An optical connector (20) includes a plurality of collimation elements (23a, 23b) which are associated with a plurality of optical fibres (21a, 21b), respectively, and which are carried by a support (24). The support is mounted for rotation in a bearing (27) about a rotation axis (z), the collimation elements (23a) are arranged in the support so as to be equidistant from this rotation axis, and the support has at least one member for angular positioning (28) about the axis. The invention also relates to an optical connection assembly (10) including a first such optical connector and a second optical connector (20) which is configured to be nested coaxially with the first one. An electrical connector may be provided with such an optical connector, and a connection system may be provided with such an electrical connector.

An optical energy transfer and conversion system comprising a fiber spooler and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the spooler with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy. The fiber spooler may reside on the remote mobility platform which may be a vehicle, or apparatus that is either self-propelled or is carried by a secondary mobility platform either on land, under the sea, in the air or in space.

A contactless datalink for transmission of data between a rotatable part and a stationary part, including a dielectric waveguide split into two sections. A first dielectric waveguide section is at the rotatable part and a second dielectric waveguide section is at the stationary part. The first dielectric waveguide section is coupled to a transmitter and the second dielectric waveguide section is coupled to a receiver.

Systems for providing an optical rotary joint are provided. In some embodiments, a system comprises: a lens-less optical rotary joint, comprising: a guide ferrule; a rotatable ferrule; a rotatable optical fiber, the rotatable optical fiber passing through the rotatable ferrule and the guide ferrule, the rotatable optical fiber being secured within the rotatable ferrule, and the rotatable optical fiber being freely rotatable within the guide ferrule; and a coupler to secure the guide ferrule and receive a static ferrule including a static optical fiber such that a face of the static optical fiber is proximate a face of the rotatable optical fiber.

An apparatus, method, and system for connecting optical fibers, commonly used in medical instruments, for use in endoscopy, non-evasive treatments of disease, as well as other medical factions incorporating optical fibers, wherein the novel connector allows for rotation of at least one optical fiber within the connector.

A surgical device includes a light source and an illumination unit having a lighthead that is connected to a mount by one or more support arms which are pivotally connected through joint units. The mount is provided for mounting the illumination unit to a supporting structure. The light source is disposed remotely from the lighthead, in particular not mounted on the lighthead, and is coupled to the lighthead by light conductors. In addition, a lighthead for a surgical light device is disclosed, including an optical connector that is configured to be connectable to a light conductor which is connected to a light source.

An example apparatus includes an optical fiber, an actuator, and a joint mechanically coupling the actuator to the optical fiber. The joint includes a neck extending along an axis. The optical fiber is threaded through an aperture extending along the axis through the neck. The optical fiber is attached to the joint at a surface of the neck facing the axis. The joint also includes a collar extending along the axis. The actuator is mechanically attached to the joint at an inner surface of the collar facing the axis. The joint also includes a flexural element extending radially from the neck to the collar. During operation, the joint couples a force from the actuator to the optical fiber to vary an orientation of a portion of the optical fiber extending from the neck with respect to the axis.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising: a first optical fiber in communication with a light source; a second optical fiber in communication with an imaging probe; and a fiber optic rotary joint (FORJ) where a distal end of the first optical fiber and a proximal end of the second optical fiber are positioned coaxially with a gap between the fibers' end faces. The FORJ is adapted to transmit light between the fibers' end faces, and to rotate at least one of first and second optical fibers relative to the other. An actuator is configured to axially translate at least one of the first and second optical fibers relative to the other in a reciprocal motion. A light intensity sensor is adapted to measure light intensity changes due to optical interference between light reflected from the fibers' end faces. And, a control system is configured to receive light intensity measurements from the sensor and to use the light intensity measurements to control the reciprocal motion of the linear actuator to maintain the length of the gap between fibers' end faces substantially constant.

Exemplary apparatus, systems, methods of making, and methods of using a rotary junction are provided. A rotary junction having multiple channels is provided herein. The rotary junction has a first coupling optic and a second coupling optic where the rotating optical fiber or other waveguide comping from the first coupling optic passes through the second coupling optics.

An optical energy transfer and conversion system comprising a fiber spooler and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the spooler with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy. The fiber spooler may reside on the remote mobility platform which may be a vehicle, or apparatus that is either self-propelled or is carried by a secondary mobility platform either on land, under the sea, in the air or in space.