Tip tool
A tip tool, and methods for using the tip tool to either connect or disconnect a tip to/from an imaging apparatus, are provided. The tip tool includes a body sized to fit over at least a portion of the tip and a tip holding element disposed in contact with the tip tool body for releasably engaging the tip.
1 . A tip tool for connecting or disconnecting a tip to an imaging apparatus, comprising:
a tip tool body sized to fit over at least a portion of the tip;
a tip holding element disposed in contact with the tip tool body for releasably engaging the tip.
2 . The tip tool of claim 1 , wherein the tip holding element is disposed within the tip tool body.
3 . The tip tool of claim 1 , wherein the tip holding element comprises an O-ring.
4 . The tip tool of claim 3 , wherein the O-ring is comprised of a polymer.
5 . The tip tool of claim 4 , wherein the polymer is buna-n.
6 . The tip tool of claim 1 , wherein the tip holding element comprises at least one compressible element.
7 . The tip tool of claim 6 , wherein the at least one compressible element comprises at least one arm cantilevered from the tip tool body.
8 . The tip tool of claim 6 , wherein the at least one compressible element comprises an O-ring.
9 . The tip tool of claim 1 , wherein the tip tool body is comprised of a polymer.
10 . The tip tool of claim 9 , wherein the polymer comprises Delrin®.
11 . The tip tool of claim 7 , wherein the at least one arm is comprised of the same material as the tip tool body.
12 . The tip tool of claim 1 , further comprising a depth set mechanism sized to select the extent to which the tip tool body is fitted over the at least a portion of the tip.
13 . The tip tool of claim 1 , wherein the tip tool is capable of storing the tip when the tip is not connected to the imaging apparatus.
14 . The tip tool of claim 1 , further comprising identifying indicia disposed at a visible location on the tip tool body.
15 . A tool for connecting or disconnecting an optical tip to one of a borescope or endoscope, comprising:
a cylindrical, hollow body sized to fit over the optical tip;
an O-ring disposed within the body; and
at least one compressible arm cantilevered from the body,
wherein the at least one compressible arm is located over the O-ring so that when compressed the arm compresses the O-ring.
16 . The tool of claim 15 , wherein the O-ring is made from buna-n, and the body and the at least one compressible arm are each made from Delrin®.
17 . A method for attaching a tip to an imaging apparatus, such as a borescope or endoscope, comprising the steps of:
grasping the tip with a tip tool;
manipulating the tip tool so as attach the tip to the imaging apparatus,
wherein the tip tool comprises a tip tool body and at least one tip holding element disposed in contact with the tip tool body for releasably engaging the tip.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the step of manipulating the tip tool comprises turning the tip tool in a direction selected from the set of directions consisting of: clockwise and counterclockwise.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the step of manipulating the tip tool comprises pushing the tip tool toward the imaging apparatus.
20 . A method for detaching a tip from an imaging apparatus, such as a borescope or endoscope, comprising the steps of:
grasping the tip with a tip tool;
manipulating the tip tool so as detach the tip from the imaging apparatus,
wherein the tip tool comprises a tip tool body and at least one tip holding element disposed in contact with the tip tool body for releasably engaging the tip.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the step of manipulating the tip tool comprises turning the tip tool in a direction selected from the set of directions consisting of: clockwise and counterclockwise.
22 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the step of manipulating the tip tool comprises pulling the tip tool away from the imaging apparatus.