided for installation of the flexible surgical port.

Abstract: An applier for applying a bulldog clamp endoscopically, and the combination of such an applier with a bulldog clamp, is disclosed. The applier has an endoscopic portion and a handle portion. The handle portion can be manipulated to open and close gripping arms of the applier at the distal end of the endoscopic portion to correspondingly open and close the clamping jaws of the bulldog clamp. The principle feature of the invention is the ability to pivot the clamp while it is gripped within the gripping arms of the applier without the necessity of using another instrument or adjacent bodily tissue. Furthermore, it is possible to perform this pivoting movement from the proximal end of the applier, therefore enabling a surgeon to pivot the clamp from outside the body during endoscopic surgery.

Abstract: Lung clamp end effectors for a thoracoscopic surgical instrument are disclosed. The lung clamp end effectors have a base portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion. Each base portion has a first through-hole for pivotally engaging a pin of the clevis of the thoracoscopic surgical instrument, and preferably, a second through-hole used in conjunction with connecting links which connect the lung clamp end effector to the push rod. The through-holes on a particular end effector are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the tool, thereby providing strong clamping action. The lung clamps are further arranged with their distal portions increasing in width to approximately 10 mm as they extend distally. The distal portion also have cut-outs which increase in width as they extend distally. The lung clamp end effectors are at least two inches long from their respective pivot through-holes to their respective distal ends.

Abstract: An adjustable oscillating wave-type irrigation sprinkler having an impact or impulse drive type mechanism for effecting side-to-side oscillation by a spray tube about a horizontal axis, the drive mechanism including a pair of drive spoons coupled to impact arms journaled for rotation relative to the spray tube and intercepting streams of water from the spray tube to produce incremental rotation of the spray tube about the horizontal axis.