Mounting device for optical waveguides

Abstract

In the use of optical waveguides, temperature changes due to processes such as steam sterilization can cause damage to the optical waveguide after a few cycles, rendering it unusable.SOLUTION: The mounting device for an optical waveguide comprises a sleeve having an end face and at least one fiber bundle, wherein the fiber bundle is fused on its circumference at least partially or in sections with a glass tube over the entire circumference. The fiber bundle has a common end face with the glass tube and forms a tapered region towards the common end face. The common end face has a rigid portion fused with the glass tube, and the common end face is configured as a ground surface. The fiber bundle is integrally fixed in or on the fixing part at least partially or selectively in the sleeve by means of an adhesive in the glass tube and the tapering region. Here, the common end face of the fiber bundle with the glass tube has an offset with respect to the fixing of the sleeve by means of the adhesive.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical waveguide mounting device comprising a sleeve having an end face and at least one fiber bundle, wherein the fiber bundle is fused at least partially or exclusively around its periphery to a glass tube. The fiber bundle has a common end face with the glass tube. In this case, the fiber bundle forms a tapered region toward the common end face with the glass tube, and the common end face has a fused rigid portion. The common end face is or can be configured as a ground and / or polished surface. Furthermore, the fiber bundle is or can be materially fixed to or in a fixing portion of the sleeve at least partially or exclusively with an adhesive in the tapered region with the glass tube.

[0002] An optical waveguide of this type, comprising a glass tube and a fused fiber bundle, is described in the applicant's German Patent Application No. DE 3620368. This application shows a fiber optic optical waveguide having an end face region consisting of one end of an optical fiber bundle and a glass tube portion cladding to this end face, the end face being polished. This application assumes that both the glass tube portion and the optical fiber bundle are made of heat-resistant glass, and that the glass tube portion is cladded to the optical fiber bundle in a molten state over a defined length so that gaps between the individual optical fibers and / or between the optical fibers and the tube portion are at least partially filled with the material of the glass tube portion and / or the material of the optical fiber jacket.

[0003] This method for producing optical waveguides of this kind is also called GTF (Glass Tube Fusion). These optical waveguides are then attached to a metal sleeve or further processed into optical cables, which are mainly used in medical applications.

[0004] German Patent Applications Nos. 19703515 and 10013482 also describe fiber bundles with fused glass tube sections. In both cases, they assume that the glass tubes are removed again for further installation of the fiber bundle in a sleeve. For this purpose, complex methods are used that can lead to damage to the optical waveguides.

[0005] However, it has been shown that when this type of fiber bundle fused to a glass tube is attached using adhesive in a mounting sleeve, usually made of stainless steel, this can lead to internal stresses in the fiber composite, which can then cause cracks. This occurs particularly in the use of this type of optical waveguide in medical technology, where these optical waveguides must be prepared after use for multiple further uses by a heating process, for example, steam sterilization. Here, large temperature changes occur, which then damage the optical waveguide even after just a few such cycles, rendering it unusable.

[0006] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016011356 describes a flexible optical waveguide having at least one fused fiber optic end secured to an end site to prevent damage to the fused fiber optic end, wherein a layer of buffer material is present between the fused fiber optic end and the end site. The buffer material layer compensates for differential thermal expansion and contraction between the fused fiber optic end and the end site to prevent damage to the fused fiber optic end, such as may occur during multiple passes through an autoclave. The buffer layer can be produced, for example, by wrapping the fused glass fiber end with PTFE tape, thread sealant tape, or the like.

[0007] This is the first approach that seems possible, especially for avoiding stresses. However, this approach has the drawback that this type of buffer layer cannot guarantee a compact body. Due to the small microscopic gaps, bacteria can settle in these gaps, and these bacteria themselves cannot be removed completely by autoclaving, which increases the risk of contamination. This can lead to serious complications for the patient, especially in medical-technical environments.

[0008] A further approach to avoid cracking during or due to temperature changes is the use of permanent elastic adhesives. However, it has been shown here that these types of adhesives often do not have the sustained stability required for, for example, hundreds of autoclave cycles. Over time, the chemical bonds in the adhesive break down, which causes such adhesives to decompose or even liquefy with an increasing number of processing cycles, rendering the optical waveguide unusable.

[0009] Problem to be solved by the invention The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an optical waveguide or a mounting device that allows the mounting of such an optical waveguide, which avoids the above-mentioned drawbacks and is robust, long-term stable and temperature-resistant for continuous use, in particular in a medical technical environment.

[0010] Brief description of the invention The object of the present invention is already achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous configurations and developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0011] According to the present invention, the mounting device has an offset at the common end surface of the fiber bundle and the glass tube relative to the adhesive fixing portion of the sleeve, so that the common end surface is or can be positioned at an offset distance from the adhesive fixing portion. The common end surface of the glass tube fusion portion, which is particularly susceptible to cracking, forms a protrusion or a specific portion protrudes beyond the sleeve end surface by a predetermined width, so that the fixing portion is separated from the sensitive area of ​​the common end surface by the adhesive, thereby avoiding or at least reducing stress on the common end surface of the fiber bundle and the glass tube induced by the adhesive or the bonded portion.

[0012] In other words, a mounting device for an optical waveguide is provided, which includes a sleeve having an end surface and at least one fiber bundle, where the fiber bundle is surrounded by a glass tube at its circumferential surface and is fused at least partially or entirely around the entire circumference, and the fiber bundle has or forms a common end surface with the glass tube. Furthermore, the fiber bundle forms a tapered region with the glass tube toward the common end surface, and the common end surface has a rigid portion fused to the glass tube. The common end surface is or can be configured as a ground and / or polished surface. Furthermore, the fiber bundle is or can be materially fixed to or in the sleeve at least partially or partially in the tapered region with an adhesive in or at a fixing portion of the sleeve. That is, the material bond is formed in or at the fixing portion, particularly in or at the fixing portion, but may also continue inside the sleeve on the side opposite the end surface, i.e., behind the fixing portion. The common end surface of the fiber bundle further has an offset relative to the fixing portion of the sleeve, whereby the common end surface of the fiber bundle and the glass tube is or can be positioned at an offset distance from the fixing portion, and the fixing portion and the common end surface are or can be separated from each other.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, an attachment device particularly includes a sleeve to which a glass tube to which a fiber bundle is fused can be attached or glued using an adhesive. Such a fused fiber bundle can be provided at the distal end of the optical waveguide, at the proximal end of the optical waveguide, or at both ends of the optical waveguide. This attachment device is also understood as a device that allows attachment, connection, placement, or assignment to or with further devices, assemblies, or components. These can be light sources, camera modules, or endoscope handpieces in the medical-technical environment, but also light sources, camera modules, or endoscope handpieces in other application areas.

[0014] This type of optical waveguide comprises at least a plurality of optical fibers as light-guiding elements, which thus form a fiber bundle. It is also conceivable that the fiber bundle is at least partially or exclusively integrated into or surrounded by a jacket, thereby forming a jacketed optical waveguide cable. In the region of the sleeve or ferrule, the jacket may be removed, and only the light-guiding elements can be fixed in the sleeve in a material- and / or form-locking, possibly friction-locking, manner. Fixation in the sleeve together with the jacket is also conceivable. The light-guiding elements or optical fibers here are preferably glass-based fibers (glass optical fiber - GOF) and are usually configured as a so-called core-clad system.

[0015] In a preferred configuration of the optical waveguide mounting device, the offset between the common end face of the fiber bundle and the glass tube and the end face of the sleeve is in the range of 0.1 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm. Such an offset or offset dimension between the common end face of the fiber bundle and the glass tube and the adhesive surrounding the fiber bundle at the fastening portion has been shown to be advantageous. This is due, on the one hand, to the fact that the free-standing protrusion must not be too large in terms of its mechanical stability. While offset dimensions greater than the maximum value of 2 mm are generally conceivable, they are of little use because they increase the mechanical sensitivity of such configurations. However, on the other hand, a certain minimum distance between the fusion zone, i.e., the fused region of the fiber bundle and the glass tube, particularly in the region or vicinity of the common end face, and the adhesive edge or the bonded portion of the fiber bundle and the glass tube within the sleeve, is necessary to ensure sufficient isolation of mechanical stresses in the fusion zone, which are caused, for example, by differences in thermal expansion, i.e., differences in the thermal expansion of the adhesive and the sleeve relative to the glass. In this way, the introduction of mechanical stresses into the common end face is avoided or at least reduced or minimized, so that the optical waveguide can withstand repeated thermal loads intact, for example without cracking, peeling, or delamination, which occur regularly, for example, in medical environments during processes that are required there regularly, in particular by heating process steps during sterilization, for example during autoclaving, after use of the optical waveguide or before a new use.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, alternatively or additionally, a glue gap dimension for the glue between the glass tube and the sleeve is partially or partially formed or can be formed with a distance of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm. An excessively large glue gap dimension can promote excessive eccentricity of the fiber bundle within the sleeve or adversely affect the positional tolerance of the fiber bundle within the sleeve. This can be disadvantageous in operation, particularly during in-coupling or out-coupling of light during operation, or during the positioning of the optical waveguide and further assemblies connected thereto. An excessively small glue gap dimension can lead to insufficient adhesive wetting of the surface in certain locations, resulting in voids, which can also be disadvantageous during processing and use. Such voids can become filled with media, bacteria, or contaminants, which is unacceptable for medical use inside or on the body. Furthermore, treatment with chemical components can also lead to further damage to the bonded portion, ultimately resulting in failure of the optical waveguide.

[0017] In a further, equally preferred variant of the optical waveguide mounting device, the sleeve alternatively or additionally has or can have a fastening portion that is offset from the sleeve end face and a rim that is or can be formed, such that, in the mounted state, an annular groove is formed between the rim and the glass tube in the region of the common end face, where the sleeve end face and the common end face of the fiber bundle and the glass tube form a flat surface. This allows for full lateral mechanical protection of the freestanding glass tube fused fiber bundle. It should be noted that, in principle, the rim of the sleeve can also protrude beyond the common end face of the fiber bundle and the glass tube. However, this may not be beneficial for the manufacturing process, since the optical waveguide or its end face is usually subjected to a grinding and polishing step on the fiber bundle mounted or glued in the sleeve, removing any protruding collar.

[0018] As mentioned above, in order to avoid an excessively narrow gap that promotes bacterial growth, the width of the groove (groove width) between the rim of the mounting sleeve and the glass tube is at least 0.3 mm, preferably at least 0.5 mm. This ensures that a sufficiently large access opening or surface is provided for sterilization methods used in medical environments, such as steam sterilization or autoclave, or plasma sterilization methods (e.g., the Sterrad™ method), thereby achieving a sufficiently high bacterial reduction, for example, a several-fold, e.g., six-fold log reduction. Depending on the possible, permissible, or required overall geometric configuration of the optical waveguide or mounting device, particularly with respect to their width or diameter across their axis, the groove width can range from a few tenths of a millimeter, in any case greater than 0.3 mm, or even up to several millimeters, for example, from 0.3 mm to 3 mm, preferably from 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0019] In an advantageous configuration of the mounting device for optical waveguides, the sleeve comprises or consists of stainless steel (e.g., material 1.4301 or 1.4305), plastic, or a combination of both material classes, for example in a multi-component sleeve. For plastic component designs, plastics based on PPSU (polyphenylsulfone) or PEEK (polyetheretherketone) have proven themselves in the medical technology environment. These are characterized by a sufficiently good thermal stability on the one hand and a particularly high mechanical rigidity on the other.

[0020] In addition to the stainless steel material class, other metallic materials, such as nickel silver or brass, are also possible. However, stainless steel is preferred due to its corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, especially in medical technical environments. The following selection criteria for the material are generally advantageous: On the one hand, the material must be mechanically stable enough to be clamped in a clamping device for the final grinding and polishing processes. On the other hand, the material must not be prone to "smearing," i.e., it must be preferably more brittle and / or filled with glass fibers (glass-filled plastic) or other fillers, such as ceramic or vitreous materials. In addition, these fillers must be able to adhere well to the fiber bundle of the optical waveguide.

[0021] In an advantageous configuration of the optical waveguide mounting device, the adhesive comprises or consists of a highly crosslinked, brittle, and hard epoxy adhesive. These are used to ensure sufficiently good reprocessability. Here, up to 100 to 1000 processing cycles, especially autoclave cycles, are often required. Important adhesive properties for this type of brittle, and hard, highly crosslinked adhesive include the highest possible tensile shear strength, the highest possible glass transition temperature (which, like high or increased hardness, is also an indicator of the degree of crosslinking), the lowest possible coefficient of thermal expansion, the lowest possible modulus of elasticity, and a relatively low Poisson's ratio or shear modulus, which are often not available in data sheets. Often, only the modulus of elasticity is indicated.

[0022] Typical suitable adhesives for this purpose in the crosslinked, cured or processed state usually have a Shore D hardness of 75-95 and typically have a glass transition temperature above 95°C. The tensile shear strength is typically 13.5 N / mm 2Shore hardness exceeds 1000 psi, which corresponds to a value of more than approximately 2000 psi. The Shore hardness correlates with the modulus of elasticity and shear strength. However, the exact curing conditions of the adhesive and, if applicable, the filler are often more decisive. In particular, a high degree of crosslinking can be achieved by long-term temperature conditioning and / or high-temperature treatment. Depending on the chemical composition of the adhesive, multiple crosslinking, which can be carried out in several stages, is also possible. Thus, for example, a high degree of crosslinking can be achieved by pre-crosslinking using ultraviolet light followed by thermal crosslinking.

[0023] It should be noted that these are fundamentally contradictory objectives. On the one hand, particularly stable adhesives are required that can withstand hundreds of processing cycles, especially in autoclaving, and a correspondingly high chemical bond stability is required in plasma sterilization. On the other hand, these very adhesives induce stresses that then lead to stress cracks in the glass tube-fiber composite even during curing, which, as mentioned above, can be avoided or at least significantly reduced by the inventive design.

[0024] A particularly advantageous use of the attachment device as described above in its variants is envisaged for optical waveguides and / or optical waveguide cables that can be treated multiple times using sterilization methods after each use in a medical-technical environment or in a medical-technical or medical application. In particular, this approach according to the invention can be used advantageously in optical waveguides or optical waveguide cables as connections between light sources and endoscopes or for connections to such assemblies and / or in optical waveguides integrated into endoscopes. Applications in industrial environments, where high temperatures or high temperature fluctuations play a particularly important role, such as in energy technology or aerospace, are also conceivable.

[0025] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a mounting device according to the prior art; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a mounting device according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a variation of the mounting device having a sleeve forming a rim. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a further variation of the variation shown in FIG. 3;

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a prior art mounting device for an optical waveguide 1. The optical waveguide 1 comprises a fiber bundle 2, the peripheral surface 2.5 of which is fused to a glass tube 3 according to the GTF method mentioned at the beginning. The fiber bundle 2 here has a tapered region 2.4. This tapered region 2.4 results from the increasing packing density of the individual fibers as a result of the fusion of the individual fibers with the glass tube 3 until the surrounding area in or near the common end face 2.3 is completely fused or a completely fused section is formed. Thus, the fiber bundle 2 with the glass tube 3 has, at least near the surface of its common end face 2.3, a fused and thus rigid section 2.2, followed by a transition region in which the fibers are only partially fused, which then transitions into an unfused section 2.1. In this section, the fibers in the fiber bundle 2 are then arranged in a freely movable manner.

[0028] Typical diameters of this type of fused fiber bundle 2 are in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm. The length of the tapered or transitional region 2.4 between the unfused portion 2.1 of the fiber bundle 2 and the common end face 2.3 of the fiber bundle 2 and the glass tube 3 typically ranges from 0.5 mm to 20 mm. The transitional region between the unfused portion 2.1 and the fully fused portion 2.2 can typically have a value of 2 mm to 10 mm. Correspondingly, the diameter of the mounting device is of a similar order of magnitude and, in any case, is larger than the diameter of the respective fiber bundle used. Thus, for a fiber bundle with a diameter of 2 mm, the overall diameter of the mounting device can start from at least 3 mm. The minimum possible wall thickness of the sleeve 4 is here necessarily predetermined by its material, while the maximum allowable or required overall diameter is often determined by the application of the optical waveguide thus mounted.

[0029] The GTF fiber bundle is then secured within the sleeve 4 in the region of the sleeve's fastening portion 4.3 using adhesive 5, which ideally fills the gaps up to the common end surface 2.3 to avoid gaps or holes. The sleeve 4 is ideally made of stainless steel, but as previously mentioned, it can also be manufactured from fiber-reinforced or filled plastic. The final common end surface 2.3 of the fiber bundle 2 is then generated along with the end surface of the sleeve 4 through a subsequent grinding and polishing process. As previously mentioned, a drawback here is the stress induced within the fused portion 2.2 of the fiber bundle 2, which is introduced during the curing of the adhesive 5. Further stresses then arise due to temperature changes during processing, such as with steam sterilization. This stress often leads to cracks at the common end surface 2.3, which significantly reduces production yields and limits service life or the number of processing cycles.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the fiber bundle 2 manufactured using the GTF method protrudes beyond the sleeve 4 by an offset dimension 6, so that the adhesive 5 in the adhesive gap or fastening portion 4.3 is a sufficient distance to the fused portion 2.2 of the fiber bundle 2. This reduces stress introduction during installation or adhesive curing, as well as during use in the processing cycle, thereby significantly reducing the risk of crack formation. In a preferred configuration of the present invention, the offset 6 or offset dimension between the common end face 2.3 of the fiber bundle 2 and the glass tube and the adhesive 5 or fastening portion 4.3 surrounding the fiber bundle 2 is advantageously at least 0.1 mm to 2 mm, with an offset dimension of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm being particularly preferred. Trials have shown that this offset dimension 6 is largely independent of the diameters of the fiber bundle 2 and the glass tube 3. Here, the adhesive or bonded portion should have an adhesive gap dimension between the glass tube 3 and the inner surface of the sleeve 4 of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm.

[0031] A potential drawback of this configuration shown in Fig. 2 is the insufficient and exposed edge protection of the common end face 2.3 of the fiber bundle 2 produced using the GTF method. Therefore, Fig. 3 shows a further variant diagrammatically, in which the sleeve 4 is configured such that the fastening portion 4.3 is arranged at an offset of 6 from the end face 4.1 and a rim 4.2 is formed, so that in the mounted state an annular groove 7 is formed between the rim 4.2 and the glass tube 3 in the region of the common end face 2.3, and the sleeve end face 4.1 and the common end face 2.3 of the fiber bundle 2 and the glass tube 3 form a plane. This makes it possible to achieve mechanical lateral protection around the entire circumference of the free-standing end of the fiber bundle fused to the glass tube.

[0032] As mentioned above, in order to avoid an excessively narrow gap that would promote the development of bacteria or the adhesion of contaminants or hinder their reduction, the groove width 7.1 of the groove 7 is at least 0.3 mm, preferably at least 0.5 mm. During installation, care must be taken to ensure that this groove 7 between the rim 4.2 and the glass tube 3 is not adhered to or filled with adhesive 5.

[0033] Optionally, after mounting and subsequent grinding and polishing of the common end face 2.3, the groove 7 can be filled with a permanently elastic, self-flattening molding compound 8. This molding compound can prevent particles, which are difficult to remove, from accumulating in the groove 7, for example, during processing. This type of molding compound 8 has a particularly high temperature resistance, and can therefore withstand typical temperature exposures of the order of 135°C to 140°C, especially during steam sterilization, typically several hundred times, depending on the cycle used. Furthermore, this type of molding compound has a high resistance to hydrolysis and chemicals. Silicone molding compounds, such as so-called LSR (Liquid Silicon Rubber) molding compounds, or permanently elastic epoxy molding compounds are particularly suitable for this purpose.

[0034] Figure 4 shows a variant of the configuration shown in Figure 3, which also includes an optional potting material 8. The conically configured GTF fusion section differs from the fusion sections shown in Figures 1-3 in that the diameter ratio between the unfused fiber bundle, i.e., unfused section 2.1, and the fused section 2.2 is larger than in the rest of the fusion section due to an additional manufacturing step. Thus, the end face 2.3 in Figure 4 has a smaller or reduced diameter than the variant in Figures 1-3.

[0035] The sleeve 4 may also have further sections with a partially or partially reduced wall thickness, as shown schematically here, particularly in the end face region, and / or with additional clamping or locking elements (not shown here). These additional sections also at least facilitate or enable the attachment of such prefabricated light guides to light sources, camera modules, or, for example, the handpiece of an endoscope. To facilitate the insertion or screwing of the fiber bundle 2 into the glass tube 3 before the so-called GTF fusion, the glass tube 3 may have a collar 3.1 on the screw-in side. This collar 3.1 may be configured as a round collar, as shown, or as a conical section (not shown). [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 Optical waveguide 2 Fiber bundles 2.1 Non-fused area 2.2 Fusion area 2.3 Common end face 2.4 Tapered section 2.5 Peripheral surface 3 glass tubes 3.1 Color 4 sleeves 4.1 Sleeve end face 4.2 Rim 4.3 Fixed part 5. Adhesive 6 offset 7 grooves 7.1 Groove width 8 Casting material

Claims

1. A mounting device for an optical waveguide (1), comprising: A sleeve (4) having an end face (4.1) and at least one fiber bundle (2), The fiber bundle (2) is fused at least partially or exclusively to the glass tube (3) around its circumferential surface (2.5), and the fiber bundle (2) has a common end surface (2.3) with the glass tube (3), The fiber bundle (2) forms a tapered region (2.4) towards the common end face (2.3) with the glass tube (3), The common end face (2.3) has a rigid part (2.2) fused to the glass tube (3), the common end surface (2.3) is or can be configured as a ground and / or polished surface, the fiber bundle (2) is or can be materially fixed in or at least partially in or at the sleeve (4) by means of an adhesive (5) in or at the tapered region (2.4) with the glass tube (3), and in or at the fixing part (4.3) of the sleeve (4); The common end surface (2.3) of the fiber bundle (2) with the glass tube (3) has an offset (6) with respect to the fixing portion (4.3) of the sleeve (4) by the adhesive (5), whereby the common end surface (2.3) is arranged or can be arranged at a distance with the offset (6) from the fixing portion (4.3) by the adhesive (5), and the fixing portion (4.3) and the common end surface (2.3) are or can be separated from each other.

2. 2. The mounting device for an optical waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the offset (6) between the common end face (2.3) of the fiber bundle (2) with the glass tube (3) and the sleeve end face (4.1) is in the range of 0.1 mm to 2 mm, preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm.

3. 3. The mounting device for an optical waveguide according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive gap dimension for the adhesive (5) of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm is partially or partially formed or can be formed inside the fixing portion (4.3) between the glass tube (3) and the sleeve (4).

4. 4. Mounting device for an optical waveguide (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fixing portion (4.3) is arranged or can be arranged at a distance from the sleeve end face (4.1) by the offset (6) and that the sleeve (4) is configured or can be configured to form a rim (4.2), so that in the mounted state an annular groove (7) is formed between the rim (4.2) and the glass tube (3) in the region of the common end face (2.3), and the sleeve end face (4.1) and the common end face (2.3) of the fiber bundle (2) and the glass tube (3) form a plane.

5. 5. Mounting device for an optical waveguide (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the groove (7) has a groove width (7.1) of at least 0.3 mm, preferably at least 0.5 mm.

6. 6. Mounting device for an optical waveguide (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sleeve (4) comprises or consists of stainless steel, plastic or a combination of both material classes.

7. 7. Mounting device for an optical waveguide (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the adhesive (5) comprises or consists of a highly cross-linked brittle and hard epoxy adhesive.

8. 10. Use of an attachment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 on optical waveguides (1) and / or optical waveguide cables which can be treated multiple times using sterilization methods in a medical-technical environment.

Images