Abstract:
A flexible fiber optic conduit formed of a multiplicity of juxtaposed light-conducting fibers all connected together adjacent opposite ends of the conduit by a matrix of silica-free acid soluble glass with said connecting glass having been leached from the intermediate portion of the bundle leaving corresponding lengths of individual fibers thereof unconnected and free to flex individually. Short lengths of semiflexible heat-shrunken plastic tubing tightly surround transitional zones between unconnected and connected together portions of the individual fibers adjacent opposite ends of the conduit. These lengths of tubing strengthen and protect the aforesaid transitional zones against undue breakage during use of the conduit as a light and/or image transmitting device.
Abstract:
Optical fibers each having a light-conducting main body section of circular cross-sectional configuration and a pair of elongated, relatively thin light-absorbing filaments extending along and fused to the main body section, one at each of diametrically opposite sides thereof. Image-transfer devices comprised of a multiplicity of lengths of the fibers are formed by juxtapositioning such lengths with diameters thereof which correspond to the diametral positions of light-absorbing filaments on respective main body sections disposed parallel to each other throughout the assembly and with said light-absorbing filaments disposed in spaces between said main body sections.