Patent ID: 6560013
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: A61B,G02B

Abstract:
Apparatus for use as a borescope or endoscope, comprising.a tube having a proximal end and a distal end; a viewing port at the distal end; means in the tube for receiving an image of a viewed field through the viewing port for transmission to a viewing device, the image receiving means defining a longitudinal axis; a first reflector having a reflective surface mounted at 45Â° to the longitudinal axis and laterally offset therefrom, and mounted for rotation about a rotation axis perpendicular to and intersecting the longitudinal axis and intersecting the center of the reflective surface; a second reflector having a reflective surface mounted at 45Â° to the longitudinal axis and intersected by the longitudinal axis, such that light entering the viewing port is reflected by the first reflector to the second reflector and by the second reflector into the image receiving means; and means to illuminate the viewed field, said means to illuminate including a third reflector and means to transmit light to the third reflector in the distal end of the tube, with said third reflector having a reflective surface mounted symmetrically about the longitudinal axis with respect to the first reflector and being rotatable synchronously with the first reflector about the rotation axis.