US 12,345,924 B2
Systems and methods for optical fiber alignment
Tor C. Anderson, Los Gatos, CA (US); and Matthew R. Cavalier, Los Gatos, CA (US)
Assigned to INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC., Sunnyvale, CA (US)
Filed by INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC., Sunnyvale, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/887,639.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/234,565, filed on Aug. 18, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0059738 A1, Feb. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. G02B 6/38 (2006.01); B08B 1/14 (2024.01); B08B 1/30 (2024.01); G02B 6/36 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/3838 (2013.01) [B08B 1/143 (2024.01); B08B 1/30 (2024.01); G02B 6/3652 (2013.01); G02B 6/3806 (2013.01); G02B 6/381 (2013.01); G02B 6/3825 (2013.01); G02B 6/3858 (2013.01); G02B 6/3866 (2013.01); G02B 6/3881 (2013.01); B08B 2240/02 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An optical fiber alignment assembly, comprising:
an alignment fixture including a groove configured to engage first and second optical fiber ferrules;
a first clamping mechanism configured to selectively apply a force on the first optical fiber ferrule to constrain motion of the first optical fiber ferrule within the groove;
a second clamping mechanism configured to selectively apply a force on the second optical fiber ferrule to constrain motion of the second optical fiber ferrule within the groove; and
a cleaning assembly including a cleaning media configured to pass between the first and second optical fiber ferrules, wherein the cleaning media is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the cleaning media is positioned between the first and second optical fiber ferrules, and wherein in the second position the cleaning media is positioned between the first and second clamping mechanisms.