Fiber optic delivery system for infrared lasers
AssigneePharos Optics, Inc.
InventorsWilliam A. Gollihar, Larry G. DeShazer, Scott Bradley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hand held laser device is disclosed including a handpiece coupled to a source of laser energy by an optical fiber cable. A bias tensile stress is exerted on the fiber when the fiber and outer sheathing or tube are straight in-line. The bias tensile stress reduces compressional stress on the fiber when the fiber cable is bent. Moreover, the fiber is coupled to a disposable fiber in the handpiece to output light from the laser to a target area. The two fibers are precisely spaced close to one another to permit substantial lossless transmission of light without lenses or other focusing optics. Further, precision bearing devices are provided at opposite ends of the fiber cable in order to reduce torque on the fiber.
Claims45
An optical device comprising:
- a waveguide;
- and
- a sheathing substantially surrounding and coupled to said waveguide and exerting an expansive tensile strain on said waveguide when said waveguide and sheathing member are in a straight line configuration, and a progressive less expansive strain on said waveguide as said waveguide and sheathing member are progressively bent.
An optical device comprising:
- a casing;
- an optical fiber provided within said casing;
- a first ferrule fixing a first end portion of said optical fiber to a first end portion of said casing;
- said casing having a second end portion which extends beyond a second end portion of said optical fiber when the second end portion of said casing and optical fiber are decoupled from each other;
- and
- a second ferrule fixing said second end portion of said optical fiber to said second end portion of said casing, thereby creating a tensile strain on said optical fiber when said optical fiber and casing are in a straight-line configuration and a changing level of strain on said optical fiber as said optical fiber and casing are bent.
An optical device in accordance with 14, wherein said casing member comprises polyetheretherketone plastic.
An optical device for directing electromagnetic radiation generated by a source to a target, said optical device comprising:
- a first waveguide having a first end portion and a second end portion coupled to said source of electromagnetic radiation;
- a housing including a recess rotatably receiving said first waveguide such that angular motion of said first waveguide does not induce torsional strain on said first waveguide;
- a second waveguide having first and second portions, said first portion of said second waveguide provided in said housing and spaced from said first end portion of said first waveguide by a distance sufficient to permit substantially lossless transmission of said electromagnetic radiation from said first waveguide to said second waveguide, said second portion of said second wave guide having a termination from which electromagnetic radiation is emitted to impact the target.
An optical device for supplying electromagnetic radiation generated by a source to a target, said optical device comprising:
- an optical fiber having a first end portion and a second end portion coupled to said source of electromagnetic radiation;
- a mounting member fixed to said first end portion of said optical fiber;
- a rotatable member coupled to said mounting member limiting a torque force exerted on said optical fiber;
- and
- a housing receiving said rotatable member, said housing positioning said optical fiber to output said electromagnetic radiation to said target.
An optical device for delivering electromagnetic radiation generated by a source to a target, said optical device comprising:
- a first optical fiber having a first end portion and a second end portion coupled to said source of electromagnetic radiation;
- a second optical fiber having a first end portion and a second end portion for supplying said electromagnetic radiation to said target;
- and
- a coupling member receiving said first end portions of said first and second optical fibers, said first end portions of said first and second optical fibers being spaced from each other within said coupling member by a distance sufficient to permit substantially lossless transmission of said electromagnetic radiation from said first optical fiber to said second optical fiber;
- said first optical fiber being tensilely strained when in a straight line configuration and a progressively changing level of strain as it is progressively bent away from straight line.
A disposable optical fiber for supplying electromagnetic radiation to a biological target, said disposable optical fiber including a first end portion and a second end portion having a chisel-shaped tip.
A disposable optical fiber for supplying electromagnetic radiation to a biological target, said disposable optical fiber including a first end portion and a second end portion having a cone-shaped tip.
A method for manufacturing an optical cable including an optical fiber and a casing, said method comprising the steps of:
- inserting said optical fiber into said casing;
- fixing a first end portion of said optical fiber to a first end portion of said casing;
- bending said optical fiber and said casing;
- fixing a second end portion of said optical fiber to a second end portion of said casing;
- and
- straightening said optical fiber and said casing to impose a bias tensile strain on said optical fiber when said optical fiber and said casing are in a straight-line configuration.
An optical device comprising:
- a waveguide;
- a sheathing substantially surrounding said waveguide;
- and
- a restraining member coupling said sheathing to said waveguide to prevent axial compressive failure in said waveguide during bending.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.