Self-aligning coupler for a laser endoscope
US5251612A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 1991 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B23/2476
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A self-aligning coupler for a laser endoscope having a body and a lumen extending from the body includes a coupler housing; an input port adapted for connection to a laser beam source; and an output port adapted for connection to the endoscope body; a tilt assembly; an alignment sleeve fixed to the tilt assembly for extending through the output port and the body into the lumen; lens means mounted with the tilt assembly for projecting the laser beam down the alignment sleeve and fixing the focus of the beam generally on the axis of the alignment sleeve; means for centering the sleeve with respect to the lumen and generally aligning the lumen and sleeve axes; and gap means between the tilt assembly and the coupler housing for enabling the tilt assembly to float in the coupler housing laterally relative to the axes of the sleeve and lumen for accommodating misalignment between the body and lumen while maintaining alignment of the lens means, sleeve and lumen.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.