Abstract: An endoscope with a flexible endoscope shaft has an endoscope head arranged at its distal end. The endoscope head is a sleeve, open at both end faces. Functional units, such as an optical system, a working channel, an illumination and a cooling system for the illumination are accommodated in the endoscope head. The cooling system has a heat exchanger integrally formed with the sleeve in the latter which forms a closed cooling chamber for generating a coolant flow. The illumination, which is in the form of an external conductor plate supporting an illumination means, is arranged adjacent to the distal end wall of the heat exchanger, to discharge thermal energy via the end wall of the heat exchanger to the coolant flow. The external conductor plate is mechanically supported on, or has only a minimum distance from, the heat exchanger end wall.

Abstract: An endoscope shaft made of a composite tube comprises an external tube and an internal tube which is softer and more resilient compared to the external tube as well as a helical spring for stiffening the composite tube. According to the invention, the helical spring in the relaxed state has an outer diameter which is larger than the inner diameter of the internal tube. Furthermore the helical spring is inserted in the internal tube preferably loosely at a spring bias, whereby it is radially pressed against the internal tube.

Abstract: A lubricant supplying device of an endoscope everting tube drive comprises a drive tube everted at least once to thus form an outer and an inner tube portion. Inside the inner tube portion an endoscope shaft is mounted in an axially displaceable manner. In addition a drive device is provided which encompasses the drive tube everted at least once or the inner tube portion thereof so as to apply a driving force for an advancing movement of the endoscope shaft onto the inner tube portion, the drive means being in fluid connection with a lubricant supplying line and a lubricant discharge line for introducing a lubricant via the drive device into the drive tube everted at least once and/or for discharging it. The lubricant supply line and the lubricant discharge are connected to the drive device in two locations thereof diametrically opposite with respect to the endoscope shaft.

Abstract: An endoscope with a flexible endoscope shaft has an endoscope head arranged at its distal end. The endoscope head is a sleeve, open at both end faces. Functional units, such as an optical system, a working channel, an illumination and a cooling system for the illumination are accommodated in the endoscope head. The cooling system has a heat exchanger integrally formed with the sleeve in the latter which forms a closed cooling chamber for generating a coolant flow. The illumination, which is in the form of an external conductor plate supporting an illumination means, is arranged adjacent to the distal end wall of the heat exchanger, to discharge thermal energy via the end wall of the heat exchanger to the coolant flow. The external conductor plate is mechanically supported on, or has only a minimum distance from, the heat exchanger end wall.

Abstract: An endoscope shaft made of a composite tube comprises an external tube and an internal tube which is softer and more resilient compared to the external tube as well as a helical spring for stiffening the composite tube. According to the invention, the helical spring in the relaxed state has an outer diameter which is larger than the inner diameter of the internal tube. Furthermore the helical spring is inserted in the internal tube preferably loosely at a spring bias, whereby it is radially pressed against the internal tube.

Abstract: A lubricant supplying device of an endoscope everting tube drive comprises a drive tube everted at least once to thus form an outer and an inner tube portion. Inside the inner tube portion an endoscope shaft is mounted in an axially displaceable manner. In addition a drive device is provided which encompasses the drive tube everted at least once or the inner tube portion thereof so as to apply a driving force for an advancing movement of the endoscope shaft onto the inner tube portion, the drive means being in fluid connection with a lubricant supplying line and a lubricant discharge line for introducing a lubricant via the drive device into the drive tube everted at least once and/or for discharging it. The lubricant supply line and the lubricant discharge are connected to the drive device in two locations thereof diametrically opposite with respect to the endoscope shaft.

Abstract: A cooling structure of a heat-generating electronic component including a cooling circuit, which includes a cooling fluid delivery unit, a first heat exchanger for absorbing and discharging thermal energy at the heat-generating electronic component as well as a control structure. The control structure adjusts the cooling fluid flow and thus the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger to such value that at a predetermined temperature in the area of the electronic component a balance is brought about between the heat quantity generated and the heat quantity discharged. The cooling structure is inserted in the deflecting forming a bendable adapter outside the end cap of an endoscope.

Abstract: A pressure gauge is composed of two separate components adapted to be assembled and disassembled by hand. The one component is a pressure-motion conversion element (3, 6) for receiving a pressure and effecting a movement of a movable portion (3c, 6c) thereof in response thereto, and the other component is a force measuring element (5) for measuring a force caused due to the movement of the movable portion (3c, 6c). The pressure-motion conversion element (3, 69) is constructed as a disposable component, whereas the force measuring element (5) is intended for re-use.

Abstract: An endoscope preferably comprising an alternating propulsion system in which an endoscope shaft is advanced by means of an auxiliary means (e.g. a hose preferably including fluid pads or a guiding wire/net) in a canal-shaped cavity by the fact that the endoscope shaft and the auxiliary means are alternately resting with respect to a cavity to be inspected and, at the same time, the element not at rest can be advanced while being guided along the resting element into the cavity, or are simultaneously moved forward, wherein in the latter case the basic stiffness of the auxiliary means is higher than that of the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope comprising an endoscope head which is connected to an endoscope shaft by means of a bendable end piece to form a tubular component. According to the invention, an additional rotary member is inserted between the endoscope shaft and the bendable end piece for rotation of the bendable end piece about the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft.

Abstract: A combined socket for simultaneously establishing electric as well as hydraulic/pneumatic connections comprising a preferably slot-shaped receiving element in which electric contacts as well as hydraulic/pneumatic ports are integrated and comprising a locking mechanism for locking the positive contact by a plug, the locking mechanism being actuated hydraulically/pneumatically, electrically or electromagnetically.

Abstract: A discontinuous linear drive comprises a guiding component and an engaging means. The engaging means engages in a member to be driven and guided by guiding components in at least two places by means of a respective movable engaging component. The member to be driven is driven by a phase-shifted effecting and releasing of the engagement of the moved engaging components.

Abstract: There are described a method for reducing the friction of a medico-technical rubber tube, according to which first a tube is produced of rubber and is then after-treated by annealing and/or washing, as well as an endoscope.

Abstract: A pressure gauge is composed of two separate components adapted to be assembled and disassembled by hand. The one component is a pressure-motion conversion element (3, 6) for receiving a pressure and effecting a movement of a movable portion (3c, 6c) thereof in response thereto, and the other component is a force measuring element (5) for measuring a force caused due to the movement of the movable portion (3c, 6c). The pressure-motion conversion element (3, 69) is constructed as a disposable component, whereas the force measuring element (5) is intended for re-use.

Abstract: The invention describes a medico-technical device adapted to be engaged with a human or animal body and comprising a self-lubricating element exposed to internal friction in the device.

Abstract: A combined socket for simultaneously establishing electric as well as hydraulic/pneumatic connections comprising a preferably slot-shaped receiving element in which electric contacts as well as hydraulic/pneumatic ports are integrated and comprising a locking mechanism for locking the positive contact by a plug, the locking mechanism being actuated hydraulically/pneumatically, electrically or electromagnetically.

Abstract: A medico-technical device, such as an endoscope (1), has an everting tube (3) that encloses an endoscope shaft (2) for driving the latter. To minimize friction incurred by relative movement between the endoscope shaft (2) and the everting tube (3) and/or friction between two opposed surfaces of the everting tube (3), a lubricant is applied to the areas. To accomplish this, at least one of the everting tube (3) and the endoscope shaft (2) are coated with a first component provided in solid matter. By adding a second component, which reacts with the first component, to the first component, the first component liquefies and/or swells so as to develop its lubricating properties.