Abstract: An endoscopic and/or exoscopic imaging device for spectral, in particular multispectral and/or hyperspectral, imaging for an endoscope, microscope and/or an exoscope, comprising at least one shaft and comprising at least one imaging channel situated at least in part in the shaft, which imaging channel comprises at least one first imaging branch that has having at least one first spectrally selective beam splitter that spectrally selectively splits an optical image of an original spectral range into at least one first partial spectral image of a first spectral range and at least one further first partial spectral image of a further first spectral range, wherein the first spectral range is different from the further first spectral range, and the first imaging branch comprises a first image sensor, at least for capturing the first partial spectral image, and the first imaging branch comprises at least one first relay lens for relaying the further first partial image.

Abstract: Improved fluorescent imaging and other sensor data imaging processes, including hyperspectral imaging, devices, and systems are provided to enhance endoscopes with multiple wavelength capabilities and providing sequential imaging and display. A first optical device is provided for endoscopy imaging in a white light and a fluoresced light mode with an imaging unit including one or more image sensors. A mechanism in the first optical device to automatically adjust the focus of the first optical device using one or more deformable, variable-focus lenses, wherein the automatic focus adjustment compensates for a chromatic focal difference between the light collected at distinct wavelength bands caused by the dispersive or diffractive properties of the optical materials or optical design employed in the construction of the first or second optical devices, or both. Further variable spectrum imaging is enhanced with the use of adjustable spectral filters.

Abstract: An observation instrument has a shaft and an imaging unit, the imaging unit comprising an objective lens system and an electronic image sensor arranged for picking up an image generated by the objective lens system, the imaging unit being pivotably arranged in a distal end section of the shaft, a pivot axis of the imaging unit being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the distal end section of the shaft, wherein the image sensor is arranged substantially parallel to an optical axis of the objective lens system and the imaging unit comprises a deflection element for deflecting light exiting from an image end of the objective lens system to an image pick-up surface of the image sensor. The invention also relates to a video imager arrangement for an observation instrument.

Abstract: An endoscopic device comprising a housing, first imaging means in the housing for detecting light emanating from objects from a predetermined first surrounding region annularly surrounding the endoscopic device and for producing a first image of the first surrounding region, a first image sensor for detecting the first image and for producing a first image signal, a first image sensor for sensing the first image and for generating a first image signal representing the first image, a second imaging means in the housing for sensing light emanating from objects in a predetermined second surrounding region and for generating a second image of the second surrounding region, and a second image sensor for sensing the second image and for generating a second image signal representing the second image. The first imaging device comprises a catadioptric imaging system with a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and a light refracting interface.

Abstract: Improved fluorescent imaging and other sensor data imaging processes, including hyperspectral imaging, devices, and systems are provided to enhance endoscopes with multiple wavelength capabilities and providing sequential imaging and display. A first optical device is provided for endoscopy imaging in a white light and a fluoresced light mode with an imaging unit including one or more image sensors. A mechanism in the first optical device to automatically adjust the focus of the first optical device using one or more deformable, variable-focus lenses, wherein the automatic focus adjustment compensates for a chromatic focal difference between the light collected at distinct wavelength bands caused by the dispersive or diffractive properties of the optical materials or optical design employed in the construction of the first or second optical devices, or both. Further variable spectrum imaging is enhanced with the use of adjustable spectral filters.

Abstract: Improved fluorescent imaging and other sensor data imaging processes, including hyperspectral imaging, devices, and systems are provided to enhance endoscopes with multiple wavelength capabilities and providing sequential imaging and display. A first optical device is provided for endoscopy imaging in a white light and a fluoresced light mode with an imaging unit including one or more image sensors. A mechanism in the first optical device to automatically adjust the focus of the first optical device using one or more deformable, variable-focus lenses, wherein the automatic focus adjustment compensates for a chromatic focal difference between the light collected at distinct wavelength bands caused by the dispersive or diffractive properties of the optical materials or optical design employed in the construction of the first or second optical devices, or both. Further variable spectrum imaging is enhanced with the use of adjustable spectral filters.

Abstract: An observation instrument has a shaft and an imaging unit, the imaging unit comprising an objective lens system and an electronic image sensor arranged for picking up an image generated by the objective lens system, the imaging unit being pivotably arranged in a distal end section of the shaft, a pivot axis of the imaging unit being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the distal end section of the shaft, wherein the image sensor is arranged substantially parallel to an optical axis of the objective lens system and the imaging unit comprises a deflection element for deflecting light exiting from an image end of the objective lens system to an image pick-up surface of the image sensor. The invention also relates to a video imager arrangement for an observation instrument.

Abstract: An observation instrument has a shaft and an imaging unit, the imaging unit comprising an objective lens system and an electronic image sensor arranged for picking up an image generated by the objective lens system, the imaging unit being pivotably arranged in a distal end section of the shaft, a pivot axis of the imaging unit being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the distal end section of the shaft, wherein the image sensor is arranged substantially parallel to an optical axis of the objective lens system and the imaging unit comprises a deflection element for deflecting light exiting from an image end of the objective lens system to an image pick-up surface of the image sensor. The invention also relates to a video imager arrangement for an observation instrument.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical system, and a video endoscope therefor, with at least one electronic active pixel image sensor with a progressive offset micro-lens array, and a lens system with a plurality of lenses in order to receive image light from an object field and direct it to the image sensor. The optical system has at least one interference filter coating located within the optical system, such that the angle of incidence of the image light on the filter coating is minimized, minimizing thereby the filtration characteristics of the coating that are angularly dependent. This minimization improves the reliability of fluorescence imaging with short optical systems. The location for the filter coating may be on a curved surface, such as a lens, or on a properly positioned flat element within the optical system.

Abstract: An optical filter system and a video endoscope therefor are disclosed. The optical filter system is arranged in a distal end section of a shaft. At least one image sensor for receiving image light is positioned in the distal end section. The optical filter system contains an optical filter and an objective lens system with a three or more lenses to collect image light and to pass it to the image sensor. The filter has transmission characteristics that vary relative to the radial distance from its center and is located between the first lens and the second lens of the objective lens system. Used in conjunction with fluorescence imaging, emission radiation collected by the image sensor is substantially free of excitation radiation. Additionally, a display system clearly delineating the regions with reliable fluorescence and/or visible light is also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved fluorescent imaging and other sensor data imaging processes, including hyperspectral imaging, devices, and systems are provided to enhance endoscopes with multiple wavelength capabilities and providing sequential imaging and display. A first optical device is provided for endoscopy imaging in a white light and a fluoresced light mode with an imaging unit including one or more image sensors. A mechanism in the first optical device to automatically adjust the focus of the first optical device using one or more deformable, variable-focus lenses, wherein the automatic focus adjustment compensates for a chromatic focal difference between the light collected at distinct wavelength bands caused by the dispersive or diffractive properties of the optical materials or optical design employed in the construction of the first or second optical devices, or both. Further variable spectrum imaging is enhanced with the use of adjustable spectral filters.

Abstract: A system for controlling a medical device, the system comprising: a first channel and a second channel, an interface for receiving display data and control data and sending data into the first and second channels, the first channel comprising an imaging device adapted to display the display data and the control data, an image sensor adapted to detect at least an image part of the image, and an extraction device adapted to extract verification data from the image data, the second channel having a control device adapted to receive inputs from a user for and to output the control data and a control command, and a comparison device adapted to compare the test data from the extraction device and the control data from the control device.

Abstract: A lens system (1) for a video endoscope comprises, in order from an object side, a cover glass (20), a first lens (40), a second lens (60) and one or more further lenses, wherein all lenses are single lenses. An aperture stop (21) is arranged at the object side of the first or the second lens (40, 60), all lenses on an image side of the aperture stop (21) are aspherical, all lenses are made of glass or of a crystalline material, and at least one lens has a refractive index n approximately equal to or exceeding 1.66. The invention also relates to an endoscope objective, to a video endoscope, and to a method for assembling an endoscope objective.

Abstract: An observation device and method its operation is disclosed. The device includes an instrument with a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; objective optics disposed at the shaft and having a field of view; an imaging sensor arranged to capture image data, the imaging sensor having a sensor array of evenly distributed elements; and an image processing unit. The objective optics is arranged to capture a scene in the field of view on the imaging sensor. The objective optics define at least a central imaging region and a peripheral imaging region, where the differing focal lengths of the objective optics result in the central imaging region having a higher digital resolution than that of the peripheral region, resulting in more pixels dedicated to the region of interest, while the peripheral regions have adequate resolution to monitor the introduction of surgical tools and other valuable information.

Abstract: An observation instrument has a shaft and an imaging unit, the imaging unit comprising an objective lens system and an electronic image sensor arranged for picking up an image generated by the objective lens system, the imaging unit being pivotably arranged in a distal end section of the shaft, a pivot axis of the imaging unit being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the distal end section of the shaft, wherein the image sensor is arranged substantially parallel to an optical axis of the objective lens system and the imaging unit comprises a deflection element for deflecting light exiting from an image end of the objective lens system to an image pick-up surface of the image sensor. The invention also relates to a video imager arrangement for an observation instrument.

Abstract: A swing prism endoscope with adjustable viewing direction includes a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end and a window of a transparent material that seals an opening on the distal end of the shaft so that it is fluid-tight. In addition the swing prism endoscope includes a pivotable prism on the distal end of the shaft for adjustable diversion of light that falls through the window into the shaft of the swing prism endoscope onto an object lens, where the pivotable prism is made of diamond.

Abstract: A system for controlling a medical device, the system comprising: a first channel and a second channel, an interface for receiving display data and control data and sending data into the first and second channels, the first channel comprising an imaging device adapted to display the display data and the control data, an image sensor adapted to detect at least an image part of the image, and an extraction device adapted to extract verification data from the image data, the second channel having a control device adapted to receive inputs from a user for and to output the control data and a control command, and a comparison device adapted to compare the test data from the extraction device and the control data from the control device.

Abstract: An endoscope, exoscope or microscope, including an optical fiber bundle for transmitting light from the proximal end to the distal end, the optical fiber bundle showing a contiguous bundle at the proximal end and a plurality of partial bundles or else individual fibers at the distal end. Furthermore, it shows a light source for coupling light into the one proximal end of the optical fiber bundle and including a multiplicity of individually actuatable individual-light sources arranged in an array-like manner, and a control unit for actuating the individual-light sources using an assignment function which represents the assignment of a proximal fiber end to a partial bundle. Here, the proximal ends of the fibers which are assigned to one partial bundle are arranged on a surface in such a way that proximal ends of fibers assigned to a different partial bundle are arranged therebetween.

Abstract: A beam combining device for combining light from a first light source and light from a second light source of a light-source device for a medical apparatus includes a body made of a transparent material, a face which reflects in at least either a dichroic or polarization-dependent manner and is situated in or on the body, which face is transparent to light having a first spectrum or a first polarization and reflects light having a second spectrum or a second polarization, and a light-entrance face on the body, which light-entrance face is provided and arranged so that light enters the beam combining device through the light-entrance face. At least either the light-entrance face or the face reflecting in a dichroic or polarization-dependent manner is curved.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a housing with an aperture, a window component that comprises a transparent material and closes off the aperture, and a thin-walled area that surrounds the aperture.