Package for an elongated flexible fiber
US5263585A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/80
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A package for an elongated flexible fiber. The package comprises a pair of package portions which define a fiber receiving cavity therein. Lips around the perimeter of the package allow a fiber to be wrapped thereon and passed between the lips into the fiber receiving cavity. Each package portion defines a fiber end receiving cavity therein, each fiber end receiving cavity being adapted for receiving an end of the fiber. Each fiber receiving cavity may be deflected away from the opposite package portion, thereby freeing the corresponding end of the fiber. The natural spring action of the elastically flexible fiber will cause the end of the fiber to pop radially outwardly from the package. Terminals, operating tips and other devices may be attached to the ends of the fibers. After both ends of the fiber have been thus freed, the package may be repositioned along the length of extended fiber by simply rolling it so that one section of the fiber is rewound into the package, and the other section is further unwound therefrom. The invention is particularly adapted for use with light transmitting fibers, such as used with surgical lasers in medical environments. The package and fiber may…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.