Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a workflow in an operating room including interconnected medical devices that support surgical systems and surgical operations. Methods and systems to control clinical information through the use of a medical device, such that use of a medical device at least partially determines the clinical information that is displayed on a display monitor.

Abstract: A shank for a flexible endoscope or for a flexible endoscopic instrument includes a first shank portion and, a second shank portion, angled relative to a distal end region of the first shank portion by a longitudinal adjustment of at least one tensioning means which is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner inside the second shank portion and connected to a distal end region of the second shank portion. The longitudinal adjustment by least one threaded drive, which can be driven by at least one torsion shaft extending inside the first shank portion. The invention also relates to a flexible endoscope and a flexible endoscopic instrument.

Abstract: A voice controlled medical system with improved speech recognition includes a first microphone array, a second microphone array, a controller in communication with the first and second microphone arrays, and a medical device operable by the controller. The controller includes a beam module that generates a first beamed signal using signals from the first microphone array and a second beamed signal using signals from the second microphone array. The controller also includes a comparison module that compares the first and second beamed signals and determines a correlation between the first and second beamed signals. The controller also includes a voice interpreting module that identifies commands within the first and second beamed signals if the correlation is above a correlation threshold. The controller also includes an instrument control module that executes the commands to operate said medical device.

Abstract: An insufflation system has a medical instrument, which has a channel through which an insufflation gas can be passed from the proximal end to the distal end. A first valve in the instrument can be switched between a first switching state and a second switching state. It is proposed that a pressure sensor be provided which is connected to the channel and which can detect the two switching states of the first valve. A second switch-over valve can be switched by a control unit in accordance with the detected pressure values, such that the instrument can be connected by the second switch-over valve either to a source of insufflation gas or to a source of air. The second switch-over valve is designed such that only air is delivered in the first switching state of the first valve and only insufflation gas is delivered in the second switching state.

Abstract: A voice controlled medical system with improved speech recognition includes a microphone in an operating environment and a medical device. The voice controlled medical system further includes a controller in communication with the microphone and the medical device that operates the medical device by executing audio commands received by the microphone. The voice controlled medical system further includes a calibration signal indicative of distortion in the operating environment which is generated by comparing an audio signal played in the operating environment with a sound signal received by the microphone. The controller uses the calibration signal to interpret audio commands received by the microphone.

Abstract: A measuring device and method according to the invention for registering an ambient temperature Ta of a medical machine including a measuring housing, which is arranged on an outer wall of the machine and in which at least one temperature sensor remote from the machine and at least one temperature sensor (16, 16?) near to the machine are held, wherein the at least one temperature sensor remote from the machine registers a first temperature T1 and the at least one temperature sensor near to the machine registers a second temperature T2, and an evaluation apparatus configured to establish the ambient temperature Ta using a difference between the first temperature T1 registered by the at least one temperature sensor remote from the machine and the second temperature T2 registered by the at least one temperature sensor near to the machine.

Abstract: An eyepiece includes a focusing apparatus for positioning the area perceived as in focus by the relaxed human eye and for correcting axial ametropia of an eye of a user of the eyepiece and a correction apparatus for adjustable correction of an astigmatism of an eye of a user of the eyepiece.

Abstract: A voice controlled surgical system including a wireless command microphone receiving audio input, a voice control module for generating commands from the audio input received by said wireless command microphone, a detection module for generating signals indicative of a proximity of said wireless command microphone, a switch module for disabling the commands in response to one or more of the signals, and an alarm module activated in response to the one or more of the signals.

Abstract: A speech recognition and control system including a receiver for receiving an audio input, an event detector for analyzing the audio input and identifying at least one event of the audio input, a recognizer for interpreting at least a portion of the audio input, a database including a plurality of rules, and a controller for generating a control command based on the at least one event and at least one rule.

Abstract: The system includes a controller having first and second speech recognition modules and a decision module. The system includes at least one medical device operable by the controller. The system includes a first microphone in communication with the first speech recognition module, and a second microphone in communication with the second speech recognition module. The first speech recognition module generates a first set of commands from voice signals it receives from the first microphone. The second speech recognition module generates a second set of commands from voice signals it receives from the second microphone. The decision module receives the first and second sets of commands, accepts a subset of the commands in the first and second sets, rejects the remainder of the commands, and assembles a third set of commands comprising the accepted commands. The controller executes the third set of commands to operate the at least one medical device.

Abstract: The system includes a remotely controlled medical system having a controller in communication with a command device incorporating a microphone. The system further includes a medical device operable by the controller and a sound generator coupled to the controller. The command device incorporating a microphone is paired to the controller for operating the medical device by detecting the sound. The command device incorporating a microphone transmits a signal in response to the sound to the controller to verify the pairing of the command device incorporating a microphone to the controller such that the controller will only operate the medical device in response to a command issued near the sound generator.

Abstract: A bridge apparatus for coupling a medical network with a non-medical network includes a storage unit to store data from the medical network, a first interface device for coupling the storage unit with the medical network, and a second interface device for coupling the storage unit with the non-medical network. The bridge apparatus is configured to execute write-only access requests on the storage unit via the first interface device or to execute read-only access requests on the storage unit via the second interface device.

Abstract: An instrument comprises a headpiece at a proximal end, a shaft connected to said headpiece, said shaft can be deflected at least in a distal end area thereof. A deflection mechanism is provided for deflecting said shaft. Said deflection mechanism has control wires and a control element for controlling a deflection movement of said deflection mechanism. A lock is provided for locking said deflection mechanism. Said lock has a catch mechanism connected to said control element in such a way that said catch mechanism, without actuation, is automatically forced into a locking position and a movement of said control element first opens said catch mechanism and only then permits a deflection of said shaft. A release of said control element in any position of said deflection mechanism causes an enforced locking by said catch mechanism in said position.

Abstract: An endoscopic video measurement system having a proximal operating part, an insertion part, and a replaceable head that can be inserted thereon, and where the operating part contains a connection for supplying electrical and optical power, optical transmission means for the lens illumination are provided in the insertion part for an electronic image sensor positioned in the distal end portion, and the replaceable head contains optical transmission means for the lens illumination and lens imaging, is characterized in that, in the insertion part, for transmitting a measurement beam a single-mode optical fiber is provided, with which an optical system positioned in the distal end part of the insertion part for producing a collimated sample beam bundle is associated.

Abstract: A plug-in unit with integral cable connection to the operating part of an endoscope and plug connections for lamps, mechanical, and/or electronic modules is characterized in that a hollow tube extending to the distal end of the endoscope is inserted into the plug-in unit by the integral cable connection and the operating part and has its proximal end positioned so that it is freely movable in the plug-in unit in such a way that can be conducted out of a closeable bore-hole in the wall of the plug-in unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for insufflating a body cavity with an insufflation gas comprising an insufflation device for delivering the insufflation gas to the body cavity. To detect possibly critical states in the body cavity, the apparatus is designed to withdraw a measuring gas from the body cavity. A measuring device having a gas sensor serves for measuring an additional substance contained in the measuring gas in addition to the insufflation gas and for outputting a measuring signal as a function of the additional substance.

Abstract: A method for adhesive bond joining of two surfaces, where a metallic or non-metallic solder is applied to at least one of the two surfaces, where the solder has a temperature-dependent optical property. The solder is radiated with electromagnetic radiation with a predetermined spectrum, such that the solder reaches a predetermined temperature above its melting temperature and moistens the surfaces, such that the temperature-dependent optical property is modified reversibly or irreversibly at the predetermined temperature of the solder. The solder is cooled to below its melting temperature, such that the solder solidifies and connects the surfaces in an adhesive bond.

Abstract: An endoscopic system with at least one light source for generating at least partially coherent light, for exciting fluorescent light, with at least one light-conducting element, where the at least one light source and the at least one light-conducting element are positioned in a proximal supply unit. It is further provided with an optical radiance transmission link in an insertion part and with at least one fluorescence converter for conversion into white light. According to the invention, at least one actuator is present, which is coupled with at least one light-conducting element and/or with the at least one light source and/or with the at least one fluorescence converter. With the help of the actuator, perturbations or fluctuations concerning the at least one light-conducting element and/or the at least one light source and/or the at least one fluorescence converter are generated and thereby reduce the speckles in the endoscopic image.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus includes a light-generating mechanism for generating at least one modulated measuring beam, a light-transmitting mechanism for conducting the measuring beam onto an area to be observed, where the light-transmitting mechanism includes an illuminating lens, in addition to a light-imaging mechanism for imaging a signal beam from the area to be observed at least onto a phase-sensitive image sensor, which includes a number of pixels, where the light-imaging mechanism includes an imaging lens. At least one additional image sensor is provided and the light-imaging mechanism includes a beam-splitter and/or an optical switch, where at least one adaptive lens is provided for adapting the fields of vision of the image sensors. As a result, an apparatus is created for endoscopic 3D data collection that is suitable for various types of image sensors.

Abstract: A speech recognition and control system including a sound card for receiving speech and converting the speech into digital data, the sound card removably connected to an input of a computer, recognizer software executing on the computer for interpreting at least a portion of the digital data, event detection software executing on the computer for detecting connectivity of the sound card, and command control software executing on the computer for generating a command based on at least one of the digital data and the connectivity of the sound card.