Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the central control of devices used during an operation, comprising a first control unit for control of said devices. The system is characterized in that a second control unit is provided which is connected to the first control unit for exchange of information. The first control unit may be embodied as closed system for control of at least those devices which carry out safety-related functions (safety-related devices), and the second control unit may be embodied as open system for control of the remaining devices which carry out non safety-related functions (non safety-related devices). The invention further relates to a method for the central control of devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the central control of devices (20, 52) used during an operation, comprising a first control unit (12) for control of said devices. The system is characterized in that a second control unit (14) is provided which is connected to the first control unit for exchange of information. The first control unit is embodied as closed system for control of at least those devices (20; 22-26) which carry out safety-related functions (safety-related devices), and the second control unit (14) is embodied as open system for control of the remaining devices (52) which carry out non safety-related functions (non safety-related devices). The invention further relates to a method for the central control of devices.

Abstract: An optical instrument, in particular an endoscope, has a shaft and an inter-changeable head. The interchangeable head is detachably connected to the distal end of the shaft at a coupling point. The instrument also has a first transmission system for distal transmission of illuminating power, and a second transmission system for proximal transmission of image information, the first transmission system and the second transmission system passing through the coupling point. The interchangeable head and/or the coupling point are/is designed in such a way that upon loosening of the interchangeable head image information of perceptively modified quality is transmitted by the second transmission system.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument includes a first instrument part adapted for introduction into a cavity of a human body and having an introduction channel therein for passage of gas therethrough, and a second instrument part having a connection channel therein adapted to be connected to the first instrument part introduction channel. The second instrument part is adapted for connection to a gas source to provide gas, at a flow rate suitable for insufflation of a human body cavity, from the gas source through the connection channel to the introduction channel for introduction into the human body. A heating device heats the gas in the introduction channel to substantially the temperature of the human body.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus comprises an HF generator and an HF instrument, the HF instrument having a first switch and a second switch, the first switch being assigned a first operating state, and the second switch being assigned a second operating state of the HF generator, the first switch and the second switch further being connected to at least one control signal line, there being assigned, furthermore, to the first switch and the second switch signal coding means that, as a function of the switching state of the first and the second switch, generate from a control input signal different control output signals for the optional activation of the first operating state or of the second operating state of the HF generator, which are fed to the HF generator via the common control line, and the HF instrument furthermore having at least a third switch, which is assigned at least a third operating state of the HF generator.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying light to a site to be treated on a wall of a vessel in the human or animal body, in particular for laser welding of two vessels to one another, has a light-feeding instrument that guides light generated by an extracorporeal light source to the site and radiates it onto the latter. The light-feeding instrument has an elongated optical conductor that can be inserted into the lumen of the vessel and can be displaced therein in the longitudinal direction of the vessel, and has light-deflecting means that direct the light fed through the optical conductor in a substantially radial fashion onto the site to be treated.

Abstract: A high-frequency surgical device encompassing control electronics that control a power unit which utilizes a high-frequency transformer that is the only galvanic separation between the supply voltage and the patient/user unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument that can be inserted into the human body, this instrument being provided with at least one channel for a fluid and, in particular, a gas which is introduced into the inside of the body. The present invention is distinguished by the instrument being provided with a heating means.

Abstract: An endoscope for inspection of an observation cavity, in particular of an observation cavity in which a hot medium and/or infrared radiation is present, has a shaft in which an optical system is arranged. The shaft has an inner shaft and an outer shaft surrounding the latter at a distance, the optical system being arranged in the inner shaft. The shaft is configured in the region of its distal end in such a way that it is substantially opaque to electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectral range.

Abstract: An exchangeable tool assembly is provided for an endoscopic treatment device, comprising a flexible shaft connected at its distal end to a tool unit and at its proximal end to a coupling element for coupling the tool assembly to a motor of the treatment device. The flexible shaft transmits a rotary movement of the motor to the tool unit. The flexible shaft is connected to said tool unit such that said flexible shaft and said tool unit form a jointly exchangeable unit. Further, a locking mechanism for releasably holding said tool assembly at said treatment device comprises a locking element arranged at said tool unit and a locking member arranged at said treatment device which is engageable in said locking member to releasably hold said unit formed by said tool unit and said flexible shaft at the treatment device, which can be withdrawn as a whole after this engagement of said locking member from said locking element.

Abstract: A lighting system for illumination of an observation space, especially an observation space in which a pressurized and/or hot medium is contained, comprises an optical-fiber cable, one end of which can be connected to a light source, and a lighting head, which is connected to the other end of the optical-fiber cable and whose distal end can be introduced into the observation space through an opening in a wall enclosing the observation space. The lighting head comprises a light guide rod made from a pressure and/or temperature-resistant material.

Abstract: A pump body for a medical gear pump for sucking and irrigating has a pot-like pump housing with two cylindrical openings, in which two meshing gearwheels are embedded. The driving gearwheel is, without pivot bearing, embedded in the opening. A lid is used for closing the pot-like pump housing. A trunnion protrudes from a bottom of the pump housing, onto which trunnion the driven gearwheel is mounted.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided having a shaft and a handle extending to the side of the shaft at the proximal end. A mechanism is provided for pivoting the view direction in an observation area and has at least one operating element being engaged with the mechanism for actuating the mechanism. The at least one operating element is positioned on the handle, such that the mechanism is actuatable with at least one finger or thumb of the same hand holding the handle.

Abstract: A network bus for interconnecting a plurality of medical devices is described in which the devices are provided with modules adapted to communicate along the bus. Some of the devices are capable of assuming control over the bus with network master modules. A self-configuring capability is provided with which several network master capable medical devices automatically determine which network master is to take over control over the network bus and each individually is capable of controlling and operating the network. Each network master capable device has an extended network management module with which automatic master selection is achieved. This is done by monitoring or observing network communications for particular objects. Once such an object has been detected, a network master capable device is automatically selected to take over control on the basis of its priority.

Abstract: A device for insufflating gas into a corporeal cavity of a human or animal body has a connection for a gas source, a measuring unit provided with sensors for the fill gas pressure and the fill gas flow, which are disposed outside said corporeal cavity, and a control unit, to which the output signal of the sensors are applied, and which triggers a pressure regulator which reduces the fill pressure of the gas source to a pre-set insufflation pressure, and a flow regulator which regulates the fill gas flow to a pre-set desired gas flow value in accordance with first a square function, and then, after reaching the preset flow rate, in accordance with a linear function.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating body tissue with ultrasound is provided having a generator and means for transmitting ultrasound to the tissue. The apparatus comprises a hollow probe for suctioning off treated tissue. The hollow probe is provided with a cutting blade in the region of the distal end of the probe and grasping means having a first and a second jaw are provided.

Abstract: What is described here is a system for centrally monitoring and/or controlling at least one unit for endoscopy and particularly for minimally invasive surgery, such as an insufflation means, a pump, a light source and/or a video camera, wherein the unit or units to be controlled are interconnected via interfaces. The inventive system is characterised by the combination of the following features: the units are connected via the interfaces on a self-configuring bus to a BUS master, the BUS master configures the bus automatically, the BUS master monitors the communication on the bus for correct execution.

Abstract: A medical gear pump is used for suction and irrigation, in particular for endoscopy or the laboratory, and it has two meshing gears as conveying elements, one of which is joined to a drive mechanism. The gears are received in non-journal-mounted fashion in openings, and are each equipped with a helical tooth set. It is proposed to configure the helical tooth set such that, when viewed along a surface line of said gears, at least two tooth tip/root contact points of said meshing gears are present, and a contour of tooth spaces of the one gear is matched to the teeth of the other gear in such a way that when a tooth has completely penetrated into the tooth space, its tooth tip almost completely fills up the tooth space radially inside the pitch circle.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device for monitoring the application of a neutral electrode in unipolar HF surgery, having an impedance sensor with a resonant circuit comprising a secondary coil of a transformer and HF input capacitors of preferably two partial electrode surfaces. The impedance sensor detects the transient impedances of two partial electrode surfaces connected in series with the patient's tissues by application of a patient auxiliary current and is moderated by the transition impedances. The invention is characterized in that the resonant circuit is excited by alternating voltages of variable frequencies in the range of a resonant frequency, and in that a peak value detector is provided which detects an alternating voltage peak value at the resonant frequency. The disclosed device excites the resonant circuit in such a manner that a faultless measurement of the transition impedance at the level of the patient's tissues is made possible.

Abstract: A high-frequency surgical device encompassing control electronics that control a power unit which utilizes a high-frequency transformer that is the only galvanic separation between the supply voltage and the patient/user unit.