US4569334A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for restoring the light transmittance of an image-transmitting optical fiber bundle used in a fiber optic endoscope
Assignee: Fujinon Corp
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Filing: 1982-05-24
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Granted: 1986-02-11
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Expires: 2002-05-24
Abstract
Abstract Fiber optic endoscopes exposed to X-ray or γ-ray irradiation suffer discoloration of the optical fiber bundles with a reduction in light transmittance. This makes observation or examination using these devices difficult or impossible. The irradiation-induced reduction in light transmittance of image-transmitting optical fiber bundles is restored by visible light radiation emitted from a light source unit which is in turn transmitted to an end of the image-transmitting optical fiber bundle by a light-transmitting mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Susumu Ohshiro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00096; A61B1/00101; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4298
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A fiber optic endoscope having a light-transmitting optical fiber bundle for transmitting light to a cavity to be observed, means for illuminating an end of said light-transmitting optical fiber bundle remote from the cavity thereby to transmit light along the light-transmitting optical fiber bundle to the cavity, an image-transmitting optical fiber bundle separate from said light-transmitting optical fiber bundle and having one end adapted to receive an image from a said cavity and another end adapted to transmit an image to an ocular assembly contained in an ocular part of the endoscope, a light source unit having a light source emitting visible light radiation, light transmitting means disposed between said light source and said ocular assembly through which said light source is optically exposed to said ocular assembly for transmitting light from said light source through said light-transmitting means to said ocular assembly and thence through said image-transmitting optical fiber bundle in the reverse direction from a said image of the cavity, and means detachably connecting said ocular part to said light-transmitting means and light source unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A fiber optic endoscope having a light-transmitting optical fiber bundle for transmitting light to a cavity to be observed, means for illuminating an end of said light-transmitting optical fiber bundle remote from the cavity thereby to transmit light along the light-transmitting optical fiber bundle to the cavity, an image-transmitting optical fiber bundle separate from said light-transmitting optical fiber bundle and having one end adapted to receive an image from a said cavity and another end adapted to transmit an image to an ocular assembly contained in an ocular part of the endoscope, a light source unit having a light source emitting visible light radiation, light transmitting means disposed between said light source and said ocular assembly through which said light source is optically exposed to said ocular assembly for transmitting light from said light source through said light-transmitting means to said ocular assembly and thence through said image-transmitting optical fiber bundle in the reverse direction from a said image of the cavity, and means detachably connecting said ocular part to said light-transmitting means and light source unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fiber optic endoscope as claimed in claim 1, and means detachably interconnecting said light-transmitting means and said light source unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A fiber optic endoscope as claimed in claim 2, said light-transmitting means comprising an elongated transparent member, a sleeve-like connector means supporting said transparent member and having first and second connector members, said first connector member being detachably connected to said ocular part, said second connector member being detachably connected to said light source unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fiber optic endoscope as claimed in claim 3, in which said light source unit includes a convergent mirror for converging illumination in its focal plane, one end of said elongated transparent member being disposed in said focal plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A fiber optic endoscope as claimed in claim 4, said transparent member being a glass rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fiber optic endoscope as claimed in claim 4, said transparent member being a bundle of glass fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fiber optic endoscope as claimed in claim 3, said second connector member comprising an annular click spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said first connector member having bayonet detents thereon which engage with complementary detents of said ocular part.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1289025A
Cited
US3132646A
Cited
US3131690A
Cited
US3358573A
Cited
FR1483314A
Cited
DE2750520A1
Cited
FR2405054A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-10 | 1989-08-12 | 1990-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-08-12 | 1994-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-10 | 1997-08-12 | 1998-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |