US5949929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotatably connecting optical fibers
Assignee: Boston Scientific Corp
•
Filing: 1999-01-13
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Granted: 1999-09-07
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Expires: 2019-01-13
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark A. Hamm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:47
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/3604; A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/32056; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connection system of claim 1 wherein the rotatable fiber is non-disengageable from the rotatable portion when the stationary portion engages the assembly comprising the light beam conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connection system of claim 1 wherein the rotatable portion comprising a ferrule with which the rotatable portion attaches to the proximal end of the rotatable fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The connection system of claim 3 wherein the ferrule attaches to the proximal end of the rotatable fiber by collet closing action when the stationary portion of the coupling engages the assembly comprising the light beam conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connection system of claim 3 further comprising a spring positioned within the rotatable portion of the coupling that forces the ferrule toward the rotatable stator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connection system of claim 5 wherein the spring is compressed when the stationary portion of the coupling engages the assembly comprising the light beam conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connection system of claim 1 further comprising a sleeve surrounding the rotatable fiber, the sleeve and the optical fiber forming an optical guidewire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connection system of claim 7 wherein the sleeve is rotatable with the rotatable fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
103 words
A connection system comprising: 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.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
103 words
A connection system comprising: 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.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connection system of claim 9 further comprising a fluid port sidearm connected to the fluid port.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The connection system of claim 9 further comprising a seal located between the rotatable and stationary portions of the coupling that substantially prevents the fluid from passing toward the assembly comprising the light beam conduit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
123 words
A connection system comprising: 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.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
123 words
A connection system comprising: 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.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connection system of claim 12 wherein the light beam conduit comprises a stationary optical fiber having a distal end portion positioned within the hollow rotor shaft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connection system of claim 1 wherein the coupling further comprises a lens assembly coupled to a proximal end of the rotatable fiber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The connection system of claim 14 wherein the conduit comprises a stationary fiber, and the lens assembly comprises a rotatable rod lens axially aligned with the proximal end of the rotatable fiber and a stationary rod lens axially aligned with a distal end of the stationary fiber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connection system of claim 9 wherein the coupling further comprises a lens assembly coupled to a proximal end of the rotatable fiber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
The connection system of claim 16 wherein the conduit comprises a stationary fiber, and the lens assembly comprises a rotatable rod lens axially aligned with the proximal end of the rotatable fiber and a stationary rod lens axially aligned with a distal end of the stationary fiber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connection system of claim 12 wherein the coupling further comprises a lens assembly coupled to a proximal end of the rotatable fiber.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The connection system of claim 18 wherein the conduit comprises a stationary fiber, and the lens assembly comprises a rotatable rod lens axially aligned with the proximal end of the rotatable fiber and a stationary rod lens axially aligned with a distal end of the stationary fiber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-06 | 2003-03-08 | 2003-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-06 | 2007-03-08 | 2007-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-06 | 2011-03-08 | 2011-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |