Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing an operation on a workpiece at an inaccessible location are described. The apparatus includes a tube with proximal and distal ends, the distal end being insertable in use into an inaccessible location. A head is flexibly coupled to the distal end of the tube and can be moved relative to the tube by control means. Laser energy can be transmitted through the tube and out of the head. The apparatus includes viewing means for gathering and displaying an image of the workpiece and tracking means operable to identify and record the position of one or more selected points of the workpiece. A processor is provided to actuate the control means so as to move the head to direct the laser energy to the selected point or points of a workpiece and to control the laser so as to perform the desired operation on the workpiece.

Abstract: An optical scope for viewing a feature at an inaccessible location includes a tube having a distal end which is insertable in use into an inaccessible location and a proximal end connected to a housing. The tube contains an optical system for gathering an image of a feature and relaying the image to a viewer. The tube also contains a device for directing a laser beam to a first reference point in the distal end, a first reflector mounted in the distal end for rotation about the first reference point to change the direction of the laser beam so as to direct the beam out of the scope to a target feature, and a second reflector mounted in the distal end for rotation about a second reference point to change the direction of a reference axis intersecting the second reference point so as to cause the axis to intersect the laser beam at a target feature.

Abstract: A system for determining a dimension of a detail includes an optical scope for producing an image of the detail, an image scaling device for providing a scaled image size, and a processor. The system also includes a video camera which is either within the optical scope or external to the optical scope. The optical scope includes a focusing device for adjusting a focal position of the image of the detail and a device for providing a focus position signal based a position of the focusing device. The processor converts the focus position signal into an object distance signal, or a magnification signal, or both, and determines the dimension of the detail based on the scaled image size and based on the object distance signal, or the magnification signal, or both. The system further comprises means to compensate for changes in temperature of the optical scope to ensure that the measurement accuracy is not compromised by expansion or contraction of the scope.