Sterile Optical Connector With Segmented Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
In minimally invasive medical procedures, maintaining sterility is challenging when connecting and disconnecting optical fibers that span between sterile and non-sterile zones, particularly during back-loading procedures, as existing solutions fail to prevent contamination and ensure rotational alignment.
Innovation Solution
A reversible optical connector system with a sterility barrier, utilizing a ferrule and receptacle arrangement with an optical element, such as an optical waveguide or flexible membrane, to maintain sterility while allowing rotational locking and low-loss optical connection between multi-core optical fibers, enabling connection of sterile and non-sterile components without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical fiber is disconnected and reconnected between sterile and non-sterile zones, then the optical connection can be established, but contamination occurs and sterility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The optical connector is divided into two distinct parts: a sterile ferrule that remains in the sterile zone and a non-sterile receptacle that interfaces with external equipment. This segmentation allows the sterile portion to be sealed and isolated while still enabling optical connection through the receptacle interface, thus maintaining sterility while allowing easy connection and disconnection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle acts as an intermediary component between the sterile ferrule and the non-sterile external equipment. It provides a sterile barrier interface that allows optical signals to pass through while preventing contamination of the sterile zone, enabling connection operations without compromising sterility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical connector allows rotation during connection, then alignment flexibility is improved, but rotational misalignment causes connection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule and receptacle incorporate asymmetric rotational features such as keys, slots, or indexed positions that allow only specific rotational orientations. This asymmetric design provides flexibility in assembly while preventing rotational misalignment that would cause connection failures, as the asymmetric features physically constrain the rotation to the correct orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational alignment features are designed to automatically guide the ferrule into the correct rotational position during insertion, without requiring external alignment tools or procedures. The self-aligning mechanism ensures proper orientation through mechanical guidance features built into the connector structure.
3Volume of moving object
If the connector size is reduced for miniature applications, then miniaturization is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into integrated components to reduce overall size. The ferrule, optical fiber holder, and sealing features are combined into a single molded piece, while the receptacle integrates the optical interface, mechanical coupling, and sterile barrier functions. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, making miniature manufacturing more feasible.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design uses standardized interfaces and universal mounting features that allow the same basic structure to be scaled down for miniature applications. The ferrule and receptacle can accommodate different optical fiber types and configurations without requiring completely different designs, reducing manufacturing complexity across size variations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively maintains sterility, allows for rotational alignment, and supports miniature applications, ensuring contamination prevention and efficient optical connection during medical procedures, including back-loading and shape sensing applications.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element (106) of the receptacle arrangement serves to provide an optical connection between the first and second optical fibers (102, 104)
Data Source
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Figure 5~7
AI summary
An optical connector system for reversible optical connection between two optical fibers (102, 104) with their end parts inside respective ferrules. A receptacle arrangement has a receiving body (105) for receiving at least one of the ferrules (103). An optical element (106) of the receptacle arrangement serves to provide optical connection between the two optical fibers in a connected state of the optical connector system, and at the same time, the optical element (106) serves as a sterility barrier between the two optical fibers. The optical element (106) can be an optical waveguide, e.g. a piece of optical fiber similar to the two optical fibers (102, 104), and arranged within the receiving body (105). Alternatively, the optical element may be a thin flexible membrane (207, 307) which is optically transparent. As a further alternative, the optical element may be a sterilizing fluid (409) arranged in side a container that can be punctured upon insertion of one of the ferrules (401, 403) into the container (408), to allow an optical fiber end to be sterilized by the fluid (409) prior to entering into the connected state. In a further embodiment, an optical lens (312) is used to project light from one fiber end through a membrane (307) to the opposite fiber end.