The progress in endoscopic diagnosis and treatment is largely dependent on technical innovations concerning endoscopes and endoscopic accessories. The aim of the present review is to present selected papers published in 2006, reporting the introduction of new endoscopes and devices. New types of colonoscopes, with introduction assisted or steered by the computer, as well as new types of endoscopic capsules are discussed. In the area of endoscopic devices, the oesophageal optical dilator and bilio-pancreatic stent having no central lumen were selected for presentation.