Videoscopes

What is a videoscope?

A videoscope is a (usually flexible) endoscope with an integrated micro-camera (Chip on the tip).

How does a videoscope work?

Optoelectronically:

Similar to a digital camera, the object is projected by an objective lens onto a sensor which produces an electronic image signal. This signal is transferred in the endoscope via a thin cable to an evaluation unit in which the signal is processed and made available as a standard signal (usually TV PAL or TV NTSC).

New on the market is the VIPAQ™ technic. This is a videoscope with a direct USB digital output  to the computer, and additionally a normal S-Video (Y/C)output. Any electronic control unit is unnecessary. The complete electronic is inbuild in the handle. More about this? Klick here

Mechanically:

Flexible videoscopes are mechanically similar to flexible (optical-fibre) endoscopes. They consist of a movable tip, a flexible shaft and a handle. The tip including an objective lens and a sensor is controlled from the handle by means of Bowden wires in 2 or 4 directions depending on the design. The handle may include other control elements (e.g. remote control for image storage).

Illumination:

The illumination of flexible videoscopes is nearly always identical to the one used in flexible optical-fibre endoscopes. Light is transferred from an external light source via glass fibre bundles to the tip, where it emerges (LED illumination we have in test phase, but until yet mostly still too dark).

What are the features of WOLF videoscopes?

• Robust Bowden wires with manual control. The user feels how the equipment responds – field workers will appreciate this advantage.
• Mechanical overload protection Click-Warn, to rest the bowden wires
• Extremely short heads by comparison with other videoscopes, i.e. they can be used in relatively tight bends of tubes.
• High-quality, coated multiple-lens objectives, exchangeable in some versions.
• Shaft sheathed with an optimised tungsten braid made of very thin tungsten wires, therefore extreme flexible.
• Shaft not penetrable by water and most technical liquids.

When should videoscopes be preferred to fiberscopes (optical fibre endoscopes)?

• Videoscopes provide a resolution of several 100,000 camera pixels, which is significantly higher than in flexible endoscopes (6,000 - 20,000).
• Videoscopes are more light-intense than a flexible endoscope combined with a camera.
• Videoscopes can be built with great lengths too.
• Videoscopes are ideal where several people look at the picture simultaneously.
• Videoscopes need more electronic equipment like controller, monitor or laptop etc.