Patent attributes
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.
