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EP0173266A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Composite optical waveguide and production of the same

Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1985-08-23
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-08-23
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Abstract

Abstract A composite optical waveguide comprising a flexible tube member (10) having at least one continuous bore along at least a part of its length at least one of which is filled with a transparent elastomeric material (11) serving as an optical waveguide part, which optionally further comprises at least one elongate element (31, 32) embedded in the transparent material or a wall of the tube member (10).

Inventors

  • 👤 Shinichiro C/O Osaka Works Niwa
  • 👤 Akira C/O Osaka Works Nishimura
  • 👤 Yutaka C/O Osaka Works Shibata
  • 👤 Yoshitaka C/O Osaka Works Osawa

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 12:57
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D11/00; B29D11/00663; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4416; G02B6/4479; G02B6/02; G02B6/032

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 44 words
A composite optical waveguide characterized by a flexible tube member (10,21) having at least one continuous bore along at least a part of its length, at least one of which is filled with a transparent elastomeric material (11,22) serving as an optical waveguide part.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 44 words
A composite optical waveguide characterized by a flexible tube member (10,21) having at least one continuous bore along at least a part of its length, at least one of which is filled with a transparent elastomeric material (11,22) serving as an optical waveguide part.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
A composite optical waveguide according to claim 1, which further comprises at least one elongate element (23,24,24') embedded in the transparent material (22).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
A composite optical waveguide according to claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the elongate element (23) has a refractive index smaller than that of the transparent material.(22).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
A composite optical waveguide according to claim 2, wherein the elongate element is a tube (24,24') or a rod-like element (23).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 30 words
A composite optical waveguide according to claim 1, which further comprises at least one elongate element (31,32) inserted in the bore which is not filled with the transparent material (11).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 20 words
A composite optical waveguide according to claim 5, wherein the elongate element is a tube (32) or a rod-like element(31).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
A composite optical waveguide according to claim 1, which further comprises an intermediate layer (12) provided on the inner surface of the bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 28 words
A composite optical waveguide according to claim 7, wherein the intermediate layer is made of a material having a refractive index smaller than that of the transparent material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 21 words
A composite optical waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the transparent material (11) is a cured product of a liquid elastomer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 30 words
A composite optical waveguide according to claim 9, wherein the liquid elastomer is one selected from a casting liquid polyurethane elastomer, a liquid polybutadiene elastomer and a liquid silicone elastomer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 37 words
A process for producing a composite optical waveguide according to claim 1, which comprises pouring a liquid elastomer (11) in at least one bore of the tube member (10) and curing it to provide a transparent material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 29 words
A process according to claim 11, which further comprises coating an intermediate layer -(12) on the inner surface of the bore (10) before the liquid elastomer (11) is poured.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 33 words
A process for producing a composite optical waveguide according to claim 2, which comprises inserting at least one elongate element in the bore, pouring a liquid elastomer into the bore and curing it.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 26 words
A process according to claim 13, which further comprises coating an intermediate layer on the inner surface of the bore before the liquid elastomer is poured.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 14 words
A catheter comprising a waveguide according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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