Abstract: A surgical tool, which can be identified in a simple and at the same time unambiguous manner. This is achieved in that a surgical tool has an electrical conductor element having a tool-specific electronic signature. An unambiguous identification of the tool is possible via this tool-specific electronic signature. Each surgical tool of the claimed type thus has a signature, using which it can be unambiguously identified.

Abstract: A method for detecting an image irregularity in one or more still images or video images produced by an endoscopic instrument. The method including: producing the one or more still images or video images; transmitting the one or more still images or video images to a processor comprising hardware; detecting, with the processor, a presence or an absence of the image irregularity in the one or more still images or video images; and where the presence of the image irregularity is detected, issuing a notification to a user about the presence of the image irregularity.

Abstract: A method including: upon or during the insertion of an endoscope shaft into a trocar sleeve, detecting first brightness values at a distal end of the endoscope shaft by an image sensor over time and detecting a first temporal brightness profile depending on the detected first brightness values and the time, and/or upon or during the withdrawal of the endoscope shaft from the trocar sleeve, detecting second brightness values at the distal end of the endoscope shaft by the image sensor over time and detecting a second temporal brightness profile depending on the detected second brightness values and the time.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling a surgical HF generator during a HF surgical procedure performed with a handheld HF surgical instrument supplied with HF energy by the HF generator. The method includes evaluating a succession of images of an operating area that are captured in an image sequence during the HF surgical procedure, including subjecting the images to automatic real-time image recognition to detect a predetermined structure and/or a predetermined operating situation, and in response to detection of the structure and/or operating situation, suggesting or performing a change of an operating parameter and/or operating mode of the HF generator. The system can include the HF generator, at least one handheld HF surgical instrument, a display device, a video endoscope, and a processor that is capable of receiving and evaluating image signals from the video endoscope.

Abstract: A medical light for illuminating fluorescent areas. The medical light including: at least one light-emitting diode with at least one luminophore layer for converting short-wave light into broad-band light; and a control device for controlling illumination from the at least one light-emitting diode, wherein the control device controls a ratio between converted and unconverted light and the converted and unconverted light are emitted over a common light guide.

Abstract: A medical endoscope and insertion portion for a medical endoscope having a fiber tube that encloses an image guide and is surrounded by optical fibers, the distal opening of said fiber tube being sealed by a window, which is heated by an electric resistance heater located close by, wherein the heater is designed as heating foil arranged on the outer surface of the fiber tube.

Abstract: A medical endoscope (1) fitted with an optics duct (4) receiving an optical system (9, 10) enclosed by a system tube (6), the distal end of the optics duct (4) being closed by a window (5) to the inner surface of which is mounted an electrical heater (11), characterized in that the heating ring (11) rests against the inner surface of the window (5) while being pressed in that direction by a spring (13).

Abstract: A medical endoscope and insertion portion for a medical endoscope having a fiber tube that encloses an image guide and is surrounded by optical fibers, the distal opening of said fiber tube being sealed by a window, which is heated by an electric resistance heater located close by, wherein the heater is designed as heating foil arranged on the outer surface of the fiber tube.

Abstract: An endoscope having a tubular stem that, at its distal end, houses a camera and a distally pointing illumination device. The tubular stem defines an empty space extending from the camera in the proximal direction. The empty space receives a camera cable and is used to house implements useful during operation of the endoscope in a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An endoscope having a distal tubular shaft section of smaller diameter in which at least on longitudinally-extending device, such as a light guiding fiber bundle, is arranged. An objective and a video camera are disposed in a free cross-sectional area of the tubular shaft section. The video camera is arranged for rotation about its viewing direction by a rotation device. An electric motor is arranged proximally of the video camera in the free cross-sectional area. The electric motor is connected to the video camera with the motor drive shaft being disposed parallel to the axis of the tubular shaft section.

Abstract: An illumination system for endoscopes having a light source of which the brightness is controlled by a control unit. A hook-up cable containing a bundle of optic fibers is provided to transmit the light from the light source to a light guide situated in the endoscope and extending to a distal end of the endoscope. At least one fiber of the bundle of fibers is optically coupled at one end near the light source with a light sensor. The light sensor cooperates with the control unit to control the brightness of the light source.