Connector for coupling an optical fiber tissue localization device to a light source
AssigneeC. R. Bard, Inc.
InventorDirk V. Hoyns
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A quick-connect coupling couples an optical fiber tissue localization device to a light source to cause the forward tip of the device to illuminate. The coupling can be quickly, easily, and reliably mounted to the fiber under operating room conditions. The coupling physically isolates the optical fiber from the light source while optically coupling the fiber to the light source, thereby preventing contamination of the light source by a contaminated optical fiber. The coupling is inexpensive to manufacture, such that the coupling is disposable after a single-patient use.
Claims21
An apparatus for marking a location within the tissue of a patient, comprising:
- an optical fiber having a forward end, a rearward end, and an outer diameter, said forward end of said optical fiber being shaped into a tapered tip beginning at a transition point along the length of said optical fiber;
- anchor means operatively associated with a forward portion of said optical fiber for engaging the tissue of a patient to secure said tip of said optical fiber within the tissue of said patient;
- a light source;
- a mount to which said light source is mounted;
- and
- coupling means operative upon insertion of said rearward end of said optical fiber into said coupling means for gripping said optical fiber for coupling said rearward end of said optical fiber to said mount so as to optically couple said light source to said optical fiber while physically isolating said optical fiber from said light source.
A method for marking a location within the tissue of a patient, comprising the steps of:
- inserting a hollow needle into the tissues of a patient so that a forward end of said hollow needle is positioned adjacent a target location;
- inserting into a rearward end of said hollow needle an optical fiber having retention means located adjacent a forward end thereof;
- advancing said optical fiber through said hollow needle until said retention means emerges from said forward end of said hollow needle and anchors said forward end of said optical fiber at said target location;
- withdrawing said hollow needle over said optical fiber and off a rearward end thereof;
- subsequent to said step of withdrawing said hollow needle, attaching an adapter to said rearward end of said optical fiber;
- and
- coupling said optical fiber to a light source by attaching said adapter to a mount to which said light source is mounted.
An apparatus for marking a location within the tissue of a patient and adapted for use with a mount and a light source mounted to said mount, said apparatus comprising:
- an optical fiber having a forward end and a rearward end;
- anchor means operatively associated with a forward portion of said optical fiber for engaging the tissue of a patient to secure said forward end of said optical fiber within the tissue, of said patient;
- and
- an adapter for engaging said rearward end of said optical fiber by way of a friction fit and for engaging said mount so as to optically couple said optical fiber to said light source while physically isolating said optical fiber from said mount.
An apparatus for marking a location within the tissue of a patient and adapted for use with a mount and a light source mounted to said mount, said apparatus comprising:
- an optical fiber having a forward end and a rearward end;
- anchor means operatively associated with a forward portion of said optical fiber for engaging the tissue of a patient to secure said forward end of said optical fiber within the tissue of said patient;
- and
- an adapter for engaging said rearward end of said optical fiber by way of a detent fit.
An apparatus for marking a location within the tissue of a patient, comprising:
- an optical fiber having a forward end, a rearward end, and an outer diameter, said forward end of said optical fiber being shaped into a tapered tip beginning at a transition point along the length of said optical fiber;
- anchor means operatively associated with a forward portion of said optical fiber for engaging the tissue of a patient to secure said tip of said optical fiber within the tissue of said patient;
- a light source;
- a mount to which said light source is mounted;
- and
- coupling means for coupling said rearward end of said optical fiber to said mount so as to optically couple said light source to said optical fiber while physically isolating said optical fiber from said light source, said coupling means including a passage into which said rearward end of said optical fiber is inserted, and said coupling means further comprising clamping means operable to clamp said rearward end of said optical fiber within said passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.