Abstract: An optical working shaft system. The system includes a working shaft for insertion into a working tube of at least one of an endoscope and a catheter. The working shaft has a distal end defining a distal area in a vicinity thereof, and further includes: a device for radiating optical beams through the distal end; and a fluid for scattering the beams at least in the distal area. The fluid is operatively associated with the device for radiating such that, at least in the distal area, a path of the beams extends inside the fluid, the fluid further being effective as a coolant for removing waste heat generated by a scattering of the beams in the distal area.

Abstract: The invention is related to an instrument for endoscopic surgery. The instrument comprises a casing 10, further comprises a sliding tube 16 which extends into the casing with its proximal end 20 and which is disposed longitudinally slidable with respect to the casing by means of an actuating mechanism 38, further comprises an electrode tube 18 which extends through the sliding tube 16, which extends into the casing with its proximal end and is axially lockable therein, and further comprises two isolated wire pieces 32 which extend through the inside of the electrode tube 18.

Abstract: The invention is related to an operating device for apparatus combinations of medical-technical system workplaces, especially for the minimal invasive surgery. The individual apparatus of the apparatus combination are connected to a computer (28) having a monitor (30) and driven by way of foot-actuated actuating members. In order to improve the usability and flexibility, an actuating member fashioned to be a foot roller (56) provides computer compatible signals, while at least one further actuating member is formed to be a foot switch (58,60) and can be assigned to one of the apparatus-specific functional elements software-controlled by the actuation of the foot roller (56). A switch assignment field (88,90) assigned to the foot switch (58,60) for the symbolic display of the functional element assigned to the foot switch (58,60) at that time is provided on the monitor (30).