Fiber detector apparatus and related methods
First Claim
1. A fiber identification apparatus, comprising:
- a member having a proximal end and a distal end, and having a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the member is structured to receive at least one fiber that is constructed to be coupled to a material remover;
a plurality of movable couplers that provide information relating to the at least one fiber, the number and position of the movable couplers being indicative of one or more of a fiber length, fiber shape, fiber diameter, fiber configuration, fiber numerical aperture, fiber material and fiber type; and
a microcircuit in communication with the movable couplers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber detector apparatus includes a hub having one or more electrical contacts. The hub is configured to be placed against a connector, which is disposed on an electromagnetic energy source, such that electrical continuity is established between the electrical contacts of the hub and electrical contacts on a connector plate of the electromagnetic energy source. The number and positions of the electrical contacts correlate with the presence and characteristics of one or more fibers extending through the hub toward the electromagnetic energy source. A data storage microcircuit may also be provided within the hub to store identification information about the fibers being used. Knowing the physical characteristics of the fibers being used in a particular procedure can permit a user of the apparatus to improve the effectiveness of a procedure using the electromagnetic energy.
54 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A fiber identification apparatus, comprising:
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a member having a proximal end and a distal end, and having a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the member is structured to receive at least one fiber that is constructed to be coupled to a material remover; a plurality of movable couplers that provide information relating to the at least one fiber, the number and position of the movable couplers being indicative of one or more of a fiber length, fiber shape, fiber diameter, fiber configuration, fiber numerical aperture, fiber material and fiber type; and a microcircuit in communication with the movable couplers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A fiber guide assembly, comprising:
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at least one fiber having a proximal end and a distal end constructed to be coupled to a material remover, a plurality of movable couplers positioned in proximity to the proximal end of the fiber, the number and position of the plurality of movable couplers being indicative of one or more of a length, shape, diameter, configuration, numerical aperture, material and type of the at least one fiber, and a microcircuit in communication with the movable couplers. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of detecting a fiber, comprising:
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(a) providing a plurality of movable couplers; (b) placing a circuit into communication with the movable couplers, wherein at least one property of the movable couplers is indicative of the presence of a fiber; (c) determining a presence of a fiber, based upon the at least one property; and (d) determining characteristics of the fiber including one or more of the fiber'"'"'s length, shape, diameter, configuration, numerical aperture, material and type, based upon the at least one property. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification