Leonard Medical

Vipera Systems, Inc.

Rorer Group, Inc.

Leonard J Bonnell

Dennis C Leiner

Thomas Brukilacchio

John Gregory Aceti

Endodiagnostic methods utilize differential thermal relaxation and IR and visible imaging to differentiate between normal and abnormal interior body structures and tissue. With the use of a separate or integrated visible endoscope, an interior body site to be examined is visualized and then the area of interest is flooded with a cooling liquid. Upon contact with the area of interest, an immediate cooling of the flush site takes place, thus providing a temperature differential of approximately 25 degrees Fahrenheit of the cooled site compared to surrounding body-temperature tissue. As the area warms back to the surrounding tissue temperature, abnormal areas can be visualized because their temperature warms at a different rate compared to normal structure or tissue. As time progresses the contrast between normal and abnormal reaches a maximum and then declines as both relax back to body temperature. During the relaxation period infrared emissions within the range including 2 to 14 micrometers are visualized in the form of encoded images to permit differential analysis. This is done via endoscopic apparatus having separate or integrated IR and visible channels. The IR channel preferably comprises a refractive objective lens for forming a real image of interior structure of interest, a relay system consisting solely of refracting elements for transferring the real image to an intermediate image plane conjugate to the objective image plane, and a refracting coupling lens for forming a final image of the intermediate image in a detector plane for an IR detector sensitive in the range including 2 to 14 micrometers.

Endodiagnostic method using differential thermal relaxation and IR

Dual channel Endodiagnostic apparatus and methods by which infrared emissions within the range including 2 to 14 micrometers may be visualized in the form of encoded images to permit differential analysis. The endoscopic apparatus has an IR channel and a visible channel. The IR channel comprises a refractive objective lens for forming a real image of interior structure of interest, a relay system consisting solely of refracting elements for transferring the real image to an intermediate image plane conjugate to the objective image plane, and a refracting coupling lens for forming a final image of the intermediate image in a detector plane in which an IR detector sensitive in the range including 2 to 14 micrometers may be placed near the proximal end of the apparatus. The IR and visible channels are arranged to visualize substantially the same subject matter.

Dual IR and visible channel endodiagnostic apparatus

Endodiagnostic apparatus and methods by which infrared emissions of 2 micrometers and above may be visualized in the form of encoded images to permit differential analysis. The endoscopic apparatus comprises a refractive objective lens for forming a real image of interior structure of interest, a relay system consisting solely of refractive elements for transferring the real image to an intermediate plane conjugate to the objective image plane, a refracting coupling lens for forming a final image of the intermediate image in a detector plane in which an IR detector sensitive in the range of 2 micrometers and greater may be placed near the proximal end of the apparatus, and a warm stop for ameliorating the effects of stray IR radiation in the system.

Endoscope for imaging infrared emissions within the range of 2 to 14

A remote-controlled device is capable of selectively positioning a medical instrument within a predetermined region of space. The device includes a clamp having two pivotally mounted sections enabling the clamp to be placed in either an opened position or a closed position. Each section has a drive wheel including an arc-shaped groove which accommodates the medical instrument when the clamp is placed in the closed position. Each of the wheels has a coupling gear positioned and configured to pivot apart when the clamp is placed in the open position with portions of teeth of the gears remaining engaged with each other. One of the drive wheels is directly driven by a motor housed in one of the sections of the clamp.

Positioner for medical instruments

Endodiagnostic apparatus and methods by which infrared emissions within the range including 2 to 14 micrometers may be visualized in the form of encoded images to permit differential analysis. The endoseopic apparatus comprises a refractive objective lens for forming a real image of interior structure of interest, a relay system consisting solely of refracting elements for transferring the real image to an intermediate image plane conjugate to the objective image plane, and a refracting coupling lens for forming a final image of the intermediate image in a detector plane in which an IR detector sensitive in the range including 2 to 14 micrometers may be placed near the proximal end of the apparatus.

Endoscopic diagnostic systems and associated methods employing infrared

The invention features a remote-controlled device for selectively positioning a medical instrument within a predetermined region of space. The remote-controlled device has a motor which provides mechanical energy to the remote-controlled device, a driver that is coupled to the motor and that has a predetermined relationship with the motor. The driver physically engages the medical instrument and converts the mechanical energy into controlled motion of the medical instrument. The remote-controlled device receives control signals from a remote location that direct the motor to supply a predetermined amount of mechanical energy, whereby the driver, with the predetermined relationship with the motor, selectively positions the medical instrument within the region of space.

An apparatus for adjustable positioning of a patient's leg during a medical procedure has a base which may be attached to an operating table, a pitch/jaw assembly mounted upon the base, a leg extension having a first end mounted upon the pitch/yaw assembly for movement of a second end in horizontal and vertical planes relative to the base, a strap of the like for securement of the lower end portion of the patient's leg, and a brace for fixed positioning of the patient's thigh. In preferred embodiments, a foot brace is rotatably mounted at the second end of the leg extension. Also, the leg extension is pivotable about the base in vertical and/or horizontal planes from a first position toward an adjustment position, the pitch/yaw assembly adapted to return the leg extension toward its first position, and therebeing a lock or the like for securing the leg extension in adjusted position.

Varus and valgus leg manipulator

An apparatus for the manipulation of the mandible comprising, in one embodiment, a handle, a mouth tray for insertion into said patient's mouth and a chin rest for positioning under said patient's chin. The distance between the chin rest and the mouth tray is adjustable so as to hold the patient's mandible firmly between the chin rest and the mouth tray and permit the physician to manipulate the patient's mandible using only one hand.

Mandible manipulator

An instrument-supporting, articulated device has a distal end capable of supporting an instrument in the region of a surgical operating site. The device has at least one joint that supports a movable distal support element relative to a proximal support, the joint being associated with a mode selector. The joint has structure capable, upon selection of a first mode of operation by the selector, of enabling relatively free motion of the joint for achieving a desired position of the instrument and the joint has structure capable, upon selection of a second mode of operation by the selector, to set the position of the instrument in space with lightly loaded restraint. The lightly loaded restraint is of a value that, while the second mode continues to be selected, the user may adjust the position of the instrument by application of a light force to the instrument and upon release of such light force by the user, the instrument will remain in the newly adjusted position.

Arm device for adjustable positioning of a medical instrument or the like

A method for stimulating formation of tissue in a living being within a joint capsule includes the steps of: introducing at least a cathode terminal into the joint capsule from the exterior through a puncture in the flesh, under visual control of an arthroscope introduced into the joint capsule via a puncture in the flesh, juxtaposing the cathode terminal in close relationship to a region in the capsule where tissue growth is desired, positioning an anode terminal at a location remote from but in substantial electrical continuity, through body tissue, with the cathode terminal, and connecting an electric power supply between the anode and cathode terminals, the steps being adapted to cause electrical current to flow between the terminals in a manner to stimulate growth of tissue on the surface. A device for introduction into the joint capsule for stimulating formation of tissue according to the invention is also disclosed.

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Huntingdon Valley, PA, United States of America

Leonard J Bonnell