Abstract: For use with a surgical microscope having an objective lens barrel protruding therefrom, drapes, methods of draping the microscope and methods of manufacturing the drapes. In one embodiment, a drape includes: (1) a sheet, having an elastically-deformable objective lens aperture therethrough, that covers at least a portion of the surgical microscope, the objective lens aperture adapted to receive the objective lens barrel therethrough and elastically constrict about the objective lens barrel and (2) a transparent objective lens cover, separate from the sheet and having a flexible barrel adapter, the flexible barrel adapter expandable to fit about and cover the objective lens barrel, the sheet and the objective lens cover cooperating to cover the portion of the surgical microscope, including the objective lens barrel.

Abstract: The universal microscope drape is based on a positioning system that includes a different adapter member for each differently manufactured microscope and a universal positioning member of a microscope drape that engages each different adapter member. The microscope drape positioning member is attached to the microscope drape cover member to position the microscope drape cover member in a predetermined orientation on the microscope. The adapter member is interchangeable with a lens unit that is detachably secured to a microscope. The lens unit, upon removal, is joined to the adapter member to permit resecurement of the lens unit to the microscope when the adapter member is joined to the microscope. Since the adapter member has a universal engagement portion that is engagable with the universal positioning member of the microscope drape, the same microscope drape can be used to cover differently manufactured microscopes of the same general size and shape.

Abstract: A surgical drape construction wherein a tubular body, peripherally assembled to a local lens aperture in a drape, is adapted for removable concentric engagement to the exposed end of the objective-lens barrel of a microscope, wherein the tubular body mounts a flat optically transparent element which closes the body, and wherein the flat transparent element is fixedly so inclined that a geometric normal to the flat transparent element is at an acute angle to the axis of concentric engagement. Would-be reflections are thereby deflected off-axis, and microscope viewing is materially enhanced for all subject-matter aspects with respect to incident light.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes at least one member fabricated with a material which is capable of deforming in the presence of a deforming agent such as water, organic solvent, air, heat, light, etc. Thus, a disposable surgical endoscope is provided wherein a lens mounting element for aligning a lens assembly of the endoscope with the other optical components of the instrument is fabricated from a polymer which deforms when exposed to, e.g., water or organic solvents. Deformation of the lens mounting element causes the lens assembly to shift out of optical alignment with the other optical components of the device, thereby disabling the instrument.

Abstract: Microscopes having plastic components such as knobs, covers and eyepiece rings are rendered antistatic by using static charge dissipating plastic materials instead of conventional plastics. Such antistatic microscopes are especially useful in the manufacture and inspection of semi-conductors which are easily damaged by exposure to static charges.

Abstract: The adapter member for a microscope cooperates with a universal microscope drape having a universal positioning member. The adapter member is detachably secured to the lens housing of a microscope in tandem with a lens unit located in the lens housing. The adapter member is free from connection with the lens unit and can be installed without disassembling the lens housing. In one embodiment of the invention, the adapter member is threaded to the lens housing and in another embodiment of the invention the adapter member is secured to the lens housing with set screws. The adapter member has a universal engagement portion that is engagable with the universal positioning member of the universal microscope drape. A different adapter member is provided for each differently manufactured microscope but each different adapter member has the same universal engagement portion. Thus the same microscope drape can be used to cover differently manufactured microscopes of the same general size and shape.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a windowed self-centering drape for a surgical camera is provided. The drape includes a generally cylindrical body portion and a flexible and elastic distal end. The body portion is flexible and substantially non-elastic. The proximal end of the body portion may include either a roll fold or an accordion fold in order to reduce the size of the drape for storage prior to use. An optically clear window is formed integrally with the elastic distal end. The window may be coated with substances which filter out certain wavelengths of light.

Abstract: A cover device which is removably fitted over an endoscope to cover an insert part of the endoscope and a control part connected to the proximal end of the insert part. The cover device includes a tubular sheath for covering the insert part so as to isolate it form the outside, and a control part cover for wrapping the control part. The control part cover is separate from the sheath and spreadably provided in contiguity with the proximal end of the sheath. In addition, a fluid supply tube is disposed such that one end portion of the tube extends through the sheath to communicate with the distal end of the sheath. The other end portion of the tube extends from the proximal end of the sheath along the outside of the control part cover.

Abstract: The present invention allows operating room personnel to easily and expeditiously drape an endoscope. The present invention is preferably made of polyethylene or some other suitable plastic material. The cylindrical drape cartridge itself acts as a shroud and functions as a sterile barrier. The drape cartridge consists of an inner and outer polyethylene tube which retains the polyethylene drape within its walls. The proximal end of the cartridge is mechanically secured by detents and a chamfer that encase a corrugated pattern of the polyethylene drape. The inner tube acts as a mandrel, allowing the drape to be compressed in a manner that accommodates the various lengths of required draping while lessening the bulk of the draping system.

Abstract: A universal inner diameter mounting ring contains an annular groove within its inner circumference, the ring being integral with a microscope drape. A microscope adapter housing having a universal outer diameter with a protruding annular ring around its circumference engages the groove on the mounting ring. The adapter engages the inner mounting threads of a microscope body at a first end and the threads of an objective lens housing at a second end.

Abstract: The present invention is broadly concerned with an improved surgical drape for an endoscopic video camera device which provides a sealed, sterile encasement of the camera and its associated transmission cable and which permits quick, easy interchanging of various endoscopic rod lenses without contamination of the camera head or cable or distortion of the camera image. More particularly, it is concerned with a drape having an opening for insertion of a camera and cable, a clear lens, and structure for constricting the drape around the camera and cable.

Abstract: The sheath for endoscope includes a tubular sleeve portion and a lens cover portion at one end of the tubular sleeve portion. The lens cover portion is of a predetermined thickness that minimizes light reflection onto the field of view of the endoscope. The sheath thus provides optimum visual acuity when used with the endoscope. The lens cover portion can include an anti-fogging ingredient to minimize condensation or congregation of fluids during examination. In several embodiments of the invention the sheath is rigid and in other embodiments of the invention the sheath is flexible. In any of the embodiments the lens cover portion can be joined to the inside, outside or end of the tubular sleeve. The lens cover portion can be formed with a cap section that is oriented at a selected predetermined angle with respect to a central axis. The sheath can have one or more reduced diameter sections to prevent relative slippage between the sleeve and the barrel of the endoscope.

Abstract: A lens housing and cover for a disposable microscope drape including a housing formed of a flexible, easily distortable, resilient material adapted to be connected to a disposable microscope drape and positioned adjacent to an objective lens of an operating room microscope. The housing includes an opening for registering with the objective lens. A lens cover includes an optically clear portion for spanning the opening and a gripping portion projecting from the optically clear portion and from the housing when the lens cover is in the housing.

Abstract: An optical recording system including a read/write optical assembly including an objective lens for reading or writing from an optical medium including a solid immersion lens disposed between the objective lens and having a surface closely spaced from the recording medium.

Abstract: The operating microscope comprises at least one suction port formed in a microscope body or an arm for supporting the microscope body which is to be enveloped in a drape, and an exhaust fan or exhaust pump connected to the suction port. An exhaust port to be connected to an exhaust pump may be formed in the drape. Since air is exhausted out of the drape, and the drape is brought into close contact with the microscope body and the arm by operating the exhaust fan or the exhaust pump, the drape does not constitute a hindrance in the visual field of a surgeon or dgrade operability of the microscope.

Abstract: A sterile disposable arthroscopy camera cover made from tubular film folded onto itself and forming a package including a plurality of folded layers of film. One end portion of the tubular film extends into and through the other end portion of the tubular film and in the direction of the other end so that the two tubular film ends are located at the same side of the film package. The folded layers which comprise the package may extend in the direction of the tubular film axis or transversely of the axis.