Michael S Donnelly

US Patent:

53156145, May 24, 1994

Filed:

May 3, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/055348

Inventors:

Kenneth P. Grace - Woodland Park CO
Michael B. Donnelly - Colorado Springs CO
Dean J. Geraci - Colorado Springs CO

Assignee:

The Spectranetics Corporation - Colorado Springs CO

International Classification:

H01S 308

US Classification:

372101

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for coupling laser energy into an optical fiber employs a laser with a concave reflector and a planar reflector, a plano-convex focusing lens and an optical fiber array. A divergent laser beam is emitted from the laser and is focused to a beam waist by the plano-convex lens. Within the beam waist exists a soft focal plane wherein the laser energy is relatively homogeneous across the beam's cross section. An optical fiber array is placed within the beam waist such that the soft focal plane substantially matches the size and shape of the proximal end of the optical fiber array. Thus, laser energy is coupled to the optical fiber array at the soft focal plane within the beam waist at a fluence level below the fluence damage threshold of the optical fiber array and in a relatively homogeneous fashion across the cross section of the optical fiber array.

US Patent:

50169645, May 21, 1991

Filed:

Oct 4, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/417245

Inventors:

Michael B. Donnelly - Colorado Springs CO

Assignee:

Spectranetics Corporation - Colorado Springs CO

International Classification:

G02B 632

US Classification:

350 9618

Abstract:

An apparatus to couple a laser beam into a plurality of optical fibers is disclosed. The laser beam, having a naturally rectangular cross sectional area, is passed through a cylindrical lens to focus the laser beam into a focal line. The optical fibers are then arranged in a linear configuration at the focal line to accept the laser beam. A second cylindrical lens may be used to control the length of the focal line to match the length of the linearly configured optical fibers. A method for coupling the laser beam into the linearly configured optical fibers is also disclosed.