Light-transmitting casings for endoscopes and methods of making

摘要

An endoscope which provides ample illumination to a surgical field or diagnostic site is disclosed in which a lens train (17) having objective and relay lenses or electronic means for transmitting images therethrough is covered by an outer casing (11) formed from a woven cylindrical sheath (21) composed of a multiplicity of interlaced spirally-extending bundles (22) of optical fibers and an embedding medium for securely interlocking the bundles together. The proximal end of the braided or woven sheath forms a light-receiving post (27) for receiving and transmitting light through the individual fiberoptic cables to their distal ends which terminate around the periphery of the field lens or lenses. Constructing the outer casing of the endoscope from woven fiberoptic bundles provides an adequate quantity of fiberoptic cables to supply ample illumination to the field for endoscopes with one or more field lenses. The construction of the braided sheath also allows the endoscope to be efficiently manufactured.