What are Endoscopes? Flexible or Rigid?

There are many different terms used to explain and describe types of Endoscopes. Here I will attempt to explain some of the differences and first off is the one of the most crucial things to understand is the difference between a flexible & rigid endoscope.

Rigid Endoscopes

All rigid endoscopes are a solid metal tube with a series of lens inserted in the tube. There are a few different methods for this, but the principle is the same. Light is delivered through the endoscope using fibre optic bundles around the outside of the lens housing. These endoscopes do not bend, but will give the user the highest resolution images.

Flexible Endoscopes

As the name suggests, you can bend these! The principle optical component is either a plastic or glass fibre bundle for delivery of the image, plus additional fibres for the light. These are still quite delicate and easy to break and quite expensive to repair. Many people mention seeing the honeycomb effect, yes that is normal as you can see through the fibre bundles, so you can see the fibre bundle itself. How defined that effect is depends on the type of fibre, the size of fibres and the volume of fibres used.

The better quality of fibre, smallest size and higher volume used will generate the best image. Cost is often a deciding factor in deciding!

One recent development is the use of fused quartz fibres to create a single large fibre that behaves as a flexible, but the image is closer to that of a rigid.

Borescopes are optical instruments that give you the inside view. Click here for information on choosing a borescope

But what about Borescopes, Lightscopes, Laproscopes, etc.? Click here for an explanation

How do I choose which one is best for me? Click here for clarification

Click here for different types and makes of Endoscope

A report by Dr. Douglas Kindred, president of Gradient Lens Corporation......full details...