Optical fiber ribbon imaging guidewire and methods
US10578798B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 29, 2018 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4434
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An intravascular or other 2D or 3D imaging apparatus can include a minimally-invasive distal imaging guidewire portion. A plurality of thin optical fibers can be circumferentially distributed about a cylindrical guidewire core, such as in an spiral-wound or otherwise attached optical fiber ribbon. A low refractive index coating, high numerical aperture (NA) fiber, or other technique can be used to overcome challenges of using extremely thin optical fibers. Coating and ribbonizing techniques are described. Also described are non-uniform refractive index peak amplitudes or wavelengths techniques for FBG writing, using a depressed index optical cladding, chirping, a self-aligned connector, optical fiber routing and alignment techniques for a system connector, and an adapter for connecting to standard optical fiber coupling connectors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.