Endoscope assembly and surgical instrument for use therewith

In combination with a surgical instrument dimensioned and adapted to be held and operated by one hand;

• said instrument having non-flexible handle, shank, and operating end portions rigidly connected to each other to provide tactile feedback therethrough to a user gripping and manipulating said handle portion when objects are engaged by said operating end portion;
• a scope assembly comprising a generally rigid head portion, viewing means remote from said head portion, and an elongated flexible cable assembly extending between said head portion and said viewing means;
• connecting means detachably but rigidly securing said head portion alongside said operating end portion of said instrument;
• said instrument and viewing means being independently movable in relation to each other to the extent permitted by said flexible cable assembly;
• said scope assembly including a fiberoptic waveguide extending through said cable assembly for transmitting light to said head portion for illuminating a work area adjacent the operating end portion of said instrument;
• and a fiberoptic bundle of oriented fibers extending through said cable from said head portion to said viewing means for transmitting a coherent image of the work area illuminated by said waveguide;
• and support means for supporting said viewing means for viewing the image of the illuminated work area by a user.

An endoscopic attachment for use with a surgical instrument dimensioned and adapted to be held and operated by one hand;

• said instrument having non-flexible handle, shank, and operating end protions rigidly connected to each other to provide tactile feedback therethrough to a user gripping and manipulating said handle portion when objects are engaged by said operating end portion;
• said attachment comprising viewing means, an optical head remote from said viewing means, and an elongated flexible cable assembly extending therebetween;
• said cable assembly including first flexible transmitting means extending therethrough for transmitting light to said head for illuminating an operative site adjacent an operating end portion of a surgical instrument and a second flexible transmitting means extending through said cable from said head to said viewing means for transmitting an image of an operative site illuminated by said first transmitting means;
• coupling means for operatively connecting a light source to said first transmitting means;
• and spring clip means secured to said head for releasably, rigidly, and externally attaching said head to an operating end portion of a hand-held surgical instrument;
• said head including a rigid outer side casing;
• said spring clip means being secured to said casing and including a spring arm extending generally transversely with respect to said head for flexing movement in a generally transverse plane.