Fiber detector apparatus and related methods

• US 7,356,208 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2007
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Biolase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Biolase Technology Inc
• Inventors: Becker, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Healy; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAM, HUNG Q
• Application Number:
  US11/715,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20070258693A1
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 385/12, 385/77, 385/78, 385/85, 385/134, 385/139, 385/147, 356/73.1, 250/227.14, 250/227.28
• US Class Current: 385/12
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3895 identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64

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.

Claims

1. A method of detecting a fiber attached to a hub, comprising:

(a) providing a hub having a plurality of pins, wherein the hub has at least three pins for determining characteristics of the fiber;

(b) placing a circuit into contact with the pins, wherein the number and position of the pins contacting the circuit determine a presence of a fiber; and

(c) determining whether the fiber is attached to the hub, wherein the fiber is detected if the number and position of the pins contacting the circuit reveals a predetermined circuit configuration.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fiber characteristics include one or more of the fiber'"'"'s length, shape, diameter, and type.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining a fiber tip'"'"'s power density.

4. A method of detecting a fiber attached to a hub, comprising:

(a) providing a hub having a plurality of pins and a microcircuit for storing data, wherein the data include one or more of the fiber'"'"'s length, shape, diameter, and type;

(b) placing a circuit into contact with the pins, wherein the number and position of the pins contacting the circuit determine a presence of a fiber; and

(c) determining whether the fiber is attached to the hub, wherein the fiber is detected if the number and position of the pins contacting the circuit reveals a predetermined circuit configuration.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising determining a fiber tip'"'"'s power density based on the data stored in the microcircuit.