US2010280323A1PendingUtilityA1

Ceramic Fiber Optic Taper Housing For Medical Devices

45
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Nov 28, 2005Filed: Jul 12, 2010Published: Nov 4, 2010
Est. expiryNov 28, 2025(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Jeffrey S. Melanson
A61B 1/00096A61B 1/12A61B 1/00167A61B 1/00071A61B 1/07
45
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Claims

Abstract

A system for transmitting the light required for a medical device is disclosed generally comprising an endoscope body, a light guide for transmitting light from a light source to the instrument body, where the light guide includes a bundle of optical fibers having a tapered portion, and a ceramic housing disposed around at least part of the tapered portion of the bundle. In certain embodiments, the ceramic has a pigment for improving insulation. In some embodiments, the taper and ceramic housing are located in an endoscope handle, which may be coupled to the endoscope body via an input post, and in certain embodiments, the inner diameter of the ceramic housing has an increase substantially equal to the decrease of diameter of the taper.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A medical device, comprising:
 an endoscope body;   a light source;   a light guide for transmitting light from said light source to said endoscope body;   wherein said light guide comprises a bundle of optical fibers, said bundle having a tapered portion; and   a ceramic housing disposed around at least part of the tapered portion of said bundle.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said ceramic housing is disposed along the whole length of the tapered portion of said bundle. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said bundle includes an outer surface having a ceramic coating applied thereon. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said bundle includes an outer surface having a diameter that decreases in the direction of light transmission and said ceramic housing has an inner surface with a diameter that increases in the direction of light transmission, further comprising a gap between the outer surface of said bundle and the inner surface of said ceramic housing. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said light source is a Xenon lamp. 
     
     
         6 . A medical device, comprising:
 an instrument body;   a light guide for transmitting light to the instrument body;   wherein said light guide comprises a bundle of optical fibers, said bundle having a tapered portion; and   a ceramic housing disposed around at least part of the tapered portion of said bundle.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said body includes an endoscope body. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said ceramic housing is disposed along the whole length of the tapered portion of said bundle. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said bundle includes an outer surface having a ceramic coating applied thereon. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said bundle includes an outer surface having a diameter that decreases in the direction of light transmission and said ceramic housing has an inner surface with a diameter that increases in the direction of light transmission, further comprising a gap between the outer surface of said bundle and the inner surface of said ceramic housing. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said ceramic housing comprises macor. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said ceramic housing comprises alumina silicate. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said ceramic housing comprises steatite. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said ceramic housing comprises alumina bisque. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said ceramic housing comprises zirconia phosphate. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said ceramic housing comprises cordierite. 
     
     
         17 . A medical device, comprising;
 a housing;   a fiber optic bundle for transmitting light disposed in said housing;   wherein said bundle includes a tapered portion for altering an attribute of the light transmitted therethrough; and   a ceramic disposed around at least part of the tapered portion of said bundle for at least partially insulating the housing from energy radiating from the tapered portion of said bundle.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said ceramic is disposed along the whole length of the tapered portion of said bundle. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said ceramic housing comprises macor. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said ceramic housing comprises alumina silicate. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said ceramic housing comprises steatite. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said ceramic housing comprises alumina bisque. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said ceramic housing comprises zirconia phosphate. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said ceramic housing comprises cordierite.

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