EP0194841A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid interface fiberoptic coupler
Assignee: Shiley Inc
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Filing: 1986-03-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A device for conveying high energy electromagnetic radiation from a laser source to an optical fiber which comprises a sleeve (1) having a proximal end and a distal end and being adapted to enclose a liquid (4) which is transparent to said radiation, the distal end of said sleeve being adapted to be attached to the input end of the optical fiber (3); and a focussing lens (2) attached to the proximal end of said sleeve said liquid having a refractive index which substantially matches the refractive index of the lens and of the optical fiber. A process for removing an obstruction by laser surgery using said device is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 William Edelman
- 👤 Hamid Reza Naghieh
- 👤 Dennis Constantinou
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:32
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4296; A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/245; G02B6/26; G02B6/262; G02B6/32; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4219; G02B6/4236; G02B6/424
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A device for conveying high energy electromagnetic radiation from a laser source to an optical fiber, characterized in that it comprises a sleeve (1) having a proximal end and a distal end and being adapted to enclose a liquid (4) which is transparent to said radiation, the distal end of said sleeve being adapted to be attached to the input end of optical fiber (3); and a focussing lens (2) attached to the proximal end of said sleeve, said liquid having a refractive index which substantially matches the refractive index of the lens and of the optical fiber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A device for conveying high energy electromagnetic radiation from a laser source to an optical fiber, characterized in that it comprises a sleeve (1) having a proximal end and a distal end and being adapted to enclose a liquid (4) which is transparent to said radiation, the distal end of said sleeve being adapted to be attached to the input end of optical fiber (3); and a focussing lens (2) attached to the proximal end of said sleeve, said liquid having a refractive index which substantially matches the refractive index of the lens and of the optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid is distilled water having a refractive index of 1.33 at a wavelength of 248 nm, or an aqueous solution of 3.74M potassium chloride having a refractive index of 1.37 at the said wavelength, or a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution having a refractive index of 1.33 at the said wavelength; and the optical fiber is fused silica having a refractive index of 1.43 at said wavelength.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cylindrical sleeve is made from a metal or a plastics material.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
29 words
A device according to any one of the preceeding claims, characterized in that the lens is a single element lens made from the same material as the optical fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
A process for removing an obstruction by laser surgery, characterized in that the said obstruction is subjected to high energy electromagnetic radiation conveyed through an optical fiber which is coupled to a laser by a liquid which is transparent to said radiation and is enclosed in a sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, which sleeve is attached at its distal end to the input end of the optical fiber and at its proximal end to a focussing lens associated with the aperture of the laser, wherein the liquid has a refractive index which substantially matches the refractive index of the lens and of the optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
109 words
A process for removing an obstruction by laser surgery, characterized in that the said obstruction is subjected to high energy electromagnetic radiation conveyed through an optical fiber which is coupled to a laser by a liquid which is transparent to said radiation and is enclosed in a sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, which sleeve is attached at its distal end to the input end of the optical fiber and at its proximal end to a focussing lens associated with the aperture of the laser, wherein the liquid has a refractive index which substantially matches the refractive index of the lens and of the optical fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 5, characterized in that said laser produces radiation having a wavelength of from 100 to 2000 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 5, characterized in that said laser is a krypton fluoride excimer laser producing UV radiation having a wavelength of 248 nm with a low absorption through water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A process according to any one of claim 5 to 7, characterized in that the liquid of the coupler is distilled water having a refractive index of 1.33 at a wavelength of 248 nm, or an aqueous solution of 3.74M potassium chloride having a refractive index of 1.37 at the said wavelength, or a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution having a refractive index of 1.33 at the said wavelength; and the optical fiber and lens are made of fused silica having a refractive index of 1.43 at said wavelength.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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