Patent US4967745A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4967745A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-fiber plug for a laser catheter
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1988-08-17
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Granted: 1990-11-06
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Expires: 2008-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A molded fiber-optic plug for retaining optical fibers in a fixed position within a laser catheter is disclosed in which an optically polished tubular moldable plug body is used to secure a plurality of optical fibers within a laser catheter.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary B. Hayes
- 👤 Carter Kittrell
- 👤 Martin R. Prince
- 👤 Jill M. Tobin
- 👤 Michael S. Feld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/245; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4296; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00057; A61B2017/00061; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22061; A61B18/1815; A61B2018/1861; A61B2018/2238; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3502; G02B6/3504; G02B6/3508; G02B6/351; G02B6/3512; G02B6/3516; G02B6/354; G02B6/3544; G02B6/3548; G02B6/3598
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A device for retaining a multiplicity of optical fibers in a fixed position near a distal end of a medical catheter tube for insertion into bodily cavities, channels or arteries comprising a plug affixed to the inner surface of said tube; said plug having spaced longitudinally extending holes, some of which extend in different directions through the plug into which the fibers extend and are received and secured at a fixed distance from each other in spaced apart relationship such that light transmitted along the fibers exits the distal ends of some of the fibers at different angles; and wherein the distal ends of the optical fibers and the plug are optically ground and polished as a unit to form a single optically finished surface on the distal end of the device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A device for retaining a multiplicity of optical fibers in a fixed position near a distal end of a medical catheter tube for insertion into bodily cavities, channels or arteries comprising a plug affixed to the inner surface of said tube; said plug having spaced longitudinally extending holes, some of which extend in different directions through the plug into which the fibers extend and are received and secured at a fixed distance from each other in spaced apart relationship such that light transmitted along the fibers exits the distal ends of some of the fibers at different angles; and wherein the distal ends of the optical fibers and the plug are optically ground and polished as a unit to form a single optically finished surface on the distal end of the device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the plug is formed by sealing it onto the fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said plug is further comprised of an adhesive material.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
140 words
A device for retaining a multiplicity of optical fibers in a fixed position near a distal end of a medical catheter tube for insertion into bodily cavities, channels or arteries comprising a plug affixed to the inner surface of said tube; said plug having spaced longitudinally extending holes therethrough into which the fibers extend and are anchored to the catheter tube at a fixed distance from each other in spaced apart relationship such that light entering the proximal ends of the fibers are projected out the distal ends of the fibers to form a pattern of adjacent spots at a predetermined distance from the distal ends; and wherein the distal ends of the optical fibers and the plug are optically ground and polished as a unit to form a single optically finished surface on the distal end of the device.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
140 words
A device for retaining a multiplicity of optical fibers in a fixed position near a distal end of a medical catheter tube for insertion into bodily cavities, channels or arteries comprising a plug affixed to the inner surface of said tube; said plug having spaced longitudinally extending holes therethrough into which the fibers extend and are anchored to the catheter tube at a fixed distance from each other in spaced apart relationship such that light entering the proximal ends of the fibers are projected out the distal ends of the fibers to form a pattern of adjacent spots at a predetermined distance from the distal ends; and wherein the distal ends of the optical fibers and the plug are optically ground and polished as a unit to form a single optically finished surface on the distal end of the device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
The device of claim 4 further comprising an optical shield held in a fixed position at the distal end of the plug, wherein said fibers are arranged to form an array of contiguous light spots having a predetermined pattern on a distal surface of said shield when the fibers are selectively coupled at their proximal ends to a laser beam and such that said array covers substantially the entire distal surface of the shield.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 4 further comprised of an optical shield wherein the single optically finished surface is secured to a surface of the optical shield such that said fibers are optically coupled to the shield.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the plug is affixed to said catheter tube such that the plug is impervious to a fluid flow and further comprising a hole extending through said plug such that fluid can flow therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
141 words
A medical device for retaining a multiplicity of optical fibers in a fixed position near a distal end of a catheter tube for insertion into bodily cavities, channels or arteries comprising a molded plug and optical fibers affixed to said tube; said plug molded around and bonded to said fibers which extend longitudinally through the plug, for which spatial position and angle are selectable; said fibers arranged and secured at a fixed distance from each other such that light entering the proximal ends of the fibers is projected out the distal ends to form a well-defined pattern of adjacent spots a predetermined distance from the distal ends; and wherein the distal ends of the optical fibers and the plug are optically ground and polished as a unit to form a single optically finished surface on the distal end of the plug.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
141 words
A medical device for retaining a multiplicity of optical fibers in a fixed position near a distal end of a catheter tube for insertion into bodily cavities, channels or arteries comprising a molded plug and optical fibers affixed to said tube; said plug molded around and bonded to said fibers which extend longitudinally through the plug, for which spatial position and angle are selectable; said fibers arranged and secured at a fixed distance from each other such that light entering the proximal ends of the fibers is projected out the distal ends to form a well-defined pattern of adjacent spots a predetermined distance from the distal ends; and wherein the distal ends of the optical fibers and the plug are optically ground and polished as a unit to form a single optically finished surface on the distal end of the plug.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 8 wherein a buffer within said optical fibers has been partially removed such that said plug molding material is directly adherent to a cladding of the optical fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 8 whereby said multiplicity of optical fibers comprises two concentric rings of fibers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-11-05 | 1994-05-07 | 1994-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-05 | 1998-05-07 | 1998-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-05 | 2002-05-07 | 2002-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |