Abstract: An optical fiber sensor is composed of an outer portion generally in the form of a tube which constitutes an illumination light transmission path. Inside the tube is formed or inserted an image path for directing image light back to an observation point. A longitudinal hole may be formed beside or surrounding the image path for conducting a fluid to the observed location. The sensor is especially suitable for medical image catheter or endoscopic usage.

Abstract: An image transmitting optical fiber device is improved in contrast by limiting the incident angle of light applied thereto and/or by placing an antireflection member in the light path at one or both of the ends of the device.

Abstract: A fiberscope in which the cross-sectional area is maximized of a passage conveying a clear liquid through which an image of an object to be observed can be transmitted, taking into consideration constraints upon diameters of various optical fibers and a surrounding flexible tube. An image transmitting fiber is bundled together with at least one, light guiding fibers which supply illuminating light. The bundled fibers are loosely fitted within a surrounding flexible tube with a space therebetween. A cap member is provided at the end of the flexible tube and optical fiber bundle for maintaining the optical fiber bundle centered at the end of the flexible tube and for directing flows of the clear fluid around the end of the fiber bundle.

Abstract: An endoscope for image-observing or measuring an area filled with an opaque liquid is disclosed. The endoscope comprises an image fiber, a lens positioned at the leading end of the image fiber, a light guide arranged in parallel to the image fiber, a transparent fluid transport passage arranged in parallel to the image fiber and the light guide and having an outlet at the leading end thereof, a sheath enclosing the image fiber, lens, light guide and transparent fluid transport passage and a means for providing a field of vision at the leading end of the endoscope by a transparent fluid from the outlet of the transparent fluid transport passage. A means for stabilizing the field of vision formed by the field of vision providing means is provided on the leading end portion of the sheath.

Abstract: A monitoring device for monitoring an interior conduit wall includes a plurality of sliding members each resiliently urged by equal amounts away from the device body toward the conduit wall, so that the device can be used in conduits of different diameters while always remaining substantially centered within the conduit.

Abstract: A composite optical fiber for use with a sensor includes an imaging optical fiber which receives information-carrying light that is reflected from a target, and a transparent material that includes the imaging optical fiber in its interior and which transmits an illuminating light from a light source to the target. The light-receiving optical fiber is an integral part of the transparent material, and it has an increased cross-sectional area for transmitting the illuminating light with respect to its overall outside diameter. The optical fiber can be produced by the extrusion technique without arranging a multiplicity of light-transmitting fibers and encasing them within a heat-shrinkable tube.

Abstract: A laser waveguide is developed which uses various combinations of convex and concave mirrors in conjugate pairs. The waveguide is made more effications by arranging the mirrors and selecting the reflective surfaces thereof so that the diametral increase of plurality of parallel light beams is checked, or the diameter reduced.

Abstract: A device for observing pictures of an object is proposed which has an image transmission line for transmitting an image, an optical system for forming the image of the object at the front end of said image transmission line, a reflex mirror for reflecting the light from the object and directing it toward said optical system, a flexible cable accommodating said image transmission line, and an image receiving means provided at an end of said image transmission line for observing the image transmitted, said image transmission line having an image fiber comprising a bundle of picture element fibers.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for checking the inside of a pipe or the like is proposed. Two reflex mirrors are provided, one for reflecting the light from a source of light and the other for reflecting the light from the object being checked. Because respective mirrors are provided for the source of light and for the light from the object, the inside of the object can be checked clearly.

Abstract: A sensor for a spectral analyzer includes a relatively movable holder and probe, where the probe is fitted with a reflector, and the holder is provided with a pair of adjacent optical fibers for transmitting/receiving light. When the probe abuts the surface of the object to be measured, the probe and holder move relatively so that the fiber pair approach the reflector. A switch activating the analyzer for data collection is operated in response to the change in reflected light intensity caused by the relative movement.

Abstract: An optical fiber gyro system provides a pair of separated optical paths containing partial common portions. A phase difference .DELTA..theta. is detected using a plurality of detectors which yield sin and cos functions in .DELTA..theta.. Functions are formed as linear couplings of these functions, and the phase difference .DELTA..theta. is obtained using the function of best sensitivity for the given range of .DELTA..theta..

Abstract: A method for measuring the metabolic utilization rate of oxygen in an internal organ or tissue, wherein a portion of the organ or tissue to be diagnosed is subjected to interruption of oxygen supply and then measured biospectroscopically. Reflection spectral characteristic variations per unit of time are measured. The measured information is converted into an electrical signal to indicate the metabolic rate.

Abstract: An optical connector system for combining light-receiving and light-transmitting optical fiber bundles has a male and female housing fitted to one end of light-transmitting and light-receiving bundles. The optical fiber bundles are held in the housings such that the end surface of a light receiving fiber bundle and that of a light-transmitting fiber bundle are simultaneously coupled to each other when the housings are joined. The female housing may contain a light-transmitting window and a light-receiving window such that when the male housing engages the female housing, the light-transmitting window faces the end surface of the light-transmitting fiber bundle and the light-receiving window faces the end surface of the light receiving bundle.

Abstract: A protective lid is provided in front of an image-forming lens mounted on the forward end of a picture image transmission line which comprises plural optical fibers bundled in alignment to be remotely controlled from the back end of the transmission line for opening/closing so that the image-forming lens may be protected from particles, vapor or poisonous gas when the transmission line is used in such atmosphere, thereby preventing deterioration of the quality of picture images to be formed.

Abstract: Signals for controlling the discharge current and laser gas pressure are provided in predetermined combination in accordance with a selected laser output level.