Optical fiber cable connector
Inventors
Altshuler, Gregory • Gaal, Christopher • Kozlov, Valery
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12083353-B2
Publication Date
2024-09-10
Expiration Date
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 cantilevered within the body portion by the optical fiber line providing freedom of movement of the male ferrule. The launch connector engages a receiving connector on the medical device 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. The coupling uses a launch connector with a body portion and an optical connection portion that includes a male ferrule connected to an optical fiber, the male ferrule being resiliently and compliantly supported within the body portion by an elastomeric material positioned rearwardly of the male ferrule so that the male ferrule is not contacting the body portion.
The coupling further includes a receiving connector that cooperates with the mechanical connection portion of the launch connector. In the optical connection portion, the receiving connector has an internal cylindrical surface that slidingly engages the cylindrical outer surface of the male ferrule, with optical connection via sliding engagement using cylindrical and conical registration surfaces and reduced reliance on axial stop surfaces for fine optical alignment.
In additional embodiments, the launch connector provides separate interior optical connection portion and exterior mechanical connection portion, where centration and cushioning are provided by a compliant elastomeric material component supported by the exterior mechanical connection portion. The interior optical connection portion is not in direct contact with the exterior mechanical connection portion, and various ferrule geometries are described, including cylindrical and tapered or conical internal surfaces with male ferrules and female ferrules configured to centration and cushioning during connection and sliding engagement.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims identified are clm-00001, clm-00003, clm-00004, clm-00007, clm-00012, clm-00014, clm-00018, and clm-00019. They describe an optical fiber connector coupling with resiliently or compliantly supported ferrules and sliding cylindrical optical engagement between a launch connector and a receiving connector, with further limitations on elastomeric support placement, ferrule engagement surfaces, and an anchor distance constraint.
Elastomeric resilient support of a male ferrule with sliding cylindrical engagement
A launch connector having a male ferrule resiliently supported within a body portion by elastomeric material positioned rearwardly of the male ferrule, such that the male ferrule is not contacting the body portion, combined with a receiving connector having an optical connection portion with an internal cylindrical surface slidingly engaging the cylindrical outer surface of the male ferrule.
Fixed distance between the male ferrule and an anchor position of the optical fiber
The coupling of a launch connector with a resiliently supported male ferrule and a receiving connector with an internal cylindrical surface slidingly engaging the male ferrule, wherein a distance between the male ferrule and an anchor position of the optical fiber is 4 to 15 mm.
Resilient material engaging the optical fiber connected to the body portion
The coupling with a launch connector including a resiliently supported male ferrule and a receiving connector with an internal cylindrical surface slidingly engaging the male ferrule, wherein the optical fiber is connected to the body portion through resilient material engaging the optical fiber.
Centration and cushioning via a compliant elastomeric material component between exterior and interior portions
A launch connector with an exterior mechanical connection portion and an interior optical connection portion provided with centration and cushioning with respect to the exterior mechanical connection portion by way of a compliant elastomeric material component within and supported by the exterior mechanical connection portion, the interior optical connection portion not in direct contact with the exterior mechanical connection portion.
Female ferrule with internal cylindrical surface adjoining an internal conical surface slidingly engages a launch connector cylindrical surface
A launch connector having exterior mechanical and interior optical connection portions with centration and cushioning via compliant elastomeric material so the interior optical portion is not in direct contact with the exterior mechanical portion, and a receiving connector with a female ferrule having an internal cylindrical surface adjoining an internal conical surface, wherein the internal cylindrical surface slidingly engages a cylindrical outer surface of the optical connection portion of the launch connector when the connection is made.
Compliant elastomeric material component extending circumferentially around and axially along the interior optical connection portion
A launch connector with exterior mechanical and interior optical connection portions where the interior optical connection portion is provided with centration and cushioning relative to the exterior mechanical connection portion by a compliant elastomeric material component within and supported by the exterior portion and the interior optical portion is not in direct contact with the exterior, wherein the compliant elastomeric material component extends circumferentially around and axially along the interior optical connection portion.
Cylindrical interior optical geometry with different diameters engaged by elastomeric material
A launch connector having an exterior mechanical connection portion and an interior optical connection portion provided with centration and cushioning via a compliant elastomeric material component within and supported by the exterior mechanical connection portion, with the interior optical connection portion not in direct contact with the exterior mechanical connection portion; wherein the interior optical connection portion has a first forward cylindrical surface and a second cylindrical surface of a larger diameter than the first, and wherein the elastomeric material component engages the second portion of the interior optical connection portion.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on providing centration and cushioning for an optical connection portion using compliant or elastomeric materials so the optical connection portion, including a male ferrule or interior optical connection portion, is not in direct contact with a mechanical portion, combined with optical sliding engagement using cylindrical surfaces between a launch connector and a receiving connector. Several independents further narrow the geometry and support relationships, including a defined 4 to 15 mm distance between the male ferrule and an anchor position and an interior optical portion defined by first and second cylindrical portions engaged by the elastomeric material.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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