# US 6,752,537 B2 · Connector ferrule and method of sealing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,752,537 B2 - Document ID: US6752537B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/201,624 - Filed: 2002-07-24 - Published: 2003-05-22 - Granted: 2004-06-22 - Earliest claimed: 2001-02-12 - Assignees: Polymicro Technologies, LLC - Inventors: James P Clarkin; John Shannon; Michael Swengler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6752537B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/2551: {using thermal methods, e.g. fusion welding by arc discharge, laser beam, plasma torch} - C03B 23/047: by drawing ({C03B23/091} , C03B37/025 takes precedence) - C03B 37/025: from reheated softened tubes, rods, fibres or filaments {, e.g. drawing fibres from preforms (draw-down of tubes, rods or preforms to reduced diameter preforms C03B37/0124)} - G02B 6/02209: {Mounting means, e.g. adhesives, casings (G02B6/02171 and G02B6/02195 take precedence)} - G02B 6/3801: {Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means (splices by bonding G02B6/255; fusion splices G02B6/2551)} - G02B 6/3803: {Adjustment or alignment devices for alignment prior to splicing} - G02B 6/3837: {forwarding or threading methods of light guides into apertures of ferrule centering means} - G02B 6/3845: {ferrules comprising functional elements, e.g. filters} - G02B 6/3861: {Adhesive bonding (adhesives in general C09J)} - G02B 6/3812: {having polarisation-maintaining light guides (light guides having polarisation effects per se G02B6/105)} - G02B 6/3813: {for transmission of high energy beam (coupling high energy sources and light guides G02B6/4296)} - G02B 6/3854: {Ferrules characterised by materials} - G02B 6/3855: {characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule (G02B6/3854 takes precedence)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - C03B: MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES ## Abstract The invention includes a ferrule having a layer of material on an inner surface of a hole therein which is selected to be preferentially softenable relative to the bulk material of the ferrule. The ferrule according to the present invention can be fused to optical fibers, capillaries and the like while reducing deformation of the fused component and the ferrule. A fiber Bragg grating device and a flow cell device are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flowcell device comprising: a ferrule having an interior wall defining a hole, at least a portion of the interior wall comprising a layer of material preferentially softenable relative to the remainder of the ferrule; and at least one capillary tube extending into the hole and partially fused therein by at least partially softening the layer; wherein the ferrule and the layer of material preferentially softenable relative to the remainder of the ferrule are substantially similar materials. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A flowcell device as in claim 1, wherein the material preferentially softenable has at least one of: a softening temperature lower than a softening temperature of the remainder of the ferrule, and, an increased absorption of incident radiation relative to the remainder of the ferrule. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A flowcell device as in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional capillary tube extending into the hole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A flowcell device as in claim 3, wherein the at least one additional capillary tube has an inner diameter or an outer diameter having an equal or a different size from an inner diameter or an outer diameter of the at least one capillary tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A flowcell device as in claim 3, wherein the at least one additional capillary tube is partially fused in the hole by at least partially softening the layer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A flowcell device as in claim 1, further comprising at least two additional capillary tubes extending into the hole. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A flowcell device as in claim 6, wherein each of the at least two additional capillary tubes have an inner diameter or an outer diameter having an equal or a different size from an inner diameter or an outer diameter of the at least one capillary tube. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A flowcell device as in claim 6, wherein each of the at least two additional capillary tubes is partially fused in the hole by at least partially softening the layer. ### Claim 9 A method of forming a flowcell device, the method comprising: providing a ferrule having an interior wall defining a hole, at least a portion of the interior wall comprising a layer of material preferentially softenable relative to the remainder of the ferrule; and providing at least one capillary tube extending into the hole; and partially fusing the at least one capillary tube therein by at least partially softening the layer wherein the ferrule and the layer of material preferentially softenable relative to the remainder of the ferrule are substantially similar materials. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method as in claim 9, further comprising extending at least one additional capillary tube into the hole. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method as in claim 10, further comprising partially fusing the at least one additional capillary tube into the hole by at least partially softening the layer.