# US 9,519,107 B2 · Methods and apparatus related to a launch connector portion of a ureteroscope laser-energy-delivery device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,519,107 B2 - Document ID: US9519107B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/090,060 - Filed: 2016-04-04 - Published: 2016-07-28 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2007-12-21 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Applicants: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Inventors: Jeffrey W. Zerfas; Paul Jortberg; Richard P. Tumminelli - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9519107B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/262: {Optical details of coupling light into, or out of, or between fibre ends, e.g. special fibre end shapes or associated optical elements} - G02B 6/3813: {for transmission of high energy beam (coupling high energy sources and light guides G02B6/4296)} - G02B 6/4296: {coupling with sources of high radiant energy, e.g. high power lasers, high temperature light sources} - G02B 23/2423: {of the distal end} - G02B 23/26: using light guides {(for illumination G02B23/2469)} - A61B 18/24: with a catheter (A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence) - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2018/00494: {Stomach, intestines or bowel} - A61B 2018/00505: {Urinary tract} - A61B 2018/00982: {combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes} - A61B 2018/2222: {Fibre material or composition} - G02B 6/036: core or cladding comprising multiple layers {(multicore optical fibres G02B6/02042; microstructured properties G02B6/02295; omniguide fibres G02B6/023)} - G02B 6/4203: {Optical features} - G02B 2006/4297: {having protection means, e.g. protecting humans against accidental exposure to harmful laser radiation} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an optical fiber made of a silica-based material. A proximal end portion of the optical fiber has an outer-layer portion. The proximal end portion can be included in at least a portion of a launch connector configured to receive electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus also includes a component that has a bore therethrough and can be made of a doped silica material. The bore can have an inner-layer portion heat-fused to the outer-layer portion of the optical fiber. The component can also have an index of refraction lower than an index of refraction associated with the outer-layer portion of the optical fiber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, comprising: an optical fiber extending along a longitudinal axis and having a cladding layer and a silica core; a component made of a doped silica material defining a bore, a portion of the cladding layer of a proximal end portion of the optical fiber being in contact with the bore to define an interface, the optical fiber and the component collectively defining a launch connector; a holder having a proximal portion coupled to a proximal end portion of the launch connector; an alignment assembly extending distally of the holder and defining a lumen extending therethrough; a grip extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the grip, the grip being coupled to the launch connector; and a boot coupled to the grip, the boot extending distally of the distal end of the grip, wherein a proximal end of the boot has a first diameter and a distal end of the boot has a second diameter, different than the first diameter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proximal end portion of the launch connector is positioned proximally of the proximal end of the grip. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein an inner circumferential wall of the grip adjacent the proximal end of the grip has a first diameter, and wherein the inner circumferential wall of the grip adjacent the distal end of the grip has a second diameter, different than the first diameter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second diameter of the boot is smaller than the first diameter of the boot. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the component includes a fluorine-doped silica material that has an index of refraction lower than an index of refraction of the cladding layer of the optical fiber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portion of the cladding layer is a first portion of the cladding layer and the bore is a first bore, wherein the optical fiber has a coating on a second portion of the cladding layer and not on the first portion of the cladding layer, the second portion of the cladding layer being disposed outside of the first bore of the component and disposed within a second bore of the component, and wherein the second bore of the component has an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the first bore of the component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder defines a longitudinally extending air gap between the alignment assembly and a distal portion of the component. ### Claim 8 An apparatus, comprising: an optical fiber extending along a longitudinal axis and having a cladding layer and a silica core; a component made of a doped silica material defining a bore, a portion of the cladding layer of the proximal end portion being in contact with the bore to define an interface, the optical fiber and the component collectively defining a launch connector; a holder having an open distal end and a proximal portion coupled to a proximal end portion of the launch connector; an alignment assembly extending distally of the holder and defining a lumen extending therethrough, a proximal end of the alignment assembly being positioned within the open distal end of the holder; and a distal coupling nut defining a cavity therein, wherein a distal end of alignment assembly is received within the cavity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the proximal end of the alignment assembly has a first diameter and a distal end of the alignment assembly has a second diameter, larger than the first diameter. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the alignment assembly further includes a radially extending wall between the proximal end and the distal end of the alignment assembly, wherein the wall abuts the open distal end of the holder. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, further including a proximal coupling nut defining a cavity therein, wherein the proximal portion of the holder is received within the cavity of the proximal coupling nut. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the component includes a fluorine-doped silica material that has an index of refraction lower than an index of refraction of the cladding layer of the optical fiber. ### Claim 13 An apparatus, comprising: a laser-energy-delivery device extending along a longitudinal axis and having an optical fiber, a cladding layer, and a doped silica capillary defining a bore, a portion of the cladding layer being in contact with the bore to define an interface; a holder having an open distal end and a proximal portion coupled to a proximal end portion of the laser-energy-delivery device; an alignment assembly extending distally of the holder and defining a lumen extending therethrough, a proximal end of the alignment assembly being positioned within the open distal end of the holder; a grip extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the grip, the grip being coupled to the laser-energy-delivery device; and a boot coupled to the grip, the boot extending distally of the distal end of the grip. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the capillary includes a fluorine-doped silica material that has an index of refraction lower than an index of refraction of the cladding layer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the portion of the cladding layer is a first portion of the cladding layer and the bore is a first bore, wherein the optical fiber has a coating on a second portion of the cladding layer and not on the first portion of the cladding layer, the second portion of the cladding layer being disposed outside of the first bore of the capillary and disposed within a second bore of the capillary, and wherein the second bore of the capillary has an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the first bore of the capillary. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the holder defines a longitudinally extending air gap between the alignment assembly and a distal portion of the capillary.