OPTICAL CATHETER CONNECTOR

摘要

An optical catheter connection system is described which has two mating assemblies: A motor unit (3) and an optical catheter connector (1). The optical catheter connector (1) mates to the motor unit (3) for coupling optical signal into and out of a catheter optical fiber and providing drive torque to the catheter optical fiber. The motor unit (3) includes a rotary shaft (2) powered by a motor for providing drive torque to the catheter optical fiber to rotate the fiber. The motor unit (3) further includes a spl it sleeve for aligning a motor optical fiber with the catheter optical fiber fo r coupling optical signals between the two fibers. In one embodiment, a shield is provided around the outer surface of the optical catheter connector to he lp maintain a sterile field by forming a barrier between a clinician's sterile hand, which holds the optical catheter connector, and the non-sterile motor unit.