Patent US3699950A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3699950A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flexible optical light pipes used for surgery
Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-02
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1990-07-02
Abstract
Abstract Flexible fiber optic light pipes. In the form of an autoclavable surgical light pipe, a protective sheath formed by a single tube of silicone rubber has a critical outer diameter at least 2 1/4 times the internal diameter, the outer diameter on the order of 8 mm. Such a tube has a self-limiting effect, resisting bending of itself so that the fibers are not bent to their critical angle for breakage. A sealing coating on the fibers prevents adverse effects attributable to moisture passing through the wall thickness of the tube while end sealing prevents wash-off of the coating. An end sealing arrangement is shown with end cap and ferrule gripping the thickness of the tube, forming a gasket seal. Correspondingly tapered, butted and bonded surfaces align the assembly and provide a uniform seal. An inextensible cordlike member in the bore, extending between the ferrules, resists extension of the elastomeric outer tube.
Inventors
- 👤 William G Humphrey Jr
- 👤 Michael L Rishton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00112; A61B1/00117; A61B1/06; A61B1/07; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3869; G02B6/40; G02B6/403; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/915
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A surgical light pipe comprising in combination a single tube and a bundle of flexible light conducting fibers therewithin, said tube being comprised of silicone rubber and having an outer diameter more than 2 1/4 times the size of the inner diameter, said outer diaMeter being on the order of 8mm, said flexible light-conducting fibers loosely disposed within and directly exposed to the inner bore of said tube, a sealant coating on said glass fibers excluding moisture permeating the walls of said tube from being absorbed and adsorbed by said glass fibers while permitting slippage of contacting fibers relative to one another, and end members having openings in which said glass fibers are disposed, aligned ends of said glass fibers defining optical light transmitting end faces, said end members forming seals with said fibers and said tube against the flow of water into said tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A surgical light pipe comprising in combination a single tube and a bundle of flexible light conducting fibers therewithin, said tube being comprised of silicone rubber and having an outer diameter more than 2 1/4 times the size of the inner diameter, said outer diaMeter being on the order of 8mm, said flexible light-conducting fibers loosely disposed within and directly exposed to the inner bore of said tube, a sealant coating on said glass fibers excluding moisture permeating the walls of said tube from being absorbed and adsorbed by said glass fibers while permitting slippage of contacting fibers relative to one another, and end members having openings in which said glass fibers are disposed, aligned ends of said glass fibers defining optical light transmitting end faces, said end members forming seals with said fibers and said tube against the flow of water into said tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical light pipe of claim 1 wherein said sealant coating comprises silicone oil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The surgical light pipe of claim 1 wherein said end members are comprised of end caps and ferrules, each ferrule having an enlarged portion gripping the tube against a surface of said end cap for forming a said seal between said end member and said tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The surgical light pipe of claim 3 wherein said ferrule has a tapered surface, said end cap defining a matching internal surface against which said ferrule surface is bonded in a self-centered relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical light pipe of claim 1 wherein said flexible fibers are on the order of 0.002 inch diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The surgical light pipe of claim 1 wherein an inextensible cord-like member extends through the bore of said tube and is secured to opposite end members, resisting elongation of said light pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a light pipe comprising, in combination, a bundle of flexible, light-conducting fibers; a smooth outer-surface elastomeric tube directly surrounding said bundle of fibers and providing a smooth surface to said light pipe; at each end of the light pipe a rigid cap secured thereto, the ends of fibers of said bundle adhered together with bonding material and each end of said bundle bonded to the inside of the respective rigid cap; the improvement comprising a pair of ferrules, each having one end within a respective cap said end butted against a mating surface of said end cap, and bonded thereto; each ferrule having a flange which said elastomeric tube overlies and which cooperates with said rigid cap to grip said elastomeric tube in a substantially leak-proof manner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a light pipe comprising, in combination, a bundle of flexible, light-conducting fibers; a smooth outer-surface elastomeric tube directly surrounding said bundle of fibers and providing a smooth surface to said light pipe; at each end of the light pipe a rigid cap secured thereto, the ends of fibers of said bundle adhered together with bonding material and each end of said bundle bonded to the inside of the respective rigid cap; the improvement comprising a pair of ferrules, each having one end within a respective cap said end butted against a mating surface of said end cap, and bonded thereto; each ferrule having a flange which said elastomeric tube overlies and which cooperates with said rigid cap to grip said elastomeric tube in a substantially leak-proof manner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
A light pipe comprising, in combination, a bundle of flexible, light-conducting fibers; a smooth outer-surface elastomeric tube directly surrounding said bundle of fibers and providing a smooth surface to said light pipe; at each end of the light pipe a rigid cap secured thereto, the ends of fibers of said bundle adhered together with bonding material and each end of said bundle bonded to the inside of the respective rigid cap; a pair of ferrules, which extend at least partially within each of said rigid caps, respectively, and which are secured thereto; each ferrule having a flange which said elastomeric tube overlies and which cooperates with said rigid cap to grip said elastomeric tube in a substantially leak-proof manner; and a relatively inextensible cord-like member within said elastomeric tube which is secured to and extends between said ferrules.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
A light pipe comprising, in combination, a bundle of flexible, light-conducting fibers; a smooth outer-surface elastomeric tube directly surrounding said bundle of fibers and providing a smooth surface to said light pipe; at each end of the light pipe a rigid cap secured thereto, the ends of fibers of said bundle adhered together with bonding material and each end of said bundle bonded to the inside of the respective rigid cap; a pair of ferrules, which extend at least partially within each of said rigid caps, respectively, and which are secured thereto; each ferrule having a flange which said elastomeric tube overlies and which cooperates with said rigid cap to grip said elastomeric tube in a substantially leak-proof manner; and a relatively inextensible cord-like member within said elastomeric tube which is secured to and extends between said ferrules.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The light pipe of claim 8 wherein each ferrule is provided with a second flange, said cord-like member being tied around the shaft of said ferrule on the side of said second flange opposite said first flange.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The light pipe of claim 8 wherein said cord-like member comprises a braided ribbon of polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light pipe of claim 7 wherein said elastomeric tube is secured to the shaft of each ferrule.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The light pipe of claim 11 wherein said elastomeric tube is tied to each ferrule with a tie member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The light pipe of claim 8 wherein each ferrule has a tapered end and each rigid cap is internally tapered to match the taper of said ferrule end; whereby said ferrule is self-centering within said rigid cap, thereby creating a uniform gasket-like seal where said flange and said rigid cap cooperate to grip said elastomeriC tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The light pipe of claim 13 wherein each ferrule is secured to the respective rigid cap by means of epoxy material which bonds said ferrule to said rigid cap at least over the area of said tapered end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
The light pipe of claim 14 wherein an extension of each said end cap extends outwardly from the respective ferrule, closely surrounding said bundle of fibers and epoxy material bonds the ends of said fibers together and the ends of said bundles to the inside of said extensions of said rigid caps.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |