Patent · US Expired

Endoscopic light delivery system

US5476461A · kind A · utility

47Cited by
22References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 13, 1994
Grant dateDec 19, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 13, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/2272
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An endoscopic light delivery system for delivering light to tissue includes a laser source for generating light. Fiber optics encased in a plastic buffer are optically coupled to the laser source for conveying the light generated by the laser source. A tip member secured to the fiber optics positions a mirror adjacent to the light delivery end of the fiber optics. The mirror redirects light conveyed by the fiber optics in a direction lateral to the fiber optics. A heat resistant ring encircling the fiber optics near the light delivery end shields the fiber optics from heat to prevent the plastic buffer near the light delivery end from melting. A lateral extension of the tip member spaces the mirror and fiber optics away from tissue. A band with a circumferential groove encircles the light receiving end of the fiber optics. A connector having a bore is capable of receiving the light receiving end of the fiber optics in the bore and locking the band within the bore by engaging the groove with a locking device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.