Linvatec Corporation

Envision Medical Corporation

Bristol-myers Squibb Compnay

Mountain Medical Equipment, Inc.

David A D'Alfonso

Jordan C Christoff

Robert R Walls

James R Higson

A video camera system is described which may store operating parameter information for reading by the system to provide optimum operating conditions, which may collect information reflecting system uses for later reading by the system to provide a performance history, and which is relatively small and operates with a reduced number of electrical lines to transmit electrical information.

Remote CCD video camera with non-volatile digital memory

An electronic autoclave cycle passively records the number of thermal cycles to which an instrument has been subjected in a steam autoclave. When a sterilization cycle has been completed, and the instrument is next energized in use, a microprocessor is employed to read the sensor and record the occurrence of a sterilization cycle. Information as to the cumulative number of cycles through which the instrument has been subjected is stored in a non-volatile memory. This data is suitably displayed on a display panel. The sensor employed uses either the Curie temperature or a temperature near but below the Curie temperature of a ferromagnetic material by first magnetizing the material and then, later, checking its flux density to determine whether a thermal cycle has occurred. In a first embodiment, a Hall effect sensor is used to directly measure the magnetic field strength of the magnetizable material. In a second embodiment, a sensor winding is used to sense the magnetic field strength of the magnetizable material. The sensor winding is interconnected with an amplifier so that changes in flux can be sensed.

Autoclave cycle monitor for autoclaved instruments

A video camera system stores operating parameter information for reading by the system to provide optimum operating conditions, collects information reflecting system uses for later reading by the system to provide a performance history, and is relatively small and operates with a reduced number of electrical lines to transmit electrical information.

A system for transmitting an image through the fiber bundle of an optical fiber endoscope is provided, characterized by an electronic filter for substantial removal of distortion such as that introduced by passage of the image through the bundle. The filter is configured with a variable characteristic such as cutoff frequency which can be matched to a predetermined parameter of the bundle such as the density of individual fibers. Thus, the filter can be easily modified to provide optimal performance if the fiber bundle is replaced or modified.

Fiberscope enhancement system

A video camera of the type in which the camera head is detached from the camera control unit, and coupled to the same with a cable is provided. The driving circuitry for the imager is situated at the camera head. Compensation circuitry is included to adjust the phase relationship between the timing signals passed to and from the camera control unit over the cable to at least partly compensate for delay through the cable.

Remote imager video camera cable compensation circuitry

A remote endoscopic video camera system is provided which is capable of providing both left and right eye pre-video signals for generating a three-dimensional image. The left and right eye pre-video signals are provided by first and second imagers which are capable of being enclosed in a single camera head, which, in turn, is capable of being coupled to the remaining camera circuitry through a single cable, without causing substantial interference between the two imagers.

Remote 3D video camera system

An ultrasonic nebulizer is of the type having a piezoelectric transducer communicating with a fluid reservoir and is characterized by having a protective cover of a predetermined wavelength which is superimposed on the transducer, an elastomeric boot in surrounding relation to the cover to prevent fluid loss from the interface between the cover and transducer, and an oil coupling medium is disposed in the interface for coupling the ultrasonic energy from the transducer to the cover.

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Goleta, CA, United States of America

David A D'Alfonso