Abstract: An endoscope including a handle housing having apertures for legs of an operating part, an electrical switch positioned in the handle housing and having a carrier board having apertures for the legs. The operating part includes a finger pad having a finger surface, a ring connected to and extending from the finger pad, the ring having a plunger aperture, legs connected to and extending from the ring, the legs each having a spacer section and an electrical switch retention protrusion. The legs traverse the apertures of the handle housing and the carrier board to secure the electrical switch to the housing handle. The finger pad comprises elastically deformable material configured to extend toward and cause actuation of the electrical switch, when pressure is applied and to return to a rest position when pressure is released.

Abstract: A glass element has, per kg of glass, 50 or fewer inclusions having a size of 2 ?m to 10 ?m. The glass element can be made of borosilicate glass.