Abstract: An example catheter includes an elongate member having a wall defining a longitudinally extending lumen, a fixation member disposed on an exterior surface of the wall of a distal portion of the elongate member, a pull wire extending axially through the wall of the elongate member and coupled to the fixation member, and a member portion encasing at least a portion of the fixation member, where the fixation member is shaped to engage the distal member in response to a pull force applied to the pull wire to cause the elongate member to deflect from an initial configuration to a deflected configuration.

Abstract: A flexible endoscope for insertion into the human body includes a flexible section arranged in a distal end region of the endoscope. The endoscope further includes a tip segment distally adjoining the flexible section, the tip segment being controllable by at least one tension cord. The flexible section is formed by means of an investment composition that is mechanically anchored to the tip segment and/or a proximal counter bearing, and the investment compound is elastically deformable.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion that is covered with an exterior tube with an outer diameter of 1 mm or less, an observation optical system that includes a rectangular image sensor fixed to a tip of the insertion portion and having a length of one side of 60% or less of the outer diameter of the insertion portion, an illumination fiber that is arranged between an inner surface of the exterior tube and an edge of the observation optical system and penetrates the exterior tube, a cable bundle that is connected to the image sensor and penetrates the exterior tube, and a connector that is connected to the cable bundle and the illumination fiber.

Abstract: A counter-rotating turbine of an aircraft turbomachine, includes a casing including an endoscopy port configured for an endoscopy plug of a non-destructive testing device to pass into the casing. The endoscopy plug includes a mechanism for acquiring and transmitting images. The non-destructive testing device includes a mechanism for receiving and displaying images connected to the mechanism for acquiring and transmitting images by a wireless connection. First and second rotors are configured to rotate in opposite rotation directions, the second rotor having an endoscopy port in which the endoscopy plug is removably attached.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a test-and-measurement probe that includes a thermally insulated shroud and a fluid inlet conduit. The shroud is configured to enclose a first portion of a probe head of the probe within an interior cavity of the shroud, while permitting a second portion of the probe head to extend out of the shroud. The shroud further includes a fluid outlet passageway configured to permit a heat-transfer fluid to pass from a probe-head end of the interior cavity, through the interior cavity of the shroud, and out of the shroud through an access portion of the shroud. The fluid inlet conduit enters the shroud through the access portion of the shroud, extends through the interior cavity of the shroud, and is configured to introduce the heat-transfer fluid to the probe-head end of the interior cavity.

Abstract: A scanner includes a lens assembly comprising a lens having a lens axis and a positioning system to adjust a focal plane of the lens assembly. The positioning system includes an outer element, an inner element coupled to the lens assembly, and a linear-motion bearing that couples the inner element to the outer element. The linear-motion bearing provides a single degree of translational movement of the inner element along the lens axis.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a visualization device for a robotic surgery apparatus can include a housing configured to be removably attached to a mounting interface of the apparatus and be positioned adjacent an insertion device of the apparatus. The housing can include first and second openings positioned on an exterior of the housing. The housing can include a substantially flexible camera tube with a first end attached to the housing and a second end including at least one camera. The second end can be inserted through the first opening in the housing, pass through interior of the housing, and exit the housing through the second opening in the housing. The second end can extend away from the housing toward a region of interest outside the housing or retract away from the region of interest and back toward the housing. The camera tube can form a loop around a portion of the housing.

Abstract: There is provided herein a tip section for an endoscope assembly that includes a fluid distribution device for circulating fluid for cleaning a body cavity. In an embodiment, the tip section includes a groove aligned with side jet channels, where multiple holes drilled above the groove, through the periphery of a tip cover covering the tip section, provide an exit for the fluid circulated by the side jet channels in all directions around the tip cover. In another embodiment, the tip section includes a removable attachment that covers jet channel openings. Multiple holes drilled through the cover provide a multiple jet exit for the fluid circulated by the jet channels in multiple directions around the tip cover.

Abstract: The tracheoscope catheter bending structure mainly includes a main elastic spring ring, two small elastic spring rings and a fixed seat, wherein the main elastic spring ring is arranged inside a hose at the far end of a tracheoscope catheter; the two small elastic spring rings are arranged at the internal opposite two side positions of the main elastic spring ring; two pull wires provided for a tracheoscope are respectively penetrated through the two small elastic spring rings; the fixed seat is held at the farthest end of the hose; the far ends of the two pull wires respectively pass through penetration holes at the two sides of the fixed seat and are fixed; the other ends of the pull wires are extended and are combined with a control mechanism inside a handle.

Abstract: A linear-member-driven manipulator is provided that includes a bendable member that is bendable along a bending plane and includes a plurality of bendable portions; a linear member used to bend at least one of the bendable portions; a plurality of guiding members that guide the linear member that is driven; and a plurality of support members, each support member extending from one of the guiding members to the bendable member, wherein each guiding member is swingable with respect to the bendable member; and wherein, for each support member, a projection distance between the linear member and the support member on the bending plane is greater than or equal to a projection distance between the linear member and a bending neutral line of the bendable member on the bending plane.

Abstract: A boroscope sheath is disclosed for providing a boroscope with temperature protection during a boroscope inspection of a machine such as a gas turbine or a steam turbine. The boroscope sheath includes an elongate tube having a wall extending from a front end to a back end and around a central bore configured and arranged to allow removable insertion of a boroscope cooling channels extend in the wall. The boroscope sheath can be held in a first position relative to the machine when the machine is in use and moved to a second position relative to machine for inspection. Part of the boroscope sheath remain in the machine during use of the machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hood for an ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic endoscope that prevent a body wall from getting into close contact with an observation window at a time such as when an ultrasonic transducer is brought into close contact with the body wall. In a hood for an ultrasonic endoscope to be attached to the ultrasonic endoscope, a notch is formed at a front edge of the hood, and a front edge corner at an observation window side along the notch is provided as an eaves-shaped part. The eaves-shaped part protrudes in front of the observation window, and when an ultrasonic transducer is brought into close contact with the body wall, the eaves-shaped part lies between the body wall and the observation window, thereby preventing the body wall from getting into close contact with the observation window.

Abstract: A scanner includes a lens assembly comprising a lens having a lens axis and a positioning system to adjust a focal plane of the lens assembly. The positioning system includes an outer element, an inner element that houses the lens assembly, and a linear-motion bearing that couples the inner element to the outer element. The linear-motion bearing includes a first element coupling and a second element coupling. The linear-motion bearing provides a single degree of translational movement of the inner element along the lens axis.

Abstract: There is provided herein a tip section for an endoscope assembly that includes a fluid distribution device for circulating fluid for cleaning a body cavity. In an embodiment, the tip section includes a groove aligned with side jet channels, where multiple holes drilled above the groove, through the periphery of a tip cover covering the tip section, provide an exit for the fluid circulated by the side jet channels in all directions around the tip cover. In another embodiment, the tip section includes a removable attachment that covers jet channel openings. Multiple holes drilled through the cover provide a multiple jet exit for the fluid circulated by the jet channels in multiple directions around the tip cover.

Abstract: A gastric calibration tube includes an elongate member and an adjusting member. The elongate member has a length and includes a first segment and a second segment that extend along the length. The second segment includes a first side and a second side. The first and second sides are selectively movable in opposite lengthwise directions. The adjusting member is secured to one of the sides of the second segment and movable with the second segment relative to the first segment to steer the elongate member.

Abstract: A robotic punch system employs a robot unit (70) and a control unit (80). The robot unit (70) includes a robot (71) and an endoscopic punch (72) mounted to the robot (71). The endoscopic punch (72) includes a calibrated spatial alignment of an endoscope (73) and a punch (74). The control unit (80) commands the robot (71) for deploying the endoscopic punch (72) in executing a puncture of an anatomical tissue (92).

Abstract: A robot capable of communicating according to a gesture may include a plurality of link members, and an outer cover member surrounding the plurality of link members. The shape of the outer cover member is varied into a curved shape, when the outer cover member is adhered closely to the plurality of link members, according to the variation of the shapes of the plurality of link members.

Abstract: Regarding a blade inspection system, each of endo scope guide devices for a borescope has an insertion portion guide tube for guiding an insertion portion and a first fixing portion which is provided on the insertion portion guide tube and fixes the insertion portion guide tube in a corresponding external access port. When the insertion portion is attached into the insertion portion guide tube, lengths of extending portions of the endoscope guide devices are different between the plurality of endoscope guide devices extending from the corresponding external access port so that a position for observing a predetermined portion of a blade by an observation optical system of the insertion portion comes to a position determined in advance for each of the corresponding external access ports.

Abstract: A scanner includes a lens assembly comprising a lens having a lens axis and a positioning system to adjust a focal plane of the lens assembly. The positioning system includes an outer element, an inner element that houses the lens assembly, and a linear-motion bearing that couples the inner element to the outer element. The linear-motion bearing includes a first element coupling and a second element coupling. The linear-motion bearing provides a single degree of translational movement of the inner element along the lens axis.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector inspection device includes a boroscope tool, a wand operably connected to the boroscope tool, a light source and a lens. The light source and the lens are mounted at about an end of the wand. The lens is movable relative to the connector to be inspected. The system provides for observing images on a screen operably connected to the boroscope tool. A method for inspecting the radial face and axial face of a fiber optic ferrule is also disclosed.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical system includes a guide tube and a telemanipulatively controlled surgical retractor instrument that extends through the guide tube. The portion of the retractor instrument that extends beyond the distal end of the guide tube includes several links that can be steered. In some aspects, joints between the links provide degrees of freedom in the same direction of movement. In some aspects, a grasping end effector is coupled to the end of the retractor instrument, and in further aspects the grasping end effector is coupled by a passively rotating wrist mechanism that rotates as the retractor instrument is moved while the end effector grasps tissue.

Abstract: In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, a surgical device can include a first pair of articulably coupled links, a second pair of articulably coupled links, and a tension member coupled to the first pair of links and the second pair of links such that altering tension in the tension member exerts a force tending to articulate the first pair of links and the second pair of links so as to bend the first pair of links and the second pair of links. The surgical device can be configured such that the first pair of links has a lower resistance to bending than the second pair of links upon altering the tension in the tension member.

Abstract: A medical system generally comprises a camera head, a beam, and a guide sheath. The camera head is connected to the beam which is bendable in a first direction and resists bending in a second direction opposite the first direction. The guide sheath slidably receives the beam, the beam extending through a distal end of the guide sheath such that the camera head projects from the distal end of the guide sheath. The guide sheath includes first and second sheath portions, and in an operative configuration the first sheath portion is angled relative to the second sheath portion to define a first bend. The beam is oriented relative to the guide sheath such that, as the beam is slid relative to guide sheath, the beam bends in the first direction through the first bend, and a projecting portion of the beam resists bending in the second direction.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope having an insertion portion provided with an observation optical system that inspects a plurality of blades that are periodically disposed at a periphery of a rotary shaft of a rotor of an engine, and rotate around the rotary shaft, a guide tube that is introduced into a compressor section, and guides the insertion portion, a first fixing portion that is provided at the guide tube and fixes the guide tube in an inside of the engine, and a second fixing portion that is provided in a position separated by having a predetermined distance from the first fixing portion in the guide tube, and fixes the guide tube with an outer jacketing cover of the engine.

Abstract: A device for checking the passability of a through-hole of a component includes a front section and an inflatable balloon. The front section is configured so that it can be pressed into or onto the through-hole. The inflatable balloon is fluidically connected to the front section. In one embodiment, a middle section is provided, which is formed as a tube, wherein the inflatable balloon, is fluidically connected to the front section via the middle section.

Abstract: Method and system for inspecting the inside of a small channel, e.g. a flexible tube or hose, particularly for medical use, e.g. included in an endoscope, for the presence of inside contaminations on the wall of the tube, comprising providing the inside of the channel with a liquid having a refractive index which is higher than the refractive index of the channel wall, transmitting a signal into one end of the channel having a wavelength w, comparing the spectrum of the signal received at the other end of the channel with the wavelength w of the transmitted signal and determining, e.g. by a spectrum analyzer, whether the latter signal contains any wavelength w? which is unequal to the wavelength w of the transmitted signal, and indicating that, when not any wavelength w? is determined unequal to w, the channel is not contaminated or that, when any wavelength w? is determined unequal to w, the channel is contaminated.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a device for monitoring the curvature of a stiffener (18) of a flexible sea line: A monitoring device has a deformable rod (26) having a central axis (C) and at least three optical sensors (29, 30, 31) maintained pressed against the perimeter of the rod (26). The method includes the steps, for different consecutive orientations of bending planes around the central axis; bending the rod (26) according to the same curvature radius; measuring the deformation of the sensors (29, 30, 31) during the bending; using the measured deformations to extrapolate a sine function of the deformation for each sensor according to the orientation of the bending plane; calculating error-correction coefficients according to the angular shift between the extrapolated sine functions and according to the amplitude of the extrapolated sine curves.

Abstract: In one form a maintenance device includes a flexible member with an inspection end sized to be inserted through an inspection port of a workpiece such as a gas turbine engine or a blade of a gas turbine engine. The maintenance device includes a directed energy member that in one form is configured to produce a double pulse laser with an interval time between a first one of the pulses and a second one of the pulses greater than the time of either the first one of the pulses or the second one of the pulses. The first one of the pulses is sufficiently powerful to produce a quantity of debris upon irradiation of the workpiece. The debris produced from the first one of the pulses can be evaporated by the second one of the pulses to eliminate and/or reduce a recast layer on the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of securing a releasable component in an assembled engine by inserting a conduit through an aperture in a casing of the engine, the conduit being carried by a borescope and directing the borescope to the releasable component, and supplying an adhesive onto the releasable component through the conduit.

Abstract: A system whose most common use is that of inspecting conduits such as sewers, drainage pipes, water, gas and oil conduits. The system comprises the following individual components: a rotary contact assembly, a control unit, a push rod assembly, and a video camera assembly mounted on a carrier. It also includes a video display unit which may be on the carrier or separately provided. Each of these components may be easily disconnected and reconnected so that any failed component can be determined and replaced in the field, yet maintaining the system's integrity against damage from the type of effluent in which it is required to operate. There are novel splices for damaged wires and/or push rods. Such splices are for damage repairs and changes in length of push rod assemblies which can done in the field instead of having to return the entire system to have any repairs made.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the internal outline of a duct or cavity, comprises light-emitting means (71) suitable for generating a collimated light beam, an elongate probe element (51; 51?; 51?) suitable for being introduced into the duct and for guiding the collimated beam along a predetermined propagation direction, reflector means (52) supported by the probe element (51; 51?; 51?) and suitable for deflecting the collimated beam so as to illuminate the internal wall of the duct, and for deflecting the reflected or diffused light coming from an illuminated point (P) of the internal wall so as to guide it along the probe element (51; 51?; 51?), and detection means (76) suitable for receiving an image of the illuminated point (P), which image is correlated with the optical distance of the point from the detection means (76), and for providing a corresponding electrical signal. The image is formed by the light guided by the receiving reflector means (52).

Abstract: A system for monitoring deflection of a downhole tool assembly. The system comprises a beam source directing a beam at a receptor positioned proximate the downhole tool assembly. The receptor detects the position of incidence of the beam at the receptor. A processor receives signals from the receptor and determines angular deflection of the downhole tool assembly based on incidence of the beam at the receptor. Information from other orientation sensors is also used to determine magnitude and direction of deflection. Deflection information is used by an operator or a control system to maintain or correct the course of the downhole tool assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for inspecting rotatable machine components are provided. The system includes a fiber optic port configured to extend through a first aperture of a machine casing wherein the port includes an interior end and an exterior end. The system further includes an imager configured to optically couple to the exterior end. The imager includes a light intensifier capable of generate images of inspection components though the port using ambient light. The imager further includes an image capture gate configured to control an acquisition time of the generated images.

Abstract: A borescope device having an insertion tube, a camera head assembly, and a fluid supply system. The camera assembly includes through holes allowing fluid escape. The fluid supply system is controllable to force fluid through the through holes. The fluid supply system may be actuated to cool the camera head assembly.

Abstract: A borescopic device and an associated method are provided that permit the controlled movement of the object under test both angularly and along several different axes, such that the object including its internal surfaces, can be thoroughly inspected in a controlled fashion. The borescopic device includes an adjustable holder assembly for holding an object, a borescopic imaging system including one or more probes for capturing an image of at least one surface of the object, and a monitoring system for determining the position of an image captured by the borescopic imaging system relative to the object. The adjustable holder assembly also includes one or more position indicators for providing the monitoring system with indications of the position of the object, both angularly and in at least two linear directions.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus performs a visual inspection on inner structural members of a large-scale system from the outside without disassembling the system. The inspection apparatus includes a screw device formed in a tube-like shape which engages with surfaces of internal structural members of the large-scale system while advancing into a narrow pathway of the large-scale system when inserted in the narrow pathway and applied with a rotational force, a video scope having a camera at its end which is inserted in the screw device and protrudes from an end of the screw device to capture images of surfaces of the internal structural members of the large-scale system, and a video monitor for displaying the images from the video scope and controlling a direction of the end of the video scope.

Abstract: While a ball 14 is inserted into a hole WA of a workpiece W and is moved in the longitudinal direction of the hole WA while automatically centripetally moved, a change of back pressure of a gas injected into the hole WA is detected by a converter 30, and at the same time reflected light from a reflection member 18 provided on the ball 14 is received by a light receiving unit 22 and a change of peak position A of an amount of the received light is calculated, so as to calculate an inner diameter, straightness, and cylindricity of the hole WA, thus providing an inexpensive noncontact measuring apparatus 10 which measures the inner diameter, the straightness, and the cylindricity of the hole WA.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention provide a quick, simple and accurate manner in which to measure the dimensions or characteristics of a hole without contacting the hole. The apparatus and method of the present invention also automatically detect different materials defining the hole and, therefore, the location of the interface where the materials meet. To measure the characteristics of the hole, the apparatus and method measure the intensities of the light reflected off the hole wall. In addition, the light directed toward the hole wall by the optical fiber may be of the type, such as collimated or focused, to provide distinct reflections that are received and measured by the optical receiver to supply accurate measurements of the hole characteristics.

Abstract: An inspection and retrieval device for vehicle fuel tanks comprising an elongated insertion tube having an end illumination source. A fuel pump in communication with the insertion tube defining a fuel path there through. An extensible gripping element extending from the insertion tube at its inlet and an illuminating source. A power source for the fluid pump and illumination source with interconnected control switches. The insertion tube is placed within a vehicle fuel filled tank and the illumination source is activated. The inspection tube can be maneuvered within the tank for visual inspection. Foreign objects can be engaged by the gripping element and removed while foreign liquid in the tank can be pumped out by activation of the fluid pump.

Abstract: A bore-scope device having a blue light source for leak detection and a white light source.

Abstract: An apparatus for the visual inspection in particular of concealed soldered joints is provided, in particular between an electric or electronic component disposed on the surface of a printed circuit board and the printed circuit board. The apparatus includes with an ocular unit, a lens head, an image transmission unit for transmitting the image received by the lens head to the ocular unit and an illuminating device for illuminating the soldered joints to be tested. The lens head includes a device for image deviation which extends up to the axially outer end of the lens head, and in which the illuminating device is disposed in the lens head in such a way that the exit angle of the light of the illuminating device out of the lens head is substantially equal to the deviation angle of the image deviation. The exit point of the light is disposed next to the device for image deviation in the area of the axially outer end of the lens head.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a pipe, by pushing a video camera through the pipe on a cable, with a wire helical coil disposed between the video camera and a stop on the cable, the wire helical coil being long enough to permit passage of the video camera around a first bend. As the video camera is pushed into the pipe and moves around the first bend, a cable stiffener is placed on the cable to stiffen the cable in the first straight section while permitting the cable to move through the cable stiffener. The video camera is then pushed down a second straight section and around a second bend to view a third straight section. The cable stiffener comprises a rod having first and second ends, a straight slot running along the rod from the first end to the second end for receiving a cable, and the rod having an enlarged portion along part of the rod forming a centralizer.