| 摘要 |
A package for storing a continuous length of optical fiber is formed from two mating portions. The mating portions are configured such that when joined they form an annular package including separate inside and outside concentric annular chambers. A circumferential slit around inside and outside edges of the annular package allows access to respectively the inside and outside chambers. Two fiber guides are provided, one engaging the inside edge and the other engaging the outside edge of the package. Each fiber guide is configured such that it can slide around the edge that it engages. An aperture in adjacent walls of the inner and outer chambers allows passage of an optical fiber from one to the other and also allows passage of fluids or gases for sterilization. The continuous length of optical fiber is stored in the optical package with one portion of the fiber coiled in the inside chamber and another portion coiled in the outside chamber, the stored portions being linked via the apertures in the chamber walls. One end of the optical fiber extends through the inner edge slit and through the inner edge fiber guide, the other end of extends through the outer edge slit and through the inner edge fiber guide. Optical fiber can be withdrawn from or replaced in either chamber by sliding the corresponding fiber guide away from or toward the end of the fiber extending therethrough.
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