Abstract: An articulated pipe used for an endoscope includes articular chips made of brittle material such as a ceramic, with joint pins for joining the articular chips in series. The joint pins are made of shape-memory material. With these joint pins, the brittle articular chips are easily joined together without being damaged.

Abstract: A pressure vessel of an X-ray detector, in which the contamination and leakage of xenon gas contained in the detector is prevented. The pressure vessel of the invention comprises a container of a curved pillar shape with a window through which the X-ray passes. The container is made of a metal, and the window faces inward of the curvature of the container. A carbon fiber-reinforced plastic sheet is fixed to the inner wall of the periphery of the window to cover the window. An elastic insulation sheet is attached to the inside of the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic sheet so as to cover the window. A metal foil is attached to the inside of the elastic insulation sheet so as to cover the window.

Abstract: A patient supporting table top for X-ray inspection apparatus which includes a platelike core member formed by mixing thermosetting resin with a great number of hollow carbon microspheres reinforced with carbon fibers and press-heating these materials. A covering member is bonded to each side of the core member by using an adhesive agent such as epoxy resin. The covering member is formed by mixing resin material with carbon fiber network and press-heating these materials.