Patent ID: 6230568
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: G01N,G10K

Abstract:
An apparatus for use to inspect an area that is relatively inaccessible and contains unwanted deposits, said apparatus comprising:a flexible waveguide having opposite first and second ends said waveguide comprising a first optical fiber;a means connected to said waveguide first end for manipulating said waveguide second end to the inaccessible area;an illumination means for applying light to said waveguide first end for transmission of the light through said first optical fiber to illuminate the inaccessible area beyond said waveguide second end;a display means coupled to said waveguide first end for producing a visual image from optical signals transmitted along said first optical fiber from the inaccessible area beyond said waveguide second end so that an operator can observe the inaccessible area and manipulate said waveguide second end into close proximity to the inaccessible area for inspection;an ultrasonic transducer means coupled to said waveguide first end for transmitting ultrasonic signals through said first optical fiber after said waveguide second end has been manipulated into close proximity to the inaccessible area and for receiving reflected ultrasonic signals along said first optical fiber to provide an ultrasonic image; anda cutting device combined with said waveguide for removing the unwanted deposits from the inaccessible area beyond said waveguide second end.