Abstract: An optical component assembly method including shrinking a first end of a heat shrink tube about a first optical component, inserting a loading portion of a loading tube into a second end of the heat shrink tube, radially-inserting a plurality of optical components into a staging portion of the loading tube thereby forming a line of optical components, the staging portion being seamlessly coupled to and integrally-formed with the loading portion, moving the line of optical components from the staging portion into the loading portion, and removing the loading portion from between the line of optical components and the heat shrink tube thereby depositing the line of optical components in the heat shrink tube. The line of optical components is fixed and optically aligned within the heat shrink tube by applying radial pressure, axial pressure and heat to the line of optical components simultaneously.

Abstract: An optical component assembly method including shrinking a first end of a heat shrink tube about a first optical component, inserting a loading portion of a loading tube into a second end of the heat shrink tube, radially-inserting a plurality of optical components into a staging portion of the loading tube thereby forming a line of optical components, the staging portion being seamlessly coupled to and integrally-formed with the loading portion, moving the line of optical components from the staging portion into the loading portion, and removing the loading portion from between the line of optical components and the heat shrink tube thereby depositing the line of optical components in the heat shrink tube. The line of optical components is fixed and optically aligned within the heat shrink tube by applying radial pressure, axial pressure and heat to the line of optical components simultaneously.

Abstract: A dual blade laryngoscope having a folding handle and a manually installable lighting cartridge. The laryngoscope includes two spaced apart parallel blades and a wall spanning both. A slot is formed at one end of the parallel blades for receiving the lighting cartridge. A translucent or transparent lens covers a visualization channel defined between the parallel blades. The folding handle includes an axle to enable pivoting between a deployed position and a stowed position, and a projection which activates the lighting cartridge. The lighting cartridge and the transparent lens are removable. Each of the parallel blades has a curved portion at forward ends thereof to facilitate managing soft tissue and directional control of an endotracheal tube during insertion in a patient. A tooth guard pad of compliant rubber-like material may be permanently affixed to the underside of lower blade.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion section, a bending section, a bending operation section and a shift mechanism. The bending section includes a first bending section and a second bending section provided at a proximal end of the first bending section. The second bending section includes an actuation pipe interposed between an angle wire extending in the second bending section and a wire guide through the angle wire and guiding the angle wire, and supported to be moved in the extending direction of the wire guide with respect to the wire guide. A rigidity of the second bending section is shifted while the actuation pipe is moved in the extending direction of the wire guide.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method are provided. The probe for an imaging apparatus includes a manually manipulable proximal portion; a straight distal portion with a distal tip for locating at a site to define an observational field; and a curved portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The imaging method includes the steps of locating a distal tip of an imaging probe at a site to define an observational field; irradiating the observational field from the distal tip; and collecting a return signal at the distal tip; wherein the probe comprises a manually manipulable proximal portion. The apparatus and method provided herein are useful for various applications including but not limited to endomicroscopy and other microsurgical procedures performed under optical stereoscopic magnified visualization, such as neurosurgery, ENT/facial surgery and spinal surgery.

Abstract: A device for stimulating nerves adjacent the vagina includes a nerve stimulating element coupled to a body. The nerve stimulating element is positioned to stimulate the vesical, Frankenhauser's and/or inferior hypogastric plexuses. The device may reside in the vaginal fornices.

Abstract: A distal end bending piece subjected to processing for fastening a nail-plate portion so as to allow seesaw movements is assembled on a proximal end side of a distal end rigid portion, a sleeve is inserted from a rear side, and the sleeve is fitted and fixed to the distal end rigid portion in a state where a distal end bending piece is housed in the sleeve, thereby allowing a first nail-plate portion to elastically press an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve and allowing a second nail-plate portion to elastically press a bottom surface of a recessed portion of the distal end rigid portion at a predetermined contact pressure. Such a configuration enables a secure and stable electrical conduction between the distal end rigid portion and the distal end bending piece without interfering with a reduction in a diameter of the insertion portion.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a universal cable that joins an operation portion and a connector; a signal cable inserted through an inside of the universal cable; a frame arranged at a portion of the connector, from which the universal cable extends out, to surround an outer circumference of the universal cable; and a hole formed in a barrel portion of the frame, the hole allowing the signal cable to be inserted therethrough. An excess part of the signal cable is drawn out from the hole and the excess part is wound and stored on the barrel portion of the frame, the barrel portion of the frame with the excess part of the signal cable wound and stored thereon is covered by a rigid tube detachably fixed to the connector, and the rigid tube is covered by a bend preventing portion to reduce concentration of stress from an external force.

Abstract: A flexible endoscope shank with a shank body which, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shank, is composed of at least two shank portions with different degrees of flexibility, wherein at least one shank portion is composed of at least one spring element, and wherein all the spring elements of the shank portions, which, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the shank body, are arranged proximally from the outer distal shank portion, are designed as reversibly deformable spring rods extending in the longitudinal direction of the shank body. In order to create a flexible endoscope shank that can be produced easily and cost-effectively, each of the shank portions having at least one spring rod has at least one further spring rod, which is integrally bonded to the other spring rods of the respective shank portion.

Abstract: A new, quick, simple, efficient, safe, and reproducible surgical technique for the treatment of female urinary incontinence, in which the posterior urethra is suspended using a tape passed through the obturator orifices from inside (underneath the urethra) to outside (thigh folds). A variety of specifically designed surgical instruments are utilized to perform this operative procedure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention comprise endoscopes for viewing inside a cavity of a body such as a vessel like a vein or artery. These endoscopes may include at least one solid state emitter such as a light emitting diode (LED) that is inserted into the body cavity to provide illumination therein. Certain embodiments of the invention comprise disposable endoscopes that can be fabricated relatively inexpensively such that discarding these endoscopses after a single use is cost-effective. The endoscope may comprise a lens holder on a distal end of the endoscope for collection of light reflected from surfaces within the body in which the endoscope is inserted. This lens holder may have an inner cavity through which light passes along an optical path. Reflective surfaces on sidewalls of the inner cavity may direct light along this optical path. The endoscope may further comprise an elongated support structure for supporting a plurality of lenses disposed along the optical path.

Abstract: A cannula assembly including a seal for an endoscopic internal magnetic camera tether. The seal may include stacked compliant membranes with an aperture in each membrane through which a camera tether may pass. The apertures may overlap. The at least one aperture may be arranged as a slit. Each of the apertures may comprise a wedge-shaped gap. The membranes may include engagement members that couple to engagement members on the cannula assembly. The cannula assembly may provide separate ports for the camera tethers and for a trocar or other endoscopic instrument passing through the cannula assembly. The cannula assembly also may include a rotating housing with two openings and a seal arranged in each opening. The cannula assembly may include a sleeve that encases a cannula tube. The sleeve may include a seal on its end and a channel on its periphery through which a camera tether may pass.

Abstract: A method for enhancing stent visibility includes acquiring a set of image frames including multiple test frames. A set of measurement points uniformly distributed within an image of a stent is defined in the test frames. A local image context is defined around each measurement point. A non-rigid deformation field relating the local image contexts of the test frames to local image contexts of a reference image is calculated. The non-rigid deformation field is optimized by maximizing a similarity function between the local image contexts of the test frames and the local image contexts of the reference image. The optimized non-rigid deformation field is used to deform images of a stent in the multiple test frames and combine the non-rigidly deformed images of the stent from the test frames. An image frame with the combined image of the stents superimposed thereon is displayed.

Abstract: An endoscope having a hollow shaft for inserting an image guide, so that the distal end of the shaft is configured at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and the shaft is closed at the distal end by means of an end piece provided with a pass-through borehole for the image guide. To create an endoscope with an image transmission system of sufficient image size and image quality that can be autoclaved for cleaning purposes, it is proposed with the invention that the image guide should be positioned in the shaft in such a way that the bending radius of the image guide in the area of the bending of the shaft is greater than the bending radius of the shaft in the area of the bending.

Abstract: Improved optical devices and methods transmit optical images along elongate optical paths with relatively limited cross-sectional dimensions using an improved objective, relay, and ocular systems. In a first aspect, at least one intermediate image formed within an optical component, rather than being formed in a gap between optical components. In a preferred embodiment, a first intermediate image is formed within glass of the most proximal objective lens, with the first intermediate image extending axially along a curved image location within the glass. The last intermediate image may similarly be disposed within a distal lens of the ocular system. By making use of a first and/or last intermediate image disposed in this manner within a lens, endoscopes can exhibit a significantly larger Numerical Aperture than known endoscopes having similar cross-sectional dimensions.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for viewing a visually obscured portion of a body cavity. The system includes an endoscopic-type instrument, an imaging apparatus, and a human interface apparatus. The endoscopic-type instrument includes a face tip assembly connected to a shaft assembly, the shaft assembly being connected to a handle and viewing assembly. The face tip assembly includes a plurality of input/output ports and a working channel extension to protect an optical image collector. The shaft assembly includes an actively flexible shaft segment and a passively flexible shaft. The method for viewing a visually obscured portion of a cavity includes the steps of providing an instrument having an actively flexible shaft segment and manipulating the actively flexible shaft segment to a desired angular deflection.

Abstract: An endoscope tube having at least one image inversion system consisting of two rod lenses, in which the first rod ends, pointing to an intermediate image plane, have a marginal cylinder, which is mounted in the endoscope tube, in which the second rod ends, which lie symmetrical to an aperture plane, have a diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the endoscope tube, so that the end surfaces associated with the first rod lenses are convex in configuration, the end surfaces associated with the second rod ends can be cemented together with a lens element, and a distance holder that defines the aperture area is inserted between the two rod lenses, is characterized in that the rod diameter in each case continually decreases from the marginal cylinder toward the second rod end.

Abstract: An endoscope has a tubular shaft whose interior contains components, in particular lenses, spacers, diaphragms, prisms and filters of an optical system, said components being at least partially surrounded by a support piece made of shrunk material. It is proposed that the components be surrounded by a transparent and tube-sleeve-shaped shrunk material which has been shrunk before the components are introduced into the tubular shaft.

Abstract: An endoscope has a shaft which is composed of an outer tube and an inner tube, providing a channel therebetween. The proximal end of the shaft is connected to an endoscope head. The endoscope head is provided with a light guide connector. Light guides extend from said light guide connector to a distal end of said channel in said shaft. Said channel housing said light guides is filled with an adhesive.

Abstract: An endoscope has a fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image from a distal end to a proximal end, the waveguide having an outer diameter of less than 3 mm. A lens system is positioned at the distal end of the fiber optic waveguide. An imaging device is optically coupled to the proximal end of fiber optic waveguide. A disposable sheath extends about the fiber optic waveguide to provide a sterile barrier, and in a preferred embodiment the sheath includes an illumination channel. In a preferred embodiment, the lens system has a first lens element, a second lens element and an aperture stop.

Abstract: An optical access apparatus includes a portal sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal opening therethrough and an inner member at least partially positionable within the portal sleeve. The portal sleeve has leading and trailing end portions. The leading end portion has a leading edge adapted to penetrate tissue. The inner member includes a longitudinal lumen for at least partial reception of a viewing device and has a generally closed optical window adapted to permit passage of an image for viewing by the viewing device. The closed optical window is generally atraumatic with respect to the tissue whereby penetration through the tissue is substantially effected through the leading edge of the portal sleeve.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer housing subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends for carrying lenses and other optical elements. First and second positioners associated with the optics subassembly and the outer housing subassembly, respectively, limit the transfer of axial forces from the proximal end of the endoscope to the tubular sheath.

Abstract: A surgical imaging device and method configured to be inserted into a surgical site. The surgical imaging device includes a plurality of prongs. Each one of the prongs has an image sensor mounted thereon. The image sensors provide different image data corresponding to the surgical site, thus enabling a surgeon to view a surgical site from several different angles. The prongs may be moveable between a first position, suitable for insertion though a small surgical incision, and a second position, in which the prongs are separated from each other. In addition, the prongs may be bendable.

Abstract: An endoscope is described in which the diameter of the image relay assembly is less than that of the objective lens assembly. An endoscope sheath is also described for sheathing the endoscope and housing or directing optical fibers for use in illuminating the endoscope view of view. An endoscope-sheath system is further described comprising the combination of the endoscope and the endoscope sheath in eccentric alignment to reduce fluid flow impedance between the two.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer housing subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends for carrying lenses and other optical elements. A slow-curing adhesive material fills an annular gap between the optics and outer housing subassemblies. The adhesive material has a tear strength that seals and positions the optics subassembly for normal use and that enables the optics subassembly to be withdrawn from the outer housing subassembly for repair.

Abstract: A pipe connection structure for an endoscope is provided with a pipe made of a corrosion-resistant alloy material, and a piping block made of a corrosion-resistant alloy material, the piping block having a pipe insertion hole. An end of the pipe is fitted in the pipe insertion hole and the pipe and the piping block are connected by welding by irradiating a laser beam on the entire circumference of an area where the end of the pipe is fitted in the hole formed on the piping block. An axial length of the pipe inserted in the pipe insertion hole is in a range of 0.5 to 2 times a wall thickness of the pipe.

Abstract: An endoscope has a tubular shaft whose interior contains components, in particular lenses, spacers, diaphragms, prisms and filters of an optical system, said components being at least partially surrounded by a support piece made of shrunk material. It is proposed that the components be surrounded by a transparent and tube-sleeve-shaped shrunk material which has been shrunk before the components are introduced into the tubular shaft.

Abstract: An endoscope has an endoscope tube and a lens system arranged in the endoscope tube. The lens system has endoscope lens components and air gaps between the lens components. An illumination system is arranged within the endoscope tube. The endoscope lens components each have an axial lens length; the endoscope lens components include first lens components and second lens components, wherein the axial lens length of the first lens components is the shortest axial lens length, respectively, and wherein the axial lens length of the second lens components is longer than the shortest axial lens length. The first lens components with the shortest axial lens length are arranged in an area of an axial center of the endoscope tube. The second lens components having the longer axial lens length have a first half and a second half and an air gap arranged between the first and second halves.

Abstract: A medical instrument used as a sigmoidoscope (1) for internal examination of the rectum and sigmoid colon of a patient. The instrument includes an outer tubular member in the form of a speculum (2) having a forward insertion end (3) and a rearward observation end (4). An inner tapered guide tube (10) is disposed at least partially within the speculum (2). A retractable obturation tube (15) is disposed between the speculum (2) and the inner guide tube (10) for relative movement between a retracted position substantially within the speculum (2) and an extended position in which the obturation tube (15) protrudes longitudinally beyond the forward end (3) of the speculum (2).

Abstract: A metal endoscope housing designed with longitudinal segments of different cross-sections and/or with a longitudinal axis which may be elbowed or arcuate, is characterized in that the housing consists of separate partial shells which are separated at separation lines running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and which are joined in sealed manner to the separation lines.

Abstract: Optical devices which accurately position optical elements and methods for producing such optical devices. Each optical element is carried by a support on an axis that has portions plastically deformed to overlap portions of the faces of the optical element adjacent an intermediate peripheral surface. This configuration locks the optical element axially in the support and produces a positive rigid retaining structure for each optical element.

Abstract: When examining a living organism exhibiting dynamic behavior such as pulsing, the dynamic behavior is suppressed and clear images are acquired. The invention provides an objective lens unit including a lens barrel for supporting optical components, wherein an end surface of the lens barrel is disposed farther towards the distal side than an optical component at the extreme distal end, and channel-shaped indented portions extending in the diametrical direction are formed in the end surface of the lens barrel.

Abstract: An endoscope is described in which the diameter of the image relay assembly is less than that of the objective lens assembly. An endoscope sheath is also described for sheathing the endoscope and housing or directing optical fibers for use in illuminating the endoscope view of view. An endoscope-sheath system is further described comprising the combination of the endoscope and the endoscope sheath.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer body subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends. A compression spring is positioned between a proximal most relay lens element and a distal most eyepiece element. The spring exerts a distally acting force on the elements of an optical objective and relay lens system. It also produces a proximally directed force on optical elements in the eyepiece. This minimizes differential thermal expansion stresses during autoclaving operations.

Abstract: An endoscopic intubation system, in particular for babies or very small childern, comprises an endoscope and an endotracheal tube, where the endoscope includes a substantially bend-resistent shaft whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the tube, so that the tube can be slid onto the shaft and where the shaft is at least partially curved. The shaft comprises a continuously curved portion starting from the distal end.

Abstract: Optical devices which accurately position optical elements and methods for producing such optical devices. Each optical element is carried by a support on an axis that has portions plastically deformed to overlap portions of the faces of the optical element adjacent an intermediate peripheral surface. This configuration locks the optical element axially in the support and produces a positive rigid retaining structure for each optical element.

Abstract: Improved optical devices and methods transmit optical images along elongate optical paths with relatively limited cross-sectional dimensions using an improved objective, relay, and ocular systems. In a first aspect, at least one intermediate image formed within an optical component, rather than being formed in a gap between optical components. In a preferred embodiment, a first intermediate image is formed within glass of the most proximal objective lens, with the first intermediate image extending axially along a curved image location within the glass. The last intermediate image may similarly be disposed within a distal lens of the ocular system. By making use of a first and/or last intermediate image disposed in this manner within a lens, endoscopes can exhibit a significantly larger Numerical Aperture than known endoscopes having similar cross-sectional dimensions.

Abstract: A trocar sleeve capable of holding an endoscopic camera system and an associated endoscopic camera system are provided. When integrated with the trocar sleeve, the endoscopic camera can be used to provide a panoramic overview of the surgical area to supplement the view provided by a main endoscopic camera. The trocar sleeve includes a tube and a base coupled to the tube. The tube includes a channel for accommodating a surgical tool, such as a trocar. The tube further includes a receptacle separate from the channel, for allowing removable attachment of an endoscope to the trocar sleeve. The base includes a fastener for allowing removable attachment of an endoscopic camera head to the trocar sleeve. The camera head has a corresponding fastener for mating with the fastener of the base.

Abstract: A monocular borescope or endoscope is provided with an image relaying means (16) defining a longitudinal axis (L)(and with a viewing means comprising an ocular lens (20) and field mask (18) defining a central axis (C) which is parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis (L). In one embodiment the ocular lens (20) is coincident with the central axis (C) of the mask (18), while in another embodiment the ocular lens (20) is coincident with the longitudinal axis (L). The mask (18) is arranged to be mountable in a number of different rotational orientations each providing a different offset between the longitudinal axis (L) and the central axis (C).

Abstract: An endoscope is provided having a shaft and a handle extending to the side of the shaft at the proximal end. A mechanism is provided for pivoting the view direction in an observation area and has at least one operating element being engaged with the mechanism for actuating the mechanism. The at least one operating element is positioned on the handle, such that the mechanism is actuatable with at least one finger or thumb of the same hand holding the handle.

Abstract: An endoscope has an outer shaft, in which an optical channel receiving an optical system is arranged, wherein in the outer shaft, further, a channel for receiving a working element, at least one supply channel extending longitudinally for a medium and at least one discharge channel extending longitudinally for the discharge of a medium, the discharge being separated from the supply, are arranged. The optical channel and the at least one supply channel and/or the at least one discharge channel are configured as chambers of a profiled shaft, which is chambered in its cross section and received in the outer shaft.

Abstract: An endoscopic optics fitted with lens elements and securing device to secure the element positions against shifting in case of being impacted. The securing device is a circumferentially expansible tube that jointly encloses, at least at one abutment surface, the adjoining ends of two lens elements while being of a lesser inside diameter than the outside diameter of the lens elements and being permanently prestressed against them.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided comprising a transmitter unit for detecting the position of a medical instrument with the aid of a CAS system, wherein the apparatus comprises the transmitter unit at a fixed position and wherein the medical instrument is attachable to the apparatus. To allow simple assembly and disassembly, the apparatus is formed as an adapter. A reception coupling is provided on one first side of the adapter at which the adapter can be releasably, however mechanically fixed and simply coupled to a predetermined coupling location on the medical instrument.

Abstract: An endoscopic intubation system, in particular for babies or very small childern, comprises an endoscope and an endotracheal tube, where the endoscope includes a substantially bend-resistent shaft whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the tube, so that the tube can be slid onto the shaft and where the shaft is at least partially curved. The shaft comprises a continuously curved portion starting from the distal end.

Abstract: A laparoscope apparatus for use in laparoscopic surgery or the like comprises a cannula with an inner hollow having therein a light guide for introducing light to its tip end for illuminating the object to be observed, and an endoscope which is capable of being pulled into and out from the inner hollow of the cannula. The cannula is airtightly sealed with a transparent member at its tip end, while the endoscope has therein an image pick-up with a wide-angle lens, and the image pick-up is housed in the cannula close to the transparent member.

Abstract: A guide tube which stabilizes a guide position of a scope inserted into an object to be observed and serves to prevent a surface wall portion of the object to be observed from being pinched by a leading end. A metal ring and a hard plastic ring having a ring like convex portion are attached to a leading end of a main tube of the guide tube. The ring like convex portion is made, for example, of an elastic polyurethane resin and a protruding end has an inside diameter D1 which is slightly smaller than an outside diameter of a scope to be guided. The guide tube is capable of bringing the scope into close contact with an inside of the convex portion. Furthermore, the metal ring makes it possible to confirm a location of the guide tube by x-ray radioscopy inspection.

Abstract: An endoscope optics is fitted with a rigid stem and an objective lens is received in a distal end of the stem. The stem also receives an image transmission device for transmitting images away from the objective lens toward a proximal end of the stem. The image transmission device consists of a plurality of spaced apart optical lenses. At least one of the plurality of spaced apart lenses is made of sapphire.

Abstract: A surgical endoscopic instrument for operating on anatomical tissue includes a rigid barrel, a shaft extending through the barrel and an offset endoscope mounted on the shaft. The endoscope is offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft by a transverse connecting member, thereby permitting the endoscope viewing end to move through an arcuate path outside the diametrical dimension of the barrel. During insertion of the instrument through a portal or the like, the offset endoscope can be positioned within a diametrical dimension of the surgical instrument, either by rotating the shaft or by drawing the shaft and the endoscope viewing end into the barrel in an axial manner. The offset endoscope may be aimed to provide an oblique field of view of a surgical procedure and may include an articulable ball joint having a solid state imaging sensor and light source; the ball joint imaging sensor aim is preferably articulable or controllable from the instrument proximal end using control members (e.g.

Abstract: A hard endoscope used for assisting a micro-operation includes a body and an insert portion extending from the body. The insert portion includes a first linear portion, and a second linear portion longer than the first linear portion. The first and second linear portions are arranged forwardly in order from the body. A connecting portion is disposed between the first linear portion and the second linear portion. The insert portion thus constructed exhibits a bent configuration. The first and second linear portions have a first and a second relay lens, respectively, therein. The connecting portion has a prism therein. This prism transmits the light coming through the first relay lens to the second relay lens.

Abstract: A surgical/diagnostic imaging device for use in interabdominal, interthoracic, and other surgical and diagnostic procedures includes an image sensor pivotally mounted at the distal end of a support. In use, the image sensor and support are contained within a disposable sterile sheath, and the distal portion of the sheath is inserted into the patient through an incision. The imaging device includes actuators to move the image sensor in elevation and azimuth.