Abstract: An endoscope system includes a radiation source which emits a modulated radiation and is applied in a manner such that an object to be examined by an endoscope may be illuminated with the radiation. A sensor is provided for detecting the radiation reflected by the object,at at least one picture point. An evaluation device obtains readings of the detected radiation from the sensor, determines phase differences on the basis of these readings, and computes the distance of the object to the sensor device on the basis of these phase differences. A corresponding supplementary module for an endoscope and endoscope optics with these features are also provided.

Abstract: The endoscopic instrument has at least one component that heats up during the operation of the instrument and is equipped with means for automatically registering the use or non-use state of the instrument. The instrument has a control, which actuates the at least one component in a power-reduced fashion or switches off the at least one component during the non-use of the instrument, and which actuates the component with the power provided for the use or switches on the component during the use of the instrument.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes a radiation source which emits a modulated radiation and is applied in a manner such that an object to be examined by an endoscope may be illuminated with the radiation. A sensor is provided for detecting the radiation reflected by the object, at least one picture point. An evaluation device obtains readings of the detected radiation from the sensor, determines phase differences on the basis of these readings, and computes the distance of the object to the sensor device on the basis of these phase differences. A corresponding supplementary module for an endoscope and endoscope optics with these features are also provided.