Optical fiber bundle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An optical fiber bundle comprising:
- a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being freely movable;
a flexible tube covering a middle portion between the two ends; and
a gelling fluid applied to the optical fibers in the flexible tube wherein said gelling fluid gels upon being heated or standing at normal room temperatures.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical fiber bundle for an endoscope or the like which can be subjected to cyclic bending at a small radius of curvature without causing fiber breakage. The fiber bundle includes a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends but with individual fibers being freely movable inside the middle portion of the bundle, which is covered by a flexible tube. A gelling fluid coating the fibers is filled in the flexible tube.
28 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An optical fiber bundle comprising:
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a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being freely movable; a flexible tube covering a middle portion between the two ends; and a gelling fluid applied to the optical fibers in the flexible tube wherein said gelling fluid gels upon being heated or standing at normal room temperatures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An optical fiber bundle for an endoscope comprising:
- a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being rendered freely movable; and
a flexible tube of a polyurethane resin in a middle portion between the two ends of said optical fibers, thereby forming a bundle of optical fibers which can be slipped into an inserting portion of the endoscope, without a dual case structure, wherein said optical fibers in said flexible tube of polyurethane resin are coated with a liquid silicone that gels upon heating or standing at normal temperatures.
- a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being rendered freely movable; and
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8. An optical fiber bundle comprising:
- a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being rendered freely movable;
a flexible tube covering a middle portion between the two ends; and
a gelling fluid and a gelation retarding material applied to said fibers in the flexible tube. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being rendered freely movable;
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17. An optical fiber bundle for an endoscope comprising:
- a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being rendered freely movable; and
a flexible tube of a polyurethane resin in a meddle portion between the two ends of said optical fibers, thereby forming a bundle of optical fibers which can be slipped into an inserting portion of the endoscope, without a dual case structure, wherein a liquid silicon and a gellation retarding material are applied to said optical fibers in said flexible tube of polyurethane resin.
- a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being rendered freely movable; and
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18. A method of producing an optical fiber bundle, comprising the steps of:
binding a plurality of optical fibers at both ends; and
applying gelling fluid which gels upon being heated or standing at normal room temperatures to the individual optical fibers which are rendered freely movable.- View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of producing an optical fiber bundle, comprising the steps of:
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binding a plurality of optical fibers at both ends; and applying gelling fluid and gellation retarding material to the individual optical fibers which are rendered freely movable. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification