Karl Storz Se Co. & Kg

Pascal Heni

Markus Kupferschmid

Daniel Ulmschneider

Andreas Heni

Jonas Forster

Kay Behrendt

Laura Steck

Exoscope

A keypad includes a support, a snap disk on a first side of the support transformable from a released state to a loaded state, a cover forming a seal over the first side, a pocket in the cover, a magnet and a plunger disposed in the pocket, the plunger adapted to engage and transform the snap disk to the loaded state, a magnetic field sensor on a second side of the support, the second side opposite the first side and logic circuitry adapted to obtain a value of a strength of a magnetic field from the sensor, compare the value against a predetermined threshold value that corresponds at least approximately to the strength of a magnetic field, and when the plunger has transformed the snap disk to the loaded state and the value reaches or exceeds the threshold value, output a signal indicating that a key press occurred.

Autoclavable keypad with haptic feedback for video endoscopes

The invention concerns a handle for a video endoscope including a housing and an interface portion rotatably supported relative to the housing where the interface portion includes a first connector element at its distal end section that is connectable to a second connector element of an associated elongate shaft of the video endoscope. Thereby a detachable, rotatable electrical and/or mechanical connection between the handle and the associated shaft is achieved. The coupling includes an electrical connection assembly arranged at an exterior of the interface portion forming an electrical connection to a stationary electric component of the handle. The handle includes a mechanical rotation stop for a rotation of the interface portion relative to the housing such that a rotation range is limited and damage to the electrical connection assembly is prevented.

Video endoscope and handle, including driven rotation limitation, for video endoscope

Autoclavable tactile keypad for video endoscopes

The invention concerns a handle for a video endoscope for medical or industrial applications, comprising a housing and an interface portion, where the interface portion includes a first connector element at its distal end connected to an electric transmission element that is connectable to a connector element of an associated elongate shaft to form a detachable electrical and/or mechanical connection between the handle and the associated shaft. The includes an electrical connection assembly arranged at an exterior of the interface portion forming an electrical connection between the electric transmission element and a stationary electric and/or electronic component of the handle. The handle also includes at least a first bearing for rotatably supporting the interface portion in and/or at the housing, such that when the shaft and handle are connected the shaft is rotatable via the rotatably supported interface portion relative to the housing of the handle.

Video endoscope and handle for a video endoscope including rotational support means

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Tuttlingen, Germany

Pascal Heni