The Nitze-Leiter Collection

The Vienna collection of endoscopic instruments

Bozzini’s Lichtleiter holds an honoured place in the Endoscopy Museum of the International Nitze-Leiter Research Society of Endoscopy. Vienna is the city, where Maximilian Nitze (1848-1906) from Dresden and the Viennese instrument maker Joseph Leiter (1830-1892) developed the first viable cystoscope. The Museum and the Research Society were named after these two personalities. More than 2000 instruments as well as accessories cover the specialities urology, gastroenterology, esophagoscopy, coloscopy, bronchoscopy, oto-rhino-laryngology, ophthalmology as well as laparoscopy. In two specifically adapted rooms in the Josephinum (the building of the former Joseph’s Academy partly belongs to the Medical University of Vienna today) these instruments illustrate the development of endoscopy over a period of more than 200 years.

The International Nitze-Leiter Research Society of Endoscopy, with its administrative seat also in the Josephinum not only is attending to the upkeep of the museum and expansion of its scientific collection, it has pledged to undertake research into the history of endoscopy, holding scientific meetings, organizing exhibitions in cooperation with scientific associations like EAU and DGU and publishing relevant research findings.

Highlights of the Nitze-Leiter Museum

Original Lichtleiter by Philipp Bozzini
Bozzini’s original light conductor with specula. In December 1806 Bozzini‘s light conductor was presented to the professors of the Josephinum, the “Medical-Surgical Joseph’s Academy” in Vienna.


Created by Gottfried Wiesner, Leipzig

Int.Nitze-Leiter Reserach Society for Endoscopy / Nitze-Leiter Collection
Uretero-cystoscope according to Nitze
Uretero-cystoscope according to Nitze with Albarran-lever

Int. Nitze-Leiter Research Society for Endoscopy, Vienna/Reuter Collection
Irrigating uretero-cystoscope
Irrigating uretero-cystoscope, one channel, optics corrected, Albarran mechanism in the shaft


Created by Fa. Louis & Loewenstein, Berlin

Int. Nitze-Leiter Research Society for Endoscopy, Vienna/Reuter Collection
Nitze's examining cystoscope
Nitze's examining cystoscope no. 1 used by Dittel, removable retrograde optics


Created by Josef Leiter, Vienna

Int. Nitze-Leiter Research Society for Endoscopy, Vienna/Reuter Collection
Cystoscope by Brenner
Cystoscope by Brenner is the modified KYSTOSKOP No.II of Nitze with prograde optics.


Created by Josef Leiter, Vienna

Int. Nitze-Leiter Research Society for Endoscopy, Vienna/Reuter Collection
Schlifka's uretero-cystoscope
Schlifka's uretero-cystoscope with Albarran lever is a modification of Casper's first uretero-cystoscope dated 1895.


Created by Josef Leiter, Vienna

Int. Nitze-Leiter Research Society for Endoscopy, Vienna/Reuter Collection