Our Journey – History from 1945

The first extracorporeal electron flash device allows endoscopic photography in unprecedented quality.

The development of the cold light source marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the company and endoscopy.

Lithotripter for shattering bladder stones.

KARL STORZ presents the first resectoscopes for the transurethral treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia and bladder tumors.

Ultrasonic lithotripter according to LUTZEYER for breaking up stones in urology.

KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc., Los Angeles, is established.

Foundation of a manufacturing company in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

The CLAR73 headlamp is introduced at the World Congress of Otorhinolaryngology in Venice, Italy.

Already offering a comprehensive product range, KARL STORZ contributes to the development of diagnostic and operative gynecological endoscopy.

Laryngopharyngoscope according to BERCI-WARD.

Beginnings of diagnostic arthroscopy   

Articulated telescope for image transmission from the endoscope optics to a photo, video, or TV camera as well as for the simultaneous viewing of endoscopic procedures by two people

Stone punch according to MAUERMAYER for lithotripsy under visual control

KARL STORZ develops its own small and easy-to-handle endocamera with associated electronic flash.

First stroboscopy unit "STORZ 8000" for visualizing vocal fold vibration

HAMOU^® Micro Contact Hysteroscope I: Thanks to its small diameter of only 5 mm, outpatient contact hysteroscopy can for the first time be performed at magnifications up to 150x.

First endoscopic ureterorenoscopy (PÉREZ-CASTRO ELLENDT).

Beginnings of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for endoscopic kidney stone removal using a new procedure (ALKEN).

KARL STORZ fiberscopes for flexible bronchoscopy.

First KARL STORZ tube camera

The KARL STORZ portfolio is expanded by the first electrical shaver for arthroscopy.

With up to 80x magnification, the Contact Hysteroscope II acc. to HAMOU^® allows direct microscopic examination of tissue during hysteroscopy.

Karl Storz is granted a honorary doctorate degree by the medical faculty of Marburg University.

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy system for treating ureteral, kidney, and bladder stones.

The first laparoscopic removal of a gall bladder marks the beginning of minimally invasive surgery.

Entry into the spinal endoscopy market with the set acc. to VOGL for endoscopically controlled nucleotomy.

Uretero-fiberscope for minimally invasive use in the ureter.

First KARL STORZ 1-chip video camera model, Endovision 534

KARL STORZ Endovision (Charlton, Massachusetts) is founded.

KARL STORZ Imaging is founded in Goleta, California.

Our first sales subsidiary in Asia is established in Singapore.

The first analog 3-chip video camera achieves previously unmatched brilliance of the endoscopic images.

Launch of the first dismantling KARL STORZ TAKE-APART^® hand-held instruments for laparoscopy.

The newly launched KARL STORZ TELECAM features a parfocal zoom that allows selection of image detail without losing sharpness.

In recognition of his lifetime achievements, Karl Storz receives the "Pioneer in Endoscopy Award" from the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.

Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and autofluorescence (AF) fundamentally improve early tumor diagnostics using optical fluorescence and marker substances in the urinary bladder and bronchi.

Dr. med. h. c. Karl Storz dies at the age of 85. Company management is seamlessly transferred to his daughter, Sybill Storz.

Introduction of the needle arthroscope for the diagnostics of inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

First curved instruments for minimally invasive thoracoscopic procedures according to CUSCHIERI

Launch of the Video Mediastinoscope according to LERUT with DCI camera system (DCI = Direct Coupled Interface).

Launch of the CLICKLINE forceps generation as an advancement of the 10 mm and 5 mm TAKE-APART^® hand-held instruments for laparoscopic procedures.

With the GAAB ventriculoscope, KARL STORZ revolutionizes ventriculoscopy even before the new millennium.

Market launch of the spinoscope with movable distal tip for endoscopic laser foraminoplasty.

At the MEDICA trade fair, KARL STORZ introduces the KARL STORZ OR1^™ including SCB (STORZ Communication Bus).

A logistics and training center is opened in Tuttlingen.

CLICKLINE instruments are now also available in the diameters 3.5 mm, 3 mm, and 2 mm, making them suitable for use in pediatric laparoscopic surgery.

Swing prism for industrial endoscopy: A large field of observation can now be achieved with rigid borescopes thanks to a variable direction of view.

Flexible endoscope with distal chip (5 mm and 8 mm).

Sybill Storz receives the "Lifetime Achievement Award" of the International Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy (ISGE).

With the foundation of a sales company in South Africa, KARL STORZ now has its own subsidiary on the African continent.

Macintosh intubating video laryngoscope with integrated camera technology.

Launch of the BETTOCCHI^® Office-Hysteroscope on the basis of a HOPKINS^® rod lens telescope, with a diameter of only 2.0 mm.

KARL STORZ introduces the digital camera system IMAGE1. In addition to standard-definition camera heads, pendulum and DCI camera heads are available.

Introduction of video endoscopes in gastroenterology.

KARL STORZ starts working on 3D technology at an early stage, resulting in the very early model TRICAM^® 3D. Based on the technologies available at the time, an active 3D system with two optical paths is developed. The shutter glasses are still connected to the 3D monitor by cables.

VIDEOSCOPE 2-point measuring system permits simultaneous measurement and documentation during inspections with industrial endoscopes.

Sybill Storz receives the Diesel Medal of the German Institute for Inventions. The German Society of Urology honors Sybill Storz as a promoter of urological science.

Video bronchoscopes for flexible bronchoscopy.

Simulator for urological procedures and fluorescence procedures

Production of the first laparoscopy set for operations on elephants.

KARL STORZ celebrates its 60-year anniversary.

Sybill Storz receives the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year Award.

With the seal of the German Society of Surgery, Sybill Storz is honored for her achievements in medical technology.

The Russian Academy of Medical Sciences grants an honorary doctorate to Sybill Storz.

Admitted to the Legion of Honor as ‘Chevalier de la légion d’honneur’ by decree of the French President, Jacques Chirac, in Paris, France.

Launch of the LED cap lamp system.

The ROTOCUT G1 morcellator with its revolutionary hollow shaft motor sets new standards in ergonomics and power for laparoscopic morcellation.

Pediatric system for the urological treatment of children.

With the CALCULASE Desktop-Holmium-Laser, we have created an efficient and space-saving unit.

Bipolar resectoscope including AUTOCON^® HF unit for gynecology and urology.

Extremely accurate measurement in any starting position thanks to MULTIPOINT measuring techniques in the stored image, live image, and in image comparison mode.

Launch of the GASTRO PACK^® as a portable endoscopy unit for versatile and independent use.

Innovative Miniature Nephroscope System acc. to NAGELE for gentle kidney stone treatment.

Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) – visualizing the invisible with continuously improved technology: 3-chip endocamera with outstanding light sensitivity and superior color contrast

Official appointment as "Chevalier de la légion d’honneur" by the French president Jacques Chirac in Paris, France.

Sybill Storz receives an honorary doctorate from the medical school of Timisoara, Romania.

With the foundation of our own sales company in Australia, KARL STORZ now has subsidiaries on five continents.

KARL STORZ becomes a partner of the technology initiative MoBiTech "Molecular Imaging – images for healthy life" funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Presentation of the ENDOCAMELEON^® swing prism telescope with variable direction of view for laparoscopic procedures (10 mm).

With IMAGE 1 HUB^™ HD, KARL STORZ launches the first medical FULL HD camera worldwide.

Launch of the C-MAC^® – the 4th generation KARL STORZ video laryngoscope, now with CMOS Technology.

Video bronchoscopes for flexible autofluorescence diagnostics.

Presentation of the Navigation Panel Unit NPU, the portable optical navigation system for ENT surgery, at the DGHNO's 79th annual meeting in Bonn, Germany.

The KARL STORZ operating room concept is awarded in the “365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas” contest for the topic “Gentle surgery in the intelligent operating room”.

ANUBIS project for NOTES procedures. Development for endoluminal and transluminal procedures.

The Society for General and Visceral Surgery awards Sybill Storz its Pichlmayr Medal. The same year, Sybill Storz also recieves an honorary citizenship of Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich.

Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany presented to Dr. h. c. mult. Sybill Storz.

Launch of the currently thinnest flexible uretero-renoscope with chip-on-the-tip-technology.

VAAFT – instruments for video-assisted anal fistula treatment.

With VITOM^® Spine, KARL STORZ offers a new extracorporeal visualization system for open surgery with minimal access. Positioned at a convenient distance above the surgical site, the VITOM telescope permits illumination and the very natural and plastic visualization of the surgical field, while simultaneously supplying an excellent depth of field far superior to that offered by surgical microscopes. This development creates a new business segment, and synergies with endoscopy can be optimally exploited.

Launch of the integrated treatment room KARL STORZ OFFICE1.

OR1^™ is now available with a new and improved design: OR1 NEO^®

Introduction of CMOS video technology in the specialties anesthesiology, otorhinolaryngology, and urology.

Market launch of the CAMPO Compact Hysteroscope with sliding shaft system for atraumatic primary access.

3D camera system for surgeons: 3D vision and easy orientation with excellent depth perception. The system consists of the video laparoscope TIPCAM^®1 3D (0° and 30°), a 3D camera control unit, a 3D monitor, and polarized 3D glasses.

ICG (indocyanine green) fluorescence in HD Quality.

Sybill Storz receives an honorary doctorate from the medical school of Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Sybill Storz's social commitment to promoting access to medical care is honored with the Humanitarian Award of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.

The KARL STORZ touchless gesture control system MI Report awarded in the "Land of Ideas" contest.

ENDOCAMELEON^® 4 mm – the rigid endoscope with variable direction of view is now also available for otorhinolaryngology and arthroscopy.

The ALL-IN-ONE TMJ Arthroscope facilitates TMJ arthroscopy by eliminating the difficult triangulation step.

Introduction of the C-MAC^® with Pocket Monitor.

High-definition video endoscopes for gastroenterology are equipped with an innovative visualization system that provides a white light mode as well as three defined spectral ranges for specific applications.

The Intrauterine Bigatti Shaver (IBS^®) now permits the mechanic resection of hysteroscopic findings.

Presentation of the Navigation Base Unit NBU – a navigation system with FULL HD resolution for easy integration into the OR or equipment cart.

KARL STORZ OR1 FUSION^® – the newest generation of the integrated operating room on the basis of IP technology.

Sybill Storz is appointed honorary member of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.

Opening of the new KARL STORZ logistics center in Neuhausen ob Eck (Tuttlingen county).

Opening of the KARL STORZ Visitor and Training Centre Berlin following the successful renovation of the historic Empress Augusta Hospital.

KARL STORZ receives the DGBMT’s Prize for Patient Safety in Medical Engineering for developing a fluorescence endoscopic contact probe that increases precision in neurosurgical procedures.

3-part dismantling CLICKLINE instruments (3.5 mm diameter) for mini-laparoscopy.

Newly designed ROBI^® instruments for mini-laparoscopy and pediatric laparoscopic surgery.

IMAGE1 STORZ Professional Image Enhancement System:
Cutting-edge HD camera technology with innovative visualization options for diagnostics and operative procedures.

Admission of Dr. h. c. mult. Sybill Storz to the "Court of Patrons" of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Order of Merit of the state of Baden-Württemberg awarded to Dr. h. c. mult. Sybill Storz

A study conducted by the weekly business magazine WirtschaftsWoche finds KARL STORZ to be the most innovative among German small and medium-sized companies.

With more than 50 subsidiaries domestically and abroad, KARL STORZ is committed to customer proximity and customer service worldwide.

Headlight KS70: with a previously unmatched runtime of up to 21 hours.

Expansion of the CLICKLINE instrument line by single-use scissors.

A new generation of versatile pressure-controlled PCNL systems.

Urological diagnostics and treatment from a single source with products from STORZ Medical and KARL STORZ.

The modular endoscopic camera platform IMAGE1 STORZ Professional Image Enhancement System is expanded by 3D in FULL HD Quality.

The NAV1 ELECTROMAGNETIC is unveiled: the newest generation, space-saving, integrating, and economic navigation system with electromagnetic measurement technology.

For 70 years, our family business has stood for tradition, innovation, and quality in endoscopy.

Reusable endoscopy products are systematically supplemented by MTP single-use products for relevant applications.

Like her father, Sybill Storz is honored as "Pioneer in Endoscopy" by the Society of American Gastro-intestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), USA.

The KARL STORZ duodenoscope with detachable Albarran module set new standards in reprocessing and thus offers additional benefits for hygiene.

With a multifunctional platform, KARL STORZ now offers virtual reality simulators for gynecology, urology, and arthroscopy.

The C-MAC^® PM video laryngoscope wins the 2017 German Innovation Award.

The VITOM^® 3D – 3D visualization for microsurgery and open surgery – awarded in the 2017 "Landmarks in the Land of Ideas".

Expansion of the modular endoscopic camera platform IMAGE1 S^™ by components for native 4K imaging.

As Chair of the Board, Dr. h. c. mult. Sybill Storz steps back from executive duties to make her son,
Karl-Christian Storz, sole managing director.

The HYDOME^™ duodenoscopy system receives the Red Dot Award in the category “Product Design 2019”.