In addition to applications to NASA space missions, break-through in ultra-miniature flexible videoscopes technology could also have wide-spread commercial applications in various inspection and medical endoscopy products for diversified markets/segments, such as: Ultra-miniature medical endoscopes: to obtain high resolution real-time video via 1 mm probe size for GI track (small intestines), lung, and other sites impossible to access by existing endoscopes; Industrial inspections: for performing inspection on the interior of castings, machined parts, aircraft, HVAC ducts, pipe, tubes, welds, automotive components and other parts that were previously impossible to inspect by conventional videoscopes. Ultra-miniature LIDAR scanner: to provide 2D scanning via ultra-miniature scanner package.
NASA has increasingly used various lightweight structures and materials in existing and transformational spaceflights. As such, there are pressing needs for developing innovative sensors and instruments to perform on-orbit Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) during spaceflight missions. For performing inspections in areas with difficult access in pressurized habitable compartments and external environments, flexible videoscopes are effective tools commonly used to provide direct (or remotely operated) visual images and some quantitative measurements of potentially problematic areas. For areas that are typically impossible to reach by regular tools, a videoscope can be snaked through parts, tubes and behind electronic panels to perform visual inspections and diagnose potential problems. The novel 3D imaging capability of the proposed ultra-miniature flexible videoscope is especially useful in on-orbit NDE for sizing, diagnosis, registration of current images with CAD model to determine position and location of videoscope, and agile manipulation of instrument in confined spaces when conducting inspection and repairs.
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