Abstract: An endoscope, particularly an arthroscope, preferably composed of an illumination module (17) and a viewing module (1) which can be connected together, with the viewing module (1) being provided with an optical system carrying shaft (2) which can be inserted into an interior cannula (18) in the viewing module (17), with the optical system carrying shaft (2) being part of a rotary optical system (3) that is surrounded by an optical system guide sleeve (5). The rotary optical system (3) is mounted in a manner secure against rotation and displacement within the optical system guide sleeve (5) and the viewing module includes a coupling device (9) which is connected with the optical system guide sleeve for connection with a removable optical funnel (12) on the side of the eyepiece.

Abstract: A film covering for protecting a surgical instrument such as an endoscope from contamination, includes a tubular film having an inlet opening and an outlet opening disposed opposite to the inlet opening. The outlet opening is formed by an elastic membrane with an aperture, an outer edge of the elastic membrane being stretched and held in a frame which also distends the tubular film.

Abstract: An endoscope, in particular an arthroscope, includes an essentially cylindrical shaft containing optics and optical fibers, where the optical axis coincides with the longitudinal axis of the shaft and the optical fibers are arranged concentrically about the optics and a connecting piece preferably disposed radially to the longitudinal axis of the shaft via which the optical fibers are connected to a fiber-optic cable which leads to a light source. The direction of viewing at the end nearer the object is inclined to the longitudinal axis and at least the end of the optics nearer the object is arranged so as to rotate with respect to the connecting piece.