A tip cleaning accessory for enhancement in the utility of rigid endoscopic instruments is hereinafter disclosed. This accessory includes a complimentary tubular member adapted for use with a rigid endoscope. The endoscope contemplated for use with such an accessory includes a handset or handle, a rigid tubular shaft, having a plurality of functional channels adapted for acceptance of at least two fiber optic bundles, the first bundle for illuminating the operative field and a second bundle for visualization of the operative field, either directly through an eye piece (located within the instrument handset) or upon a video screen by coupling a video camera to the imaging bundle. The tip cleaning accessory of this invention comprises an adaptive and complimentary tubular member for use in conjunction with the endoscope to provide and direct a source of cleansing fluid to the tip of the endoscope so as to enable removal of debris from the optical windows associated with both the light and imaging bundles of the instrument. This accessory can be supplied along with new endoscopic instruments and is also compatible with endoscopic instruments of existing design.
An endoscope apparatus includes: an endoscope having an insertion section; and a sheath attached thereto so as to cover at least the insertion section of the endoscope, wherein the endoscope apparatus is equipped with: a forward end gap portion formed between the inner surface of an edge portion formed in the forward end portion of the sheath and the outer surface of the forward end portion of the insertion section of the endoscope; and a fluid passage which communicates with the forward end gap portion and which is formed between the inner surface of the sheath and the outer surface of the insertion section of the endoscope, and wherein a liquid feeding passage or a suction passage for passing a cleaning fluid or a sucked object is provided in the fluid passage, and a nozzle section for spraying the cleaning fluid onto an observation window portion in the forward end portion of the insertion section of the endoscope is provided in the forward end gap portion.
The present invention provides a medical surgical or dental laser light irradiating apparatus which enables operators as well as third persons to precisely view the treatment. The medical laser light irradiating apparatus of the present invention comprises an optical fiber 3 for emitting from its front end the laser light which is incident upon the rear end thereof from said laser light supply means, a handpiece 1 for holding said optical fiber 3, an light incident face 21 which is made integrally with said handpiece 1 so that it faces at least a laser light irradiated area, imaging means 20 for imaging of at least laser light irradiated area based upon the light which is received through the light incident face 21, display means 30 for displaying a result of imaging from said imaging means 20, and jetting means 40, 40A, 41, 42 for jetting an air to an area in front of said light incident face 21.
The present invention concerns a connector that comprises a coupling comprising a first portion, a second portion that is located adjacent the first portion, a top surface, and a bottom planar surface that is located opposite the top surface. The bottom planar surface is continuous through the first portion and the second portion. The top surface is substantially planar through the first portion while defining a shape through the second portion that is asymmetrical in two dimensions about a set of perpendicular axes centered in the second portion. The present invention also provides a connection system, a portable assembly, and a method of assembling a portable structure that utilizes the coupling.
A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axis skewed relative to the axis of the cannula. The dissection cradle may include two substantially parallel, spaced legs with the retractor shaped in a loop between and in a plane skewed relative to the axes of the legs, and with the loop directed away from the surgical tool. Thus, in operation, when a surgeon locates a vessel and side branch of interest, the surgeon extends the retractor to cradle the vessel in the dissection cradle. Once cradled, the retractor may be fully extended to urge the vessel away from the axis of the cannula to isolate the side branch for exposure to a surgical tool. One of the legs supporting the retractor is hollow and includes a spray nozzle disposed in the distal end of the retractor to form an irrigation system. The proximal end of the hollow leg communicates with a fluid inlet which receives irrigation fluid under pressure for washing the endoscope lens. The spray nozzle on the retractor may be positioned to wash the endoscope lens, or upon selective extension of the retractor out of the cannula, the spray nozzle may be positioned to direct the spray of irrigation fluid at a remote surgical site.
A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axis skewed relative to the axis of the cannula. The dissection cradle may include two substantially parallel, spaced legs with the retractor shaped in a loop between and in a plane skewed relative to the axes of the legs, and with the loop directed away from the surgical tool. Thus, in operation, when a surgeon locates a vessel and side branch of interest, the surgeon extends the retractor to cradle the vessel in the dissection cradle. Once cradled, the retractor may be fully extended to urge the vessel away from the axis of the cannula to isolate the side branch for exposure to a surgical tool. One of the legs supporting the retractor is hollow and includes a spray nozzle disposed in the distal end of the retractor to form an irrigation system The proximal end of the hollow leg communicates with a fluid inlet which receives irrigation fluid under pressure for washing the endoscope lens. The spray nozzle on the retractor may be positioned to wash the endoscope lens, or upon selective extension of the retractor out of the cannula, the spray nozzle may be positioned to direct the spray of irrigation fluid at a remote surgical site.
