Abstract: The endoscopic instrument for introducing elongate medical assisting devices into the body of a patient comprises an elongate shank which is provided at its proximal end with a handle for the instrument, whereby the shank comprises at least one recess for receiving and guiding an elongate assisting device, said recess beginning distally and extending at least partly along said shank's length. For improving the introduction of the assisting device into the body of the patient the shank is surrounded by a hollow outer shank which comprises at least one longitudinal slit extending from its distal end along at least a part length of the outer shank, whereby the outer shank is twistable or distally displaceable over the inner shank for overlapping the recess of said inner shank, and can be positioned in the overlapping position.

Abstract: An instrument for positioning operating tubes in endoscopic operations. A distally pointed cannula tube serves as a guiding probe for introduction into a patient's body so that the distal end is disposed closely proximate the operating site, and carries a handle that is removably attached to the cannula tube proximal end. The cannula tube is hollow for receiving therethrough a mandarin. The mandarin and tube handle are removed from the cannula tube once the tube is inserted into the patient's body, thus leaving only the cannula tube extending into the body of the patient to serve as a guiding probe for one or more operating tubes.

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: 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: 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 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: 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: A surgical manipulator arm has a first and a second control ball rotatably mounted and disposed at a proximal end and a distal end of an outer-shaft tube, respectively. The control balls are coupled to each other through coupling elements such, for example, as control wires so that rotational movements of the first control ball can be transmitted correspondingly to the second control ball or vice versa. The manipulator arm has an actuator portion connected to the first control ball and a follower portion connected to the second control ball for selectively and detachably mounting a handling part and an effector part of an instrument. The first and second control balls are mounted in such a way so as to permit their respective actuator and follower portions to rotate and pivot about the longitudinal axis of the outer-shaft tube. The central bore defines a connective passage from the actuator portion, through the outer-shaft tube, and to the follower portion.

Abstract: A tissue punch for surgically cutting tissue is provided with an inner shaft having an opening with a cutting edge at its distal end, which collaborates with a counter cutting edge at the distal end of an outer shaft, so that during operation of the tissue punch tissue, which extends through the opening into the inner shaft, is separated by the two cutting edges moving against each other. The inner shaft is rigid and is straight in its proximal region but changes distally into a curved shape. The outer shaft, which moves axially on the inner shaft, is flexible at least in the area of the curve of the inner shaft.

Abstract: A shaft for medical instruments, especially for guiding instruments into body cavities, has neighboring segments that are hollow on the inside and that form sections of the shaft. The segments can be adjusted in their positions by means of control wires so that various shaft curvatures can be set, whereby at least two groups of segments can be adjusted independently of one another. The segments of a first group, provided distally, are flexibly linked with each other. A tensioning device provides a variably adjustable spring force to the segments of the second group such that when under low tension, the segments are non-positively locked, and under high tension, the segments are positively locked.

Abstract: An instrument is provided which is suitable, inter alia, for the implantation and extraction of stents in hollow body organs. The instrument has an inner first tube and an outer second tube that can be displaced axially relative to each other, and spreading elements that can be directed radially outwardly and flexibly from the longitudinal axis of the instrument for the purpose of holding the stent. The spreading elements can be brought into a position against the stent by means of a displacement of one of the tubes in one direction. The proximal and distal ends of the spreading elements are attached to respective rings which fix the spreading elements at a radial spacing from the longitudinal axis of the instrument. Through displacement of one of the tubes, which acts upon one of the rings, the distance between the rings can be changed, whereby upon reduction of this distance, the spreading elements are deformed, creating outwardly directed bows which exert force against the inner circumference of the stent.

Abstract: The device serves to attach and secure an auxiliary instrument to a surgical instrument, through the shaft of which an auxiliary instrument may be introduced. The device has a receiver, which can be releasably fixed to the shaft on the proximal side, for a coupling part of the auxiliary instrument and a clamping element, which can be adjusted relative to the longitudinal axis of the receiver and is brought to rest frictionally against the outer periphery of the wall of the shaft situated between receiver and clamping element during adjustment.

Abstract: A medical instrument has a switch for controlling the operation of an external device operatively connected to the switch by way of a control section. The control section is a light transmitting section extending between a light source and a light receiver, and includes two optical fibers extending within the instrument with their ends in opposed spaced relationship. A cover plate is movable by means of a switch button, between the opposed ends of the fibers to alter the transmission of light to the light receiver at least in order to switch the external device on and off.

Abstract: The endoscope for introduction into a hollow organ of a living thing makes it possible for the hollow organ to be pulled against a more solid outer structure and to fix it thereto for the duration of the treatment. The endoscope is therefore provided with a retaining device, which can be used in the outer shaft of the endoscope and is guided therein, and has a plurality of hook elements, on the distal end of which hooks are formed by pushing out from the distal end of the outer shaft as a result of spreading, and with a stop disc which can be adjusted on the outer shaft. Spreading of the hook element ends can be controlled optically. After spreading the hook element ends, the endoscope is drawn back until it rests on the hollow organ in order to fix the hollow organ and secured in this position by means of the stop disc.

Abstract: An endoscope instrument shaft is provided with a bendable distal end piece, the position of which relative to the instrument shaft can be altered by means of at least one tension wire which is actuable proximally of the endoscope and is guided through a guide tube which is fixed at both ends. That side of the end piece, which side has the larger radius of curvature when the end piece is bent is constructed as a return spring and the side of the end piece having the smaller radius of curvature when the end piece is bent is pliable to facilitate bending of the end piece.

Abstract: An endoscope provides for the examination of, and fluid delivery to, an operating field located in, for example, paranasal sinuses or the anterior base of the skull, for pressurized delivery of fluid and removal of tissue at a visually identified location. The endoscope includes a tubular shaft having a forward end for viewing the operating field, an optical viewer in connection with the shaft for providing a view of the operating field along an optical-exit axis, and irrigation and aspiration channels placed in connection with the shaft for providing targetted delivery of at least one jet of fluid at a location within the operating field along a fluid-delivery axis which intersects with the optical-exit axis at a distance from the forward end of the shaft, thereby enabling visual confirmation that the jet of fluid has impacted the targetted location simultaneously with the impact.

Abstract: An endoscope for nasal surgery comprises an outer shaft having a handle incorporating a switching valve for connecting a suction and flushing channel of the outer shaft to, and disconnecting it from, a source of negative pressure and a source of flushing fluid. A working insert for insertion into the outer shaft, comprises a shaft for receiving an optical system proximally connected to the working insert, a shaft having a proximally positioned connector for insertion therethrough of an auxiliary instrument, for example a pair of forceps, and two guides for wires or rods which are movable by means of handles pivoted to the proximal end part of the working insert to displace a lever on the distal end of the working insert angularly to adjust the distal end of the auxiliary instrument.

Abstract: A holder for medical instruments comprises a holding element fastenable on to the body of a patient, for example in the form of a strap or a hoop, on which is fixedly mounted at least one rigid rail which carries mountings for endoscopes and/or auxiliary instruments. The instrument mountings are adjustably secured to the rail by means of couplings. The instruments can thus be mounted so as to be pivotable relative to the rail and/or displaceable along it.

Abstract: An endoscope for endonasal surgery in particular, comprises a suction and flushing shaft accommodating an optical system and having a suction channel and a flushing channel. A switching valve is accommodated in a handle of the endoscope, for connecting the suction channel and the flushing channel to a suction source and to a flushing fluid source, respectively. The switching valve allows the suction channel to be flushed clear of bodily tissue or secretions, for example, during use of the endoscope within a bodily cavity. To this end, the switching valve is such that the suction channel can be cleansed by flushing fluid in an intermediate position of the switching valve, whilst the suction channel is shut off from the suction source.