Abstract: A work channel arrangement of an endoscope for guiding medical tools and/or for the through-flow of media. The work channel arrangement has a work channel which is flexible at least in part and extensible relative to the endoscope and which can be moved from a first position, in which the work channel outlet is oriented in the axial direction of the endoscope head, to a second position in which it is extended in the distal direction relative to the first position and in which the work channel outlet is or can be deflected, by means of a guide mechanism, to a predetermined lateral or rearward direction.

Abstract: An endoscope having an endoscope head arranged on the distal end of the endoscope, preferably on the distal end portion of an actively curvable shaft portion. The endoscope has at least one optics device for imaging, and a working channel that extends in or on the endoscope along a longitudinal direction. The working channel has a working channel exit arranged on or in the endoscope head with a defined alignment relative to the optics device. The endoscope also has a pivot mechanism arranged between the distal shaft portion and the endoscope head. The pivot mechanism holds the endoscope head together with the working channel such that the endoscope head is foldable or bendable.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an endoscope body and a working channel for guiding medical tools and/or for the through-flow of media. The working channel extends in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope body and forms a working channel outlet in a distal end portion of the endoscope body. An endoscope head is arranged in a distal end region of the endoscope body and has at least one optical unit. The working channel is partially enclosed in the circumferential direction by a part of the endoscope body that is extensionally rigid in the radial direction, over a predefined circumferential portion, preferably one third to two thirds and more preferably more than half of the total circumference. The endoscope body is expandable at least in parts from a first state having a smaller cross-sectional area to a second state having an enlarged cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A work channel arrangement of an endoscope for guiding medical tools and/or for the through-flow of media. The work channel arrangement has a work channel which is flexible at least in part and extensible relative to the endoscope and which can be moved from a first position, in which the work channel outlet is oriented in the axial direction of the endoscope head, to a second position in which it is extended in the distal direction relative to the first position and in which the work channel outlet is or can be deflected, by means of a guide mechanism, to a predetermined lateral or rearward direction.

Abstract: An endoscope with a folding mechanism for foldably or bendably holding an endoscopy head at the distal end of the endoscope, preferably an endoscope shaft, having a number of axially successive segments that are adjustable via an actuating element. The segments define at least one channel for the passage of minimally invasive surgical instruments, flushing media, supply lines and the like. The segments are in the form of wedge-shaped cylinder sections having end faces oriented relative to each other in a wedge-shaped manner. Each cylinder section receives a cylinder jacket portion having a minimum axial length and an opposite cylinder jacket portion having a maximum axial length. Two directly adjacent segments are mutually oriented such that they are axially supported on or axially abut the relevant cylinder jacket portions of maximum axial length, which results in hinge- or joint-contact occurring on the support or placement point.

Abstract: An endoscope head or endoscope head attachment for retrofitting a generally known endoscope having an existing internal endoscope head has at least one individual optical unit for image transmission; a lighting source; and a working channel for guiding tools and/or for media to flow through. In addition, the endoscope head or attachment has an internal pivoting device which is designed to pivot at least one section of the endoscope head or attachment from a prograde orientation into a lateral or a retrograde orientation. The optical unit and the working channel of the endoscope head or attachment are coupled directly or indirectly to the pivoting device, so that they can be pivoted together with the latter.

Abstract: A cooling structure of a heat-generating electronic component including a cooling circuit, which includes a cooling fluid delivery unit, a first heat exchanger for absorbing and discharging thermal energy at the heat-generating electronic component as well as a control structure. The control structure adjusts the cooling fluid flow and thus the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger to such value that at a predetermined temperature in the area of the electronic component a balance is brought about between the heat quantity generated and the heat quantity discharged. The cooling structure is inserted in the deflecting forming a bendable adapter outside the end cap of an endoscope.

Abstract: A zoom lens for use in endoscopic devices, in which a plurality of lens units is arranged in a lens cylinder perpendicular to the center line thereof. Among the plurality of lens units at least one lens unit may be hydraulically adjustable in the axial direction of the lens cylinder so as to vary the focal length of the zoom lens. Furthermore, the focal length of individual lenses of the lens unit may be varied by pneumatically varying the shape of the lenses in order to vary the total focal length of the zoom lens in this way.

Abstract: An endoscope preferably comprising an alternating propulsion system in which an endoscope shaft is advanced by means of an auxiliary means (e.g. a hose preferably including fluid pads or a guiding wire/net) in a canal-shaped cavity by the fact that the endoscope shaft and the auxiliary means are alternately resting with respect to a cavity to be inspected and, at the same time, the element not at rest can be advanced while being guided along the resting element into the cavity, or are simultaneously moved forward, wherein in the latter case the basic stiffness of the auxiliary means is higher than that of the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope comprising an endoscope head which is connected to an endoscope shaft by means of a bendable end piece to form a tubular component. According to the invention, an additional rotary member is inserted between the endoscope shaft and the bendable end piece for rotation of the bendable end piece about the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft.

Abstract: A visual means of an endoscope comprising at least one optical system or composite optical system arranged at a front area of the endoscope. The at least one optical system or the at least one composite optical system realizes an aperture angle of more than 180° and is arranged such that the field of vision thereof reaches both beyond the normal to the direction of movement and beyond the longitudinal axis of the endoscope pointing ahead.

Abstract: A discontinuous linear drive comprises a guiding component and an engaging means. The engaging means engages in a member to be driven and guided by guiding components in at least two places by means of a respective movable engaging component. The member to be driven is driven by a phase-shifted effecting and releasing of the engagement of the moved engaging components.

Abstract: There are described a method for reducing the friction of a medico-technical rubber tube, according to which first a tube is produced of rubber and is then after-treated by annealing and/or washing, as well as an endoscope.

Abstract: The invention describes a medico-technical device adapted to be engaged with a human or animal body and comprising a self-lubricating element exposed to internal friction in the device.

Abstract: A medico-technical device, such as an endoscope (1), has an everting tube (3) that encloses an endoscope shaft (2) for driving the latter. To minimize friction incurred by relative movement between the endoscope shaft (2) and the everting tube (3) and/or friction between two opposed surfaces of the everting tube (3), a lubricant is applied to the areas. To accomplish this, at least one of the everting tube (3) and the endoscope shaft (2) are coated with a first component provided in solid matter. By adding a second component, which reacts with the first component, to the first component, the first component liquefies and/or swells so as to develop its lubricating properties.

Abstract: An endoscope shaft comprising a working conduit and a number of supply and/or functional conduits. The supply and/or functional conduits have an excessive length with respect to the endoscope shaft and are arranged in spirals, in serpentine and/or zigzag shape around or along the working conduit, whereby a flexibility and bendability of the endoscope shaft is achieved.

Abstract: An endoscope preferably comprising an alternating propulsion system in which an endoscope shaft is advanced by means of an auxiliary means (e.g. a hose preferably including fluid pads or a guiding wire/net) in a canal-shaped cavity by the fact that the endoscope shaft and the auxiliary means are alternately resting with respect to a cavity to be inspected and, at the same time, the element not at rest can be advanced while being guided along the resting element into the cavity, or are simultaneously moved forward, wherein in the latter case the basic stiffness of the auxiliary means is higher than that of the shaft.

Abstract: A cooling means of a heat-generating electronic component comprising a cooling circuit consisting of a cooling fluid delivery unit, a first heat exchanger for absorbing and discharging thermal energy at the heat-generating electronic component as well as a control means. The control means adjusts the cooling fluid flow and thus the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger to such value that at a predetermined temperature in the area of the electronic component a balance is brought about between the heat quantity generated and the heat quantity discharged. The cooling means is inserted in the deflecting forming a bendable adapter outside the end cap of an endoscope.

Abstract: A discontinuous linear drive comprises a guiding component and an engaging means. The engaging means engages in a member to be driven and guided by guiding components in at least two places by means of a respective movable engaging component. The member to be driven is driven by a phase-shifted effecting and releasing of the engagement of the moved engaging components.

Abstract: The present invention deals with an endoscope comprising an everting tube including a radially outer portion and a radially inner portion. The everting tube surrounds at least partly an endoscope shaft. Longitudinal guiding means which are engaged with each other are formed at each of the endoscope shaft and the everting tube. One of the longitudinal guiding means can be designed such that it forms an undercut, whereas the other is correspondingly shaped so that both longitudinal guiding means are in sliding engagement with each other. Moreover, the longitudinal guiding means can be, on the one hand, in the form of a continuous conveyor disposed at the endoscope shaft and, on the other hand, in the form of an engaging means disposed at the everting tube, which are engaged with each other.