Abstract: An endoscope, especially a mediastinoscope, includes an elongated shaft and a head piece situated at a proximal end section of the shaft, wherein a heat source is arranged in the head piece. At least one heat pipe extends inside the shaft, wherein a proximal end section of the at least one heat pipe is thermally coupled to the heat source and the endoscope includes an optical system which is closed by a cover glass arranged in a distal end section of the shaft. The heat source is a light source for generating an illumination radiation. The at least one heat pipe extends in the distal direction as far as the distal end section of the shaft, and at least one distal end section of the heat pipe is thermally coupled to the distal end section of the shaft.

Abstract: An endoscope eyepiece grasping mechanism includes a base part engaging a tab member via a connected engagement member. An annular part has an outer engagement surface and an inner camming surface disposed coaxially with the base part and axially moveable relative to the base part. The engagement surface is moveable with the camming surface to move the tab member radially outwardly, with a movement of the annular part relative to the base part in a first axial direction, toward a receiving position, and to move the tab member radially inwardly, with movement of the annular part relative to the base part in a second axial direction, toward a grasping position. A biasing device acts to bias the annular part toward the grasping position. An endoscope eyepiece is engaged by the tab member upon the annular part moving from the receiving position to the grasping position.

Abstract: A foot switch (1, 26) for use with a medical device (16, 27, 28) comprises an interface (10) for a communications link between the foot switch (1, 26) and a control unit (12) of the device (16, 27, 28) and comprises at least one pedal (2, 3) for operating the foot switch (1, 26) using a foot. An operation sensor (17) captures an operation of the foot switch (1, 26) for switching a function of the medical device (16, 27, 28). The control unit (12) assigns the function to the pedal (2, 3) via the interface (10) and the assigned function is displayed on the foot switch (1, 26) by a multicolor LED (4, 5).

Abstract: An observation instrument has a shaft and an imaging unit, the imaging unit comprising an objective lens system and an electronic image sensor arranged for picking up an image generated by the objective lens system, the imaging unit being pivotably arranged in a distal end section of the shaft, a pivot axis of the imaging unit being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the distal end section of the shaft, wherein the image sensor is arranged substantially parallel to an optical axis of the objective lens system and the imaging unit comprises a deflection element for deflecting light exiting from an image end of the objective lens system to an image pick-up surface of the image sensor. The invention also relates to a video imager arrangement for an observation instrument.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an endoscope shaft (3), which has a cylindrical shaft tube (4), and an endoscope head (2), which is arranged at a proximal end of the endoscope shaft (3). A distal end region (11) of the endoscope head (2), has a cylindrical interior (13) with a peripheral groove (15). The shaft tube (4) is inserted into the cylindrical interior (13) and folded into the peripheral groove (15). The groove (15) is not rotationally symmetrical. An endoscope head and a method for producing an endoscope are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus configured for heat dissipation that includes a heat source, a heat sink and a heat conducting element. The heat conducting element conducts heat energy from the heat source to the heat sink along a heat conducting path, and the heat conducting element is arranged in such a way on the heat source and the heat sink and is configured to physically change in such a way with increasing temperature of the heat conducting element that: a) a first cross-sectional area between the heat source and the heat conducting element and/or a second cross-sectional area between the heat conducting element of the heat sink increases, and/or b) a length of the heat conducting path shortens. Further, a video endoscope having such an apparatus and a use of such an apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a hollow shaft (2) with a proximal end (3) connected to a handle (4) and a distal end (5) with a tool (6) arranged with one jaw part (8) pivotable relative to another jaw part (7). A distal end region of the shaft as a tool tip (10) deflects relative to a longitudinal axis (9) via an axially displaceable first actuation element (11) connected to the handle. The pivotable jaw part is adjustable via a second actuation element (13) mounted axially displaceably in the hollow shaft and connected to the handle. The first actuation element and the second actuation element are parallel to each other in the longitudinal axis direction of the shaft and mounted to be guided on each other. One of the two actuation elements is mounted on the inner side. The mutual axial mounting is effected via a pin-and-slot control (19).

Abstract: Device for an endoscopic illumination apparatus comprising a heat pipe having a first end region and a second end region; a first heat source; a heat dissipation element for dissipating thermal energy from said first heat source; a heat sink spaced apart from the first heat source; and a clamping element, wherein the clamping element is reversibly detachably mounted on the heat dissipation element such that the first end region of the heat pipe is held between the heat dissipation element and the clamping element, wherein the heat pipe is adapted to conduct the thermal energy of the heat source to the heat sink, wherein the second end region of the heat pipe is spaced apart from the first end region, and wherein the second end region ends in the heat sink.

Abstract: A medical scope (10) comprises an objective (42) forming an image of an object; an image sensor (44) capturing the image formed by the objective (42) and providing an image signal representing the captured image; a serializer (50) comprising a two-conductor first interface (52) and a multi-conductor second interface (54) connected to the image sensor (44); a first sliding contact (71) and a second sliding contact (72) connected to the two-conductor first interface (52) of the serializer (50); a third sliding contact (73) in electrically conductive contact to the first sliding contact (71) and a fourth sliding contact (74) in electrically conductive contact to the second sliding contact (72). The at least two of the first sliding contact (71), the second sliding contact (72), the third sliding contact (73) and the fourth sliding contact (74) are coaxial.

Abstract: A stereo imaging system comprises an observation instrument having an image acquisition unit for detecting first image data and second image data, which can be combined for stereo observation. There is provided at least one position sensor for detecting an orientation of the instrument in relation to a position reference. There is provided a control device that is operable in a first representation mode and a second representation mode, depending on the orientation of the instrument. The control device is configured for outputting an image signal, which comprises a stereo signal that is based on the first image data and the second image data in the first representation mode, and a mono signal that is based on the first image data or the second image data in the second representation mode. The control device is configured to erect images that are output with the image signal in the second representation mode, depending on the orientation.

Abstract: The present application is directed to an endoscopic device, including at least one flexible endo scope shaft and at least one kink protector, which is associated with the endoscope shaft and includes at least one base body that has a conical and/or cylindrical design, at least in sections, and that has a main extension direction and a main extension along the main extension direction, and the kink protector includes at least one quick-release coupling, which is configured for a selective connection to a tube and includes at least one fin situated at least substantially perpendicularly on the base body. It is provided that the fin has an extension extending along the main extension direction of the base body at least across 50% of the main extension of the base body.

Abstract: An endoscopic device comprising a housing, first imaging means in the housing for detecting light emanating from objects from a predetermined first surrounding region annularly surrounding the endoscopic device and for producing a first image of the first surrounding region, a first image sensor for detecting the first image and for producing a first image signal, a first image sensor for sensing the first image and for generating a first image signal representing the first image, a second imaging means in the housing for sensing light emanating from objects in a predetermined second surrounding region and for generating a second image of the second surrounding region, and a second image sensor for sensing the second image and for generating a second image signal representing the second image. The first imaging device comprises a catadioptric imaging system with a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and a light refracting interface.

Abstract: The invention concerns a handle for a video endoscope including a housing and an interface portion rotatably supported relative to the housing where the interface portion includes a first connector element at its distal end section that is connectable to a second connector element of an associated elongate shaft of the video endoscope. Thereby a detachable, rotatable electrical and/or mechanical connection between the handle and the associated shaft is achieved. The coupling includes an electrical connection assembly arranged at an exterior of the interface portion forming an electrical connection to a stationary electric component of the handle. The handle includes a mechanical rotation stop for a rotation of the interface portion relative to the housing such that a rotation range is limited and damage to the electrical connection assembly is prevented.

Abstract: An objective system of a medical scope including an optical filter is disclosed. The optical filter includes a light incident side and a light exit side, a central region around an optical axis, and a peripheral region and is designed as an aperture with a single optical axis for white light and fluorescence light. The optical filter includes a first transmission zone for a transmittance of a first wavelength band and a second transmission zone for a transmittance of a second wavelength band at least partially different from the first wavelength band. At least one of the two transmission zones includes a filter coating. As a result, when both white light and fluorescence light pass the optical filter, a light beam cone of the fluorescence light has a larger diameter than a light beam cone of white light or vice versa. The invention also discloses a related endoscope.

Abstract: This application is directed to a medical instrument with a hollow shaft, an actuating unit at the proximal end and an instrument tip with an instrument at the distal end, the instrument actuated via an actuating element, the element being in connection with the actuating unit and the instrument tip being pivotable relative to the shaft via a joint mechanism; the joint mechanism having pivoting members with proximal-side drive via steering wires such that movement of the proximal-side drive causes movement of the distal-side pivoting members and pivoting of the instrument tip; and a trigger mechanism with which the steering wires can be brought into a relaxed state that releases the articulation of the instrument tip. In order for the medical instrument to be cleaned and ensure that the medical instrument is safely removed even if the proximal-side drive fails, the trigger mechanism is a purely mechanical trigger mechanism.

Abstract: A medical instrument for providing access to the interior of the body comprises a shaft having an elongated base body and a handle. The base body extends between a distal end and a proximal end of the shaft. The handle is coupled to the base body of the shaft at the proximal end. The shaft defines at least a first channel and a second channel that extend through the shaft. The first channel provides a passage for surgical instruments through the shaft. The second channel is adapted to accommodate an observation optics. The second channel is adjacent to at least one secondary channel that is connected to the second channel.

Abstract: This application is directed to a medical instrument with a hollow shaft, an actuating unit at the proximal end and an instrument tip with an instrument at the distal end, wherein the instrument can be actuated via an actuating element in the shaft, the element being in an connection with the actuating unit and the instrument tip being pivotable via a joint mechanism, the joint mechanism having pivoting members connected with a proximal-side drive via steering wires running in the direction of the shaft in such a way that movement of the proximal-side drive causes a corresponding movement of the distal-side pivoting members and a pivoting of the instrument tip and wherein the proximal-side drive includes a spatially adjustable disk on which the steering wires are mounted. In order that the steering wires may be controlled precisely and reproducibly, the drive for the spatially adjustable disk is a motorized drive.

Abstract: The present application provides a docking device, a surgical holding device having such a docking device, and a method for connecting a surgical instrument to a holding arm of a surgical holding device. The docking device has a two-part adapter device connected at a proximal end to the holding arm and at a distal end to the surgical instrument, a first adapter with an elongated portion with a longitudinal axis and a connecting body present at a distal end of the first adapter, and a first engagement element with a terminal connection surface. The adapter device has a second adapter on the shaft of the surgical instrument and an engagement element facing the terminal connection surface in the docking situation. The terminal connection surface of the first adapter is inclined at a predetermined first angle in relation to its longitudinal axis, which is in a range from 30° to 90°.