An endoscope, particularly an arthroscope, preferably composed of an illumination module (17) and a viewing module (1) which can be connected together, with the viewing module (1) being provided with an optical system carrying shaft (2) which can be inserted into an interior cannula (18) in the viewing module (17), with the optical system carrying shaft (2) being part of a rotary optical system (3) that is surrounded by an optical system guide sleeve (5). The rotary optical system (3) is mounted in a manner secure against rotation and displacement within the optical system guide sleeve (5) and the viewing module includes a coupling device (9) which is connected with the optical system guide sleeve for connection with a removable optical funnel (12) on the side of the eyepiece.

A urological resectoscope including a main body carrying a tubular shaft, an optical guide plate arranged at a fixed distance proximally of the main body, a sliding body longitudinally movably guided between the main body and the optical guide plate and a spring bridge comprising two levers connected pivotally together at one end and acted on by a spring, the other ends of which are pivotally connected to the sliding body on the one hand and to the optical guide plate or the main body on the other hand. One of the levers is pivotally connected to only one side of the sliding body.

A disposable shield for positioning on a shaft of an endoscope to shield the user has a generally rigid, disposable shield body. The transparent plastic shield body has an opening in a medial portion thereof and a disposable elastomeric body, made from a closed cell plastic foam material, positioned in the opening. The elastomeric body has an undersized shaft opening in a medial portion thereof for contacting and securing the shaft of the endoscope therein, while permitting angular alignment of the shaft relative to the shield body. The shield body includes a convex upper portion on a protected side and a planar lower portion adjacent the convex upper portion. Ribbed edge portions provide additional stiffening to the shield body. Integrally formed sidewall portions extend outwardly from the protected side which define a generally cylindrical chamber for receiving the elastomeric body therein. An adhesive layer is provided for securing the elastomeric body to the sidewall portions and flange portions extending therefrom. Further, an elastic impermeable sealing membrane is positioned over the elastomeric body adjacent the protected side thereof. The sealing membrane has a shaft opening therein in registration with the shaft opening of the elastomeric body. A flanged cap frictionally engages with the side wall portions and secures the sealing membrane in place. The outwardly extending sidewall portions define a chamber for receiving the elastomeric body therein.

An endoscope shield provides a barrier between a biopsy port and an endoscopist. The shield has a shield portion and attachment portion. The shield portion is flat and angled away from and toward the control end of the endoscope. The shield portion is located so that it separates a biopsy channel port from a barrel located on the endoscope. The shield is angled so that it overlies the barrel of the endoscope and therefore the hand of an endoscopist when placed on the barrel. A component of the shield portion extends normal to the axis of the barrel to adequately provide a barrier between the biopsy channel port and the endoscopist's head during examination procedures. An adjustable clamp releasably attaches the shield to the endoscope.