Abstract: The variable stiffness optical fiber shaft includes a optical fiber, and at least one coaxial layer of heat shrink polymer disposed over the optical fiber of a length shorter than the optical fiber, to provide variations in stiffness along the length of the shaft. The variable stiffness optical fiber shaft preferably includes a plurality of coaxial layers of heat shrink polymer encapsulating the optical fiber, extending from the proximal end of the optical fiber toward the distal end, the plurality of coaxial layers having different lengths to provide said optical fiber shaft with varying stiffness over the length of the optical fiber shaft. The plurality of coaxial layers can be arranged in successive progressively shorter coaxial layers, and can be formed of heat shrink polymeric material, such as polyethylene, PTFE, PEEK, PET or PPS.

Abstract: A folding means for bag knitting apparatus which is intended to fold inwardly the text-printed side portion of the double-layer material strip to be folded to overcome the problems of the conventional bag knitting apparatus, and comprises a clamping roller set, a folding rod set, a supporting set, and a pressing wheel. The double-layer material strip to be folded is opened and enclose the bottom of the folding rod such that the both side portion is placed between the grooves outside the folding rod and the pressing wheel, therefore the material strip is folded as it moves upward through the grooves outside the folding rod and the pressing wheel.

Abstract: A coherent illuminator system and method wherein an incident energy beam is directed at an end of image conduit rotating around its axis. The incident energy beam may be generated by a laser, maser, or similar radiation source. A substantially cylindrically uniform radiation spot is obtained from the other end of the image conduit, which may be guided by waveguide means to an application element such as, for example, an emission microscope or a medical instrument.

Abstract: A remote surveillance system including an imaging device and an IR light source for surveying a relatively dark area, a remote surveillance system including an imaging device and an insertion tube guide, and an insertion tube guide for receiving an insertion tube of an imaging device.

Abstract: The image-receiving end of a flexible image conduit, which includes an optical fiber bundle enclosed in a flexible sheath, is movable throughout a generally dome-shaped area in response to movement of an actuator by a user. Additional fiber bundles illuminate objects at the image-receiving end of the conduit. The motion control system that steers the image-receiving end of the conduit facilitates inspection of objects in spaces that are beyond the user's line of sight. Two pairs of cables are enclosed in the flexible sheath along the length of the conduit. One end of each cable is attached to the image-receiving end of the conduit. The other end of each cable pair is attached to a rotatable actuator at the opposite end of the conduit. The cable pair moves in response to rotation of the actuator; one cable pulls the sheath near the transmitting end of the conduit, and the other cable releases slack. The conduit flexes in an arcuate shape in response to the pulling force.

Abstract: An endoscope system (20) comprising an endoscope (22) with light source (28). A light generated by the light source is supplied to the endoscope by a fiber optic cable (46). The cable in addition to including an optically transmissive core (50), includes two conductors (62) that are not in direct electrical contact with each other. Contacts (70, 71) in a plug attached to one end of the cable attach the conductors to circuitry internal to the light source. Contacts (80, 84) in a plug at the opposed end of the cable also provide at the opposed end of the cable. When the cable is attached to the endoscope, contacts (80, 84) are shorted together so as to complete the circuit established therebetween. This circuit completion state is monitor by the light source. When the cable is disconnected from the endoscope this connection is broken. This disconnect state is recognized by the light source as an endoscope-disconnected condition.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion member rotatably mounted to a handle. A first set of optical fibers carried by the handle meets a second set of optical fibers disposed within the insertion member at a joint constructed to allow relative rotation between the sets of optical fibers about the longitudinal axis of the insertion member.

Abstract: An optical apparatus that enables an object at a first location to be viewed from a second remote location. The optical apparatus includes at least one objective lens assembly that views the object at the first location. The objective lens assembly focuses the viewed image onto the input plane of an image conduit. The fiber optic conduit propagates the image to the second remote location, wherein the image is projected from the image conduit onto the back surface of a substantially transparent planar member. The back surface of the planar member is not highly polished. As a result, the image projected onto the back surface does not pass directly through the planar member. The reflections caused by the unpolished nature of the surface allow the image to be viewed on the back surface of the planar member through the body of the planar member.

Abstract: An endoscope illumination system having an objective lens system forming an image of an object of an internal organ or in a hollow structural body and a light guide fiber bundle for guiding illumination light generated by the light guide source to a light exit end thereof and illuminating the object includes a shift mechanism means for causing parallel movement of the optical axis of the light exit end with respect to and in a plane including the optical axis of the illumination lens system.

Abstract: A hand held device having an optical fiber with a radiation emitter carried at a free end, the optical fiber being attached to a handle that includes a knob which allows movement of a flexible tubular sleeve from a position covering the fiber and emitter to a position exposing the emitter and a length of fiber adjacent to it, the sleeve also having a sharp metal cleat extending from its end, the cleat being an end of a length of wire which passes through a separate channel of the sleeve to the knob without being attached to the sleeve. An application of this device is for inserting the emitter into a mass of material in order to irradiate the material from within.

Abstract: A high power optical system includes an array of a plurality of semiconductor laser diodes each having a light emitting surface. A plurality of optical fibers each has one end adjacent the light emitting surface of a separate one of the semiconductor laser diodes. A cylindrical lens extends transversely across the one end of each of the optical fibers to direct the light beam from the semiconductor laser diode into the optical fiber. The other ends of the optical fibers are bundled together so as to effectively emit a single beam of a power equal to the combined beams from each of the optical fibers. A delivery optical fiber has an end adjacent the bundled ends of the optical fibers. A lens system, which is between the bundled ends of the optical fibers and the delivery optical fiber, directs the large beam of light emitted from the bundled ends of the optical fibers into the delivery optical fiber.

Abstract: An endoscope having a bendable portion that is connected to the distal end of a flexible insert tube constituting an insert part of the endoscope, the bendable portion being bendable as desired by remote control, a solid-state image pickup device that is disposed in a distal end block connected to the distal end of the bendable portion, and a signal cable that is connected to the solid-state image pickup device and extended through the bendable portion and the flexible insert tube. The endoscope includes a flexible tube that covers the signal cable in both the bendable portion and the flexible insert tube, and a braid tube that covers the outer surface of the flexible tube in the bendable portion.

Abstract: A visible helium neon beam is used as an aiming beam to establish a spot at which a carbon dioxide beam also focuses. The carbon dioxide beam is then employed to vaporize biotic material. A distal end of an articulated arm may couple with the micromanipulator to direct the carbon dioxide beam from the laser through a waveguide and into the micromanipulator. Another aspect of the invention includes introducing the aiming beam into the waveguide through a dichroic mirror positioned in a knuckle joint of the articulated arm. In one embodiment, a laser diode generates the visible light of the aiming beam, and is disposed proximate to the distal end of the articulated arm.

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: Improved image guides for use in endoscopes, borescopes and analogous optical viewing scopes and a method for the manufacture of such image guides. An image guide is manufactured by drawing a three-glass fiber to a minimal diameter. Plural fibers are then gathered in a bundle and heated to fuse an outer fusible cladding on adjacent fibers. The bundle then can be cut to length and the ends are polished to produce an image guide. The resulting image guide has a spatial resolution that approximates the spatial resolution from conventional optics, is rugged and simpler to manufacture than other image guides.

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 hand held device having an optical fiber with a radiation emitter carried at a free end, the optical fiber being attached to a handle that includes a knob which allows movement of a flexible tubular sleeve from a position covering the fiber and emitter to a position exposing the emitter and a length of fiber adjacent to it, the sleeve also having a sharp metal cleat extending from its end, the cleat being an end of a length of wire which passes through a separate channel of the sleeve to the knob without being attached to the sleeve. An application of this device is for inserting the emitter into a mass of material in order to irradiate the material from within.