Importance

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Abstract

A fiber optic probe and optical coupler assembly, and methods for making the assembly and reproducibly aligning a plurality of optical fibers therein. The coupler is used with a probe that includes a housing or probe body, a probe tip, at least one light-transmitting fiber, at least one light-receiving fiber spaced apart from the light-transmitting fiber, and (if desired), in-line devices such as filters and lenses positioned in optical communication with the fibers. The coupler includes at least one aligning pin that helps maintain the transmitting and receiving fibers in precise, reproducible relative alignment therein; thus, the coupler can be cut to install filters and other in-line devices, then readily re-assembled for use with the cut ends precisely and accurately realigned. The coupler is simple and rugged, and can be manufactured and assembled without the need for high-precision machining or optical alignment procedures.

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First Claim