The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 02, 1993
Filed:
Aug. 11, 1992
Henry H Fletcher, Cupertino, CA (US);
Scott A Davenport, Montara, CA (US);
Laserscope, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for directing light at an angle provides an optical fiber with a bevelled end which internally reflects light or refracts light from the bevelled end at an angle to the fiber's axis depending on the bevelled angle. The apparatus also includes a cylindrical probe for surgical applications having a central bore and a cut-out in a side of the probe near one end. The cylindrical probe may have a sharp tip at the one end for penetrating tissue. The optical fiber having a bevelled end is insertable into the cylindrical probe. The bevelled end of the optical fiber is aligned with the cut-out in the cylindrical probe. Light transmitted through the optical fiber is directed from the bevelled end and through the cut-out to provide light at an angle to the axis of the fiber. A bevelled end plug is positioned adjacent to the bevelled end of the fiber. A housing holds the optical fiber and cylindrical probe and limits axial travel. An aspiration connector is coupled to the optical fiber. Connection of the aspiration connector with the housing automatically aligns the bevelled end of the optical fiber with the cut-out in the cylindrical probe.