Flexible Endoscope/Borescope Design Info

[Jabberwocky]

Hi all,

Does anybody have any experience with endoscopes and/or borescopes? I'm interested in the mechanism used for articulating the tip, I'd imagine you could use something similar to a push-pull control wire...not unlike a throttle cable? However, it seems there has to be a better way to get down to the small diameters that these scopes tend to be.

I don't even need to have optical properties, I just want to use this to articulate a tool and it seems tricky to find information on this aspect of the device.

 

[btrueblood]

Yes, they use cables.

The terms you should google are "distal tip" and "fiberscope". The GE model uses a bending collar, you might also include that; and/or look up any referenced patents you can find to see how the mechanism works.

See:

http://www.geinspectiontechnologies.com/download/manuals/rvi/en/FA102_RevC.pdf

 

[MikeHalloran]

Also search on |guided catheter| for ideas.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Jabberwocky]

Plain old cables, huh? There do seem to be a few patents for what almost look like universal joints, but I guess cables are the best way to stay flexible. Thank you both for the search tips.

 

[kimff01]

Yes, the tip area (segment) is a series of "rings" connected together. When "angle wire" pulls the rings closer making the tip bend to the side being pulled and that's how you manipulate the tip.