To facilitate certain surgical procedures, a flexible endoscope may more readily be passed through body vessels and tubular organs, especially when those organs assume a tortuous path. However, a difficulty arises in steering a flexible endoscope through internal body orifices. In accordance with the present invention, a rigid introducer is used in combination with the flexible endoscope to facilitate targeting of such an orifice and once the distal end of the introducer is made to enter the orifice, the flexible endoscope can be advanced through the introducer and there beyond to the point in the body where an item of interest is to be viewed.

A method for casting a housing around an endoscope frame is shown. The method includes the step of assembling an endoscope frame comprising a proximal end of an elongated shaft having a first working channel, a second working channel, a fiber optical image bundle channel, and fiber optic light carrying member. Each of the working channels and the fiber optic light carrying member extend in a predetermined direction from the elongated shaft to a preselected location wherein each of the working channels are terminated in an input opening member. The fiber optic image bundle terminates in a viewing member. The fiber optic light carrying member terminates in a light connecting member. The method then comprises the step of casting with a curable material a housing having a predetermined shape and exterior outer surface around the endoscope frame including the proximal end of an elongated shaft, a first working channel, a second working channel, a fiber optic image bundle channel and a fiber optic light carrying member such that the input opening member of eacb working channel and a light connecting member of the fiber optic light carrying member extend through the exterior outer surface at separate and distinct locations which are positioned in a spaced relationship from the exterior outer surface and with a viewing member for terminating the fiber optic image bundle positioned interiorly within the housing, all of which form a fluid tight seal with the housing.

A cannula for use in laparoscopy is provided which includes an elongated shaft with a lumen along its longitudinal axis and a tip having a lumen and a conical member for engaging the cervix. The tip includes a distal end portion which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The cannula includes a tenaculum clamp coupling which is movable along at least a portion of the shaft within a plane through the shaft. Means are provided for attaching the tip to the shaft with the transverse distal end portion being fixed at any desired location rotationally about the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, means are provided for aligning the transverse distal end portion with the plane of movement.

A surgical instrument incorporating visualizing optics is disclosed. The instrument comprises a handle supporting a rigid, curved, hollow shaft, a spherical tip is located on the distal end of the shaft providing a surface that will not tear or easily penetrate tissue. A fiber-optic assembly, containing at least one illumination transmitting fiber, a plurality of image-carrying fibers and an objective lens mounted near the distal end of the image fibers runs the entire length of the shaft. The objective lens is mounted relative to an opening in the tip allowing either axial viewing or side viewing. Light for illuminating the surgical site passes through one or more illumination fibers and through the opening in the spherical tip of the probe. Light reflected from the tissue at the tip of the probe is focused onto the distal face of the image assembly by an objective lens and is then transmitted to the proximal end of the image assembly. Connectors on the proximal ends of the illumination fibers and image fibers facilitate their being coupled to an illumination source and a viewing device.

A control handle for a video probe that includes a joystick mounted in a housing which is coupled to a stepper mechanism for moving the control cables of an elongated insertion tube in response to the manipulation by an operator. The joystick is sealed against liquid infiltration.