Patent ID: 8211008

Claim:
A video endoscope, said video endoscope further comprising: an endoscope shaft that is arranged in a tool holder, wherein: (a) wherein, on a distal end of said tool holder a sideways looking optical system is arranged, and an image sensor which is arranged after the optical system, and connected to a monitor for image reproduction via an electronic system; (b) wherein, on a proximal end of said endoscope shaft, close to said tool holder, a rotating wheel that can be rotated freely is arranged, in that said rotating wheel and said tool holder have one or more sensors; (c) wherein said one or more sensors generate signals that characterize the rotation angle of the rotating wheel with respect to said tool holder, which signals are supplied via said electronic system to said monitor for rotating said monitor image; and (d) wherein the viewing direction and the viewing angle of said optical system are displayed on said screen of said monitor.