Patent ID: 8593627

Claim:
An apparatus for inspecting the inner surface of a tubular structure for contamination, comprising: an emitter disposed proximate a first end of the tubular structure and configured to emit a light beam directed onto the inner surface of the tubular structure at a predetermined glancing angle such that the light beam repeatedly reflects off of the inner surface of the tubular structure along the length thereof; a receiver disposed proximate a second end of the tubular structure opposite said first end, and configured to receive the reflected light beam; an evaluation unit electrically connected to said receiver; and an indicator electrically connected to said evaluation unit; wherein said evaluation unit is configured to: measure a value of the reflectance of the reflected light beam received by said receiver; define a parameter value using said measured value; compare said parameter value with a predetermined threshold value; determine, based on said comparison, the extent to which the inner surface of the tubular structure is contaminated; and control said indicator to display an indication representative of the contamination of the inner surface of the tubular structure based on said determination.