Optical fiber cable connector

Inventors

Altshuler, Gregory • Gaal, Christopher • Kozlov, Valery

Assignees

IPG Photonics Corp

Abstract

A delivery system extends from a laser radiation source for connecting to a medical device that utilizes the laser radiation for medical treatment. The delivery system comprises an optical fiber connecting to a male launch connecter. The male launch connector having a body portion with the optical fiber fixed or constrained therein and the optical fiber terminating at a male ferrule with a forward directed fiber facet, the male ferrule may be compliantly supported and positioned by elastomeric material positioned between the male ferrule and the body portion. The launch connector engages a receiving connector first with mechanical connection portions and then more finely aligning optical connection portions by the male ferrule self aligning in a female ferrule with cooperating tapered surfaces. The male portion may fully seat in the female portion with cooperating cylindrical surfaces.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to an optical fiber connector coupling for connecting a laser radiation source to a device, including a launch connector with a mechanical connection portion and an optical connection portion comprising a male ferrule connected to an optical fiber. The male ferrule is compliantly and resiliently positioned and supported within a body portion of the launch connector such that the ferrule is movable with respect to the body portion with resistance to such movement, and the male ferrule is supported exclusively through an optical fiber extending rearwardly from the male ferrule and anchored with respect to the body portion, with a compliant elastomeric material positioned intermediate the male ferrule and the body portion.

A receiving connector includes an optical registration receiver that slidingly engages a cylindrical outer surface of the male ferrule, where the optical registration receiver does not have an optical fiber associated therewith. The receiver internal cylindrical surface provides sliding engagement with the male ferrule outer surface, and in some embodiments the optical registration receiver does not have an internal stop surface limiting insertion distance.

The disclosed mechanical coupling is configured to support self-alignment during engagement, using cooperating tapered surfaces and cylindrical registration surfaces, and interfaces that avoid relying on axial stop surfaces on the ferrules. The coupling further includes optional sensor or coupling-integrity confirmation mechanisms to prevent laser operation if not fully coupled, optional prealignment using tubular mechanical registration guides, a latch/detent mechanism including a spring and groove, and graspable handle sizing for glove-friendly operation.

Claims Coverage

The partial content provides three independent claim groups. Across these independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on compliant/resilient support of an optical connection portion or male ferrule, sliding cylindrical registration with an optical registration receiver lacking an associated fiber, and avoidance of internal stop surfaces limiting insertion distance in at least one independent claim embodiment.

The independent claims collectively require compliant/resilient support enabling relative movement with resistance, sliding cylindrical registration between the launch optical structure and an optical registration receiver, and in at least one independent claim the absence of an internal stop surface limiting insertion distance.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications