Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is disclosed which comprises a shank with a bendable region. The bendability is achieved by almost complete circumferential transverse recesses which form segments bendable to each other. To increase the robustness of the shank, the segments, at their free ends, are provided with guides which engage a neighbouring recess and are adapted to the contour of the shank. Furthermore in the lateral regions of the shank there are incorporated positive locking elements, which prevent the overloading of the shank on over-extension.

Abstract: A medical instrument is provided for manipulation of the uterus, in particular for laparascopic complete hysterectomy. It comprises a handle at the proximal instrument part and a manipulator probe at the distal instrument part, these being connected to one another via an elongate shank. Furthermore a holding device is arranged at the distal instrument part for fastening the uterus subject to therapy relative to the manipulator probe. In order to prevent the pneomoperitoneum from being destroyed during the operation to remove the uterus, the invention provides for a sealing device in the form of a closed tube insertable into the vagina, in which the shank of the instrument is axially displaceably arranged.

Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument for endoscopic therapy. A cutting tool including a rigid tubular shank is so guided within a tubular longitudinally slotted instrument shank having an essentially oval inner cross section, that the cutting tool may be tilted out of the axis of the instrument shank, whereby a cutter of the cutting tool penetrates the longitudinal slit of the instrument shank and projects beyond the diameter of the instrument shank. In this way by varying the tilting angle of the cutting tool the cutting depth of the cutting tool may be delicately set.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for fastening a rotatory drivable tool to the head of a technoscope by screwing a tool holder provided at the proximal side end of the tool to the distal end of the shank of a drive spindle. To secure undesired detaching of the tool from the technoscope, the tool holder is additionally screwed onto and against a cylinder sleeve which is run through by the shank of the drive spindle and rotatably mounted in the technoscope head.

Abstract: An electric motor drive unit for surgical tools, in which a drive consisting of a motor or motor gear unit is connected to, and electrically insulated from a clutch for the tool by a shaft, and in which the drive as well as current-carrying components are electrically insulated from a housing which accomodates said drive and current-carrying components. To achieve an electrical isolation of the current-carrying components from the tool and the gripping surface of the housing, the shaft, at least over part of its length, is made from an insulating material and runs through a seal which is supported in the housing and sealingly divides the housing into a first and second chamber, of which the first chamber accomodates the drive and the second chamber accomodates the clutch for the tool, said tool being inserted into a distal opening in the housing in the second chamber and connectable to the clutch.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device which serves to connect an endoscope with an auxiliary apparatus, for example to a video camera, an objective or an ocular funnel. The device comprises a main body with a central recess for receiving the proximal end of the endoscope. Within the main body at least one lever is pivotably mounted, which juts into the central recess by an impinging spring force. This lever can be locked into the position in which it juts into the recess, by means of a clamping ring arranged on the main body.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated optical focusing device is provided. The focusing device comprises a housing with an optical component being displaceably and rotatably arranged therein. The optical component is ferromagnetically coupled, via an internal magnet arranged thereon, to an external magnet arranged outside of the housing, the external magnet being fixed to a focusing ring which is rotatably mounted on the housing. When the focusing ring is rotated, the ferromagnetic attraction between the magnets is sufficient to drive the internal magnet through a helical channel defined on the internal surface of the housing, thus causing the optical component to be longitudinally displaced within the housing. The helical channel exerts sufficient restraining force on the inner magnet so that the inner magnet remains in a particular position along the channel even if the ferromagnetic coupling between the magnets is broken down.

Abstract: A measuring method for determining the distance between the distal end of an endoscope and an object to be examined uses an optical radar and an endoscope, which comprises a distance measuring device. For carring out the measuring, a transmitting fiber optic and a receiving fiber optic in the endoscope are guided separately to respective separate optic modules at the front end of the endoscope. A semiconductor laser feeds a high frequency amplitude-modulated light in the transmitting fiber optic, which is projected by the transmitting optic module on the object in the form of a light spot. The light reflected from the object is received by the receiving optic module and guided through the receiving fiber optic in the endoscope to a light detector of a control unit. In the control unit a phase measurement is carried out and an evaluation device computes the distance information from the phase difference.

Abstract: A device for the injection of substances into human tissue by means of an injection cannula (2.0) is axially adjustable along an endoscope shaft (1.0). The cannula is proximally connected to a coupling (1.8). Allocated to the endoscope shaft (1.0) is a guide tube (1.2) for the injection cannula (2.0), which is inserted into this guide tube (1.2) from the proximal end of the device and is detachably connected with the coupling (1.8). In addition, the unit including the guide tube (1.2) and the injection cannula (2.0) is axially adjustable relative to the endoscope shaft (1.0) by means of a handle (5) that can be operated with one hand.

Abstract: An endoscope is disclosed which is flexible at least section-wise and comprises at least one picture guide with an objective arranged at the distal side, and an eyepiece as well as a light guide arranged at the proximal side and a shank surrounding these components. The shank is made from a superelastic material and is dimensioned such that the endoscope is automatically restored to its original shape.

Abstract: The instrument for morcellating, in particular for endosurgical operations, includes a tube with a cutter formed at its distal end which is the actual morcellator, and a gripping instrument introduced into this tube for holding the tissue to be removed. Between the gripping instrument and the cutting tube is provided a protective sheath into which the gripper of the gripping instrument is inserted before the beginning of the cutting procedure. This configuration reliably prevents fouling between the cutting instrument and the gripper.

Abstract: There is disclosed an instrument for applying hot gas for medical purposes having a heating device for heating up gas which is conducted by means of a fan through a first channel to the distal end of the instrument, where the gas is diverted through a second channel of the instrument and back to the heating device and fan.

Abstract: An endoscope having a longitudinally-slotted probe that is connected to a guidance part for an optical system which extends in an axially movable fashion through the guidance part into the probe and the view of which is directed toward the longitudinal slot of the probe. The axial adjustment of an associated optical system is operated by a drive, which is connected to the guidance part and can be operated by hand. The instrument can be held by an operator using one hand and, as this is done, the optical system can be securely brought into position. The optical system can be adjusted using this same hand, thus permitting the operator to use the other hand to guide a surgical instrument.

Abstract: The color quality of a received color picture signal is detected by a device for measuring the intensity of at least the red component and the green component of the picture signal. A microprocessor determines a correction value for the white balance correction on the basis of the detected color quality and corresponding to selectable correction values, stored in a memory, for each color component. The method and apparatus permit an application specific correction of the white balance, particularly for use in endoscopic systems, such as video endoscopes and endoscope cameras, to be used in different body organs which cause different color shifts.

Abstract: A surgical instrument such as a forceps having a handle at its proximal end, a pair of jaws at its distal end for gripping an object, and a connecting member for transmitting user-applied force from the handle to the pair of jaws. The connecting member includes a force transmitting and limiting member for transmitting the closure force imparted by the jaws upon the object to a predetermined value. The force transmitting and limiting member is preferably made of a material that is superelastic (i.e. reversibly deformable such that it returns to its original physical shape or form after the material has been deformed substantially) and is comprised of a rod, a spring or a portion of a scissors-shaped forceps. The extent of relative movement of the handle grips is limited by a stop to prevent the superelastic material from undergoing excessive deformation.

Abstract: An instrument for manipulating organs in endoscopic procedures in the interior of the body includes two spreading members at the distal end of the instrument. The spreading members can be swiveled outwardly and actuated by means of a handle at the proximal end of the instrument. A control member displaceably guided in the instrument shaft connects the handle and spreading members. The distal end of the instrument is bent in such a way that the spreading members spread out in a curved plane so that organs can be reliably guided with the manipulator.

Abstract: The endoscopic instrument has a long, stretched out shaft (5) and at least one rod-shaped lens (6) arranged therein. The rod lens (6) is provided on its peripheral surfaces (10) with a coating that increases the breaking strength. The coating may be, for example, polyimide, amorphous carbon, or silicon-oxide carbide. To increase adhesion of the coating the rod lens may be pretreated with caustic on its peripheral surfaces.

Abstract: A device, which is especially made for the generation of shockwaves to detect inner-body objects, is equipped with piezo-ceramic transducer elements which act as an electro-acoustical transducer which can be driven by a high-voltage source with high-voltage impulses to generate shock waves or sound impulses through directed deformations and length changes of the transducer elements is dependent on the given polarization of the transducer elements and the polarity of the high-voltage impulses. The sound energy emitted by the device may then be especially high if the transducer elements are excited and biased with a bias potential before the appearance of a high-voltage impulse and the polarity of the bias potential is opposite to that of the high-voltage impulse.

Abstract: A medical insufflation device having a control device with feedback sensors for regulating the flow of a gas into an inflatable body cavity. The device includes a conduit for channeling gas from a gas supply into an insufflation instrument, sensors for measuring gas pressure and gas flow in the conduit, and a control device responsive to the sensors for automatically regulating the pressure and flow of the gas into the body cavity from the conduit. The control device has an automatic processing unit for receiving the measured gas pressure and flow values from the sensors and for using those values to control an actuator in the conduit and which is operatively adjustable for regulating the flow of gas into the body cavity.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument includes an elongate shaft with an optical system arranged therein. The shaft is closed off at least its distal end by a window which is firmly and tightly connected to the shaft. The closure window is constructed of spinel or yttrium-aluminum-garnet. The spinel may be cubic monocrystalline spinel or polycrystalline spinel, and the yttrium-aluminum-garnet may be undoped or neodymium-doped. Similar closure windows of the same materials may be provided at other openings in the endoscope shaft, such as a proximal end ocular or eyepiece or a lateral light guide window. The closure window may optionally be in the form of a lens to function as part of the optical system.