Abstract: An end-effector configured to grasp tissue is disclosed herein. The end-effector includes an ultrasonic blade configured to transfer ultrasonic energy to the tissue and a clamp arm. The clamp arm includes a clamp arm pad including an electrically conductive material and an electrically non-conductive material. The clamp arm pad is configured as an electrode of a radiofrequency energy circuit, wherein the electrode is configured to transfer radiofrequency energy through the tissue to a return electrode of the radiofrequency energy circuit, and wherein the electrically non-conductive material is configured to reduce the possibility of an electrical short between the electrically conductive material and the ultrasonic blade as the clamp arm pad degrades throughout the usable life of the end effector.

Abstract: Methods, cleavers, and packagings for cleaving an optical fiber using an abrasive medium are disclosed. In one embodiment, a bladeless cleaver includes a body having an arcuate exterior surface, which may be provided in one embodiment by an exterior surface of a tool or toolkit, such as, but not limited to, a consumables kit or other packaging. A cleaver structure is disposed on the body such that a space between the arcuate exterior surface of the body and the cleaver structure is configured to receive a portion of the optical fiber to be cleaved. The cleaver structure comprises an abrasive medium carrier that is configured to be actuated to place the abrasive medium in contact with the portion of the optical fiber to create a flaw in the portion of the optical fiber. In another embodiment, the portion of the optical fiber may be positioned directly along the arcuate exterior surface of the body.

Abstract: Methods, cleavers, and packagings for cleaving an optical fiber using an abrasive medium are disclosed. In one embodiment, the bladeless cleaver includes a body having a flexible tongue configured to receive an optical fiber. The flexible tongue is further configured to provide an arcuate surface to bend a portion of the optical fiber. The bladeless cleaver in this embodiment also includes a cleaver structure attached to the body that comprises an abrasive medium carrier configured to support an abrasive medium. The abrasive medium carrier is configured to be actuated to place the abrasive medium in contact with the portion of the optical fiber to create a flaw in the portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector for making a mechanical splice with an optical fiber secured in an optical fiber handler is disclosed. The fiber optic connector provides the craft with a simple, fast and reliable way for terminating the optical fiber.

Abstract: Methods, cleavers, and packagings for cleaving an optical fiber using an abrasive medium are disclosed. The abrasive medium may be placed into contact with an optical fiber to induce a flaw in the optical fiber. The optical fiber is broken about the induced flaw to create an end face for fiber optic termination preparations. In one embodiment, a method for cleaving an optical fiber without employing a blade is provided. The method includes providing an optical fiber. A flaw is created in a portion of the optical fiber using a bladeless cleaver comprised of a body and a cleaver structure attached to the body. The cleaver structure is configured to actuate to place an abrasive medium in contact with the portion of the optical fiber to create a flaw in the optical fiber. The method further includes breaking the optical fiber at the flaw to create an end face.

Abstract: Imbedded carrier blades for cleaving optical fibers and related cleavers and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the blade includes a carrier body that defines a blade edge. At least one cleaving material is imbedded into at least a portion of the carrier body. The at least one cleaving material is additionally exposed on at least a portion of the blade edge to induce a flaw in a portion of an optical fiber contacted by the blade edge. The portion of the optical fiber can be broken about the induced flaw to create an end face for fiber optic termination preparations. Cleaving the optical fiber prepares an end face on the optical fiber to prepare fiber optic terminations, including in the field. The imbedded carrier blade can be disposed in a cleaver to cleave an optical fiber. Methods of cleaving an optical fiber using an imbedded carrier blade are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include cleavers for cleaving optical fibers, and related blades, components, and methods. In this regard in one embodiment, a cleaver for cleaving an optical fiber is provided. The cleaver comprises a body and an actuator disposed in the body and configured to be actuated along an actuation path to move a blade in an at least partially arcuate cleaving path. The cleaver also comprises an optical fiber path disposed in the body and intersecting with the at least partially arcuate cleaving path, such that an end portion of an optical fiber disposed in the optical fiber path is cleaved when the actuator is actuated, moving the blade in the at least partially arcuate cleaving path and contacting the end portion of the optical fiber. Related methods and other cleaver components and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Furcation assemblies (100) for furcating a fiber optic drop cable (10) are disclosed. An example furcation assembly includes a furcation member (110) having an elongate furcation body (112) defining an axial channel (130) with a front section (132). The channel front section is configured to accommodate and be secured to either a buffer tube (30) of a buffered drop cable or a protective cover (20) of an unbuffered drop cable. A flexible guide (150) is secured to the furcation member back end. A flexible protection member (180) slidably fits within the guide back end and is telescopically adjustable relative thereto. To create a cable assembly (200) using the furcation assembly, the furcation member is secured to the drop cable so that the optical fiber (40) carried thereby is passed through the furcation member, through the guide and through the protection member to form an exposed fiber section.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for verifying an acceptable splice termination include propagating light energy into the stub optical fiber of a fiber optic connector, detecting and collecting the amount of optical power emanating from the stub optical fiber at a termination area of the connector, converting the optical power to an electrical signal proportional to the amount of collected optical power, and displaying the electrical signal on a feedback monitor, such as an optical power meter, an LCD bar graph, or an LED. An initial (i.e., reference) value is obtained with the field optical fiber not in physical contact with the stub optical fiber. A final (i.e., terminated) value is obtained with the field optical fiber in physical contact with the stub optical fiber and terminated to the connector. The final value is compared to the initial value to determine whether the change (i.e., difference) is sufficient. Alternatively, the final value is compared to a predetermined limit or threshold.

Abstract: Methods, cleavers, and packagings for cleaving an optical fiber using an abrasive medium are disclosed. In one embodiment, the bladeless cleaver includes a body having a flexible tongue configured to receive an optical fiber. The flexible tongue is further configured to provide an arcuate surface to bend a portion of the optical fiber. The bladeless cleaver in this embodiment also includes a cleaver structure attached to the body that comprises an abrasive medium carrier configured to support an abrasive medium. The abrasive medium carrier is configured to be actuated to place the abrasive medium in contact with the portion of the optical fiber to create a flaw in the portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Methods, cleavers, and packagings for cleaving an optical fiber using an abrasive medium are disclosed. In one embodiment, a bladeless cleaver includes a body having an arcuate exterior surface, which may be provided in one embodiment by an exterior surface of a tool or toolkit, such as, but not limited to, a consumables kit or other packaging. A cleaver structure is disposed on the body such that a space between the arcuate exterior surface of the body and the cleaver structure is configured to receive a portion of the optical fiber to be cleaved. The cleaver structure comprises an abrasive medium carrier that is configured to be actuated to place the abrasive medium in contact with the portion of the optical fiber to create a flaw in the portion of the optical fiber. In another embodiment, the portion of the optical fiber may be positioned directly along the arcuate exterior surface of the body.

Abstract: Methods, cleavers, and packagings for cleaving an optical fiber using an abrasive medium are disclosed. The abrasive medium may be placed into contact with an optical fiber to induce a flaw in the optical fiber. The optical fiber is broken about the induced flaw to create an end face for fiber optic termination preparations. In one embodiment, a method for cleaving an optical fiber without employing a blade is provided. The method includes providing an optical fiber. A flaw is created in a portion of the optical fiber using a bladeless cleaver comprised of a body and a cleaver structure attached to the body. The cleaver structure is configured to actuate to place an abrasive medium in contact with the portion of the optical fiber to create a flaw in the optical fiber. The method further includes breaking the optical fiber at the flaw to create an end face.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector for making a mechanical splice with an optical fiber secured in an optical fiber handler is disclosed. The fiber optic connector provides the craft with a simple, fast and reliable way for terminating the optical fiber.

Abstract: Furcation assemblies (100) for furcating a fiber optic drop cable (10) are disclosed. An example furcation assembly includes a furcation member (110) having an elongate furcation body (112) defining an axial channel (130) with a front section (132). The channel front section is configured to accommodate and be secured to either a buffer tube (30) of a buffered drop cable or a protective cover (20) of an unbuffered drop cable. A flexible guide (150) is secured to the furcation member back end. A flexible protection member (180) slidably fits within the guide back end and is telescopically adjustable relative thereto. To create a cable assembly (200) using the furcation assembly, the furcation member is secured to the drop cable so that the optical fiber (40) carried thereby is passed through the furcation member, through the guide and through the protection member to form an exposed fiber section.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the need for a stress relieving device and protective jacket for exposed fiber within a field-installed optical network enclosure, such as a network interface device. The present invention incorporates a furcation tube coupled with a furcation body. The coupling may be accomplished by a direct connection or with use of an external or internal transition body. The present invention enables a field-installer to transition an optical fiber cable from the field into a furcation tube thereby providing a means for attaching an optical connector, such as a mechanical splice connector, onto the optical fiber and furcation tube.

Abstract: A secure fiber optic connector and adapter system including at least one connector including a first housing portion defining a first key slot and a second housing portion defining a second key slot independent of the first key slot, and at least one adapter including a first cavity for receiving the first housing portion and defining a first key therein for engaging with the first key slot, and a second cavity for receiving the second housing portion and defining a second key therein for engaging with the second key slot, wherein only a connector and an adapter having corresponding key slots and keys may mate. A secure fiber optic connector and adapter system for providing a level of secure access within a fiber optic network.

Abstract: An improved mechanical crimp provides increased fiber retention, while reducing the force required to form the crimp so that the crimp can be formed using a compact crimp mechanism disposed on a handheld installation tool. The crimp includes a deformable crimp tube and an optical fiber disposed within the crimp tube. A radial cross section of the crimp defines a plurality of alternating concave and convex outer surfaces. The crimp mechanism includes a base plate and a pair of crimp arms movably mounted on the base plate such that the crimp arms define a crimp area. The crimp mechanism further comprises an eccentric engaging at least one of the crimp arms and movably mounted on the base plate between a first position wherein the crimp arms are spaced apart at the crimp area and a second position wherein the crimp arms are not spaced apart at the crimp area.

Abstract: A secure fiber optic connector and adapter system including at least one connector including a first housing portion defining a first key slot and a second housing portion defining a second key slot independent of the first key slot, and at least one adapter including a first cavity for receiving the first housing portion and defining a first key therein for engaging with the first key slot, and a second cavity for receiving the second housing portion and defining a second key therein for engaging with the second key slot, wherein only a connector and an adapter having corresponding key slots and keys may mate. A secure fiber optic connector and adapter system for providing a level of secure access within a fiber optic network.