Abstract: An image transfer arrangement (1) for the wireless transfer of image information items between a transmitter (4) and a receiver (8), wherein at least two communication channels (11) which are physically independent of one another are formed between the transmitter (4) and the receiver (8) and enable impairment and interference-free communication.

Abstract: A method for multispectral recording of an image stream, in which a sequence of single images of a scene, in particular a continuous video image data stream, is recorded as an image stream using an image sensor of an image recording system. At least two different types of single images are recorded in different associated wavelength ranges using the image sensor. At least one type A single image of the sequence is recorded during a chronological type A recording segment and at least one type B single image of the sequence is recorded during a chronological type B recording segment. The type A recording segment and the type B recording segment are chronologically separated from one another by a respective waiting interval, in which no image data are sensorially acquired using the image sensor. An image recording system is also provided that to carry out the method.

Abstract: For high-performance “advanced imaging” applications, a synchronization signal (13), which is output by a playback device (14) or another data sink, such as a server application, is used to synchronize the chronological recording of an image stream (1) chronologically exactly with the playback of this image stream on the playback device and/or to synchronize the recording with an alternating illumination. Here, the synchronization signal (13) is used to trigger an image recording frequency of an image sensor (7) of an image recording system (23), by which the image stream is recorded. Furthermore, the synchronization signal can also be used to chronologically trigger a light source (21) of the image recording system, so that during the recording of the sequence of single images (2), an alternating illumination is obtainable, which is also synchronized with the recording of the single images and/or the image playback on the playback device.

Abstract: A flexible endoscope for insertion into the human body includes a flexible section arranged in a distal end region of the endoscope. The endoscope further includes a tip segment distally adjoining the flexible section, the tip segment being controllable by at least one tension cord. The flexible section is formed by means of an investment composition that is mechanically anchored to the tip segment and/or a proximal counter bearing, and the investment compound is elastically deformable.

Abstract: In summary, to simplify operation of a medical image acquisition system, it is proposed that the image acquisition system continuously monitors a current image acquisition situation and assigns at least one new function to at least one, preferably manual, operating element, which is adapted to a detected new image acquisition situation, in response to a change in the image acquisition situation, to the extent that said newly assigned function is adjustable and/or operable with the at least one operating element. To this end, the image acquisition system can detect the change in the image acquisition situation using predefined parameters by means of sensors and/or through communication with peripheral units and/or preferably through image analysis of an image sequence which is recorded with an image sensor of the image acquisition system.

Abstract: A flexible endoscope for insertion into the human body includes a flexible section arranged in a distal end region of the endoscope. The endoscope further includes a tip segment distally adjoining the flexible section, the tip segment being controllable by at least one tension cord. A skeleton is formed in a flexible controllable section with guide elements that are movable relative to one another, each of which guides at least one tension cord laterally.

Abstract: For the miniaturization of an investigation instrument (1), which includes a sensor (3), which is arranged in the interior of a long shaft (2) and is electrically contact-connected by a connection (8), it is provided that a flexible bending section (10) is configured on the connection (8), and is thus connected with a contact-connection section (9), which is contact-connected with contacts (4) of the sensor (3) on the reverse side such that, firstly, the entire connection (8) is arranged in the shadow of the image sensor (3) and, secondly, the bending section (10) originates from the contact-connection section (9) within a field (5) which is subtended by the reverse-side contacts (4) of the sensor (3).

Abstract: In order to reduce costs for endoscopic examinations and to enable new operating concepts, an image recording arrangement is provided in which an adapter that enables bi-directional communication between a camera control unit and an image generation unit which has an image sensor. A standardized data interface is configured between the camera control unit and the adapter. The adapter is defined for use with a specific type of image generation unit. Accordingly, the adapter has a communication apparatus which translates control and adjustment commands transmitted by the camera control unit into a format processable by the image generation unit and provides image data from the image sensor in a format processable by the camera control unit.

Abstract: To simplify the use of a functional scope of a medical image recording system, for example an endoscopy system, a method is proposed in which an image processing unit of the image recording system recognizes predefined image recording situations on the basis of an image sequence recorded using an image sensor of the image recording system and in response thereto proposes an adaptation to a user that results in an improved display and/or an improved recording of the image sequence in the respective recognized image recording situation. The adaptation can relate here to an algorithm, using which the image sequence is processed after the recording, and/or an image recording method currently used to generate the image sequence.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly has an endoscope, having an optical waveguide and having an image guide, wherein the image guide is configured to be uninterrupted up to its proximal end and has an image guide interface at its proximal end for optical connection to an image capturing unit, an illumination unit having a light source and having an optical waveguide interface for optical connection of the light source to an optical waveguide, and an image capturing unit having an image sensor and having an image guide interface for optical connection of the image sensor to an image guide.

Abstract: For simplified, less computationally intensive, image recording of different spectral signal components using a plurality of color channels of a single image sensor, a targeted adjustment of a sensitivity of at least one of the color channels in relation to another one of the color channels of the image sensor is provided for a spectral separation of this reduced or adjusted color channel from the other color channel so that at least one certain spectral range (i.e., in particular a part of a first spectral range captured using the other color channel) is no longer detectable using the color channel that has been adjusted in terms of its sensitivity. This adjusted color channel becomes spectrally blind in the spectral range and can consequently spectrally selectively detect a further spectral range (specifically a second spectral range deviating from the first spectral range). The second spectral range may include a fluorescence wavelength.

Abstract: In order to improve imaging, in particular for low light intensities, an image recording device, in particular formed as an endoscope, is proposed, which comprises a single photon sensitive detector (SPSD) in addition to an image sensor, which uses photodiodes as light-sensitive cells, in order to respectively detect light from a common object area. With the help of the SPSD, additional image information can be obtained from the object area, to improve the image data recorded with the image sensor or to enhance it with additional image information, in particular with regard to a further spectral range, which is captured with the SPSD.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reconstructing an output image and/or a sequence of output images from raw image data, wherein, in at least one reconstruction chain between a recording of raw image data by means of an image recording device and a display of the output image and/or the sequence of output images on a display unit, at least one reconstruction step for reconstructing the output image and/or the sequence of output images is carried out, and wherein the result of the at least one reconstruction step is discarded when the result is recognized as invalid with respect to the fulfillment of a verification criterion.

Abstract: A device (1) and a method for transferring a raw image data stream (8) from an image sensor (6) via a data transfer connection (4) between a transmitter (2) and a receiver (3). In this case, the latency of the data transfer connection (4) is determined (S1), and the data rate of the raw image data stream (8) at the transmitter (2) is adapted (S3) to the determined latency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reconstructing an output image and/or a sequence of output images from raw image data, wherein, in at least one reconstruction chain between a recording of raw image data by means of an image recording device and a display of the output image and/or the sequence of output images on a display unit, at least one reconstruction step for reconstructing the output image and/or the sequence of output images is carried out, and wherein the result of the at least one reconstruction step is discarded when the result is recognized as invalid with respect to the fulfillment of a verification criterion.

Abstract: It is proposed that, in the case of an endoscope, a skeleton be formed in a flexible, controllable section with guide elements that are movable relative to one another, each of which guides at least one tension cord laterally.

Abstract: In the case of an endoscope, it is proposed that an investment composition consisting of a flexible, controllable section be anchored in a counter bearing, which forms a support surface for the respective flexible section.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly has an endoscope, having an optical waveguide and having an image guide, wherein the image guide is configured to be uninterrupted up to its proximal end and has an image guide interface at its proximal end for optical connection to an image capturing unit, an illumination unit having a light source and having an optical waveguide interface for optical connection of the light source to an optical waveguide, and an image capturing unit having an image sensor and having an image guide interface for optical connection of the image sensor to an image guide.

Abstract: A visualization module (1, 50, 100, 200), in particular for an endoscope (2), having an image sensor (3) and an illumination unit (4) for lighting a field of view of the image sensor (3), wherein the illumination unit (4) is arranged in the shadow of the image sensor (3) in the case of light that is incident perpendicularly on an end face (32) of the visualization module (1, 50, 100, 200), and the image sensor (3) and the illumination unit (4) are encapsulated at least partially in a transparent encapsulation material (5). A method for producing a visualization module (1, 50, 100, 200) is also provided.

Abstract: In summary, to simplify operation of a medical image acquisition system, it is proposed that the image acquisition system continuously monitors a current image acquisition situation and assigns at least one new function to at least one, preferably manual, operating element, which is adapted to a detected new image acquisition situation, in response to a change in the image acquisition situation, to the extent that said newly assigned function is adjustable and/or operable with the at least one operating element. To this end, the image acquisition system can detect the change in the image acquisition situation using predefined parameters by means of sensors and/or through communication with peripheral units and/or preferably through image analysis of an image sequence which is recorded with an image sensor of the image acquisition system.