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Abstract

A stereo endoscope has a shaft containing two optical systems which extend through the shaft and are arranged in close proximity to each other and a housing on the proximal end of the shaft for containing an interior holding assembly for a stereo optical device which provides a stereo view into the optical systems. The stereo optical device has on each side a duplicate, mirror-image arrangement having a first deviating prism aligned coaxially with its the associated optical system, a second deviating prism which follows the first prism and again aligns the optical axis of the associated optical system parallel to the direction of observation, and a transparent protective element in the direction of observation. The holding assembly includes a first holding part, which extends transverse to the optical axis of the two optical systems of the endoscope shaft. This holding part which is preferably a hollow cylinder, has interior recesses in which are placed, one each, a first, fixed deviating prism and a second, adjustable deviating prism. The holding assembly also has two additional holding parts which are fastened to the first holding part in such a way that they can be rotatably adjusted around its longitudinal axis. These additional holding parts carry two fixed field apertures for the respective optical systems, and each of the field apertures is placed between its optical system and the first deviating prism assigned to it.

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First Claim