Borescope articulation control mechanisms and related systems and methods

Abstract

Borescopes, such as laparoscopes and endoscopes, configured with articulation control mechanisms and/or automatic braking/locking features. In some preferred embodiments, a borescope may comprise an articulation control mechanism comprising an articulation control piece, such as a spherical or partially spherical element which may protrude from a surface of the handle of the scope. The articulation control piece may be pivotable and/or rotatable to cause a corresponding bending/articulation of a portion of a shaft of the scope, such as the tip. Preferably, the articulation control piece further comprises an automatic braking system configured to automatically re-seat the control piece once a user releases it to lock the articulable portion of the scope in its current orientation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.