Abstract: It is the object of this invention to provide a new and highly flexible medical laser delivery device and system with the abilty to change the radiation pattern delivered without the need to change or modify the output end or output optics. The output optics or output end is frequently embodied in the body and/or is sterile and its change or modification or the change of the whole delivery device during the procedure is undesirable. Changing the input pattern while using conventional step index fibers cannot achieve the required result of control of the output pattern in a reliable manner because of beam spreading over the length of the device. The light becomes diffused over the length of the conventional step index fiber. It is therefore another object of the present invention to specify the requirements for the transmission fiber employed in the device and a method of making same.

Abstract: A ring lens assembly for an optical viewing device is presented. The ring lens assembly includes a ring shaped lens adapted for mounting at the end of an optical viewing device for viewing a remote location. The optical viewing device comprises an objective lens section, a relay lens section and an eye piece section. Further, the optical viewing device has an inner tube wherein the optics is housed and an outer tube. A plurality of optical fibers are disposed between the inner and outer tubes to provide illumination of the field of view. The ring shaped lens is a negative curvature lens or a prism-like lens for increasing the field of illumination. Alternatively, the lens is a flat lens and the optical fibers twisted to increase the field of illumination. Also, a cleaning tube is disposed between the inner and outer tubes. The cleaning tube terminates short of the end of the inner tube. An opening or channel is formed at the end of the inner tube adjacent to the cleaning tube.

Abstract: A device for inspecting a firearm by directing light from an exterior source to the bore or barrel of the firearm includes a generally L-shaped, single piece, light-transmitting member having a first leg substantially cylindrical in cross section merging smoothly into a second outwardly flaring leg substantially non-cylindrical in cross section. The first leg and second leg each have convexly-shaped free ends and cooperate to increase the gathering, capture and distribution of light between the source and the bore of the firearm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber-illuminated stylet or probe useful for among other things in assisting in the performance of intubations. The stylet has a handle having a light source from which extends an encased, malleable fiber-optic cable capable of transmitting light to the local area to be seen (e.g. in the vicinity of the epiglottis).

Abstract: An endoscope includes a handle assembly and an elongate probe defining a channel which extends to a distal end of the endoscope. A fiber is disposed in the channel and has a failure mode characterized by a first bending radius. The channel is potted with a compound which distributes bending stresses along the fiber providing the fiber with a failure mode characterized by a second bending radius shorter than the first bending radius. An associated method includes the step of potting the channel with an epoxy having, in a cured state, a durometer of about Shore 70A.

Abstract: In order to control the movement of a single neutral atom or a small number of neutral atoms to trap the neutral atom or atoms at a distal end of an optical fiber probe, a laser light having a frequency which is slightly lower than a resonance frequency of the atom is made incident upon a proximal end of the optical fiber probe, and an evanescent light is generated from a sharpened distal end of the optical fiber probe whose tip is sharpened such that its radius of curvature is smaller than one wavelength of the laser light. The distal end of the optical fiber probe is brought close to the neutral atom or atoms to trap the neutral atom or atoms within an existing volume of the evanescent light. When the light frequency is changed to a value slightly higher than the resonance frequency of the atom, the trapped neutral atom or atoms are pushed out of the existing volume of the evanescent light. The crystal growth can be performed with a single atom level.

Abstract: A fiber-optic network for communicating non-invasive, real-time, in-situ semiconductor wafer radiance and emissivity measurements. The fiber-optic network includes a plurality of optical fibers, a plurality of fiber-optic bundles, and a chopper multiplexer. The fiber-optic bundle provides for the simultaneous transmission and receipt of coherent infrared light energy and radiant heat energy from a semiconductor wafer within a fabrication reactor. The fiber-optic bundles are designed to be sufficiently small to fit within hollow light pipe in a lamp module that directs optical heating energy to the wafer. This substantially eliminates measurement error that the lamp module generates in known measurement devices. Use of optical fibers for transmitting and receiving laser energy and wafer radiance permits precision placement of the fiber-optic bundles to measure multiple temperatures on the semiconductor wafer surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed an endoscope comprising an image guide fiber and a light guide fiber extending along the axis of an insertion portion, and an outer tube made of a synthetic resin material for covering contained matters consisting of the image guide fiber and the light guide fiber, the outer tube having the flexibility thereof higher than that of the image guide fiber and light guide fiber, thereby preventing remaining-bend of the insertion portion.

Abstract: An optical fiber array is used as a blur filter in imaging apparatus to limit high spatial frequencies incident upon an image sensor, and thereby to reduce undersampling artifacts. The optical fiber array is disposed in the path of incident image light a predetermined distance from the image sensor such that at least some of the optical fibers composing the array emit a cone of light over adjacent photosites, thereby producing a blurred image. The blurring effect can also be obtained by using a pseudo-random array of fibers, and the imaging assembly can be additionally simplified by using the fiber optic array as a protective cover plate for the sensor.

Abstract: An imaging optical system which is designed so as to be connecatable and disconnectable to and from an image guide, and arranged in a camera control unit. This imaging optical system is arranged between an image guide attached to the camera control unit and an image pickup device accommodated in the camera control unit in a condition integrated with said members, equipped with no eyepiece lens, used exclusively with a monitor TV and designed as a zoom lens system.

Abstract: An improved endoscope employing phase conjugate imaging principles includes a first transmissive member for transmitting light rays received at a distal tip of the endoscope to an intermediate filter location. A phase conjugate filter at the intermediate filter location redirects the rays, according to the precise inverse of their incoming direction, along a second transmissive member optically identical to the first. Rays exiting the endoscope bear the exact relation to one another as when entering the tip of the endoscope and may be imaged or displayed on an eyepiece or video screen.

Abstract: A device which incorporates three functions in one instrument necessary during surgical operations for transfer of laser energy to and viewing the site of the surgery. The fiber optic cable used to transfer the laser energy and the aspirator and irrigator tubes are all contained in a parallel in the fiber diverter. In addition the end of the fiber diverter can be bent at angles to the longitudinal axis of the instrument in order to work around other surgical apparatus involved in the operation thus avoiding the need to make other incisions in the patient. The amount of bend in the tip is controlled at the handle end of the instrument away from the surgical site. When bent the device can irrigate and aspirate at the same time laser cutting is being performed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical connector for use in an endoscope. The optical connector includes a connector body for fixedly receiving one end portion of a light guide, and a retainer receiving an optical element. The retainer is threaded on the connector body to such an extent that an abutment surface of the retainer is abutted against a stopper surface of the connector body. An annular flange is formed on an inner periphery of the retainer adjacent to a distal open end of the retainer. The optical element and an annular elastic member are disposed between the flange of the retainer and a distal end surface of the connector body. The elastic member urges the optical element against the flange, thereby keeping the optical element away a predetermined distance from the one end of the light guide.

Abstract: A method is provided for assembling an arthroscopic probe which includes bending a linear image-transmitting optical fiber about a heated pivot point so that the distal end of the fiber is oblique to the proximal end. A lens is then attached to the distal face of the image-transmitting optical fiber by means of an adhesive and the resulting image path is positioned in a hollow needle with the lens exposed at the distal end and the optical fiber exposed at the proximal end. An illuminating optical fiber is also positioned in the needle adjacent the image path and the two are anchored therein by a curable filler material. Finally, the needle is proximally mounted in a base such that the proximal faces of the image-transmitting and illuminating optical fibers are exposed.

Abstract: A needle type lens structure comprises, an inner tube having a relay lens inserted therein, an outer tube mounted around an outer periphery of the inner tube in concentric relation thereto with a predetermined gap, and light transmitting device, for guiding illumination light to the distal end of the needle type lens, provided axially between the inner tube and the outer tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical connector for connecting an endoscope to a light source device. The connector includes an elongated connector body for receiving and holding one end portion of a light guide of the endoscope. The connector body has a port at its one end, and the convex lens is supported at this port. The connector is attached to the light source device, and in this condition an illumination light converging from a light source toward one end of the connector passes through the convex lens and is incident upon a light-receiving surface of the light guide.

Abstract: The multiple optical fiber event sensor apparatus includes a semipermeable generally cylindrical shaft, one or more optical fiber gas sensor modules within the shaft, and an optical fiber pH sensor module extending beyond the distal end of the shaft, with the sensor modules arranged in an axially staggered relationship. The shaft contains a potting matrix for axially fixing the position of the optical fibers, and includes a gas permeable portion surrounding the one or more gas sensor modules, and a hydrophilic portion covering at least part of the pH sensor module. A hemodynamically shaped, rounded distal end is also provided on the distal end of the shaft. The device provides for a multiplicity of individual sensors incorporated in a single shaft which minimizes cross-interference and thrombus formation when used as an intravascular multi-sensor.

Abstract: A coupler for efficiently coupling a laser light source to a fiberoptic catheter. The coupler contains coding for determining information about the catheter, such as the size of the optical fiber catheter which it is coupling.

Abstract: A new and novel apparatus and method for remotely reading a meter, and more specifically a utility meter, is disclosed. In the present invention an apparatus is provided which can be used to remotely read a utility meter which is not affected by electro-magnetic interference (EMI) or radio-magnetic interference (RFI). In the present invention an apparatus for remotely reading a utility meter which is not susceptible to lightning strikes and voltage transients and surges is disclosed. The present invention employs a coherent-light fiber optic link operatively coupled between an image transmitter and an image receiver.

Abstract: A coupler 30 for use with medical laser delivery systems is disclosed. The delivery system includes an articulated arm and an endoscope 42. The coupler 30 connects the arm to the endoscope. The coupler includes an axially extending tube 46 receivable in the bore 48 of the endoscope. The tube facilitates alignment of the coupler with the endoscope. The coupler is also provided with a telescope optical system (50, 52) for adjusting the diameter of the beam at the entrance to the endoscope to reduce clipping of the beam thereby enhancing transmission.

Abstract: A fiberoptic endoscope scanning system with multiple scanning modes. A first mode is a multifiber scanning about its longitudinal axis and a second scanning mode is a chromatic scan, comprising a prism and/or grating at the distal end.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising as an image-transmitting member a multifilament type plastic optical fiber in which 50 to 20,000 islands having a core-sheath structure, a core diameter of 2 to 70 .mu.m and a circular or substantially circular section are arranged in a zigzag-stacked or square-stacked structure in the sea having a circular or substantially circular section, so that the lamination structure of the entire cores has a substantially circular shape in the section of the image-transmitting portion, wherein the same positional relationship of the ends of light-transmitting paths arranged in the section of the optical fiber is maintained on both the ends of the optical fiber, the periphery of the section of the image-transmitting portion of the optical fiber has a circular or substantially circular shape, and an object lens is attached to one end of the image-transmitting member and an image-transmitting light-receiving member is arranged on the other end of the image-transmitting member.

Abstract: The invention provides an ultraviolet remote visual inspection system which enables the operator to detect minute cracks and hairline flaws in normally inaccessible places of manufactured parts. The system includes a fiberscope in combination with a source of white light and ultraviolet light and a plurality of cannisters for holding dye penetrant and other materials which can be used to facilitate the inspection. The fiberscope includes an articulated probe having a working channel, an ultraviolet light guide and an objective lens. The plurality of cannisters are connected to the working channel through a manifold. Dye penetrant, cleaning solution, drying air and developer can be individually delivered to the remote surface to be tested through the working channel from the cannisters. The fiberscope is provided with an adjuster for bending the articulated probe in different directions to facilitate application of the aforesaid materials and the subsequent visual inspection.

Abstract: A fiber optic scanning system having a multifiber. The multifiber having a first group of cores having an index of refraction N1 and a second group of cores having an index of refraction N2. The cores being positioned in a matrix. The cores of the groups being arrayed so that the adjacent cores of any core are members of the other group. The index difference between N1 and N2 being great enough to produce substantial mismatch in the cores and to substantially reduce cross talk between any core of one group and any core of the other group.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 (10.6 micron) medical delivery end probe is described which enables line-of-sight viewing of a surgical site internally within a body within the very same endoscope used to house the probe. The end probe includes two different sections of n<1 air core hollow waveguides, obliquely related to one another. A mirror is positioned to reflect radiation from the exit end of the initial guide to the entry end of the main section. A bridge which is especially adapted for use in an endoscope with both such a probe and a telescope is also described. Moreover, an adapter having the initial optical guide section discussed above enabling straight end probes to be used is also described.

Abstract: An optical fiber bundle for an endoscope or the like which can be subjected to cyclic bending at a small radius of curvature without causing fiber breakage. The fiber bundle includes a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends but with individual fibers being freely movable inside the middle portion of the bundle, which is covered by a flexible tube. A gelling fluid coating the fibers is filled in the flexible tube.

Abstract: A flexible borescope for penetrating a passage into an inaccessible area of a jet engine or other device to be visually inspected has an imaging system disposed at its distal tip, and conducts the image to a viewing device coupled to a proximal end of the insertion tube. A hooking cap can be controllably latched onto and removed from a projection in the inaccessible area, for example, the trailing edge of one of the blades of a turbine rotor. The hooking cap has a circumferential sleeve portion that overfits the borescope tip and wing portions that project tangentially outward from the sleeve so their wing tips substantially meet. The wing tips hook over the projection. The hooking cap is formed unitarily of aluminum sheet, with tabs that engage respective shoulders formed in the borescope tip for positioning the cap rotationally and axially.

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: An image fiber preform for use in an image fiber according to the present invention includes a plurality of optical fiber strands, each optical fiber strand including a silica glass core which contains a dopant for increasing a refractive index of the core and a silica glass cladding surrounding the silica glass core, the silica glass cladding containing a fluorine dopant for decreasing a refractive index of the cladding, the cladding having an outer peripheral surface, and a quartz tube in which the optical fibers are closely arranged, wherein the cladding has a concentration of the fluorine dopant which decreases radially outward toward the outer peripheral surface of the cladding. in the present invention, an image fiber prepared from the image fiber preform and fabrication processes for the image fiber preform and the image fiber are provided.

Abstract: In an endoscope optical system comprising an inner tube accommodating the optical components of the system and an outer tube enclosing the inner tube, optical fibers are disposed in the chamber defined between the two tubes, for transmitting light to a site to be inspected by means of the endoscope. For uniform illumination of the site to provide images to satisfactory quality, coaxial or paraxial arrangement of the inner tube within the outer tube is achieved by bridging the chamber by means of webs extending longitudinally of the tubes, the optical fibers being accommodated in sub-chambers defined between the webs.

Abstract: Stereoscopic microsurgery system for depth of field viewing of a surgical procedure internal in the human body, including a head mounted viewing assembly with dual optics, a retractor, and a bundled fiber optic aspiration or suction tubing therebetween. The head mounted viewing assembly includes dual optical viewers which move longitudinally and laterally in x-y-z planes to adjust to a surgeon's eyesight. Containment tubing between the head mounted viewing assembly and the retractor provides for internally contained fiber optic cables for vision, illumination, as well as aspiration or suction at an internal surgical site. The dual functioning optical viewing assemblies provide for visual stereoscopic depth perception at the internal surgical site by the surgeon. The surgical sites can be for the following procedures:a. Anthroscopicb. Laproscopicc. Gastroscopyd. Colonoscopye. Thorascopyf. Anocoscopyg. Esophagoscopyh.

Abstract: A device for introducing illuminating light that is emitted from a light source to an illuminating light guide fiber bundle associated with an endoscope. The device has an incident end face of the light guide fiber bundle that is disposed at a position where the light from the light source is converged, and a lens which is disposed in close proximity to the incident end face of the light guide fiber bundle. That lens has a convex surface which faces the light source and a concave surface which faces the light guide fiber bundle.Accordingly, the illuminating light is refracted by the concave surface of the lens so as to enter the light guide fiber bundle at a small angle to the optical axis. Thus, the illuminating light is transmitted through the light guide fiber bundle with a considerably small number of times of reflection.