# US 5,349,137 A · Sterilizable cable assemblies

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,349,137 A
- Document ID: US5349137A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/063,387
- Filed: 1993-05-17
- Granted: 1994-09-20
- Earliest claimed: 1993-05-17
- Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
- Inventors: Alfredo Cedrone
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5349137A

## CPC

- G02B 23/26: using light guides {(for illumination G02B23/2469)}
- A61B 1/00114: {Electrical cables in or with an endoscope}
- A61B 1/00117: {Optical cables in or with an endoscope}
- A61B 1/00124: {electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection}
- A61B 1/00126: {optical, e.g. for light supply cables}
- A61B 1/00128: {mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes}
- A61B 1/00165: {with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics (A61B1/07 takes precedence)}
- A61B 1/121: {provided with means for cleaning post-use}
- G02B 6/3817: {containing optical and electrical conductors (cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence)}
- G02B 6/3816: {for use under water, high pressure connectors (provisionally see G02B6/4428)}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A steam and liquid sterilizable assembly of electrical and optical fiber cables within a sealed polymer housing which features sealed joints and conductive traces between and through components. At least one optical fiber cable is sealed into a metal ferrule by an organic resin and the ferrule then sealed by soldering into a laminated, multilayer organic polymer disc or board. At least one electrical cable is soldered to one surface of the disc or board to a conductive trace which connects through and between the layers of the disc or board to a conductive electrical contact on the opposite surface of the disc or board. The disc or board with the optical and electrical contacts is embedded in a molded polymer housing. The assembly is useful in endoscopy applications.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A steam and liquid sterilizable assembly of electrical and optical fiber cables comprising:
(a) at least one optical fiber cable sealed into a metal ferrule by an organic resin, said ferrule being sealed by solder into an aperture in a
(b) laminated, multilayer organic polymer disc, having metal-plated apertures therethrough and conductive metal traces layer to layer;
(c) at least one electrical cable soldered to one surface of said disc to a conductive trace which connects through and between the layers of said disc to a conductive electrical contact on the opposite surface of said disc; and
(d) wherein said at least one optical fiber cable, said at least one electrical cable, and said laminated, multilayer organic polymer disc are imbedded in a molded polymer housing which has no entry points for steam or liquids during sterilization.

### Claim 2

A steam and liquid sterilizable assembly of electrical and optical fiber cables comprising:
(a) at least one optical fiber cable sealed into a metal ferrule by an organic resin; (b) a laminated, multilayer organic polymer board, having metal-plated apertures and traces therethrough layer to layer;
(c) at least one electrical cable soldered to one surface of said board to a conductive trace which connects through and between the layers of said board to a conductive electrical contact on the opposite surface of said board: and
(d) wherein said at least one optical fiber cable sealed into a metal ferrule, said at least one electrical cable, and said laminated, multilayer organic board are imbedded in a molded polymer housing which has no entry points for steam or liquids during sterilization.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An assembly of claim 1 wherein said organic resin sealing said optical fibers into said ferrule, said multilayer organic polymer disc and said molding polymer of said housing resist attack by steam and sterilizing fluids.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2)

An assembly of claims 1 or 2 wherein said organic resin sealing said optical fibers into said ferrule is selected from the group comprising of epoxy adhesives and epoxy sealants.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1, 2)

An assembly of claims 1 or 2 wherein said molded polymer housing is selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber and fluorinated hydrocarbon elastomer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

An assembly of claim 1 wherein said laminated, multilayer organic polymer disc is selected from the group consisting of expanded PTFE, spoxy resin filled with glass and polyimide.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

An assembly of claim 2 wherein said organic resin sealing said optical fibers into said ferrule, said multilayer organic polymer board and said molding polymer of said housing resist attack by steam and sterilizing fluids.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

An assembly of claim 2 wherein said laminated multilayer organic polymer board is selected from the group consisting of expanded PTFE, epoxy resin filled with glass and polyimide.