Abstract: A hydraulic or pneumatically actuated muscle has an elongated elastomeric tubular bladder covered by a tubular braid. The bladder has a fold or invagination along its length. The process for forming this bladder can employ a fixture in the form of a threaded rod. A tubular elastomer is wrapped into the v-shaped thread on the rod. Then the wrapped rod is subjected to heat to set a fold into the tubing. The invaginate bladder can be subjected to a second, mild heat treatment to reduce curling.

Abstract: An electronic video measurement system for measuring three dimensional parameters of objects viewed by a two dimensional video image pickup. A borescope is provided in which the measurements are corrected for calibration, distortion, lens magnification, and system architecture. Programs and algorithms are provided for calculating various parameters of an object being viewed, including slant lengths and depths without the need for a scale positioned next to the object being measured.

Abstract: Two or three fiber optic cables, each adapted for a particular purpose is provided in the insertion tube of an endoscope/borescope for illuminating an object to be viewed. The proximal end of the insertion tube is positioned adjacent a source of light. A device is provided for rotating the proximal end of the insertion tube to position one or more of the fiber optic bundles in optical alignment with the source of light to illuminate the object to be viewed with the desired light. Alternatively, an individual bundle can be illuminated by insertion in a proper receptacle in an interconnecting module positioned in optical alignment with a light source.

Abstract: A hydraulic or pneumatically actuated muscle has an elongated elastomeric tubular bladder covered by a tubular braid. A fluid conduit supplies hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to the bladder to expand it and thereby shorten the braid. When pressure is relieved, the braid is permitted to elongate, and the bladder constricts radially. To ensure that the bladder has its cross section at a minimum when elongated, the bladder has a fold or invagination along its length. The process for forming this bladder can employ a fixture in the form of a threaded rod.

Abstract: A tubular, fluid-controlled bending neck is provided for an elongated flexible probe, such as a video borescope. An elongated tubular elastomeric bladder is fitted to a proximal connector that fits onto a distal end of the probe insertion tube, and a distal fitting seals the distal end of the bladder. A tubular braid is disposed over the bladder to confine the same and is mechanically attached to the distal fitting and to the proximal connector. The connector provides communication of fluid presure from a controlled fluid pressure source to be interior of the bladder. An elastically bendable, by axially substantially incompressible spine is disposed at the interface between the bladder and the braid. This spine is preferably set or biased to be curved into one bending direction. As fluid pressure is applied to the bladder, the bladder inflates laterally. This shortens the braid on the side away from the spine, thereby bending the neck in the opposite direction.

Abstract: This is a device for measuring objects viewed with a borescope by creating an auxiliary image such as a shadow, and projecting it on the object from the general illumination source in a way that its video image changes position or size in proportion to the distance of the image sensing head from the object. A pre-calibrated object magnification and distance overlay for the geometry of the borescope is placed on the video display to indicate the modification factor for the physical measurement of the object on the display screen. Alternatively, electronic calibration and measurement circuitry is provided.

Abstract: A storage and dispensing reel for borescope insertion tubes which has a reel compartment for the coiled tube and an inner foam filled storage compartment for the proximal end of the tube and the associated control modules therefore. The entire reel is arranged for rotation about its axis and has a cover to secure and protect the apparatus stored therein.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic muscle contracts when air or hydraulic pressure is applied to it. The muscle has a long elastomeric bladder covered by a long tubular braid of flexible but inextensible fibers or filaments. When the bladder is inflated the braid is forced to expand laterally, which shortens it axially when the pressure is relieved, the muscle will relax allowing a pulling force on a tendon connected to a termination on its distal end to stretch it back to its original length. These fluid dynamic muscles can be used for bending the articulation section of a borescope or endoscope.

Abstract: In a cable-steerable endoscope, borescope, or guide tube in which opposing cables are displaced to deflect the tip of the instrument, a self-adjusting mechanism in the control section ensures that a maximal differential force and a minimal total force is applied to the two steering cables. The self-adjusting mechanism has a frame that is affixed within the control section and a slider plate that is slidably disposed on a longitudinal rail of the frame. The slider plate projects outwardly to engage ends of the cable sheaths for the steering cables. The slider plate engages the frame rail when there is force on only one steering cable to lock the slider plate against sliding motion. When there is no force, or equal forces on the steering cables, the slider plate moves proximally on the frame.

Abstract: An optical illuminating system for endoscope or borescope has a round fiber optic bundle light guide and a non-spherical lens disposed at the distal end of the light guide. The lens has a flat front surface and a compound rear optical surface formed of a central flat circular portion of smaller diameter than the fiber optic bundle light guide, and a frustoconic surface that flares back from the central surface beyond the diameter of the fiber optic light guide. The conic portion of this lens provides an annular distribution of light, and the disc portion provides a spot distribution to fill in the center of the annular distribution. The overall distribution is thus generally flat over an angle of up to 120 degrees.

Abstract: A detachable prism assembly for a small-diameter borescope has a generally cylindrical housing with an open end that fits over a viewing head of the borescope, a prism, and a sliding prism holder within the housing. A spring urges the holder and prism proximally away from the distal end of the housing, and into contact with the front surface of the borescope head. The spring also urges a projection in the assembly into engagement with a corresponding recess in the periphery of the borescope viewing head. A manually actuable member on the detachable prism assembly must be moved by the user to move the projection out of engagement with the recess to permit detachment of the prism assembly from the borescope. The prism assembly can be attached only in its proper orientation, and cannot fall off the borescope head while in use.

Abstract: A steering section for an endoscope or borescope employs a plurality of steering cables passing through peripheral bores in axially aligned flat washers. Spacer beads are strung on the cables between the washers to define hinges for the bending of the steering section. Pairs of hemispherical beads are employed for this purpose, and are disposed nose-to-nose, that is, with their spherical surfaces rocking on one another. Tuning spacer beads are provided in selected inter-washer spaces to limit the bending of the tuning section in one direction. To achieve the smallest possible dimension, the washers can be formed with an oval or elongated passageway.

Abstract: A blood pressure measuring and recording device that utilizes a piezoelectric crystal transducer for sensing the pressure of the blood in the brachial artery. The transducer is positioned in the cuff in an unrestricted manner whereby it in effect "floats". The cuff pressure and blood pressure coact to cause the crystal transducer to produce a waveform in which the relationship of the amplitudes of the positive and negative pulses indicate the systolic and diastolic pressures. Means are provided in the circuitry of the device for accurately distinguishing blood pressure pulses from spurious signals.