Packaging system and method for packaging fibers
AssigneeAccutech Medical Technologies Inc.
InventorsJeffrey VAN ZUYLEN, Richard Grant Dobrowney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A packaging system and method for use with a fiber, and in particular, an optical fiber of the type typically used for surgical procedures, in order to protect the fiber during storage and shipping and also allow the fiber to be easily dispensed in a controlled manner by an end user.
Claims21
A fiber packaging system comprising:
- a top portion comprising a top trough, wherein the top trough forms an annular shape in the top portion;
- a bottom portion comprising a bottom trough, wherein the bottom trough forms an annular shape on the bottom portion and is configured to oppose and engage with the top trough when the top portion and bottom portion are engaged in order to form an annular area for supporting a fiber;
- and
- an exit port provided to at least one of the top portion and bottom portion to allow the fiber to exit from the annular area.
The system of clam 7 wherein the press fitting comprises interlocking press fit elements provided to the top portion and the bottom portion.
A method of packaging a surgical fiber comprising:
- coiling the fiber within a bottom trough in a bottom portion of a package;
- press fitting a top trough of a top portion of the package into the bottom trough;
- and
- maintaining an end of the fiber in an exit port of at least the top or bottom portion of the package.
A method of dispensing a surgical fiber from a package in which the fiber is coiled in an annular area in the package, the method comprising:
- grasping an end of the fiber;
- and
- pulling the fiber out of an exit port of the packaging such that fiber remaining coiled revolves within the annular area of the package.
An optical fiber end protector comprising a sleeve having an inner surface that is rippled to provide a reduced surface area of contact with the fiber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.