Abstract: A method for examining the light and/or image transmission properties of an endoscopic or exoscopic system having the components endoscope or exoscope, light carrier, light source and camera, wherein at least the endoscope or exoscope is taken from a first supply quantity of endoscopes or exoscopes and/or at least the light carrier is taken from a second supply quantity of light carriers, wherein the endoscope or exoscope is provided with an identifier and/or the light carrier is provided with an identifier, wherein the identifier or the identifiers contain/s identification data that individualizes the respective endoscope or exoscope and/or the respective light carrier, wherein the components are connected to each other so as to be ready for operation in the form of a current component combination.

Abstract: Still image display of a recent video image of tissue as a reference still image prior to a switch in the mode of illumination of the tissue. The still image is displayed concurrently with live video of the tissue under a different mode of illumination, to facilitate discrimination between healthy and diseased tissue. When a practitioner switches a light source from a “first light” to a “second light”, the second light video may be frozen/captured and displayed as a reference still image as a PIP, and the second light live video is displayed concurrently. The second light can be infrared and/or near infrared light. The second light can include structured light to project a structured light pattern to facilitate structure measurements. The second light source is configured with a numerical aperture greater than the first light source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the central control of devices used during an operation, including a first control unit for control of the 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: Endoscopic arrangement comprising a first distal end, an imaging device arranged at the first distal end, a first proximal end for connection to a supply unit, a data transmission element embodied as a light guide and having a second distal end and a second proximal end, and comprising an electro-optical converter, wherein the electro-optical converter is configured to convert digital data generated by the imaging device into an optical signal, wherein the data transmission element at its second distal end is optically coupled to the electro-optical converter for coupling the optical signal into the data transmission element, wherein the imaging device comprises at least two data outputs each having a digital output signal, and wherein a first signal converter is provided between the imaging device and the electro-optical converter for combining the digital output signals into a digital combined output signal.

Abstract: A method for examining the light and/or image transmission properties of an endoscopic or exoscopic system having the components endoscope or exoscope, light carrier, light source and camera, wherein at least the endoscope or exoscope is taken from a first supply quantity of endoscopes or exoscopes and/or at least the light carrier is taken from a second supply quantity of light carriers, wherein the endoscope or exoscope is provided with an identifier and/or the light carrier is provided with an identifier, wherein the identifier or the identifiers contain/s identification data that individualizes the respective endoscope or exoscope and/or the respective light carrier, wherein the components are connected to each other so as to be ready for operation in the form of a current component combination.

Abstract: A system for orientation assistance and display of an instrument that is inserted or present in the natural or artificially produced hollow cavity (human, animal, object), and that is equipped with one or more sensor units. Multiple measurements of the 3D position of the instrument equipped with one or more sensor units are performed by positioning a measuring system, so that a precise orientation and positioning of the instrument in the body can be computed. The 3D position data are used to compute a virtual image of the instrument synchronously. The virtual images are then either projected directly in exact position onto the body surface of a person or combined in a body surface image (real video camera image of the patient) onto a monitor or superimposed (virtual or augmented reality). The system is especially appropriate for displaying for a user a medical instrument, such as a catheter or a rigid or flexible endoscope, in the body of a person in real time, extracorporeally and in correct position.

Abstract: A light source device for endoscopic or exoscopic applications includes a flat first light source, a second light source, an illuminating beam path that is configured to provide a first light beam emanating from the first light source for an endoscopic or exoscopic application, and a coupling device to couple a second light beam from the second light source into the illuminating beam path, whereby the coupling device is configured in such a way that at the coupling site the cross-section surface of the second light beam is smaller than the cross-section surface of the first light beam.

Abstract: Still image display of a recent video image of tissue as a reference still image prior to a switch in the mode of illumination of the tissue. The still image is displayed concurrently with live video of the tissue under a different mode of illumination, to facilitate discrimination between healthy and diseased tissue. When a practitioner switches a light source from a “first light” to a “second light”, the second light video may be frozen/captured and displayed as a reference still image as a PIP, and the second light live video is displayed concurrently. The second light can be infrared and/or near infrared light. The second light can include structured light to project a structured light pattern to facilitate structure measurements. The second light source is configured with a numerical aperture greater than the first light source.

Abstract: An endoscopic, exoscopic or microscopic apparatus for fluorescence diagnosis comprises a light source designed to emit light in a first spectral range and light in a second spectral range in a fluorescence mode The second spectral range is at least partly separate from the first spectral range. The light source has at least one first semiconductor illuminant which emits the light in the first spectral range in the fluorescence mode. The light source has at least one second semiconductor illuminant which emits the light in the second spectral range in the fluorescence mode. The apparatus comprises an open-loop or closed-loop control device, which keeps constant a preset ratio of a first intensity of the light in the first spectral range and a second intensity of the light in the second spectral range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the central control of devices used during an operation, including a first control unit for control of the 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: A video endoscope has an endoscope part having a central image signal conductor, at least one optical waveguide, and a light supplying part which can be coupled to a proximal end of said endoscope part. The light supplying part has a central image signal conductor connection at a distal end thereof, and a light supply arranged coaxially around said central image signal conductor connection. The light supply has a plurality of light-emitting elements, each of said light-emitting elements can be supplied by means of a switchable semiconductor light source. Position sensors are arranged in an area of said light-emitting elements, and position indicators are arranged in an area of said optical waveguide. A position of said position indicators can be detected by said position sensors when said endoscope part and said light supplying part are coupled. Based on a detection of said position indicator, at least those light-emitting elements lying opposite to said optical waveguide are activated.

Abstract: Endoscopic arrangement comprising a first distal end, an imaging device arranged at the first distal end, a first proximal end for connection to a supply unit, a data transmission element embodied as a light guide and having a second distal end and a second proximal end, and comprising an electro-optical converter, wherein the electro-optical converter is configured to convert digital data generated by the imaging device into an optical signal, wherein the data transmission element at its second distal end is optically coupled to the electro-optical converter for coupling the optical signal into the data transmission element, wherein the imaging device comprises at least two data outputs each having a digital output signal, and wherein a first signal converter is provided between the imaging device and the electro-optical converter for combining the digital output signals into a digital combined output signal.

Abstract: A diagnosis device having an illumination system configured to produce white light along an illumination path, an observation system for observing the target region in a white-light and fluorescence mode, the observation system having an observation path having at least one first image sensor for receiving a white-light image and at least one second image sensor for receiving a fluorescence image, an observation spectral filter in the observation path are configured such that light in the spectral range of the fluorescence can be fed to the second image sensor while light in the spectral ranges outside of the fluorescence is blocked. An illumination spectral filter is arranged in the illumination path and having a characteristic of the observation spectral filter such that the target region is illuminated with the whole spectral range of the white light with the exception of the spectral range of the fluorescence to be observed.

Abstract: A holding system for medical instruments with at least one bracket for fastening a medical instrument and at least one joint for positioning the one bracket and/or instrument. The holding system is configured to integrate in the bracket at least one of: light source, image recording unit, image display unit, control unit for the holding system, control unit for external components, sensor for distance, surface scanning and/or recording conditions of the environment, medical device for minimally invasive surgery, cooling unit, and/or wireless data communication unit. Accordingly, fewer or shorter feeder lines are required, gaining degrees of freedom of movement for the surgeon, reducing the possibility of stumbling in the operating room.

Abstract: An apparatus to provide white illuminating light for medical or boroscopic applications includes a first light source with a light-emitting diode to emit light with a broad spectrum, a second light source to emit monochromatic light, and a coupling device to couple light of the first light source and light of the second light source into a common beam path in order to generate illuminating light with improved color rendering.

Abstract: A light source device for endoscopic or exoscopic applications includes a flat first light source, a second light source, an illuminating beam path that is configured to provide a first light beam emanating from the first light source for an endoscopic or exoscopic application, and a coupling device to couple a second light beam from the second light source into the illuminating beam path, whereby the coupling device is configured in such a way that at the coupling site the cross-section surface of the second light beam is smaller than the cross-section surface of the first light beam.

Abstract: A system for orientation assistance and display of an instrument that is inserted or present in the natural or artificially produced hollow cavity (human, animal, object), and that is equipped with one or more sensor units. Multiple measurements of the 3D position of the instrument equipped with one or more sensor units are performed by positioning a measuring system, so that a precise orientation and positioning of the instrument in the body can be computed. The 3D position data are used to compute a virtual image of the instrument synchronously. The virtual images are then either projected directly in exact position onto the body surface of a person or combined in a body surface image (real video camera image of the patient) onto a monitor or superimposed (virtual or augmented reality). The system is especially appropriate for displaying for a user a medical instrument, such as a catheter or a rigid or flexible endoscope, in the body of a person in real time, extracorporeally and in correct position.

Abstract: A light source for endoscopy or microscopy comprises a lamp, a heat sink, the heat sink being thermally connected to the lamp and at least one heat pipe, which is thermally connected to the heat sink and which dissipates the heat that is generated by the lamp and transferred to the heat sink.

Abstract: An apparatus for fluorescence diagnosis comprises an illumination system for illuminating a target area. The observation system has an observation instrument and a camera. The illumination system can be switched between at least two illumination modes. The observation system has an optical arrangement having at least one optical element that selectively can be introduced into the observation beam path or can be removed therefrom in order to switch the optical properties of the observation system between at least two observation modes. The optical arrangement of the observation system has a motor drive for introducing the at least one optical element into the observation beam path and for removing said element therefrom, and there is a control unit which is connected to the illumination system and to the observation system and which controls the motor drive as a function of the set illumination mode of the illumination system.

Abstract: An apparatus for fluorescence diagnosis comprises an illumination system for illuminating a target area. The illumination system has a light source designed for generating white light and an illumination path. The apparatus further comprises an observation system for observing the target area, which has an observation path. The illumination system has a first illumination mode, in which an illumination spectral filter is arranged in the illumination path, which filter is transmitting in an excitation spectral range and substantially non-transmitting in the spectral range on the long-wavelength side outside of the excitation spectral range, and said illumination system has a second illumination mode, in which the illumination spectral filter is not arranged in the illumination path.