Optical fiber connector, optical fiber catheter and laser ablation device

Abstract

The utility model discloses an optical fiber connector, an optical fiber catheter and a laser ablation device. The insertion core sleeves the optical fiber and is close to the light inlet end of the optical fiber, the nut and the insertion core are in first clearance fit, the tail sleeve and the protection sleeve are in second clearance fit, and the second clearance is controlled to be smaller than the first clearance. In the process that the nut and the protective sleeve are in threaded connection with the output end of the laser in a synchronous rotation mode, the insertion core is always kept close to the central axis of the nut, and therefore the insertion core can be rapidly inserted into the output end of the laser. Therefore, the nut can be in threaded connection with the output end conveniently, the connection efficiency between the optical fiber connector and the laser is improved, the risk that dirt dust and the like are attached to the light inlet end of the optical fiber and an insertion core is reduced, and the risk that the dust or the dirt generates high temperature under the action of laser to damage the optical fiber and the laser is reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of medical devices, in particular to a fiber connector, a fiber guide tube and a laser ablation device. BACKGROUND

[0002] The fiber connector is a connecting assembly for connecting the optical fiber to the laser. The fiber connector usually comprises a ferrule, a nut, a protective sleeve and a tail sleeve, wherein the ferrule is used to fix the optical fiber, the nut is rotatably arranged on the outer periphery of the ferrule and is used to be screwed with the laser to align the optical fiber with the output end of the laser, the protective sleeve is arranged on the nut and located on the outer periphery of the ferrule to protect the nut and the ferrule, and the tail sleeve is used to protect the part of the optical fiber extending out of the protective sleeve to prevent the friction between the optical fiber and the protective sleeve or the excessive bending of the optical fiber.

[0003] In the existing fiber connector, since the ferrule and the tail sleeve have a large clearance with the nut and the protective sleeve, when the nut and the protective sleeve are rotated during the connection of the optical fiber to the laser through the fiber connector, the ferrule and the optical fiber are always in a position obviously deviating from the axis of the nut, and it is often necessary to adjust several times to screw the fiber connector to the laser, which leads to the inconvenience and low efficiency of the connection operation of the fiber connector to the laser. CONTENT OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0004] The main purpose of the present application is to provide a fiber connector, a fiber guide tube and a laser ablation device to solve the problem of inconvenient and low efficiency of the connection operation of the fiber connector to the laser in the prior art.

[0005] In one aspect, the present application provides a fiber connector, comprising:

[0006] a ferrule, the ferrule being sleeved on the optical fiber and being close to the light-in end of the optical fiber;

[0007] a nut, the nut being sleeved on the outer periphery of the ferrule and being in clearance fit with the ferrule;

[0008] a protective sleeve, the protective sleeve being connected with the nut and being located on the outer periphery of the ferrule; and

[0009] a tail sleeve, the tail sleeve being connected to the ferrule and being sleeved on the optical fiber, the tail sleeve being at least partially located in the protective sleeve and being in clearance fit with the inner wall of the protective sleeve;

[0010] wherein the ferrule and the nut have a first clearance, the tail sleeve and the protective sleeve have a second clearance, and the second clearance is smaller than the first clearance.

[0011] Further, the second clearance is less than or equal to 0.2 mm.

[0012] Further, the tail sleeve comprises a first section and a second section, the first section is interference-fitted on the ferrule, and an outer diameter of the first section is smaller than an outer diameter of the second section, and the outer diameter of the second section is smaller than an inner diameter of the protective sleeve.

[0013] Further, the tail sleeve further comprises a third section, the third section is connected to an end of the second section away from the first section, the third section is located outside the protective sleeve, and an outer diameter of the end of the third section close to the second section is greater than the inner diameter of the protective sleeve.

[0014] Further, the outer diameter of the third section gradually decreases in a direction away from the second section;

[0015] And / or, a plurality of grooves are formed on the third section, the plurality of grooves are distributed along a length direction of the third section, and respectively extend along a circumferential direction of the third section.

[0016] Further, the nut is a knurled nut, and the protective sleeve is integrally formed on the nut.

[0017] Further, the protective sleeve comprises opposite first and second ends, the nut is arranged in the protective sleeve and close to the first end, and the tail sleeve is at least partially arranged in the protective sleeve and extends out of the protective sleeve from the second end;

[0018] Wherein, an inner wall of the protective sleeve close to the first end extends radially inward to form a limiting guide hole, and an end of the nut with internal threads is close to the limiting guide hole.

[0019] Further, an outer periphery of the protective sleeve is formed with an anti-skid surface, and the anti-skid surface is close to the second end.

[0020] On the other hand, the application also provides an optical fiber guide tube, the optical fiber guide tube comprising the optical fiber connector of any one of the above;

[0021] An optical fiber, the optical fiber is arranged in the ferrule.

[0022] In another aspect, the application also provides a laser ablation device, the laser ablation device comprising the optical fiber guide tube of the above; and

[0023] A laser and a controller, the laser is threadedly connected with the nut of the optical fiber guide tube, and the controller is used for controlling the laser to output laser to the optical fiber of the optical fiber guide tube.

[0024] In the optical fiber connector of the present application, the ferrule is sleeved on the optical fiber and close to the light-in end of the optical fiber, the nut is sleeved with the ferrule with a first gap, the protective sleeve is arranged on the nut, the tail sleeve is arranged on the ferrule to make the tail sleeve sleeved with the protective sleeve with a second gap, and the second gap is controlled to be smaller than the first gap, so that the ferrule is suspended in the nut under the cooperation of the tail sleeve and the protective sleeve, the mutual friction between the nut and the ferrule is reduced when the nut rotates, the sleeving precision between the nut and the ferrule is improved, and the ferrule always keeps close to the central axis of the nut during the process that the nut is screwed with the output end of the laser synchronously, so that the ferrule can be quickly inserted into the output end of the laser, and the nut can be conveniently screwed with the output end, thereby improving the connection efficiency between the optical fiber connector and the laser, and on the basis of improving the thread connection efficiency between the optical fiber connector and the laser, the risk of dust and dirt adhering to the light-in end of the optical fiber and the ferrule is also reduced, thereby reducing the risk of dust or dirt damaging the optical fiber and the laser under the action of laser. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The drawings described herein are used to provide further understanding of the present application, and form a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application, and do not constitute improper limitations on the present application. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the optical fiber connector of an embodiment of the present application, and only the protective sleeve is cut.

[0027] Figure 2 In Figure 1 the tail sleeve is hidden.

[0028] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the tail sleeve of an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 4 It is a schematic view of the cooperation between the ferrule and the nut in an embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 5 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the cooperation between the ferrule and the nut in an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of the protective sleeve of an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Among the above drawings, the following reference signs are included:

[0033] Optical fiber connector 100, ferrule 10, nut 20, internal thread 21, protective sleeve 30, first end 31, second end 32, limiting guide hole 33, anti-skid surface 34, tail sleeve 40, first section 41, second section 42, third section 43, first step surface 44, second step surface 45, groove 46. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] It should be noted that the embodiments and features of the embodiments in the present application can be combined with each other without conflict. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0035] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only intended to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, and it should also be understood that, when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in the specification, it indicates the presence of the features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0036] Unless specifically stated otherwise, the relative arrangements of the components and steps illustrated in these embodiments and the numerical expressions and values set forth herein are not limiting of the scope of the present application. It should be understood that the various parts of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that, for the purpose of convenience and clarity, not all components can be shown in a given figure. Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art can not be discussed in detail, but can be assumed to be part of a skilled artisan's common understanding of the art. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be interpreted as merely illustrative and not as a limitation on the scope of the exemplary embodiments. Thus, other examples of the exemplary embodiments can have different values. It should be noted that like reference numerals and letters refer to like items throughout the several views of the drawings, and thus, once an item is defined in one view, it need not be further discussed in subsequent views.

[0037] Reference should be made to Figure 1As shown, in one aspect, the present application provides a fiber connector 100 for connecting a fiber and a laser to enable the laser to transmit laser light outwards through the fiber. The fiber connector 100 includes a ferrule 10, a nut 20, a protective sleeve 30 and a tail sleeve 40. The ferrule 10 is sleeved on the fiber and close to the light-in end of the fiber to position the end of the fiber close to the light-in end; the nut 20 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the ferrule 10 and is in clearance fit with the ferrule 10 to enable the nut 20 to rotate relative to the ferrule 10 and the fiber to achieve threaded connection with the output end of the laser; the protective sleeve 30 is connected with the nut 20 and located on the outer periphery of the ferrule 10, and is used for protecting the nut 20, the ferrule 10 and the fiber and for being held by an operator to enable the nut 20 to be threaded connected with the output end of the laser; the tail sleeve 40 is connected on the ferrule 10 and sleeved on the fiber to protect the fiber together with the ferrule 10 and the protective sleeve 30.

[0038] Further, the tail sleeve 40 is at least partially located in the protective sleeve 30 and is in second clearance fit with the inner wall of the protective sleeve 30; the ferrule 10 is in first clearance fit with the nut 20, and the second clearance is smaller than the first clearance, so that the ferrule 10 is located in the nut 20 in a suspended state under the cooperation of the tail sleeve 40 and the protective sleeve 30, reducing the mutual friction between the nut 20 and the ferrule 10 when the nut 20 rotates, thereby improving the precision of the sleeve connection between the nut 20 and the ferrule 10, and in the process of synchronous rotation of the nut 20 and the protective sleeve 30 to be threaded connected with the output end of the laser, the ferrule 10 always keeps close to the central axis of the nut 20, thereby reducing the distance of the ferrule 10 from the central axis of the nut 20 during the rotation of the nut 20, and further enabling the ferrule 10 to be quickly inserted into the output end of the laser, thereby enabling the nut 20 to be easily and operatively threaded connected with the output end, and improving the connection efficiency between the fiber connector 100 and the laser, and on the basis of improving the threaded connection efficiency between the fiber connector 100 and the laser, also reducing the risk of dirt and dust adhering to the light-in end of the fiber and the ferrule 10, thereby reducing the risk of dust or dirt being damaged by high temperature under the action of the laser to damage the fiber and the laser.

[0039] Further, please refer to Figures 1-2As shown, in an embodiment, the inner diameter of the protective sleeve 30 is 8mm, and the outer diameter of the tail sleeve 40 located in the protective sleeve 30 is between 7.8mm and 8mm, so that the minimum gap between the part of the tail sleeve 40 located in the protective sleeve 30 and the inner wall of the protective sleeve 30 is less than or equal to 0.2mm, that is, the second gap is less than or equal to 0.2mm. Thus, during the rotation of the nut 20, the deviation distance of the central axis of the tail sleeve 40 located in the protective sleeve 30 from the central axis of the protective sleeve 30 is less than or equal to 0.1mm, and thus the ferrule 10 coaxially arranged with the tail sleeve 40 can also maintain a deviation distance of less than or equal to 0.1mm in the protective sleeve 30, so that during the rotation of the nut 20 to be screwed with the laser, the ferrule 10 will not shake greatly, and thus the ferrule 10 can quickly align with the output end of the laser to quickly achieve threaded connection between the nut 20 and the output end.

[0040] It can be understood that the inner diameter of the protective sleeve 30 can also be 9mm, 11.5mm, etc., and correspondingly the outer diameter of the tail sleeve 40 located in the protective sleeve 30 is between 8.8mm and 9mm, or between 11.3mm and 11.5mm. Here, it will not be enumerated one by one.

[0041] Further, referring to Figure 1 , 3 As shown, the tail sleeve 40 includes a first section 41 and a second section 42, both of which are located in the protective sleeve 30, the first section 41 is interference-fitted on the ferrule 10, and the outer diameter of the first section 41 is smaller than the outer diameter of the second section 42, so that the connection between the first section 41 and the second section 42 has a first step surface 44, the first step surface 44 is towards the first section 41, and after the first section 41 is interference-fitted on the ferrule 10, the outer diameter of the first section 41 will increase, but will not exceed the outer diameter of the second section 42; the outer diameter of the second section 42 is smaller than the inner diameter of the protective sleeve 30, so that the protective sleeve 30 can rotate relative to the ferrule 10 and the tail sleeve 40 with the nut 20.

[0042] Further, taking the inner diameter of the protective sleeve 30 as 8mm as an example, the outer diameter of the first section 41 can be 7.4mm, and the outer diameter of the second section 42 can be 7.8mm, and after the first section 41 is interference-fitted on the ferrule 10, the outer diameter of the first section 41 will not exceed 7.8mm, so that the distance between the tail sleeve 40 and the protective sleeve 30 is 0.2mm.

[0043] It can be understood that the outer diameter of the first section 41 can also be 7.3mm or 7.5mm, etc., as long as the outer diameter of the first section 41 after interference fitting with the ferrule 10 does not exceed the outer diameter of the second section 42.

[0044] Further, as shown in Figure 1 , 3 Further, the tail sleeve 40 further includes a third section 43 connected at one end of the second section 42 away from the first section 41, and the third section 43 is located outside the protective sleeve 30 for protecting the part of the optical fiber extending out of the protective sleeve 30. Wherein, the outer diameter of one end of the third section 43 close to the second section 42 is greater than the inner diameter of the protective sleeve 30, so that the connection part of the second section 42 and the third section 43 has a second step surface 45, the second step surface 45 is towards the second section 42 and consistent with the direction of the first step surface 44. And the third section 43 and the protective sleeve 30 are limited to each other and do not extend into the protective sleeve 30, so as to prevent the part of the optical fiber extending out of the protective sleeve 30 from excessive bending or rubbing with the protective sleeve 30.

[0045] Further, the outer diameter of the third section 43 gradually decreases in the direction away from the second section 42, so that the third section 43 has a certain bending ability to facilitate the bending of the optical fiber.

[0046] A plurality of grooves 46 are formed on the third section 43, and the plurality of grooves 46 are distributed along the length direction of the third section 43 and respectively extend along the circumference direction of the third section 43, so as to increase the bending radius of the third section 43, so that the third section 43 can more adaptively cooperate with the optical fiber to bend.

[0047] Further, as shown in Figures 1-2 , 4-6, the nut 20 is a knurled nut 20, and the protective sleeve 30 is integrally formed on the nut 20, so that the protective sleeve 30 and the knurled surface of the nut 20 are integrally formed together, thereby effectively improving the connection strength between the nut 20 and the protective sleeve 30, so that the nut 20 and the protective sleeve 30 remain relatively stationary.

[0048] Further, the protective sleeve 30 includes opposite first end 31 and second end 32, the nut 20 is arranged in the protective sleeve 30 and close to the first end 31, the light end of the optical fiber is located at the first end 31, and the tail sleeve 40 is at least partially arranged in the protective sleeve 30 and extends out of the protective sleeve 30 from the second end 32.

[0049] The protective sleeve 30 is a hollow structure with openings at both ends, and the inner wall of the protective sleeve 30 near the first end 31 extends radially inward to form a limiting guide hole 33. One end of the nut 20 with internal threads 21 is close to the limiting guide hole 33, and the ferrule 10 at least partially extends out of the limiting guide hole 33 and into the protective sleeve 30. The ferrule 10 and the inner wall of the limiting guide hole 33 are spaced apart to form a clearance space, which is used for the output end of the laser to pass through and threadedly connect with the nut 20.

[0050] Since the protective sleeve 30 is injection molded on the nut 20, the protective sleeve 30 is made of plastic material, so that the limiting guide hole 33 not only provides guidance for the output end of the laser to pass through the clearance space and connect with the nut 20, but also limits the nut 20 and the output end, preventing the metal nut 20 and the metal output end from colliding and contacting each other, which can cause the output end to deform or the external threads of the output end to be damaged, or the internal threads 21 of the nut 20 to be damaged, thereby affecting the connection between the nut 20 and the output end and the service life.

[0051] Further, by providing the limiting guide hole 33, the aperture of the first end 31 can be reduced, thereby reducing the risk of dust, dirt, and the like entering between the nut 20 and the ferrule 10 from the first end 31, thereby better protecting the nut 20 and the ferrule 10.

[0052] Further, by providing the limiting guide hole 33 to limit and protect the nut 20, and providing the third segment 43 to limit and protect the ferrule 10, the risk of dust, dirt, and the like entering the interior of the protective sleeve 30 can be effectively reduced, thereby effectively improving the protection of the nut 20, the ferrule 10, and the optical fiber located inside the protective sleeve 30.

[0053] Further, as shown in Figure 2 , 6 , the outer periphery of the protective sleeve 30 forms an anti-slip surface 34 close to the second end 32. The outer surface of the protective sleeve 30 close to the second end 32 is an operating portion, and the anti-slip surface 34 is provided on the operating portion and is used for an operator to operate the fiber optic connector 100 to connect or disconnect with the laser.

[0054] By providing the anti-slip surface 34, the contact area of the operator during operation can be increased, thereby increasing the friction and improving the operation stability and efficiency.

[0055] In another aspect, the present application also provides a fiber guide, which comprises the fiber connector 100 described above, and thus has all the beneficial effects of the fiber connector 100 described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0056] Further, the fiber guide further comprises a fiber, which is arranged in the ferrule 10 and fixed by glue, and used for transmitting the laser emitted by the laser when the nut 20 is threadedly connected with the output end of the laser.

[0057] In another aspect, the present application also provides a laser ablation device, which comprises the fiber guide described above. Thus, the laser ablation device comprises all the beneficial effects of the fiber guide described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0058] Further, the laser ablation device further comprises a laser and a controller, the output end of the laser is threadedly connected with the nut 20 of the fiber guide, so that the fiber is connected with the laser, and the controller is used for controlling the laser to output laser to the fiber of the fiber guide, and the fiber is used for transmitting the laser emitted by the laser.

[0059] For the convenience of description, spatial relative terms such as "on", "above", "upper surface", "upper", etc. can be used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of one device or feature with other devices or features as shown in the drawings. It should be understood that the spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation of the device described in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawing is inverted, the device described as "above" or "on" other devices or structures will be positioned "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below" orientations. The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0060] In addition, it should be noted that the use of the words "first", "second", etc. to define parts only facilitates the differentiation of the corresponding parts, and the above words have no special meaning unless otherwise stated, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present application.

[0061] The above merely provides preferred embodiments of the present application, and is not used to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can have various modifications and changes. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the principles and technical scope of the present application shall fall into the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An optical fiber connector, characterized by, The application relates to an optical fiber connector, which comprises: a ferrule sleeved on an optical fiber and close to an incident end of the optical fiber; a nut sleeved on the outer periphery of the ferrule and in gap cooperation with the ferrule; a protective sleeve connected with the nut and located on the outer periphery of the ferrule; and a tail sleeve connected on the ferrule and sleeved on the optical fiber, the tail sleeve being at least partially located in the protective sleeve and in gap cooperation with the inner wall of the protective sleeve; wherein the ferrule and the nut have a first gap, and the tail sleeve and the protective sleeve have a second gap, the second gap being smaller than the first gap. The second gap is less than or equal to 0.2 mm.

2. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein, The tail sleeve comprises a first section and a second section, the first section being in interference fit on the ferrule, and the outer diameter of the first section being smaller than that of the second section, and the outer diameter of the second section being smaller than the inner diameter of the protective sleeve.

3. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein, The tail sleeve further comprises a third section connected on the end of the second section away from the first section, the third section being located outside the protective sleeve, and the outer diameter of the end of the third section close to the second section being larger than the inner diameter of the protective sleeve.

4. The fiber optic connector of claim 3, wherein, The outer diameter of the third section gradually decreases in the direction away from the second section.

5. The fiber optic connector of claim 4, wherein, And / or, a plurality of grooves are formed on the third section, the grooves being distributed along the length direction of the third section and respectively extending along the circumferential direction of the third section. The nut is a knurled nut, and the protective sleeve is integrally formed on the nut.

6. The fiber optic connector of any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The protective sleeve comprises opposite first and second ends, the nut is located in the protective sleeve and close to the first end, and the tail sleeve is at least partially located in the protective sleeve and extends out of the protective sleeve from the second end.

7. The fiber optic connector of any one of claims 1-5, wherein, Wherein the inner wall of the protective sleeve close to the first end extends radially inward to form a limiting guide hole, and the end of the nut with the internal thread is close to the limiting guide hole. The outer periphery of the protective sleeve is formed with an anti-skid surface close to the second end.

8. The fiber optic connector of claim 7, wherein, The optical fiber guide tube comprises the optical fiber connector according to any one of claims 1-8; and 9. An optical fiber guide, characterized by an optical fiber sleeved in the ferrule. The laser ablation device comprises the optical fiber guide tube according to claim 9; and 10. A laser ablation device, characterized by, a laser and a controller, the laser being in threaded connection with the nut of the optical fiber guide tube, and the controller being used for controlling the laser to output laser to the optical fiber of the optical fiber guide tube. ​

Images