In flexoscopes the image is transmitted from the distal to the proximal end through an optical fiber bundle.
As their name suggests, flexoscopes are extremely flexible. They enable access to convoluted and irregularly shaped spaces, channels, or pipes that would otherwise be invisible to the human eye, and they are easy to use.
KARL STORZ flexoscopes come in diameters between 0.5 mm and 9 mm and feature a robust, smooth outer shell made of plastic or a metal-tungsten braiding. Two-way or four-way deflection translates into a large field of view and ensures ease of use and efficiency when used in combination with a kink protector and an integrated lock. When combined with a powerful external light source, our high quality optical system offers you an outstanding, sharp image that allows you to reliably assess the object to be inspected.
Please visit www.karlstorz.com for more information.
Optical fibers
The optical fibers transmit the image from the lens to the eyepiece. Depending on its type, the bundle of optical fibers, or “image guide bundle”, can consist of up to 100,000 individual fibers.
An individual fiber’s diameter is many times smaller than that of a human hair.
The individual fibers consist of two types of glass: a core surrounded by a thin layer of cladding. Since the cladding has a lower refractive index than the core, all optical signals are fully reflected at this “boundary” between the two types of glass. This enables image transmission in the form of individual image points.
The image resolution of a flexible endoscope and thus the clarity of details in the inspected area depend on the number, packing density, and quality of the individual fibers in the image guide.
High quality, ordered optical fiber bundles are still made by hand.
| Flexoscope | Ø 2,5 mm | Ø 2,8 mm | Ø 3,5 mm | Ø 4,2 mm | Ø 6,0 mm | Ø 9,0 mm |
| Length | 890 mm
1200 mm |
890 mm
1200 mm |
570 mm
760 mm 1220 mm 1800 mm |
570 mm
760 mm 1220 mm 1800 mm |
1000 mm
1800 mm |
1000 mm
1600 mm |
| Angle of view | 80° | 100 ° | 70° | 90° | ||
| Up/down deflection | 180°/90° | |||||
| Length of rigid end | 4 mm | 11 mm | 12 mm | 16 mm | ||
| Minimum bend radius of lens | 6 mm | 8 mm | 12 mm | |||
| Minimum bend radius of tube | 15 mm | 30 mm | 40 mm | |||
Miniflex
Achieving highest precision in very compact spaces requires high quality, high-performance
tools and devices.
These KARL STORZ endoscopes feature a very small diameter of between 0.5 mm and 1.3 mm.
Such endoscopes allow you to view a cavity through extremely small openings.
| Miniflex | Ø 0,5 mm | Ø 0,9 mm | Ø 1,3mm |
| Length | 200 mm
400 mm 800 mm 1000 mm |
200 mm
400 mm 800 mm |
400 mm
1000 mm |
| Angle of view | 70° | ||
| Minimum bend radius of tube | 30 mm | ||
Autoscope
This inexpensive endoscope is specifically tailored to applications in the automobile and casting industry and reliably supplies you with informative images.
Special features
- Reliability and robust design
- Easy handling
- High image quality
| Diameter | Length | Angle of view | Up/down deflection | Length of rigid end | Minimum bend radius of lens | Minimum bend radius of tube |
| 2,5 mm | 800 mm | 90° | 90° / 90° | 4 mm | 8 mm | 15 mm |
| 3,5 mm | 100° | 180° / 90° | 11 mm | 15mm | ||
| 4,2 mm | 100° | 180° / 90° | 11 mm | 15 mm |
