Abstract: A pusher-rotator for installing a heart valve prosthesis including a handle and a flexible shaft extending from the handle. A valve holder is attached to a terminal end of the shaft. A bendable member is formed of a material which is bendable to hold a fixed shape. The bendable member includes multiple contact points for supporting the flexible shaft at spaced apart support points and maintaining the flexible shaft rotatable in a flexed orientation.

Abstract: A controllable sheath for optimizing the control of surgical instruments at the operation site includes a flexible sheath surrounding an endoscope and including a lumen extending along the walls of the sheath and adjacent to the endoscope. The lumen permits the passage of surgical instruments from the proximal end of the endoscopic device to the operation site. The lumen extends beyond the distal end of the endoscope and deflects at the distal end as desired by the operator's manipulation of a controller device. This distal end deflection may occur through various different techniques where the ability to deflect the lumen gives the operator increased control and maneuverability over the surgical implements located in the lumen. Depending upon the particular requirements of the surgical procedure, the controllable sheath may include any number of lumens capable of distal end deflection.

Abstract: A medical instrument having a shaft with a bending neck, an ultrasound device at a distal end of the bending neck, a working channel extending through the shaft with a tubular working channel made from superelastic material extending to an opening proximate the ultrasound device, and a biopsy needle located in the working channel. The needle is comprised of superelastic material and is extendible and retractable out the working channel opening in an imaging path of the ultrasound device.

Abstract: A surgical positioning device that includes a body having a first un-stressed configuration and at least one fluid channel to receive a fluid. The at least one fluid channel is constructed and arranged to transform the body of the surgical positioning device from the first un-stressed configuration to a second configuration when fluid is forced into the at least one fluid channel. The surgical positioning device can include one or more working channels that permit surgical devices to be remotely positioned by the surgical positioning device by adjusting an amount of fluid forced into the at least one fluid channel.

Abstract: A stemmed endoscopic instrument has a distal operational tool, a proximal drive unit and a stem containing a force transmitting element extending through and displaceably received in the stem. A distal end of the force transmitting element acts on the operational tool and a proximal end engages the drive unit so that the force transmitting element drives the operational tool when the drive unit is actuated. An overload protection device limiting the traction force transmissible from the drive unit to the tool has a coupling with two mutually detachably connected coupling elements, the coupling being adjusted so that when a defined tension or force threshold is exceeded, the coupling elements separate from each other and force transmission is interrupted.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided that comprises a micro-size video camera, a flexible cable attached to the camera comprising fiber optical means for transmitting light to illuminate the site viewed by the camera and electrical conductors for transmitting electronic signals generated by the camera in response to images viewed by the camera, and a malleable or rigid shaft detachably connected to and supporting said camera and said cable. The rigid shaft may be straight or may be preformed in a selected curved configuration. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a malleable shaft is permanently attached to said camera. Using a malleable shaft offers the advantage that the shaft is manually manipulable into various configurations to facilitate access to different surgical sites, with the shaft having the ability to remain in each selected configuration until manually reformed into another configuration.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising a handle and a flexible shaft connected to the handle. The flexible shaft has an active deflection section and a passive deflection section with a control wire support member therein. The endoscope also has a control wire connected to the active deflection section. A portion of the control wire is housed in the control wire support member. The control wire support member is made from a superelastic alloy material and is resiliently deflectable bending with the passive deflection section without permanent deformation or substantial fatigue over a working life of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope having a distal end, a port at the distal end, and a channel extending through the endoscope to the distal end and communicating with the port; and a bending insertion instrument extensible through the channel and the port. The bending insertion instrument includes angle wires provided at a distal end portion of the bending insertion instrument, and shape memory alloy wires connected to proximal end portions of the angle wires, the angle wires having a lower electrical resistance than an electrical resistance of the shape memory alloy wires.

Abstract: A series of medical instruments can be made with the use of shape memory tube with a transformation temperature that is above or below the ambient temperature. In the first case, the material behaves with the shape memory effect and in the second case the behavior is superelastic. The wall of the tube has been provided with a plurality of slots in specific places, often near or at the distal end of the instrument, and in specific arrangements which allow local variations in diameter, shape, and/or length. These variations can either be caused by the memory effect during temperature change or by superelastic behavior during change of the mechanical influences on the memory metal by the surrounding material.

Abstract: A flexible sheathing tube suitable for encasing an elongated flexible body like a flexible insertion rod of an endoscope or other insertion type examination istrument, and a method for fabrication of such sheathing tubes. The flexible sheathing tube being of the type is basically provided with a flexible base structure having at least an open helical coil member of a cylindrical shape, a protective mesh sleeve fitted on the helical coil member, and an insulating outer coating layer formed on the protective mesh sleeve. The sheathing tube is further provided with an inner coat layer of a resilient material formed on the inner side of the helical coil member in such a manner as to cover the inner periphery of the helical coil member completely, filling in gap spaces between open helices of the coil member.

Abstract: I An endoscope having a deflection control and a shaft connected to the deflection control. The shaft has a deflectable section operably connected to the deflection control by drive cables. The deflectable section comprises rigid rings and flexible connection members connecting the rings to each other. The connection members are comprised of a superelastic shape memory alloy. The connection members retain the deflectable section in a predetermined shape. The connection members can be resiliently bent to bend the deflectable section without permanent deformation of the connection member over a working life of the endoscope.

Abstract: A bendable portion for an endoscope includes a bending mechanism which minimizes the bendable portion diameter and allows a large degree of bending. A bending mechanism embodiment uses a shape memory alloy coil encircling the elastic body of the bendable portion. The shape memory alloy coil is heated to define the shape of the bendable portion.

Abstract: A bending mechanism for use with a stereoscope, comprises a tubular body or linear body having a bending part, a movable part which can move in the lengthwise direction of the tubular body or linear body, two actuators formed to act in opposition to each other via the movable part, and a pull wire which extends in the lengthwise direction along the bending part. One end of the wire is fixed to one end side of the bending part and the other end of the wire is fixed to the movable part set at the other end side of the bending part. At least one of the two actuators is a shape memory element. The bending mechanism of the present invention is free from displacement of the movable part when bending action is not needed, since the two actuators are used which act in opposition to each other via the movable part, and thus, buckling of the bending part can be prevented. The simple structure of the activator unit of the present invention facilitates a reduction of the size of the structure.

Abstract: The invention is of an intubation system which is based on a specially designed fiberscopic instrument of a new design to address the unique requirements for intubation. The fiberscope (referred to as an "endoscopic stylet" by the inventor) has a largely semi-rigid insertion cord which permits a user to pre-form the endoscopic stylet to follow the anticipated contours of the airway leading to the trachea and to insure that it reliably shepherds the associated endotracheal tube to the intended tracheal position. By visually tracking the progress of the endoscopic stylet through the airway, specifically through the vocal cords and into the trachea, placed at the proper distance above the carina, as permitted by the fiberoptic portions of the endoscopic stylet, proper positioning of the endotracheal tube is virtually assured, and post-intubation verification would be unnecessary in most instances since intubation is itself verification of proper endotracheal tube placement.

Abstract: An elongated flexible housing for an atherectomy or other intracorporeal catheter which is formed of a shape memory alloy such ass an alloy formed predominantly of NiTi intermetallic compound. The housing preferably has an inner chamber with a tissue cutter or other diagnostic or therapeutic system provided within the chamber to sever stenotic material which is urged into the chamber through a opening or window in the housing. In one embodiment the housing has at least one section which is relatively flexible with adjacent sections which are relatively stiff to provide an increase in the overall flexibility of the housing.

Abstract: An intubator includes a housing and a memory cylinder connected for axial movement relative to the housing. A flexible scope tube attached to the housing extends within and through the memory cylinder such that the scope tube can be retracted within or caused to extend beyond the distal end of the memory cylinder by the relative axial movement between the housing and memory cylinder. The scope tube is angularly adjustable and includes a light transmitting fiber optic cable, a visual transmission fiberoptic cable, and a fluid conduit. In use, an endotracheal tube is mounted on the memory cylinder such that the endotracheal tube, memory cylinder and scope tube have their distal ends flush. The intubator is then inserted through the patient's mouth to the larynx opening. Collapsing the memory cylinder within the handle causes the scope tube to be extended from the memory cylinder for positioning within the trachea.

Abstract: An endoscope is disclosed which is flexible at least section-wise and comprises at least one picture guide with an objective arranged at the distal side, and an eyepiece as well as a light guide arranged at the proximal side and a shank surrounding these components. The shank is made from a superelastic material and is dimensioned such that the endoscope is automatically restored to its original shape.

Abstract: A medical endoscope has a superelastic-alloy force-transmitting element having at least one recess in its surface at a coupling site and being positively connected to a load-receiving component, the recess being formed by sublimation removal of material.

Abstract: In an endoscope tube system, an elastically bendable section is constructed of individual members spaced with respect to one another. A stabilizing spring band and a tension spring band are provided. The spring bands extend in a mutually opposite manner axially along the circumferential area of the individual members and at least one of the bands have a natural curvature which is opposite to the bending direction of the bendable section. The individual members are fixed on the stabilizing spring band, while the tension spring band is only connected with the most forward individual member. This construction of the bendable section requires no tension cables and is therefore operationally reliable, easy to take apart, and easy to clean.

Abstract: A construction element that contains a shape memory element which changes shape in response to a change in the temperature of the memory element. The temperature is varied by a fluid which flows through channels adjacent to the shape memory element. The fluid typically flows through an inner channel of the memory element and an outer element formed by the element and an outer elastic pipe. A plurality of shape memory elements can be coupled together to create a robotic arm or an endoscopic instrument. The arm or endoscope can change shape by varying the temperature of the fluid. The fluid temperature and the corresponding shape of the arm/endoscope can be controlled by a computer.

Abstract: The present invention is an instrument (10) which includes a tubular section (12) having a wall (13) made of a material exhibiting superelastic characteristics and a delivery tube (14) having a bore (15) through which the tubular section (12) passes. The instrument (10) may be adapted for use in medical/dental and non-medical procedures. The superelastic character of the wall material is used in combination with the delivery tube (14) to alternately restrict the shape of the wall (13) and allow it to change to its unconstrained shape. Thus, the wall (13) can be sufficiently deformed to permit the tubular section (12) to pass in and out of and through the delivery tube (14) while at the same time enabling the tubular section (12) to have a shape when extended outside of the delivery tube (14) that is sufficiently bent or curved to be suitable for performing a desired function, for example a medical or dental procedure inside a patient's body.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope section having a flexible pipe insertable into a body cavity. The flexible pipe is divided into a plurality of segments. Each segment has a mechanism, e.g. shape memory alloy, for varying the flexibility of that segment. A main frame unit has a flexibility control section for controlling the flexibility variation mechanisms to correspond to one of a plurality of flexibility control patterns stored in a database.