Abstract: A peroxide-resistant endoscope comprises an interface portion; a control portion coupled to the interface portion; and an insertion portion coupled to the control portion. The insertion portion comprises a bending portion; an insertion tube extending from a distal end of the control portion to a proximal end of the bending portion; a bending portion coupled to a distal end of the insertion tube; and a distal tip at a distal end of the bending portion. The peroxide-resistant endoscope also comprises a light carrying bundle (LCB) that extends from the interface portion to the distal tip. An outer casing of the bending portion consists essentially of fluorocarbon rubber, the LCB is lubricated by a first lubricant that comprises at least one solid lubricant and does not contain more than ten percent by weight of molybdenum disulfide, and an outer casing of the insertion tube is bonded to the outer casing of the bending portion by an epoxy adhesive.

Abstract: A channel for an endoscope comprises a tube made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having at least one additive. The at least one additive includes a carrier that contains silver ions and is incorporated within a wall of the tube, and a content of silver ions in the tube is at least 0.0005% by weight of the tube.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods and apparatus for providing a labyrinth seal. In an example embodiment, a method is provided for sealing a flow path between a stationary element and a rotating element of a turbomachine. The method can include disposing at least one fixture on an inner surface of a stationary element associated with the turbomachine; disposing a packing ring linked via a spring element to the fixture wherein the packing ring comprises at least one bore; and disposing, according to a predetermined profile, a plurality of interdigitated packing ring teeth and rotor teeth intermediate to the packing ring and the rotating element; wherein the bore, packing ring teeth, and rotor teeth, cooperate to counter a moment associated with one or more axial forces.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods and apparatus for providing a labyrinth seal. In an example embodiment, a method is provided for sealing a flow path between a stationary element and a rotating element of a turbomachine. The method can include disposing at least one fixture on an inner surface of a stationary element associated with the turbomachine; disposing a packing ring linked via a spring element to the fixture wherein the packing ring comprises at least one bore; and disposing, according to a predetermined profile, a plurality of interdigitated packing ring teeth and rotor teeth intermediate to the packing ring and the rotating element; wherein the bore, packing ring teeth, and rotor teeth, cooperate to counter a moment associated with one or more axial forces.

Abstract: A vibration isolation system in accordance with the principles of the present invention isolates vibrations between two (or more) objects in a way that may be characterized by the degree of damping, the stiffness of the isolation and isolation system travel. Each of the characteristics; damping, stiffness, and travel, may be adjusted independently of the other characteristics.