Importance

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Abstract

An articulated optical arm adapted to optically link an endoscopic telescope to a viewing station through a series of mechanically interhinged and optically intercoupled arm sections, the last arm in the series being coupled to a terminal eyepiece through an image-erecting barrel which is rotatable by a barrel rotator to correct for image displacement. Associated with the endoscope are surgical instruments for performing an operation at the surgical site viewed by the endoscope. In order to make it possible for a surgeon while manipulating the instrument with his hands to rotate the barrel to maintain an erect image, the barrel rotator includes a bi-directional motor controlled by a foot-operated switch. When foot-actuated in one way, the switch causes the motor to turn the barrel clockwise; and when foot-actuated in another way, it causes the motor to turn the barrel counterclockwise whereby the surgeon is able to maintain proper image orientation throughout a procedure in the course of which the articulated arm undergoes adjustment that acts to displace the image.

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First Claim