Rotatably connecting optical fibers
First Claim
1. A connection system comprising:
- a rotatable optical fiber;
an assembly comprising a conduit for conveying a light beam to the rotatable fiber; and
a coupling having a rotatable portion attachable to a proximal end of the rotatable fiber, and a stationary portion attachable to the assembly comprising the light beam conduit so as to permit the rotatable fiber to rotate while its proximal end remains in axial alignment with the light beam, the rotatable fiber being disengageable from the rotatable portion when the stationary portion does not engage the assembly comprising the light beam conduit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A connection includes an interventional medical device having a rotatable optical fiber, an assembly having a conduit for conveying a light beam to the rotatable fiber as well as a rotor and a fixed housing, and a coupling. A drive mechanism is attached to the rotor for continuously rotating the rotor. The coupling includes a rotatable portion attachable to a proximal end of the rotatable fiber and to the rotor so as to permit the rotatable fiber to rotate continuously with the rotor while the rotatable fiber remains in axial alignment with the light beam. The coupling also includes a stationary shield surrounding the rotatable portion. The stationary shield is attachable to the fixed housing so as to urge the rotatable portion and the rotor together. The proximal end of the rotatable portion of the coupling has a vee-shaped coupling surface that complements a distal end surface of the rotor. The rotor is at least partially hollow and includes a bearing that holds the light beam conduit in axial alignment with the rotatable fiber when the rotatable portion of the coupling engages the rotor. The rotatable fiber may be disengageable from the rotatable portion of the coupling when the stationary shield does not engage the fixed housing. The rotatable fiber may be surrounded by a sheath that is attachable to the stationary portion of the coupling. A fluid port connected to the stationary portion of the coupling enables introduction of fluid into the sheath and around the rotatable optical fiber.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A connection system comprising:
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a rotatable optical fiber; an assembly comprising a conduit for conveying a light beam to the rotatable fiber; and a coupling having a rotatable portion attachable to a proximal end of the rotatable fiber, and a stationary portion attachable to the assembly comprising the light beam conduit so as to permit the rotatable fiber to rotate while its proximal end remains in axial alignment with the light beam, the rotatable fiber being disengageable from the rotatable portion when the stationary portion does not engage the assembly comprising the light beam conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15)
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9. A connection system comprising:
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a rotatable optical fiber; a sheath surrounding the rotatable fiber an assembly comprising a conduit for conveying a light beam to the rotatable fiber; a coupling having a rotatable portion attachable to a proximal end of the rotatable fiber, and a stationary portion attachable to the sheath and the assembly comprising the light beam conduit so as to permit the rotatable fiber to rotate while its proximal end remains in axial alignment with the light beam; and a fluid port connected to the stationary portion that enables introduction of fluid into the sheath and around the rotatable optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 16, 17)
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12. A connection system comprising:
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a rotatable optical fiber; an assembly comprising a rotor, a fixed housing, and a conduit for conveying a light beam to the rotatable fiber; a coupling comprising a stationary portion and a rotatable portion, the stationary portion being attachable to the fixed housing, the rotatable portion being attachable to a proximal end of the rotatable optical fiber and to the rotor so as to permit the rotatable fiber to rotate with the rotor while the rotatable fiber remains in axial alignment with the light beam; the rotor being at least partially hollow and comprising a bearing that holds the light beam conduit in axial alignment with the rotatable fiber when the rotatable portion of the coupling engages the rotor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 18, 19)
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Specification