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US 7,734,134 B2Granted
Fiber scope
AssigneeFujikura Ltd.
InventorsKenichi Nakatate, Keiji Kaneda, Takashi Tsumanuma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image fiber includes an image fiber body having a twisted portion which is formed by heating, softening, and twisting a portion of the image fiber body. The rate of twist in the twisted portion is made to be constant. Moreover, the rate of twist may preferably be set in a range from 3.6°/mm to 3600°/mm. In addition, the rate of twist at the beginning portion of the twisted portion and the rate of twist at the end portion of the twisted portion may preferably be set in a range from 3.6°/mm to 360°/mm. The twisted portion may be provided with a protective element.
Claims14
A fiber scope comprising:
- an objective;
- a sheath;
- an illuminated fiber;
- and
- an image fiber comprising,
- an image fiber body comprising a plurality of cores and having a twisted portion with a beginning portion, a middle portion and an end portion, wherein
- the rate of twist in the middle portion is constant, the rate of twist gradually increases in the beginning portion and the rate of twist gradually decreases in the end portion, and the plurality of cores are twisted in only one direction.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.