Torsion resistant vertebrated probe of simple construction

In an inspection instrument having a generally cylindrical, elongated flexible body extending between a control assembly at a proximal end thereof and a distal head at a distal end thereof for viewing subject matter to be inspected, and further comprising:

• an articulated vertebrae assembly comprised of a plurality of individual vertebrae, said assembly having a first and a second end, said first end of which is disposed adjacent said distal head, said assembly capable of deflection in at least two discrete directions;
• a transitional coupler disposed at said second end of said vertebrae assembly for coupling said assembly to said flexible body;
• a resilient stiffening means disposed along said vertebrae assembly in a manner in which said vertebrae are moveably coupled with said stiffening means;
• and
• control means for controlling the position of said objective head disposed through said body, said control means being anchored to said distal head and being activated at said control assembly.

In an inspection instrument having a generally cylindrical, elongated flexible body extending between a control assembly at a proximal end thereof and a distal head at a distal end thereof for viewing subject matter to be inspected, and further comprising:

• an articulated vertebrae assembly comprised of a plurality of individual vertebrae, said assembly having a first and a second end, said first end of which is disposed adjacent said distal head, said assembly capable of deflection in at least two discrete directions;
• a transitional coupler disposed at said second end of said vertebrae assembly for coupling said assembly to said flexible body;
• a resilient stiffening means disposed along said vertebrae assembly in a manner in which said vertebrae are moveably coupled with said stiffening means, wherein said stiffening means comprises:
• two substantially rectangular members of a given length, width, and thickness, each of said members having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional area;
• and wherein said instrument further comprises:
• control means for controlling the position of said objective head disposed through said body, said control means being anchored to said distal head and being activated at said control assembly.

In an inspection instrument having a generally cylindrical, elongated flexible body extending between a control assembly at a proximal end thereof and a distal head at a distal end thereof for viewing subject matter to be inspected, and further comprising:

• an articulated vertebrae assembly comprised of a plurality of individual vertebrae, said assembly having a first and a second end, said first end of which is disposed adjacent said distal head, said assembly capable of deflection in at least two discrete directions;
• a transistional coupler disposed at said second end of said vertebrae assembly for coupling said assembly to said flexible body;
• a resilient stiffening means disposed along said vertebrae assembly in a manner in which said vertebrae are moveably coupled with said stiffening means, said stiffening means having a shape that resists torsion about a longitudinal axis thereof and wherein said shape is a rectangular cross-sectional shape;
• and
• control means for controlling the position of said objective head disposed through said body, said control means being anchored to said distal head and being activated at said control assembly.

A torsion resistant vertebrae assembly having a base end member at one end thereof and an articulating end member on an opposite end thereof, said articulating end member having means to control the position thereof relative to said base end member, said vertebrae assembly comprising:

• a plurality of individual vertebrae adjacent one another, each of said vertebrae adapted to articulate to its adjacent one;
• control means for repositioning said articulating end member relative to said base end member, said control means being attached to said articulating end member and being activated on said base end member end of said assembly;
• holding means for holding said base end member together with said articulating end member and said plurality of individual vertebrae disposed therebetween, said individual vertebrae being in contact with and operable to articulate relative to one another as controlled by said control means;
• and
• a resilient stiffening means disposed along said individual vertebrae in a manner in which said vertebrae are moveably coupled with said stiffening means whereby as said articulating end member of said assembly is articulated by said control means, said stiffening means provides torsion resistant controlled repositioning of said articulating end member.