Abstract: A method for visualization of a lubricant coating on a surface of an article includes dissolving a fluorescent agent into a lubricant. The method then includes applying the fluorescenated lubricant to coat a surface of the article. The coated article is then irradiated with an electromagnetic radiation capable of inducing a fluorescent emission in the fluorescent agent and the fluorescent emission is observed to detect the coverage of the lubricant on the surface of the article.

Abstract: An optical fourier transform image representative of characteristics of a liquid sample and particles within the fluid sample is quickly and inexpensively generated by an optical fourier transform system. A small liquid sample is received in a lenticular array liquid sample container with the fluid sample entering open-ended microchannels in the container preferably by capillary action. The container is formed of an optical material such that the fluid sample in the microchannels forms a grating when placed into an optical fourier transform system. Accordingly, the fourier transform image generated within the system is characteristic of the liquid sample forming the grating for the system. The liquid sample container is formed of two plates of optical acrylic, which may be coated or otherwise treated to make it non-hydrophobic to prevent the loss of moisture from liquid samples. A first one of the plates has an array of microgrooves formed into a first surface of the plate.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical tool comprises a retractable cutting element movable along a cutting path and an electrical energy supply source which communicates electrical energy (e.g., radio frequency energy) through one or more energy delivering electrodes associated with a tissue affecting portion of the tool to tissue adjacent the electrodes. One or more additional electrodes, such as return electrodes, form a second pole of the bipolar electrical connection are also associated with the tissue affecting portion and are electrically isolated from the energy delivering electrode. Various combinations of electrically conductive and electrically isolated elements associated with the tissue affecting portion of the device can be used as the two poles of the bipolar system.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument having a diode laser at the distal end of the instrument for cutting and/or coagulating tissue during an endoscopic procedure.

Abstract: A video oximetry device and method is provided in which an endoscopic device is used to obtain and determine oxygen saturation levels at a tissue site. A video image illustrating blood oxygen saturation and/or tissue perfusion is derived and displayed.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the glare and enhancing imaging during an endoscopic procedure. The apparatus has a first portion which linerally polarizes illumination in a first direction and a second portion which analyzes the reflected illumination in a direction at 90 degrees to the first direction.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Abstract: As assembly is provided utilizing a combined catheter and introducer which cooperate to provide efficient infusion of drugs from the in-place assembly even on an intermittent basis with no return blood flow and without the need for any kind of involved valve assembly, or expensive heparin or saline blocks. The introducer is a short thin walled device which receives the catheter therein. The catheter has a plurality of very fine openings in the front end thereof with the openings having a dimension preventing blood backflow, but which allow passage of infusing medication for therapy because of the pressure imparted in the infusion flow of the drugs. The catheter is long enough so that the portion having the openings extends from the front end of the introducer. The front end of the catheter is blunt-ended to decrease trauma during insertion. The openings in the single lumen version extend around the entire circumference of the catheter to prevent the catheter tip from being blocked on one side and closed off.

Abstract: A device is provided for indicating when an intravenous needle has entered the vein through the use of a solid fiber optic mounted in the needle for showing visual instantaneous vein entry. The hub has a special light source connection to enhance the degree of light available for visualizing vein entry. The distal end of the fiber optic is polished to be the distal point of the needle. This polished distal end reflects color, such as red blood, immediately upon vein entry and exposure to blood, with the enhanced reflected light, to the magnifying system forming a part of the invention at the rear or proximal end of the fiber optic. The user observes immediate vein entry without any blood flow or exposure to blood.

Abstract: An apparatus or method identifies and quantifies components of a sample medium filling a gap of an assembly of a transparent tube and a cylindrical float located substantially coaxially with the tube. This identification or quantification is made based on the high angle scatter and/or fluorescence of the medium. A polarized monochromatic or biochromatic light beam of the wavelength for which the tube is transparent projects through an optical focusing and/or scanning system to illuminate a section of the gap with a line of light positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube but displaced laterally therefrom. Means position and rotate the tube about its longitudinal axis producing a complete circumferential illumination of the sample medium sections in the gap. Light filtering and detecting means normal to the illumination axis detects high angle light scattering properties and/or fluorescence properties from the sample medium.

Abstract: A device is provided for indicating when an intravenous needle has entered the vein through the use of a solid fiber optic mounted in the needle for showing visual instantaneous vein entry. The distal end of the fiber optic is polished to be flush with the distal point of the needle. The fiber optic is sized to have an outer diameter which will extend through the cannula of the needle. This polished distal end reflects color, such as red blood, immediately upon vein entry and exposure to blood to the magnifying system forming a part of the invention at the rear or proximal end of the fiber optic. The user observes immediate vein entry without any blood flow or exposure to blood. Other embodiments utilize the fiber optic as the needle, thus eliminating the needle itself.

Abstract: An apparatus or method determines the gap between an assembly of a tube and a cylindrical float located substantially concentric to the tube. An elliptically polarized light beam at the wavelength for which the materials of the tube and the gap are transparent or translucent is along an optical axis. The index of refraction of the tube and float materials are greater than the index of refraction of the gap material. Means translates and rotates the assembly along and about its longitudinal axis producing an illumination. A light filtering means along the optical axis beyond the assembly blocks light of the illumination reflected by the assembly and refracted by the tube, the gap between the tube, and the float and the float and transmits light of the illumination refracted by the tube and the gap between tube and float. Light detection means receives transmitted light and signals a signal processing means.

Abstract: Disclosed in an optical fiber transducer system with energy generating means for transmitting pulsing energy at various frequencies to bidirectional couplers for each frequency. The couplers record the intensity and further transmit the pulsing energy to a wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer. The wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer combines the plurality of energy supply means into a single output for an optic fiber which includes an optical delay sufficient to time separate the pulsing waves of energy. Reflected energy is transmitted back through the same wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer, bidirectional coupler so that the recorded intensity of transmission and reflectance are comparable without system influence.