Image guide comprising a plurality of gradient-index optical fibers
US5881195A · kind A · utility
29Cited by
4References
25Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/03633
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention is an image guide which has applications in such areas as endoscopy and industrial imaging. This invention utilizes gradient-index optical fiber in order to produce an image guide with improved performance characteristics. These improved performance characteristics include increased brightness, enhanced resolution, greater flexibility, and smaller diameter. The smaller diameter of the image guide permits access through smaller apertures in order to image inaccessible locations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.