US5073048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical fiber bundle
Assignee: Pentax Corp
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Filing: 1988-07-06
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Granted: 1991-12-17
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Expires: 2008-07-06
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber bundle for an endoscope or the like which can be subjected to cyclic bending at a small radius of curvature without causing fiber breakage. The fiber bundle includes a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends but with individual fibers being freely movable inside the middle portion of the bundle, which is covered by a flexible tube. A gelling fluid coating the fibers is filled in the flexible tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Rensuke Adachi
- 👤 Shizuharu Miura
- 👤 Hiroshi Sano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:12
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165; G02B6/04; G02B6/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
An optical fiber bundle comprising: a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being freely movable; a flexible tube covering a middle portion between the two ends; and a gelling fluid applied to the optical fibers in the flexible tube wherein said gelling fluid gels upon being heated or standing at normal room temperatures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
An optical fiber bundle comprising: a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being freely movable; a flexible tube covering a middle portion between the two ends; and a gelling fluid applied to the optical fibers in the flexible tube wherein said gelling fluid gels upon being heated or standing at normal room temperatures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The optical fiber bundle according to claim 1, in which the optical fibers are bound at both ends in such a way that the fibers at one end are in alignment with those at the other end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical fiber bundle according to claim 1, wherein said gelling fluid is liquid silicone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical fiber bundle according to claim 1, wherein said gelling fluid is applied to said optical fibers at least in an area near one end of said fiber bundle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical fiber bundle according to claim 1, wherein said gelling fluid is applied only to optical fibers in a marginal portion of said fiber bundle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical fiber bundle according to claim 1, wherein said gelling fluid is applied to all optical fibers except at both ends where they are bound together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
An optical fiber bundle for an endoscope comprising: a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being rendered freely movable; and a flexible tube of a polyurethane resin in a middle portion between the two ends of said optical fibers, thereby forming a bundle of optical fibers which can be slipped into an inserting portion of the endoscope, without a dual case structure, wherein said optical fibers in said flexible tube of polyurethane resin are coated with a liquid silicone that gels upon heating or standing at normal temperatures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
An optical fiber bundle for an endoscope comprising: a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being rendered freely movable; and a flexible tube of a polyurethane resin in a middle portion between the two ends of said optical fibers, thereby forming a bundle of optical fibers which can be slipped into an inserting portion of the endoscope, without a dual case structure, wherein said optical fibers in said flexible tube of polyurethane resin are coated with a liquid silicone that gels upon heating or standing at normal temperatures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
An optical fiber bundle comprising: a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being rendered freely movable; a flexible tube covering a middle portion between the two ends; and a gelling fluid and a gelation retarding material applied to said fibers in the flexible tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
An optical fiber bundle comprising: a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being rendered freely movable; a flexible tube covering a middle portion between the two ends; and a gelling fluid and a gelation retarding material applied to said fibers in the flexible tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The optical fiber bundle according to claim 8, in which the optical fibers are bound at both ends in such a way that the fibers at one end are in alignment with those at the other end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical fiber bundle according to claim 8, wherein said fluid is liquid silicone that gels upon heating or upon standing at normal room temperatures.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical fiber bundle according to claim 8, wherein said fluid is applied to said optical fibers on at least one end of said fiber bundle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical fiber bundle according to claim 8, wherein said gelling fluid is applied to all optical fibers except at both ends where they are bound together.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical fiber bundle according to claim 8, wherein said gelation retarding material is a sulfur compound.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical fiber bundle according to claim 13, wherein said gelation retarding material is molybdenum disulfide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical fiber bundle according to claim 8, wherein said gelation retarding material is a nitride compound.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical fiber bundle according to claim 15, wherein said gelation retarding material is boron nitride.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
88 words
An optical fiber bundle for an endoscope comprising: a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being rendered freely movable; and a flexible tube of a polyurethane resin in a meddle portion between the two ends of said optical fibers, thereby forming a bundle of optical fibers which can be slipped into an inserting portion of the endoscope, without a dual case structure, wherein a liquid silicon and a gellation retarding material are applied to said optical fibers in said flexible tube of polyurethane resin.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
88 words
An optical fiber bundle for an endoscope comprising: a plurality of optical fibers bound at both ends, individual fibers being rendered freely movable; and a flexible tube of a polyurethane resin in a meddle portion between the two ends of said optical fibers, thereby forming a bundle of optical fibers which can be slipped into an inserting portion of the endoscope, without a dual case structure, wherein a liquid silicon and a gellation retarding material are applied to said optical fibers in said flexible tube of polyurethane resin.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of producing an optical fiber bundle, comprising the steps of: binding a plurality of optical fibers at both ends; and applying gelling fluid which gels upon being heated or standing at normal room temperatures to the individual optical fibers which are rendered freely movable.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of producing an optical fiber bundle, comprising the steps of: binding a plurality of optical fibers at both ends; and applying gelling fluid which gels upon being heated or standing at normal room temperatures to the individual optical fibers which are rendered freely movable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18, further comprising inserting said fibers into a flexible tube.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of producing an optical fiber bundle, comprising the steps of: binding a plurality of optical fibers at both ends; and applying gelling fluid and gellation retarding material to the individual optical fibers which are rendered freely movable.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of producing an optical fiber bundle, comprising the steps of: binding a plurality of optical fibers at both ends; and applying gelling fluid and gellation retarding material to the individual optical fibers which are rendered freely movable.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising inserting said fibers into a flexible tube.
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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) | 1994-12-16 | 1995-06-17 | 1995-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-16 | 1999-06-17 | 1999-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-16 | 2003-06-17 | 2003-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |