Stm Medizintechnik Starnberg Gmbh

Thomas Viehbach

Fritz Pauker

Konstantin Bob

Robert Pauker

Gerhard Weiglhofer

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.

Zoom lens for endoscopic devices

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&#xb0; 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.

Visual means of an endoscope

A flexible trocar assembly includes an inner flexible tube and a concentric outer flexible tube. The flexible tubes are spaced apart from each other so as to form an open ended annular space in the trocar assembly. The annular space contains surgical instrumentation and passages for inflation gases, trocar assembly rigidifying gases or materials, and trocar manipulating mechanisms. For example, fiber optic light transmitters associated with camera-related fiber optics can be disposed in the annular space so that an area in a body cavity being examined can be illuminated and observed. Trocar manipulating mechanisms such as Bowden cables can also be disposed in the annular space. Liquid flushing tubes can be positioned in the annular space. Carbon dioxide or air injecting tubes can be positioned in the annular space. The inner flexible tube defines a central trocar assembly passage through which surgical instruments can be inserted into the body cavity. The trocar assembly is particularly useful in performing surgical procedures in the colon. An invertable tube assembly is associated with the trocar assembly and is used to move the trocar assembly into and out of the body cavity. The invertible tube embraces the trocar assembly and the invertible tube is moved forward and backward by a controlled drive mechanism. Lubrication is provided between the invertible tube and the trocar assembly so as to reduce friction between the invertible tube drive mechanism and the trocar assembly.

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Diepoltshofen, Germany

Thomas Viehbach