Abstract: The method of making a miniature co-axial cable of the present invention includes the insertion of a pre-sized, conductive core into an outer cover with supporting material to center the core. The assembly is then heated and the thermoplastic cover and core supporting material is drawn down around the central core. The result is a miniature co-axial cable with a precise amount of air space, or dielectric region between the core and the outer cover.

Abstract: A thin, relatively flat cable assembly for laying under carpet. The cable assembly includes an insulative central region and at least one conductor held in the central region. The conductor is of the type able to undergo only limited bending without damage, such as an optical fiber or a coaxial cable. The cable assembly also includes a pair of insulative side portions connected to the central region and extending therefrom in opposite directions with the side portions and the central region forming a substantially flat bottom surface of the cable assembly. Each of the side portions has components for permitting only limited bending of the cable assembly in the plane of the bottom surface.

Abstract: A hybrid cable of substantially uniform cross-section for concurrently carrying an electrical signal and an optical signal. The cable includes a metallic conductor disposed at the center of the cable for carrying the electrical signal. The cable also includes a resilient buffer tube and an optical conductor for carrying the optical signal positioned inside the tube and having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the tube so that the optical conductor is movable inside the tube. A metallic shield surrounds the metallic conductor and the tube. The metallic conductor and the shield are coaxial. The cable also includes an electrically insulative resilient outer jacket so that the cable gives the appearance of and taps as a conventional coaxial cable but additionally can transmit an optical signal. A method of using the hybrid cable is also disclosed.

Abstract: A needle endoscope includes a hollow needle of about 18-gauge, a lens system within the needle, an image transmitting bundle of flexible fiber-optic rods within the needle, a plurality of illumination transmitting fiber-optic rods within the needle, an operative channel within the needle, and apparatus to shift the image transmitting bundle with respect to the lens system and needle to provide focus adjustment for focusing the endoscope on objects at various distances from the end of the needle. The channel is adapted to receive an electrode having an end which, when extended beyond the needle, can be microscopically viewed and supervised through the needle during application of radiofrequency pulses to the spinal cord's nerve tracts or nerve cells, for example. Both medical and industrial uses are contemplated.