Dr. Franz Brinkmann and Dipl.-Ing. Konrad Henkel explain the differences between current and future technology and the development of their prototype: a laparoscope with a deflectable tip.

Dr. Franz Brinkmann and Dipl.-Ing. Konrad Henkel explain the differences between current and future technology and the development of their prototype: a laparoscope with a deflectable tip.
Endoscopy has transformed gastrointestinal disease diagnosis and treatment through minimally invasive procedures using flexible endoscopes and endoscopic capsules. Our interdisciplinary team of physicians, engineers, and computer scientists is advancing this field.
Our innovations include radar endoscopy for non-contact tissue visualization, intelligent sedation methods, and advanced AI for improved diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, we focus on teaching with new simulator- and software-based methods.
Our comprehensive approach covers diseases, treatment, endoscopy mechanics, image recognition, signal processing, tissue sampling, training simulators, and new technical procedures.
Naas, A., Kober, J., Trittler, T., Nauber, R., Dorausch, E. M. G., Kampfrath, N., Brinkmann, F., Arsova, M., Husman, J., Langanke, R., Sulk, S., Matthes, K., Gabriel, T., Teufel, A., Behrendt, P., Markova, A., Franck, M., Jenssen, C., Merkel, D., Blank, V., Karlas, T., Seeger, M., Eckart, M. A., Poralla, L., Lehmann, M., Staudacher, J., Ziesch, M., Aland, J., Herzog, L., Herzog, A., Jürgensen, C., Fettweis, G. P., Hampe, J., & Herzog, M. (2026). Evaluation of image quality in five different handheld ultrasound devices and analysis of various impact factors. Ultraschall in der Medizin – European Journal of Ultrasound, doi: 10.1055/a-2809-7627
Shahadha, M. H., Voigt, A., Gruner, D., Marschner, U., Le Floch, M., Hampe, J., Brauer, F., Schostek, S., Luniak, M., Bock, K., & Richter, A. (2026). Ingestible active capsule for gastrointestinal microbiome sampling. Biomed Microdevices, doi: 10.1007/s10544-026-00802-4
Werner, J., Bause, O., Oexle, J., Le Floch, M., Brinkmann, F., Hampe, J., & Bringmann, O. (2026). Seeing More with Less: Video Capsule Endoscopy with Multi-task Learning. In: Wu, S., Shabestari, B., & Xing, L. (Eds.), Applications of Medical Artificial Intelligence (Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 16206), Springer, doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-09569-5_2
Werner, J., Oexle, J., Bause, O., Le Floch, M., Brinkmann, F., Tolle, H., Hampe, J., & Bringmann, O. (2026). Reliable mislabel detection for video capsule endoscopy data. arXiv, doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2602.06938
Le Floch, M., Werner, J., McIntyre, L., Wolf, F., Steinhäuser, J., Hampe, J., Langanke, R., Kirk, S., Stopp, C., Geissler, M. E., Brinkmann, F., & Herzog, N. (2025). Advancing video capsule endoscopy with edge AI: A public multi-center capsule dataset with multi-label annotations. Endoscopy, doi: 10.1055/s-0045-1805505
Werner, J., Gerum, C., Nick, J., Le Floch, M., Brinkmann, F., Hampe, J., & Bringmann, O. (2025). Enhanced anomaly detection for capsule endoscopy using ensemble learning strategies. 47th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), doi: 10.1109/EMBC58623.2025.11253055
Le Floch, M., Wolf, F., McIntyre, L., Weinert, C., Palm, A., Volk, K., Herzog, P., Kirk, S. H., Steinhäuser, J. L., Stopp, C., Geissler, M. E., Herzog, M., Sulk, S., Kather, J. N., Meining, A., Hann, A., Palm, S., Hampe, J., Herzog, N., & Brinkmann, F. (2025). Galar – a large multi‑label video capsule endoscopy dataset. Scientific Data, doi: 10.1038/s41597-025-05112-7
Pietsch, M., Henkel, K., Körbitz, R., Hüttner, R., Uhlig, K., Bruk, S., Fischer, M., Hampe, J., Richter, A., & Brinkmann, F. (2025). A deflectable video camera system for laparoscopic surgery based on shape memory alloy actuators. Scientific Reports, doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-95898-8
Steinhäuser, J. L., Berzin, T. M., Geissler, M. E., Weber, C., Herzog, N., Le Floch, M., Brückner, S., Hampe, J., Elamin, S., Troya, J., Hann, A., & Brinkmann, F. (2025). Implementing Endoscopy Video Recording in Routine Clinical Practice: Strategies from Three Tertiary Care Centers. Endoscopy International Open, doi: 10.1055/a-2592-3338
Steinhäuser, J., Rapprich, A., Kolbig, A., Stopp, C., Langanke, R., Kirk, S., Le Floch, M., Brückner, S., Hampe, J., & Brinkmann, F. (2025). The Dresden Endoscopy Dataset for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography. Endoscopy, doi: 10.1055/s-0045-1805573
Le Floch, M., Werner, J., McIntyre, L., Wolf, F., Steinhäuser, J., Hampe, J., Langanke, R., Kirk, S., Stopp, C., Geissler, M. E., Brinkmann, F., & Herzog, N. (2025). Advancing Video Capsule Endoscopy with Edge AI: A Public Multi-Center Capsule Dataset with Multi-Label Annotations. Endoscopy, doi: 10.1055/s-0045-1805505
Langanke, R., Huettner, R., Richter, A., Kirk, S., Geißler, E., Steinhäuser, J., Le Floch, M., Stopp, C., Brückner, S., Hampe, J., & Brinkmann, F. (2025). LearnEndo: A Simulator for Autonomous Endoscopy Training with Software-Based Supervision and Feedback. Endoscopy, doi: 10.1055/s-0045-1806537
Fischer, M., Santoro, L. A., Bruk, S., Henkel, K., Hüttner, R., Körbitz, R., Brinkmann, F., Spickenheuer, A., Kühnert, I., Hampe, J., & Uhlig, K. (2024). Friction testing of tube-guided electrically heated Nitinol shape-memory alloy wires. Tribology International, doi: 10.1016/j.triboint.2023.109161
Uhlig, K., Bruk, S., Fischer, M., Henkel, K., Brinkmann, F., Körbitz, R., Hüttner, R., Pietsch, M., Hempel, P., Spickenheuer, A., Stommel, M., Richter, A., & Hampe, J. (2024). Design, simulation and experimental analysis of a monolithic bending section for enhanced maneuverability of single use laparoscopic devices. Scientific Reports, doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-53914-3
Brinkmann, F., Uhlig, K., Sambale, A., Stommel, M., Berning, M., Babatz, J., Sulk, S., Krasz, S., Schmelz, R., Brückner, S., Hampe, J., & Zeissig, S. (2024). Anchoring fins of fully covered self-expandable metal stents affect pull-out force and stent migration. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2023.10.036
Brinkmann, F, Uhlig K, Sambale A, Stommel M, Berning M, Babatz J, Sulk S, Krasz S, Schmelz R, & Brückner S. (2023) Biomechanical Pull-out Force of Fully Covered Self-Expanding Metal Stents Predicts Stent Migration in Distal Biliary Stenoses. Endoscopy, doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1765027
Dorausch, E. M. G., Swist, D., Herzog, M., Statz, C., Kober, J., Kühnöl, C., Trittler, T., Martens, N., Brinkmann, F., Hampe, J., & Fettweis, G. (2023). Adoption and evaluation of a multistatic Fourier-based synthetic aperture radar method for ultrasound imaging. Journal of Medical Imaging, doi: 10.1117/12.2653898
Brinkmann, F., Henkel, K., Körbitz, R., Hüttner, R., Uhlig, K., Fischer, M., Alexander, M. H. D., Bodo, M. S. D., Sebastian, M. H. D., Clemens, M. S. D., Jochen, M. H. D., & Richter, A. (2022). Entwicklung einer universellen Aktorplattform aus Formgedächtnislegierungen für Laparoskopie und Endoskopie. Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie, doi: 10.1055/s-0042-1755113
Brinkmann, F., Hüttner, R., Mehner, P. J., Henkel, K., Paschew, G., Herzog, M., Martens, N., Richter, A., Hinz, S., Groß, J., Schafmayer, C., Hampe, J., Hendricks, A., & Schwandner, F. (2022). Temperature profile and residual heat of monopolar laparoscopic and endoscopic dissection instruments. Surgical Endoscopy, doi: 10.1007/s00464-021-08804-4
Brinkmann, F., Hampe, J., & Zeissig, S. (2021). Thoracic Pain and Pericardial Effusion in a Patient With Chronic Pancreatitis. Gastroenterology, doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.10.050
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