초록 ▼

A steering section for an endoscope or borescope employs a plurality of steering cables passing through peripheral bores in axially aligned flat washers. Spacer beads are strung on the cables between the washers to define hinges for the bending of the steering section. Pairs of hemispherical beads a

A steering section for an endoscope or borescope employs a plurality of steering cables passing through peripheral bores in axially aligned flat washers. Spacer beads are strung on the cables between the washers to define hinges for the bending of the steering section. Pairs of hemispherical beads are employed for this purpose, and are disposed nose-to-nose, that is, with their spherical surfaces rocking on one another. Tuning spacer beads are provided in selected inter-washer spaces to limit the bending of the tuning section in one direction. To achieve the smallest possible dimension, the washers can be formed with an oval or elongated passageway.

대표청구항 ▼

In a steerable endoscope or borescope of the type having a viewing head, a cable-bendable steering section proximally of said viewing head including a flexible sheath, a plurality of axially aligned washers each having a central passage and a plurality of peripheral bores therethrough, pairs of whic

In a steerable endoscope or borescope of the type having a viewing head, a cable-bendable steering section proximally of said viewing head including a flexible sheath, a plurality of axially aligned washers each having a central passage and a plurality of peripheral bores therethrough, pairs of which are generally diametrically disposed, a plurality of steering cables passing through respective axially aligned peripheral bores of said washers, and spacer means disposed at the locations of at least certain peripheral bores associated with predetermined cables and serving to define bending locations for said steering section such that displacement of certain steering cables results in the bending of said steering section; the improvement wherein said washers are flat planar washers and said spacer means include pairs of hemispherical beads disposed over said predetermined cables between successive ones of said washers, said beads having spherical surfaces in rocking contact against one another and flat surfaces facing their associated washers.