A fiber optic connection system (10/182/252) includes a first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) terminating a first fiber optic cable (14), the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) including a housing (24/170/214/244/260) defining a longitudinal axis, at least one fiber (20) of the first fiber optic cable (14) fixed axially to the housing (24/170/214/244/260). A first shutter (36/206/238) is slidably movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing (24/170/214/244/260), the first shutter (36/206/238) biased to a closed position to prevent exposure to the at least one fiber (20) of the first fiber optic cable (14). The first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) includes a second shutter (22/100/172/212/242/258) slidably movable in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the second shutter (22/100/172/212/242/258) biased to a closed position to prevent the at least one fiber (20) from protruding from the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254).

A connector includes a ferrule assembly having a ferrule, a hub and a spring, the ferrule having a distal face accessible at a distal end of the connector housing, the ferrule being movable in a proximal direction relative to the connector housing. The distal and proximal positions are separated by an axial displacement distance. The ferrule proximal movement is against the spring's bias. The cable of the assembly includes an optical fiber contained within a jacket and also a strength layer between the fiber and the jacket that is anchored to the connector housing. The fiber extends through a fiber from the proximal end of the connector housing to the ferrule. The fiber has a distal portion potted within the ferrule. The fiber passage has a fiber take-up region configured to take-up an excess length of the fiber corresponding to the ferrule axial displacement.

A medical device may include a spool element, including a channel to receive or store a coiled element, and a handle element. The handle element may be coupled to the spool element and include a lumen that at least partially opens into the channel. The medical device may also include an introducer element coupled to the handle, and relative rotation of the spool element and the handle element may dispense or retract the coiled element from the introducer.

Hardened fiber optic connectors having a mechanical splice assembly are disclosed. The mechanical splice assembly is attached to a first end of an optical waveguide such as an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable by way of a stub optical fiber, thereby connectorizing the hardened connector. In one embodiment, the hardened connector includes an inner housing having two shells for securing a tensile element of the cable and securing the mechanical splice assembly so that a ferrule assembly may translate. Further assembly of the hardened connector has the inner housing fitting into a shroud of the hardened connector. The shroud aides in mating the hardened connector with a complimentary device and the shroud may have any suitable configuration. The hardened connector may also include features for fiber buckling, sealing, cable strain relief or a pre-assembly for ease of installation.

Each optical cable includes an array of at least one optical waveguide and at least one optical ferrule attached to the array of optical waveguides. The housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion engaged with the first housing portion. The second housing portion comprises at least one carrier and one frame. The carrier and frame of the second housing portion are configured to support the one or more optical cables. The first housing portion and the second housing portion are configured such that mechanical engagement of the first housing portion with the second housing portion moves the carrier relative to the frame. Movement of the carrier relative to the frame causes a bend in each optical waveguide and rotation of each ferrule. The bend provides a predetermined spring force of the optical waveguides at a predetermined angle of the ferrule.

Hardened fiber optic connectors having a mechanical splice assembly are disclosed. The mechanical splice assembly is attached to a first end of an optical waveguide such as an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable by way of a stub optical fiber, thereby connectorizing the hardened connector. In one embodiment, the hardened connector includes an inner housing having two shells for securing a tensile element of the cable and securing the mechanical splice assembly so that a ferrule assembly may translate. Further assembly of the hardened connector has the inner housing fitting into a shroud of the hardened connector. The shroud aides in mating the hardened connector with a complimentary device and the shroud may have any suitable configuration. The hardened connector may also include features for fiber buckling, sealing, cable strain relief or a pre-assembly for ease of installation.

The loopback apparatus disclosed herein is used with an optical fiber system having an optical fiber cable. The loopback apparatus includes an optical fiber having input and output ends and an output optical fiber having input and output ends. The loopback apparatus also includes an optical system that defines an optical path and that is configured to optically couple the output end of the input optical fiber with the input end of the output optical fiber over the optical path. The loopback apparatus also includes a thin-film filter disposed in the optical path and configured to provide a select amount of attenuation for light traveling over the optical path. The loopback apparatus can be plugged into and unplugged from the optical fiber cable. Loopback methods for measuring the performance of the optical fiber system using the loopback apparatus are also disclosed.

A connector includes a ferrule assembly having a ferrule, a hub and a spring, the ferrule having a distal face accessible at a distal end of the connector housing, the ferrule being movable in a proximal direction relative to the connector housing. The distal and proximal positions are separated by an axial displacement distance. The ferrule proximal movement is against the spring's bias. The cable of the assembly includes an optical fiber contained within a jacket and also a strength layer between the fiber and the jacket that is anchored to the connector housing. The fiber extends through a fiber from the proximal end of the connector housing to the ferrule. The fiber has a distal portion potted within the ferrule. The fiber passage has a fiber take-up region configured to take-up an excess length of the fiber corresponding to the ferrule axial displacement.

Optical connector arrangements terminate at least seventy-two optical fibers. The optical connector arrangements include multiple optical ferrules that each terminates multiple optical fibers. Some example optical connectors can terminate about 144 optical fibers. Each optical connector includes a fiber take-up arrangement and a flange extending outwardly from a connector housing arrangement. The fiber take-up arrangement manages excess length of the optical fibers. A threadable coupling nut can be disposed on the connector housing arrangement to engage the outwardly extending flange. Certain types of optical connector arrangements include furcation cables spacing the connector housing arrangement form the fiber take-up arrangement.

A fiber optic connection system (10/182/252) includes a first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) terminating a first fiber optic cable (14), the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) including a housing (24/170/214/244/260) defining a longitudinal axis, at least one fiber (20) of the first fiber optic cable (14) fixed axially to the housing (24/170/214/244/260). A first shutter (36/206/238) is slidably movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing (24/170/214/244/260), the first shutter (36/206/238) biased to a closed position to prevent exposure to the at least one fiber (20) of the first fiber optic cable (14). The first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) includes a second shutter (22/100/172/212/242/258) slidably movable in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the second shutter (22/100/172/212/242/258) biased to a closed position to prevent the at least one fiber (20) from protruding from the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254).