Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1284600
Fiber optics are used in ca'heters and probes for
the purpose of transmitting light into and reeeiving ligh~
rrom internal regicns of ~he body. Beeause a eatheter or
probe must be sized to be reeeived within a vein or artery,
the fiber opties used within such an apparatus must also be
of very small diameter.
For example, a eatheter or probe may include an
elongated tube having proximal and distal openings and fiber
optie means in the form of one or more fiber optic light
eonduetors in the passage and extending through the proximal
opening to provide a proximal seetion of the fiber optie
means outsid~ of the tube. The fiber optie means is coupled
to a conneetor body, and the eonneetor body is reeeived
within a cavity of a reeeptaele whieh optieally eouples the
eatheter to an instrument. The reeeptaele may be eonsidereZ
as part of the instrument. The instrument may, for example,
provide a souree of light for transmission through the
2~ catheter and the neeessary equipment to proeess a light
signal reeeived from the eatheter.
One problem with this eonstruction is the mountin~
o' the fine fiber optic liyht conductors on the eonnector
body. The fiber optic light conductors, eaeh of which
comprises one or more optical fibers, must be loeated with
respeet to the connector body with great precision and
seeurely retained in position. This is necessary so that
~34~00
light can he transmit-ted efficientLy between the instrument
and the catheter. Locating the fiber op-tic light conductor
on the connector body with precision is difficult because of
the small d~ameter of the optical fibers.
It is also important to assure that the connector
body is tiyhtly seated within the receptacle. If this is not
done, Ioss2s will occur at the interface. Moreover, the
connector body and receptacle must cooperate with each other
to precisely position the connector body within the
receptacle to maximize the optical coupling between the
optical fibers in the connector body and in the receptacle.
More specifically, it is important that the
connection of the connector body to the receptacle be stable
so as to preclude, insofar as possible, relative movement
between the connector body and the receptacle of the type
which would effect the optical signal. It is also important
that the coupling of the connector body to the receptacle
provide reproduceability, i.e., provide the same relative
orientation of these two members each time the connector body
is inserted into the receptacle so that the optical signal
providcd does not vary as a result of reinsertion of the
connector body into the receptacle.
In one prior art device, the connector body is held
within the receptacle by a spring door. This prior art
device does not provide the stability and reproduceability
that are desired. In addition, the spring door car. be
difficult to clean, thereby making reuse of the receptacle
somewhat more difficult.
1~3460~)
-- 3 --
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
.
With this invention, the optical portions of the
eonnector body are accurately guided into confronting relationship
with the optical portions of the receptacle. This is accomplished
in a way to provide the resulting connection with stability and
reprodueeability. The eonneetor body snaps into the reeeptacle
with an audible "click" so that the operator is made aware that
the connector body is fully and correctly seated in the receptacle
so that false locking is not likely -to occur. In addition, the
connector may have multiple operative positions within the
reeeptaele, and the reeeptaele ean be easily eleaned.
With a prior invention, the eonnector body and the
receptacle cooperate to pull the connector body into the
reeeptaele to optieally eouple the optieal portions of the
eonneetor body and the receptacle. This invention retains this
important feature. In addition, with the present invention, the
eonneetor body is urged, not only forwardly, but also in another
direetion so that the eonneetor body ean be positively driven
against multiple stops or surfaees lying in different planes on
the reeeptaele so that the eonneetor body is stably held in
position and a reprodueible eonneetion is obtained.
This invention is applieable, for example, to an
apparatus eomprising a eonneetor body having an exterior or
forward faee and a fiber optie light eonduetor mounted on the
eonneetor body with an end of the fiber optie light eonduetor
being adjaeent the faee and eapable of transmitting light to or
from a location on the faee. A reeeptaele is used to optieally
couple the fiber optic light conductor to an instrument. The
receptacle has a eavity with an open end for reeeiving the
eonneetor body, a faee partly defining the
1~8~00
cavity and means for transmitting ligr.t to or from a location
Gn the face of ~ receptacle.
The connector body is inserted into the cavity of
the receptacle in a generally forwardly direction. ~Jith this
invention, the receptacle cooperates with the connector body
to urge the connector ~ody farther into the cavity to place
the above-mentioned locations on the faces in substantial
engagement. Thls can be advantaseously accomplished by
providing a cam surface on the connector body and biasing
means on the receptacle for cooperating with the cam surface
to provide the driving force. ~7ith this construction, the
biasing means acts on the cam surface when the
above-mentioned locations are nearly in engagement to drive
the connector body completely into the cavity to place such
locations in substantial engagement. The cam surface and the
biasing means may also retain the connector body in the
cavity of the receptacle.
In a preferred construction, the connector body has
a recess or groove on its exterior surface, and the groove s
partly defined by the cam surface. In this event, ~he
biasing means may include a projection on the receptacle
which is receivable in the groove. Of course, the g~oove and
projection may be on the receptacle and connector body,
respectively, if desired. In a preferred construction, the
biasing means includes spaced regions of the receptacle on
opposite sides of the cavity, and the receptz~cle is
sufficiently resilient to allow the spaced regions to be
resiliently spread farther apart so ~hat they can apply an
inwardly directed biasing for-e.
~o The cam surface cooperates with the projection for
urging the connector bGdy in a direction or along 2 path
which has components which extend farcher into the cavity and
in another direction. Tnis other direction may be defined in
~;~8460{)
various ways. For e~ample, this ot:her direction is generall~
transverse to both the forwardly direction and t~e biasing
direction, i.e., the direction in which the projecticn is
resiliently urged hy the receptacle. Alternatively, these
components may be considered as extending toward the forward
face of the connector body and in a first direction ~here the
first direction is the direction in which top and bottom
surfaces of th- connector body are spaced.
The urging of the connector body in the desired
direction can he accomplished, for example, by providing the
cam surface with an inclined surface at a corner of the
recess, with the inclined surface being engageable with the
projection. Preferablv, the cam surface is on a side wall of
the connector body, and the recess is at least partially
closed at the end adjacent the inclined surface. To
facilitate molding, the oiher end of the recess preferably
opens at an edge of the side wall.
The projection can advantageously include a pin
which is harder than the material of the connector bod
2'J engaged by the pin so that the pin c~n, to some degre~, form
its own seat Gn the sorter material of the connector body.
Preferably, the pin has a son~ewhat flat head to minimize
deformation of the connector body outside ol the recess as a
result of sliding the connector body into the cavity of the
receptacle.
o help provid2 stability and ~eproduceability, the
connector body is urged against the facc- of the receptacle
and a stop on the receptacle. The s-top and th face are
qenerally transverse to each other and so the connectcr body
is stably retained by virtue of the cooperation between the
8~600
projection and the recess which urge the cGnneetcr body
against these t~70 trans~7erse surfaces.
This invention is particularly adapted for
optically coupliny multiple optieal fibers carried by the
connector body ~ith multiple optieal fibers carried by the
receptacle. rilhen so used, the ends of the optical fibers
carried by the connector Dody are preferably spaced apart in
the same general direetion as the side surfaees or side walls
of the connector body. ~Jhen so arranyed, the urgin~ of the
eonneetor body against the two transverse surfaees as
deseribed herein will not tend to sisnifieantly eoek any of
the optieal fiber ends on the eonneetor body away from the
associated optical fibers carried by the receptacle.
To properly align the optical portions of the
connector body and the receptacle, guide means at least
partially on the receptacle guide the conneetor body along a
path in the cavity. The guide means advantageously defines
the path so that it has a first seetion extending in a first
direetion and a seeond seetion extending in a seeond
direetion, with the second seetion of the path beiny elosely
adjaeent the faee of the reeeptaele. In a preferred
construction, the guide means ineludes a eam surfaee on the
faee of the reeeptacle and a cam follower surface on the fase
of the eonneetor body. The surfaces on such faces define .he
seeond seetion of the path. The above-deseribed eooperation
of the biasing means and the eam surface urges the connector
body along at least a ortion of the second seetion of the
path.
The multi-direction path is useful in accurately
orienting the optical portions of the collneetor body and the
reeeptâele. The eam follower surfaee is aeeurately
. . .
12~4~iO~)
positioned in relatio~ to the end of the fiber optic light
conductor without any accumulation of tolerances, and this
helps assure accurate orientation of the optical portions of
the connector body in relation to the receptacle.
The invention is particularly adapted for use ~n a
catheter or probe which includes an elon~ated tube sized to
be received within a vein or an artery and having a passage
with proximal and distal openings. In this event, fiber
optic means is partially in the passage and extends through
the proximal opening to provide a proximal section outside of
the tube which is coupled to the connector bGdy.
The fiber optic means may include one or more fiber
optic light conductors, each of which may include one or more
optical fibers. One of the exit passages in the connecto~
body is provided for each of the fiber optic light
conductors.
The invention, together with additional features
and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference
to the following description taken in cGnnection with the
accompanyin~ illustrative drawina.
~3RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~`~INGS
Fig. 1 is a partially schematic, isometric view
illustrating an apparatus constructed in accordance with the
teachings of this invention.
Fig. la is a fragmenta~y, isometric view o a
distal end portion of a cathete~
.. . . . . .. ~ . .
1284600
Figs. 2 and 'a are rragmentary, top plan views of
the receptacle and connector body, with the connector body
partially and fully inserted into the receptacle,
respectively.
Fiys. ~ and 3a are fragrnentary sectional views
taken along lines 3-3 and 3a-3a of Figs. 2 and 2a,
respectively.
Fig. 4 is an e~ploded isometric view cf the
connector body with the light conductors removed.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view
of a portion or the connector body which includes the exit
passage.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view
taken generally along line 6-6 of Fig. 4.
Figs. 6a-6c are fragmentary, sectional views
similar to Fig. 6 illustrating a preferred method of
retaining the light conductor in the exit passage.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevational view taken
generally along line 7-7 of Fig. 6.
Figs. 7a and 7b are views taken generally along
lines 7a-7a and 7b-7b, res~ectively, of Fig. 6c.
Figs. 8 and 8a are enlarged fragmentary sectional
views taken generally along line 8-~ of Fig. 4 and
illustrating the entrance passage empty and with the light
conductors installed therein, respectively.
Figs. 9 and 9a are fragmentary, sectional views
zimilar to Figs. 2 and 2a, respectively, of another
embodiment of the invention, with the connector body in the
self-test and monitor positions, respectively.
Fig. lG is a fragmentary, sectional view taken
generally along line lO-lO of Fig. 9a.
~.Z846~30
Fig. 11 is a Eragmentar~, side elevational view of
the connector body.
Fig. 12 is a fragmentary/ sectional view taken
generally along line 12-12 of Fig. 11.
Fig. 13 is an enlarged, fragmelltary sectional v~ew
showing a portion OL t'ne receptacle and the projection.
Fig. 14 is an end elevational view taken from the
left end of Fig. 10.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ~ODIMENT
Fig. 1 shows a catheter 11 which can be releasably
coupled to an instrument 13 using a connector body 15 and a
receptacle 17. The receptacle 17 may be considered as part
of the instrument 13. Although the features of this
invention are particularly adapted for use -~iith a catheter,
the invention is not limited to use with a catheter, and the
particular catheter shown is purely illustrative.
The catheter 11 includes a tube 19 si~ed to be
r~ceived within a vein or an artery of a patient and having
proximal and distal ends and a plurality o,- lumens or
passa~es, including passases 21 and 23 extending
longitudinally through it. The passage 21 has a distal
opening 25 (Fig. la) and a proximal opening 27 ~Fig. 1~. A
balloon 29 is provided on the tube 19 adjacent the distal tip
of the catheter.
The catheter 11 also includes fiber optic means 31
extending com.pletel~y through the passage 21 of the tube 19
from the distal opening 25 through the prox~mal c ening 27 to
provide a proximal section 33 of the fiber optic means
B4600
outside Gf the tube. Of course, other tubing in
communication with the other ?assages Oc the tube 19 can also
exit at the proximal openlng 27. ~lthough various
constructions are possible, in the ernbodimert illustrated,
the fiber optic means 31 includes fiber optic light
conductors 35 and 37 for conducting light to the distal
opening 25 and for conducting a light signal away from the
distal opening 25, respectively. Th~ distal ends of the
light conductors are tightly retained within the passage 21,
which is of larger cross section than the two liyht
conductors, by a spacer 32 (Fig. la). A catheter of this
type can be used to measure the oxygen saturation of blood by
determining its color absorption characteristics in
accordance with known techniques. To make this
determination, the catheter 11 is inserted into the heart of
the patient to place the distal opening 25 in the pulmonary
artery.
The proximal section 33 of the fiber optic means 31
is coupled to the connector body 15, and the details of the
connector body are shown in Figs. 2-8a. The connector body
15 has wall means which define an enclosure, and the wall
means includes a circumscribing peripheral wall 39, a floor
41 and a cover 43 (Fig. 4~. Supporting feet 44 (Figs. 3 and
3a) extend downwardly from the floor 41. The peripheral wall
39 includes opposed, parallel side walls 45, an end wall or
forward face 47 and a trailing end wall 49. The side walls
45 provide outer side surfaces, and the floor 41 and the
co~-er 43 provide bottom and top surfaces, respectively, for
the connector body. The peripheral wall 3~ extends
30 perpendicular to the floor 41 and has a ledge 51 and a lip 53
projecting from the ledge. The cover 43 is receivable within
1 1
the lip 53 and onto the ledge 51 with a snap fit ~o
releasably retain the cover in position.
The face 47 includes identical race sections 55
(Figs. 2 and 4) separated by a ta2ered gap 57 which narrows
as it extends inwardly of the enclosure and which is defined
by a channel section 59. The face 47 also has inclined
corner sections 61 which join the sections 55 to the side
walls 45, respectively.
The face sections 55 have identical recesses 63,
10 respectively, which open into the gap 57 ~Figs. 3, 3a and 4).
The face secti~ns 55 are flat and coplana~, eY.cept for the
recesses 63. Each of the recesses 63 is partially defined by
an inclined cam follower surface 65. The other side surfaces
of each of the recesses 63 are also inclined and they
terminate inwardly in a flat bottom surface.
Each of the side walls 45 has a surface defining a
recess or groove 67 in its exterior surface, and each of the
grooves has a longitudinal axis which extends perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the associat~d side wall. Each
Of the grooves 67 is identical and is partially defined by a
inclined cam surface 69 along the forward or leadins side of
the groove. The cam surfaces 69 are used 3.S described more
fully hereinbelow for connecting the connector body 15 to the
receptacle 17.
The connector body 15 can be of two-piece, molded
plastic construction as shown in Fig. 4. The cover 43 is
configured to mate with and close the opening at the upper
end of the construction formed by the periphera' wall 39 and
the floor 41. The floor 41 may have 2 central aperture 71.
The end wall 49 has an er.trarice passa~e 73, an~
each of the face sections 55 has an identical exit passage
~8*60o
12
75, with the exit passages being spaced apart in the same
direction as the side walls 45. Because the exit ~assages 75
are identical, only one of them is described in detail
herein. As shown in Fig. 8, the end wall 49 has a pair of
legs 77 which project in~lardly into the enclosure and clefine
shoulders 79 on opposite sides of the entrance passage 73.
The entrance passage 73 cooperates with the
proxi~al section 33 of the fiber o~tic means 31 as shown in
Fig. 8a. Specifically, the proximal section 33 includes a
sheet of shrink tubing 81 and a shorter section of shrink
tubing 83 shrunk over and glued to the tubing 81. The tubing
83 forms an annular shoulder 85 which engages the shoulders
79 as shown to provide strain relief.
Thus, the proximal section 33 of the fiber optic
means 31 passes through the entrance passage 73 and into the
interior of the enclosure. As shown in Figs. 2 and 2a, the
light conductors 35 and 37 extend beyond the end of a sheath
87 in which they are encased, and an excess length of bot'n of
the light conductors is provided within the enclosure. In
this embodiment, each of the light conductors 35 and 37 is in
the form of a fine, small diameter op.ical fi~er. The light
conductors 35 and 37 extend into the exit passages 75,
respectively, and they are retained in these exit passages
with their ends flush with the outer surface 88 (Fig. 6c) of
the associated face sections 55.
To facilitate insertion of the light conducts-s 35
and 37 into the associated exit passage 75, tapered lead-in
grooves 89 are provided on the interior surfaces of the face
sections 55 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Each of the lead-in
grooves 89 is identical and extends fro~ the ledge 51 to the
associated exit passage 75, and it progressively narrows as
~,~846oo
it extends toward such exit passage. In the embodimert
illustrated, each of the lead-in grooves 89 tapers lin~arly,
except for a step 91 closely adjacent the exit passage 75.
With this construction, the light conductor 37 can be easil-y
inserted into the wide end of the lead-in groove 89 adjacent
the ledge 51 and guided toward, and into, the exit passage
75.
A preferred construction of the exit passag2 75 is
shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The exi~ passage 75 has an entrance
section 93 of reduced cross section, an exit section 95 of
enlarged cross section, a shoulder 97 between these sectiGns,
and flat surfaces or surface portions 99 and curved surfaces
or surface portions 101 arranged circumferentially in the
exit section of the passage. The flat surfaces 99 are set
back slightly from the exterior surface 88 of the face
section 55 at which the exit passage 75 opens. If desired, a
region of the flat surfaces 99 adjacent to the outer surface
88 may be inclined radially inwardly as they extend toward
the outer surface 88.
Ihe surfaces 99 and 101 are arranged
circumferentially in the exi' section 95. AlthGugh varicus
constructions are possible, in the embodiment illustrated,
there are three identical 1at surfaces 99 and they are
spaced apart 120 degrees. Each of the curved surfaces 101 is
identical and cornprises a segment of a cylinder. One of the
curved surfaces 101 lies circumfexentially between adjacent
flat surfaces 99.
The flat surfaces 99 are close~ together radially
than the surfaces 101. For example, the flat surfaces 99 may
be sized and arranged to receive a me~ber of .0135 inch
... . ....
14
diameter, and the curved surfaces 101 may be segmentC of a
cylinder having a diameter of .016 inch.
To attach the light conductor 37 to the face
section 55, the light conductor 37 is inserted into the exit
passage 75 using the lead-in groove 89 and through the exit
passage as shown in Fig. 6a. Accordingly, the light
conductor 37 has an end portion 105 O;l the exit section side
of the exit passage 75. Next, the end portion 105 is
radially enlarged. Although the radial enlarging of the
light conductor 37 can be carried out in different ways, this
is preferably accomplished by using a light conductor of the
type which radially enlarges in response to being heated.
For example, an optical fiber comprising an acrylic core and
a fluoropolymer sheath will radially expand and axially
eontract in response to heating. Preferably, the end portion
105 is heated to radially enlarge the end portion to form an
enlargement 107 (Fig. 6b) of the desired eross-seetional area
which may be f-ustoconical with the major diameter at the end
of the light conductor. For examp]e, a light conductor
having a diameter of .010 inch can be enlarged to a diameter
of a~out .015 inch by exposing the end portion 105 to a
temperature of about 550 degrees Fahrenheit and continuing
that exposure for about 8 seconds.
Next, the enlargement 107 is forced into the exit
section 95 of the exit passage 75 to compressively engage the
enlargement with the flat surfaces 99 as shown in Figs. 6c,
7a and 7b. Preferably, the enlargement ;07 is pushed baek
into the exit section 95. As shown ln Fig. 6c, at the
completion of this step, a proximal end 109 of the light
conduetor 37 is flush with the outer surface 88 and is
therefor at a known location on the surface 88.
- , - . - - . . . .
The enlargement 107 is somewhat deforma~le and i~s
diameter is greater than the diaIneter than can be accepted by
the flat surfac~s 99. Accordingly, the forcing of the
enlargement 107 between the flat surfaces 99 displaces
material from the enlargement 107 circumferentially ~o
regions 111 (Fig. 7a) between the en'argement 107 and the
curved surfaces 101. As shown in Fig. 7a, there are three
regions 111, each of which is in the form of a radial gap.
Accordingly, the enlaryement 107 is frictiGnally retained
lo in the exit section 95 by the flat surfaces 99 and, in
addition, the enlargement 107 at its juncture with the
non-enlarged portion of the light conductor 37 defines a
shoulder which engages the shoulder 97 to inhibit withdrawal
of the light conductor througn the entrance section 93.
Preferably, a suitable adhesive is applied to the enlargemert
107 and/or to the surfaces of the exit passage 75 prior to
forcing the enlargement lC7 back into the exit section 95.
Accordingly, the frictional retention of the enlargement 107
by the flat surfaces 99 serves, in effect, as a fixture to
hvld the light conductor 37 within the exit passage 75 while
the adhesive cures. Inclining regions of the flat surfaces
99 adjacent the outer surface 88 radially inwardly as they
extend toward t~e surface 88 helps to lock the enla-gem~r.t
107 in the e:~it passage 75. The flat surfaces 99 also
accurately center the light conductors.
The re-eptacle 17 (Figs. 1-3a) comprises a body i13
and a cover 115 mounted on the body for slidable movement
longitudinally of the body. The body 113, which may be
molded from a suitable plastic material, comprises a floor
117, side walls 119 and a face 121 ~Figs. 2-3) cooperatiny to
~8460o
16
define a cavity 123 sized to recei~e -the connector bGdy 15.
The cavity 123 has an open end opposite the face 121. 'rhe
face 121 i5 flat and planar, e~cept for a central
wedge-shaped projection 125 adapted to be received within the
gap 57 and for cam surfaces 127 adapted to cooperate with the
cam follower surfaces 65, respectively. Light conductors 129
extend within the receptacle 17 and have their ends mounted
in and flush with the face 121 at locations 131,
respectiveiy. The locations 131 are arranged to be in
confronting and substantially aligned relationship with the
exit passages 75, respectiveiy, when the connector body 15 is
received within the cavity 123.
The floor 117 has a slot 133 to separate the
adjacent portions of the receptacle 17 into resilient
sections 135 (Fig. 1). A projection 137 is mounted on and
carried by each of the side walls 119. The resilient
sections 135 and the projections 137 form biasing means or a
biasing member capable of exerting inward force on the
connector body 15. Of course, the biasing means can be
formed in other ways.
To attach the connector body 15 to the receptacle
17, the connector body is advanced into the cavity 123 and
slid in a generally forwardly direction to bring the faces 47
and 121 closer together. During this sliding movement, the
feet 44 of the connector body 15 slide along the floor 117 of
the receptacle 17, and the inner surfaces of the side walls
ll9, the floor 117, the projection 125 and the confrontlng
surfaces of the connector body 15 form guide means for
guiding the connector body along a path in the cavity 123 to
place the faces 47 and 121 in confrcnting r~lationship and to
bring the proximal ends 109 of the light conductors 3S and 37
~;28~600
17
into engagel.lent with the locations 131. As the connector
body 15 is advanced into the cavity 123, the side walls 45 of
the connector body 15 engage the projections 137 and urge the
resilient sections 135 resiliently away from each other.
When the proximal ends 109 are nearly in enyagement with the
locations 131 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the projections 137
engage the cam surfaces 69 and urge the connector body lS
farther into the cavity 123 to place ~he faces 47 and 121
into engagement and to place the proximal ends 109 into
engagement and substantial axial alignment with the locations
131. The projections 137 coopera-~e with the groove 67 to
retain the connector body 15 in the cavity 123 of the
recepacle 17.
In the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cam
follower surfaces 65 are nearly in engagement with the cam
surfaces 127. The final advancirg motion of the connector
body 15 into the cavity 123 causes the cam follower surfaces
65 to engage the cam surfaces 127 to llft the forward end of
the connector body 15, and in particular the forward foot ~,
off of the floor 117 as shown in Fig. 3a. This elevation of
the forward end of the connector body 15 ac~uratel~ positions
the exit passages 75 and brings them into correct alignment
with the locations 131. The cam surfaces 127 and the cam
follower surfaces 65 also cooperate to a~sist in holdina the
connector body 15 in the desired orientation within the
cavity 123.
The cam surfaces 127 and the cam follower surface~
65 form a portion of the guiding means for guiding .he
connector body 15 into the proper location within the cavity
123. Thus, the path along which the connector body 15 moves
extends in a first direction, which is generally along the
~.~84600
longitudinal a~is OL the body 113, until the cam ,ollGw^r
surfaces 65 contact the cam surfaces 127 and then in a second
direction along the cam surfaces 127. .his latter portion of
movement of the connector body 15 occurs when the faces ~7
and 121 are closely adjacent and mai- be under the influence
of the biasing action of the receptacle 17 and the
cooperation between the projections 137 and the cam surfaces
69.
The cooperation between the projections 137 and the
cam surfaces 69 automatically draws the connector body 15
completely into the correct seated position within the cavity
123. This final movement is accompanied by an audible
"click" to inform the operator of the correct seating. The
force provided assures that the optlcal portions, i.e., the
proximal ends 109 and the locations 131, will be in contact
and in proper registry.
In use, the instrument 13 may provide light through
one of the light conductors 129 to the light conductor 35,
and this light is transmitted through the interface at the
faces ~7 and 121 to the light conductor 35 which transmits it
to the distal opening 25. Assuming that the cathete. 11 is
correctly positioned within a vein or artery within the
patient, the light at the distal opening from ~he light
conductor 35 is directed against the patient's blood. The
blood reflects light into the light conductor 37, and the
reflected light forms a signal having a characteristic
related to the absorption characteristics of the blood. The
light signal is transmitted through the light conductor 37
and into the other of the light conductors 129. The ligh'_
signal is converted to an electrical signal within the
receptacle 17 and transmitted to the instrument 13 for
~.~846~
lg
processing in accordance with known techniques to de,erminP
the oxyyenation of the blood.
Figs~ 9-14 show a second e~bodiment of -the
inventicn which is identical ~o the embodiment of Figs. l-~a
in all respects not shown or described her2in. Pcrtions of
the second embodimen corresponding to portions oE the first
embodiment are designated by corresponding reference numerals
followed by the letter "a."
Structurall~, the primary differences between the
two embodiments are in the construction of the recesses 67a
and the projections 137a and in the addition of self-test
grooves 201. Functionally, the second embodiment differs
primarily from the first embodiment in the manner in which
the connector body 15a is moved into and retained within the
cavity 123a of the receptacle 17a and in the provision of a
testing position.
The recesses 67a are formed in the side walls 45a,
respectively, closely adjacent the trailing end wall 49a.
The recesses 67a are identical, and so only one of them is
descri~ed in detail herein. The recess 67a extends from a
lower edge 2q3 (~ig. 11) of the side wall 45a part way across
the side wall to a closed, part-spherical end 205. The lower
end of the recess 67a opens at the lower edge 203. The
part-spherical, closed end 205 forms an inclined surface
which closes the upper end of the recess 67a and at least the
por~ior. of the inclined surface at the upper, forward corner
of the recess 67a as viewed in Fig. 11 forms the cam surface
69a. The regions of the recess 67a below the part-spher cal
surface are formed by a part-cylindrical surface 207 (Fig.
12).
~Z~4600
The connector body 15a also has identi-al self-test
recesses or grooves 209 in the side T~alls 45a, respectivel~,
which are spaced forwardly from the recesses 67a iII the
associated side wall. Although various constructions of the
test recess 209 are possible, preferably, each of the test
recesses opens at the lower edge 203 in order to facilitate
molding and has a closed upper end 211. The test recess 209
has a sloping forward wall 213 and a sloping trailing wall
215, with the angle of incline of the sloping wall 215 being
less than the angle of incline of the sloping wall 213 to
facilitate further forward advancing movement of -the
connector body 15a in the cavity 123a.
The receptacle 17a has projections 137a in the orm
of pins mounted on, and carried by, each of the side walls
ll9a. The projections 137a are identical, and as shown most
clearly in Fig. 13, each of them .has a head 217 which
projects from an inner side surface 219 and a curved, but
relatively flat, surface 221. The pin, or at least the head
217 thereof, is preferably constructed of metal or other
harder material than the side walls 45a of the connector bodv
15a.
The cavity 123a of the receptacle 17a has an open
end 223, and the face 121a is spaced in a forwardly d~rection
from the open end 223. The receptacle 17a has a partlal roof
225 (Fig. 10) over an inner portion of tne cavity 123a and
ledges 227 (Fig. 14) along the opposite side edges of the
upper end of the cavity 123a. To facilitate cle~ning, the
cover 115 of the receptacle 17 of Figs. 1-8a is elimlnated
from the receptacle 17a. As explained more fully
hereinbelow, the ledges 227 and the face 121a form stops,
which lie in transverse planes and against which the
connector body 15a is resiliently urged when tne connector
body is in the position of Fig. ~a.
~ 8~26o
In use, the connector body lS can be manually
inserted into the opening 223 and slid in a forwardly
direction toward the face 121a of the receptacle 15a as
described in connection with Figs. 1-8a. During this time,
the heads 217 of the projections 137a resiliently bear
against the outside surfaces of the side walls 45a,
respectively, as a result of an inward biasing force applied
by resilient sections 135ar to resist such forward movement
of the connector body. When the connecto~ body 15a is
advanced to the position of Fig. 9, the heads 217 of the
projections 137a are at least partially received in the test
grooves 209, respectively, as shown in Fig. 9 to releasably
retain the connector body in the test position of Fig. 9.
Reaching of the test positlon is audibly made manifest by a
click as the heads 217 enter the associated test grooves 209.
In this position, the locations 131a and the proximal ends
lO9a are spaced so that light can be transmitted from the
locations 131a to the connector body 15a and reflected back
to the locations 131a from the connector body so that the
optics and electronics of the associated instrument 13 (Fig.
1) can be checked before the catheter 11 is inserted into the
patient. Of course, other functions can be carried out uslng
the test recess or another recess.
The connector 'oody 15a can be advanced to the
monitor position of Fig. 9a by pushing the connector body 15a
forwardly. The cam surfaces ~9a cooperate with the heads 217
of the projections 137a, respectively, for urging the
connector body farther into the cavity 123a along a
predetermined path "C" lFig. 10). This path has components
which extend toward the forward face 121a of the receptacle
and the forward face 47a of the connectcr boay 15a as
indicated by the arrow "A" in Fig. 10 and upwardly as
~,2~6o~
indicated by the arrow "B" in Fig. 10. The resultal-lt Gf the
components "A" and "B" acts at some intermediate angle along
the path or direction "C" shown in Fig. 10. Conse~uently,
the connector body 15a is urged upwardly against the ledges
227 and forwardly against the forward face 121a of the
receptacle 17a. Of course, in the moni~or position of Fig.
9a, the proximal ends lO9a and the associated locations 131a
are in an aligned predetermined, optically coupled
relationship to each other as described above in connection
with Figs. 1-8a.
More specifically, the heads 217 of the projections
137a engage the part-spherical cam surfaces 69a,
respectively, at the upper, forwara end (Figs. 10 and 11) of
the recesses 67a. Consequently, because of the inclined
nature of the cam surfaces 69a, the trailing end of the
connector body 15a is urged along the path "C." The forward
end of the connector body 15a also tends to be retained bv
the cooperation between the cam follower surfaces 65 of the
connector body and the cam surfaces 127 of the receptacle in
the same manner as ~escribed above in connection with Figs.
1-8a. The cam follower surfaces 65 and the cam surfaces 127
are not visible in Figs. 9-14 which illustrate the second
em~odiment of the invent~on.
Viewed from a different perspective, the side walls
45a and the proximal ends lO9a are spaced apart in a first
direction, and the biasing force of the side walls ll9a of
the receptacle 17a acts inwardly in the first direction. The
first direction is transverse, or generally perpendicular, to
the forward direction. The component of motion "~" (Fig. 10)
is generally transverse or perpendicular to both the first
direction and the fo~7ard direction.
~284600
~3
Although exemplary embodiments of the inventio~.
have been shown and described, many changes, modificati.ons
and substitutions may be made by one ha~Jing ordinary sXiil in
the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and
scope of this invention.
