Abstract: A stereo-endoscope for observation and analysis of an object, comprising a shaft with distal and proximal ends, illuminating means for illuminating the object, and stereoscopic imaging means which transfer light radiated by the object from the distal end to the proximal end. Light of a first imaging channel is fed into a first sensor, and light of a second imaging channel is fed into a second sensor. Both sensors contain mutually different beam splitters, which split the light into four light beams. One light beam from each of the sensors is deflected onto one sensor each; these two sensors are identical. The signals detected there are assembled to form a stereoscopic image. The stereo-endoscope comprises mutually different manipulating means for the other two light beams; by means of suitably-tuned image-processing algorithms, two different monoscopic images containing information complementary to each other and to the stereoscopic image are generated.

Abstract: An arrangement for the sterile handling of a non-sterile endoscope in a sterile environment comprises a sterile endoscope sheath for accommodating the endoscope and a cable via which the endoscope is connectable to a control unit, the arrangement further comprising a sterile cable sheath for accommodating at least a portion of the cable, wherein the endoscope sheath comprises a first sterile lock comprising at least one first sterile flap which in the closed state shields the endoscope arranged in the endoscope sheath in a sterile manner. The cable sheath comprises a second sterile lock having a second sterile flap which in a closed state shields the cable arranged in the cable sheath and/or a plug connector present on the arranged cable in a sterile manner.

Abstract: An arrangement for sterile handling of a non-sterile endoscope in a sterile environment includes a sterile endoscope sheath having an optical element arranged at its distal end, and a non-sterile endoscope. The optical element has a light-reflecting element or a light-reflecting area which reflects detection light emitted by the detection light source as reflection light toward a proximal end of the endoscope sheath. The non-sterile endoscope includes an endoscope shaft, an illumination optical system, and an observation optical system. The non-sterile endoscope is received in the endoscope sheath.

Abstract: A stereo-endoscope for observation and analysis of an object, comprising a shaft with distal and proximal ends, illuminating means for illuminating the object, and stereoscopic imaging means which transfer light radiated by the object from the distal end to the proximal end. Light of a first imaging channel is fed into a first sensor, and light of a second imaging channel is fed into a second sensor. Both sensors contain mutually different beam splitters, which split the light into four light beams. One light beam from each of the sensors is deflected onto one sensor each; these two sensors are identical. The signals detected there are assembled to form a stereoscopic image. The stereo-endoscope comprises mutually different manipulating means for the other two light beams; by means of suitably-tuned image-processing algorithms, two different monoscopic images containing information complementary to each other and to the stereoscopic image are generated.

Abstract: An objective lens for an endoscope has an object-side lens element including a plane-convex rod lens and an image-side lens element including a biconvex lens arranged at the image-side end of the objective lens. The object-side lens element includes a plane-convex first lens and a biconcave second lens which form a front lens and are arranged in this order on the object side of the plane-convex rod lens forming a third lens. As viewed from the object side, the image-side lens element includes a biconvex fourth lens, a concave-plane fifth lens and a biconcave sixth lens which are arranged in this order on the object side of the biconvex lens that is arranged at the image-side end of the objective lens and forms a seventh lens.

Abstract: A camera objective lens for an endoscope has an object-side first prism and an image-side second prism, a first lens system arranged on the object side of the first prism and a second lens system arranged on the image side of the first prism, and a sensor surface arranged at the image-side end of the camera objective lens parallel to the longitudinal axis of an endoscope shaft of the endoscope. The first prism and the second prism are designed to cause a first to third beam deflection as a three-fold beam deflection. The first lens system includes a biconcave first lens, a biconvex second lens, a third lens formed as a rod lens, a plane-concave fourth lens and a biconvex fifth lens in this order as viewed from the object side. The second lens system includes a convex-plane sixth lens, a seventh lens formed as a meniscus lens, a biconvex eighth lens and a biconcave ninth lens in this order as viewed from the object side.

Abstract: A relay optical system for a rigid endoscope has two identically formed lens systems which are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to a plane of symmetry that is perpendicular to the optical axis. The lens systems each comprise a first biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, a rod lens having a convex lens surface facing the plane of symmetry and a concave lens surface facing away from the plane of symmetry, and a second biconvex lens, in this order as viewed from the plane of symmetry.

Abstract: An arrangement for the sterile handling of a non-sterile endoscope in a sterile environment comprises a sterile endoscope sheath for accommodating the endoscope and a cable via which the endoscope is connectable to a control unit, the arrangement further comprising a sterile cable sheath for accommodating at least a portion of the cable, wherein the endoscope sheath comprises a first sterile lock comprising at least one first sterile flap which in the closed state shields the endoscope arranged in the endoscope sheath in a sterile manner. The cable sheath comprises a second sterile lock having a second sterile flap which in a closed state shields the cable arranged in the cable sheath and/or a plug connector present on the arranged cable in a sterile manner.

Abstract: An endoscope sheath comprises an optical element arranged at its distal end. The optical element has a light-reflecting element or a light-reflecting area which reflects detection light emitted by the detection light source as reflection light toward a proximal end of the endoscope sheath.

Abstract: A camera objective lens for an endoscope has an object-side first prism and an image-side second prism, a first lens system arranged on the object side of the first prism and a second lens system arranged on the image side of the first prism, and a sensor surface arranged at the image-side end of the camera objective lens parallel to the longitudinal axis of an endoscope shaft of the endoscope. The first prism and the second prism are designed to cause a first to third beam deflection as a three-fold beam deflection. The first lens system includes a biconcave first lens, a biconvex second lens, a third lens formed as a rod lens, a plane-concave fourth lens and a biconvex fifth lens in this order as viewed from the object side. The second lens system includes a convex-plane sixth lens, a seventh lens formed as a meniscus lens, a biconvex eighth lens and a biconcave ninth lens in this order as viewed from the object side.

Abstract: An objective lens for an endoscope has an object-side lens element including a plane-convex rod lens and an image-side lens element including a biconvex lens arranged at the image-side end of the objective lens. The object-side lens element includes a plane-convex first lens and a biconcave second lens which form a front lens and are arranged in this order on the object side of the plane-convex rod lens forming a third lens. As viewed from the object side, the image-side lens element includes a biconvex fourth lens, a concave-plane fifth lens and a biconcave sixth lens which are arranged in this order on the object side of the biconvex lens that is arranged at the image-side end of the objective lens and forms a seventh lens.

Abstract: A relay optical system for a rigid endoscope has two identically formed lens systems which are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to a plane of symmetry that is perpendicular to the optical axis. The lens systems each comprise a first biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, a rod lens having a convex lens surface facing the plane of symmetry and a concave lens surface facing away from the plane of symmetry, and a second biconvex lens, in this order as viewed from the plane of symmetry.

Abstract: A method of generating laser pulses having a predefined amplitude, phase and/or polarization at a distal end of an optical transmission system having at least one optical fiber, includes the steps of: generating laser pulses and inputting the laser pulses into a pulse shaper; calculating a control signal for controlling the pulse shaper, wherein at least one physical parameter of the optical fiber is taken into account; applying the control signal to the pulse shaper and modulating the amplitude, phase and/or polarization of the laser pulses whereby modulated laser pulses are formed; and inputting the modulated laser pulses into a proximal end of the optical transmission system.

Abstract: The invention inter alia relates to a method of generating laser pulses having a predefined amplitude, phase and/or polarization at a distal end of an optical transmission system, which comprises at least one optical fiber, the method comprising the steps of: generating laser pulses and inputting the laser pulses into a pulse shaper; calculating a control signal for controlling the pulse shaper, wherein at least one physical parameter of the optical fiber is taken into account; applying the control signal to the pulse shaper and modulating the amplitude, phase and/or polarization of the laser pulses whereby modulated laser pulses are formed; and inputting the modulated laser pulses into a proximal end of the optical transmission system.