Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to enable multiple imaging modalities with a single camera head. The camera head may include a two chip or a three chip system capable of measuring different wavelengths of light to generate different images. The light source in the system can adjust the output spectra, by using a plurality of illuminants and filters, and measurements from different light channels on one or more images sensors can be used to generate white light images, fluorescence image, perfusion images, fluorescein images, and the like.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to enable multiple imaging modalities with a single camera head. The camera head may include a two chip or a three chip system capable of measuring different wavelengths of light to generate different images. The light source in the system can adjust the output spectra, by using a plurality of illuminants and filters, and measurements from different light channels on one or more images sensors can be used to generate white light images, fluorescence image, perfusion images, fluorescein images, and the like.

Abstract: A medical handling device which includes an instrument holder that supports and instrument and a robotic handling unit that supports the instrument hold, and a control device. The control device has a handling control unit that controls the robotic handling unit and an instrument control unit that controls the instrument. The control device has an interface for at least one input device. An input device is coupled to the interface. The input device is operable in a first operating mode to control the instrument and in a second operating mode to control the robotic handling unit. An enabling switch activates the second operating mode, in which the robotic handling unit is movable in response to input commands at the input device.

Abstract: A medical handling device comprises an instrument holder for holding an observation instrument that is equipped with an image capturing unit for capturing an image section of an object plane. The handling device further comprises a robotic handling unit that supports the instrument holder and a control device that comprises a handling control unit for controlling the robotic handling unit and an instrument control unit for controlling the observation instrument. An input device is coupled to the control device for selecting an image section to be reproduced. The control device is adapted to detect a present orientation of the observation instrument and to control the robotic handling unit, while taking into account the present orientation of the observation instrument, in response to user inputs at the input device. The observation instrument is movable with respect to a pivot point in the object plane at a defined object distance along a curved path.

Abstract: A shaft according to the invention for a flexible endoscope or for a flexible endoscopic instrument includes a first shaft section and a second shaft section arranged on the distal side of the first shaft section, wherein the second shaft section is able to be angled by means of at least one pull element extending inside the second shaft section, wherein the second shaft section has a support structure, and wherein an adapter is arranged between a distal end region of the first shaft section and a proximal end region of the support structure. The invention also relates to a method for assembling a shaft for a flexible endoscope or for a flexible endoscopic instrument, and also to a flexible endoscope and a flexible endoscopic instrument.

Abstract: An intubation system includes an intubation instrument for capturing an image. The intubation instrument has a first interface for providing an image signal representing the captured image, a display device with a second interface for receiving the image signal, wherein the display device is provided and designed to display the image captured by the intubation instrument, and a cable with a third interface at a first end of the cable and with a fourth interface at a second end of the cable. The interfaces are designed such that the first interface at the intubation instrument is connectable directly to the second interface at the display device and is alternatively connectable directly to the third interface at the cable, and such that the second interface at the display device is connectable directly to the first interface at the intubation instrument and alternatively connectable directly to the fourth interface at the cable.

Abstract: An apparatus configured for heat dissipation that includes a heat source, a heat sink and a heat conducting element. The heat conducting element conducts heat energy from the heat source to the heat sink along a heat conducting path, and the heat conducting element is arranged in such a way on the heat source and the heat sink and is configured to physically change in such a way with increasing temperature of the heat conducting element that: a) a first cross-sectional area between the heat source and the heat conducting element and/or a second cross-sectional area between the heat conducting element of the heat sink increases, and/or b) a length of the heat conducting path shortens. Further, a video endoscope having such an apparatus and a use of such an apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A camera configured to maintain an image in a preferred orientation when the camera is passed from one user to another is provided. The camera detects a spatial orientation of the camera in at least a first position. The camera detects a vector information generated when the camera is passed from one user to another. The camera processes the spatial orientation and vector information so as to retain the image in a preferred orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscopic device, in particular medical or industrial endoscopic device, wherein the endoscopic device comprises, as components, a light source, an optical fiber, a camera, and an endoscope comprising an optical element or a plurality of optical elements, and at least one optical element comprises an optical marking for verifying an identity of the optical element and/or of the endoscope such that the optical marking can be detected by the camera for verifying the identity and/or a configuration of the endoscopic device. The invention furthermore relates to a method for verifying an identity of a component of an endoscopic device, and a computer program product for evaluating an image acquisition of an optical marking of an optical element and for identifying an endoscope of an endoscopic device.

Abstract: An optical observation instrument according to the invention, in particular a surgical microscope or exoscope, comprises an optics unit with an objective arrangement and at least one electronic image recorder, wherein the optics unit has a first stereo channel with a first beam path and a second stereo channel with a second beam path for recording a stereo image of an object field with the at least one electronic image recorder and wherein the first and the second beam path extend through the objective arrangement.

Abstract: A keypad includes a support, a snap disk on a first side of the support transformable from a released state to a loaded state, a cover forming a seal over the first side, a pocket in the cover, a magnet and a plunger disposed in the pocket, the plunger adapted to engage and transform the snap disk to the loaded state, a magnetic field sensor on a second side of the support, the second side opposite the first side and logic circuitry adapted to obtain a value of a strength of a magnetic field from the sensor, compare the value against a predetermined threshold value that corresponds at least approximately to the strength of a magnetic field, and when the plunger has transformed the snap disk to the loaded state and the value reaches or exceeds the threshold value, output a signal indicating that a key press occurred.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that enable optical image stabilization and image sensor alignments. By enabling image sensors to be adjusted based on identified misalignments, users of the systems and methods disclosed herein can adjust imaging during the course of a surgery or surgical procedure, without needing to stop the surgery or surgical procedure to manually realign optical components. The optical image stabilization allows for adjustment of sensor components to compensate for shifts or other movement of imaging devices and to maintain focus on a target object. The optical image stabilization also includes digital masks that can be overlaid on an image to block distracting mask shifting.

Abstract: A guidance system, a method and a device for dynamically guiding a surgical needle catheter onto an organ to be surgically operated of a patient. In particular, the disclosure relates to a guidance system, a method and a device to aid in the percutaneous kidney puncture.

Abstract: An electrical bridge connects to a packaged imaging sensor in the distal tip of a scope shaft. The bridge has an insulative body including a distal surface with a cross sectional size no greater than that of the packaged image sensor. A plurality of electrical contacts are arranged in an array along the distal surface of the insulative body for connecting to the packaged image sensor. Conductive paths are formed through the insulative body connecting to the electrical contacts. Wire attachment contacts connecting to the conductive paths. The wire attachment contacts are formed within the cross-sectional area of the insulative body and elongated in a longitudinal direction perpendicular the distal surface for soldering to wires oriented in the longitudinal direction. The wire attachment contacts are adjacent to respective voids in the insulative body for receiving the wires, the voids including insulative walls on two sides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument having an elongated shaft, a movable tool at a distal end of the shaft, a handle with a movable grip part at a proximal end of the shaft, and a force transmission element which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the instrument and is operatively connected to the movable grip part and to the tool such that an actuation of the movable grip part is converted into a movement of the tool. The instrument has a spring assembly that is arranged on the handle and has at least one leg spring, which has at least one winding and two legs, and a pin, wherein the at least one winding extends about the pin. When the movable grip part is actuated, a force is applied to at least one of the legs of the leg spring, said force reducing the friction between the winding and the pin such that the leg spring can be rotated about the pin and the force transmission element and the tool can be moved.