US5116329A — Medical laser interconnect system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 119 words

A medical device, comprising: a medical laser for producing light for propagation along an optical path; a first interconnect assembly; and a second interconnect assembly for detachably connecting with said first interconnect assembly, one of said interconnect assemblies including a shutter for blocking said optical path, said first and second assemblies having camming surfaces which mechanically co-act to drive said shutter relative to said optical path; optical guide means connected to one of said interconnect assemblies, for receiving light from said optical path; and an optical port on another of said interconnect assemblies, for engaging said optical guide means, said engagement of said guide means and said optical port being independent of said mechanical co-action of said camming surfaces.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 119 words

A medical device, comprising: a medical laser for producing light for propagation along an optical path; a first interconnect assembly; and a second interconnect assembly for detachably connecting with said first interconnect assembly, one of said interconnect assemblies including a shutter for blocking said optical path, said first and second assemblies having camming surfaces which mechanically co-act to drive said shutter relative to said optical path; optical guide means connected to one of said interconnect assemblies, for receiving light from said optical path; and an optical port on another of said interconnect assemblies, for engaging said optical guide means, said engagement of said guide means and said optical port being independent of said mechanical co-action of said camming surfaces.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 47 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 1, wherein one of said interconnect assemblies comprises a switch and a switch activating member, and the other of said interconnect assemblies comprises an appendage, said switch activating member responsive to said appendage to change the state of said switch.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 33 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 2, wherein one of said interconnect assemblies includes a second switch responsive to said driving of said shutter to change the state of said second switch.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 1, wherein said optical guide means comprises an optical fiber.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 4, wherein said optical fiber is disposed in a catheter.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 36 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 1, wherein said camming surfaces comprise a first surface on a channel of said first interconnect assembly and a second surface on an appendage of said second interconnect assembly.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 6, wherein said channel is sized to prevent passage of a standard paper clip therethrough.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 43 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 1, wherein one of said interconnect assemblies comprises a fluid port and the other of said interconnect assemblies comprises a fitting for sealably connecting to said fluid port to provide fluid communication between said interconnect assemblies.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 25 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 1, wherein said first interconnect assembly comprises a socket and wherein said second interconnect assembly comprises a plug.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 49 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 9, wherein the plug interconnect assembly comprises a housing, a fluid inlet, and an appendage, said inlet and said appendage extending outward from said housing parallel to each other, said appendage extending a greater distance from said housing than said fluid inlet.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 81 words

A medical device as defined by claim 9, wherein the plug interconnect assembly comprises an appendage and the socket interconnect assembly comprises a mount, said socket interconnect assembly further comprising a mechanically actuated sensor actuated by movement of said mount in response to insertion of said appendage into a channel formed in said mount, said socket interconnect assembly further comprising a biasing member for resisting the movement of the mount in response to the insertion of the appendage into the channel.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 48 words

A medical device as defined by claim 9, wherein the plug interconnect assembly comprises a housing, an optical guide extension, a fluid inlet, and an appendage, said extension extending further from said housing than said appendage, and said appendage extending further from said housing than said fluid inlet.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 12, wherein said appendage, extension, and fluid inlet are mounted in triangular relationship.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 33 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 13, wherein said extension and said fluid inlet are disposed such that they lie along a line parallel to the direction of movement of said shutter.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 150 words

A medical device, comprising: a first interconnect assembly; a second interconnect assembly for detachably connecting with said first interconnect assembly, one of said interconnect assemblies comprising a housing and an appendage extending from said housing, and the other of said interconnect assemblies comprising (i) a body having an optical port through which a radiation beam along an optical path may pass, (ii) a shutter for blocking said optical path, and (iii) a mount for mating with said appendage, said mount and said appendage having respective surfaces which mechanically coact to move said mount in response to the insertion of a portion of said appendage into said mount to drive said shutter away from said optical path, said surface on said mount being inaccessible from inside said optical port to prevent said shutter from being driven through said optical port; and an optical fiber, connected to one of said interconnect assemblies.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 150 words

A medical device, comprising: a first interconnect assembly; a second interconnect assembly for detachably connecting with said first interconnect assembly, one of said interconnect assemblies comprising a housing and an appendage extending from said housing, and the other of said interconnect assemblies comprising (i) a body having an optical port through which a radiation beam along an optical path may pass, (ii) a shutter for blocking said optical path, and (iii) a mount for mating with said appendage, said mount and said appendage having respective surfaces which mechanically coact to move said mount in response to the insertion of a portion of said appendage into said mount to drive said shutter away from said optical path, said surface on said mount being inaccessible from inside said optical port to prevent said shutter from being driven through said optical port; and an optical fiber, connected to one of said interconnect assemblies.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 15, wherein said co-acting surfaces comprise a cam surface and a cammed surface for imparting movement to said shutter.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 15, wherein said channel has a mouth small enough to prevent the entry therein of a standard paper clip.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 37 words

The device of claim 17, wherein one of said interconnect assemblies further comprises a biasing member for resisting the movement of said mount in response to the insertion of said portion of said appendage into said channel.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 15 wherein one of said interconnect assemblies further comprises a mechanically actuated sensor actuated by the movement of said mount in response to the insertion of said portion of said appendage into said mount.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 14 words

The device of claim 19, wherein said sensor comprises a mechanically actuated electrical microswitch.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device of claim 15, wherein said optical port does not move in response to the movement of said mount.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 15, wherein the movement of said mount is perpendicular to said optical path.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 15, wherein said shutter is attached to said mount.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 110 words

A medical device, comprising: a medical laser for producing light for propagation along an optical path; and an interconnect device comprising a plug interconnect assembly and a socket interconnect assembly, said plug interconnect assembly comprising an appendage having a key portion and a camming surface, said socket interconnect assembly having a channel sized to receive said key portion and a camming surface which co-acts with said camming surface of said plug interconnect assembly, said socket interconnect assembly having an optical port and a shutter for selectively blocking or opening said optical path in response to relative movement of said camming surfaces, said channel being inaccessible from inside said optical port.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 110 words

A medical device, comprising: a medical laser for producing light for propagation along an optical path; and an interconnect device comprising a plug interconnect assembly and a socket interconnect assembly, said plug interconnect assembly comprising an appendage having a key portion and a camming surface, said socket interconnect assembly having a channel sized to receive said key portion and a camming surface which co-acts with said camming surface of said plug interconnect assembly, said socket interconnect assembly having an optical port and a shutter for selectively blocking or opening said optical path in response to relative movement of said camming surfaces, said channel being inaccessible from inside said optical port.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 48 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 24, wherein said socket interconnect assembly additionally comprises a plunger responsive to said key portion of said appendage, and a switch mounted on said shutter such that said plunger actuates said switch upon insertion of said key portion into said channel.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 26 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 25, wherein said socket interconnect assembly additionally comprises a second switch positioned for activation upon movement of said shutter.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 89 words

A medical device, comprising: an interconnect assembly for actuating movement of a shutter to selectively open or block an optical port of a medical laser, said interconnect assembly comprising an interlock appendage having a surface for mechanically actuating said shutter, and an optical guide configured to mate with said optical port to receive transmission of light from said medical laser, said appendage being independent of said optical guide such that said mechanical actuation of said shutters is independent of the mating of the optical guide with the optical port.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 89 words

A medical device, comprising: an interconnect assembly for actuating movement of a shutter to selectively open or block an optical port of a medical laser, said interconnect assembly comprising an interlock appendage having a surface for mechanically actuating said shutter, and an optical guide configured to mate with said optical port to receive transmission of light from said medical laser, said appendage being independent of said optical guide such that said mechanical actuation of said shutters is independent of the mating of the optical guide with the optical port.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 55 words

A medical device, comprising: an interconnect assembly having an optical guide for connecting to a medical laser, said interconnect assembly comprising an appendage having a thickness of less than approximately 0.038 inches, said appendage being configured to mechanically drive a shutter on the medical laser to control transmission of laser light to said optical guide.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 55 words

A medical device, comprising: an interconnect assembly having an optical guide for connecting to a medical laser, said interconnect assembly comprising an appendage having a thickness of less than approximately 0.038 inches, said appendage being configured to mechanically drive a shutter on the medical laser to control transmission of laser light to said optical guide.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 16 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 28, wherein said optical guide comprises an optical fiber.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 23 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 28, wherein said interconnect assembly comprises a plug and said complementary interconnect assembly comprises a socket.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 17 words

A medical device, as defined by claim 28, wherein said surface is configured as a camming surface.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 87 words

A method of operating a medical laser, comprising: inserting a plug interconnect assembly into a socket interconnect assembly. utilizing a camming surface on an interlock appendage of said plug assembly to mechanically drive a shutter on said socket assembly; sensing when said interlock appendage is in position to drive said shutter; sensing when the shutter has been driven by the appendage; and activating said medical laser only after said sensing steps confirm that said appendage is in position and said shutter has been driven by said appendage.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 87 words

A method of operating a medical laser, comprising: inserting a plug interconnect assembly into a socket interconnect assembly. utilizing a camming surface on an interlock appendage of said plug assembly to mechanically drive a shutter on said socket assembly; sensing when said interlock appendage is in position to drive said shutter; sensing when the shutter has been driven by the appendage; and activating said medical laser only after said sensing steps confirm that said appendage is in position and said shutter has been driven by said appendage.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-05-26	1995-11-25	1996-05-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-05-26	1999-11-25	2000-05-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-05-26	2003-11-25	2004-05-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Medical laser interconnect system

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