METHOD FOR DISPOSABLE GUIDEWIRE OPTICAL CONNECTION

• US 20130051731A1
• Filed: 08/29/2012
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Opsens, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Opsens, Inc.
• Inventors: Belleville, Claude, Lalancette, Sbastien, Proulx, Alain
• Granted Patent: US 8,936,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/72
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02154 by optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/38 having fibre to fibre mating means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/381 of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3861 Adhesive bonding adhesives in general C09J
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3873 Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/389 characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3898 Tools, e.g. handheld; Tuning wrenches; Jigs used with connectors, e.g. for extracting, removing or inserting in a panel, for engaging or coupling connectors, for assembling or disassembling components within the connector, for applying clips to hold two connectors together or for crimping tools for cleaning, G02B6/3866; tools in general B25B
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4402 with one single optical waveguide G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4415 Cables for special applications G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49879 Spaced wall tube or receptacle

Abstract

A method for terminating a first optical fiber within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing. The guidewire tubing has an outside diameter defined as having a tolerance of ±0.001″ or less. The method comprises the step of centering the first optical fiber within the guidewire tubing. A female optical receiving device used to receive an optical guidewire and connect guidewire internal optical fiber to an external relaying optical cable is also provided.

Claims

1. A method for terminating a first optical fiber within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing, the guidewire tubing having an outside diameter, the outside diameter of the guidewire tubing being defined as having a tolerance of ±

0.001″

or less, the method comprising centering the first optical fiber within the proximal portion of the guidewire tubing.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising grinding, polishing, or etching the guidewire tubing to bring the outside diameter within the tolerance of ±

0.001″

or better.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a gap exists between an outside diameter of the first optical fiber and an inside diameter of the guidewire tubing, the method further comprising slipping an overlay tubing over the first optical fiber to fill the gap at least in part.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the centering comprises centering the first optical fiber relative to the outside diameter of the guidewire tubing using an alignment centering tubing device, the method further comprising using an adhesive for securing the first optical fiber in the center of guidewire proximal portion.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the alignment centering tubing device comprises a first ferrule having an inside diameter adapted to the outside diameter of the guidewire tubing, a second ferrule having an inside diameter adapted to an outside diameter of the first optical fiber, the method further comprising concentrically aligning the first ferrule and the second ferrule.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the aligning the first ferrule and second ferrule comprises using a split sleeve over the first ferrule and second ferrule thereby holding both ferrules coaxially.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein a gap exists between an outside diameter of the first optical fiber and an inside diameter of the guidewire tubing, and wherein the centering further comprising slipping an overlay tubing over the first optical fiber to fill the gap at least in part.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the alignment centering tubing device comprises a first ferrule having an inside diameter adapted to the outside diameter of the guidewire tubing, a second ferrule having an inside diameter adapted to an outside diameter of the an overlay tubing, the method further comprising concentrically aligning the first ferrule and the second ferrule.

9. A method for connecting a first optical fiber within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing, the method comprising:

centering the first optical fiber within the proximal portion of the guidewire tubing; and

connecting the first optical fiber to a female connector comprising a second optical fiber having a core diameter different from a core diameter of the first optical fiber.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising connecting the first optical fiber to a female connector comprising a female optical receiving device comprising a first ferrule having an inside diameter adapted to an outside diameter of the guidewire tubing, a second ferrule having an inside diameter adapted to an outside diameter of a second optical fiber, the method further comprising concentrically aligning the first ferrule and the second ferrule.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first ferrule and second ferrule are aligned with a split sleeve holding both ferrules coaxially.

12. A female optical receiving device for connecting a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber, the first optical fiber being substantially centered within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing, the female optical receiving device comprising a first ferrule having a longitudinal axis and an inside diameter adapted to an outside diameter of the guidewire tubing, a second ferrule having a longitudinal axis and an inside diameter adapted to an outside diameter of the second optical fiber, the longitudinal axis of the first ferrule being aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second ferrule.

13. The female optical receiving device of claim 12, further comprising a split sleeve slipped and fixed over the first ferrule and the second ferrule simultaneously thereby aligning the longitudinal axis of the first ferrule and the longitudinal axis of the second ferrule.

14. The female optical receiving device of claim 12, wherein the second optical fiber has a core diameter different from a core diameter of the first optical fiber, the second optical fiber being fixed within the second ferrule.

15. An interface connector handle for connecting a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber, the first optical fiber being substantially centered within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing, the second optical fiber being routed through and extending from an optical interface cable, the interface connector handle comprising a biasing assembly for urging the first optical fiber into contact with the second optical fiber.

16. The interface connector handle of claim 15, further comprising a female optical receiving device at a distal end of the second optical fiber and wherein first optical fiber is for insertion in the female optical receiving device in order to contact the second optical fiber.

17. The interface connector handle of claim 16, wherein the biasing assembly comprises a collet through which the guidewire tubing is pushed and held in place when the collet is in a closed position.

18. The interface connector handle of claim 15, wherein the biasing assembly further comprises a biasing device and a connector cap through which the guidewire tubing is slid toward the female optical receiving device, the connector cap capable of movement in a direction, the biasing device exercising a counter force opposite the direction of movement of the connector cap, the counter force forcing the collet toward the closed position.

19. A method for terminating a first optical fiber within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing, the method comprising centering the first optical fiber relative to the outside diameter of the guidewire tubing using an alignment centering tubing device, the method further comprising using an adhesive for securing the first optical fiber in the center of guidewire proximal portion.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the alignment centering tubing device comprises a first ferrule having an inside diameter adapted to the outside diameter of the guidewire tubing, a second ferrule having an inside diameter adapted to an outside diameter of the first optical fiber, the method further comprising concentrically aligning the first ferrule and the second ferrule.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the aligning the first ferrule and second ferrule comprises using a split sleeve over the first ferrule and second ferrule thereby holding both ferrules coaxially.