Hot tip device with optical diagnostic capability
US5009655A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 1989 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B18/28
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A hot tip device, typically used for melting and plowing through stenotic deposits in a coronary artery, is provided with optical diagnostic capabilities. The device includes an elongated, flexible member, a filter glass heating element attached to the distal end of the flexible member and an optical fiber extending through the flexible member and optically coupled to the heating element. The filter glass heating element absorbs a first range of wavelengths for heating and passes a second range of wavelengths for irradiating the artery through the filter glass heating element. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible member is a steerable guidewire, and the filter glass heating element is heated by infrared radiation. Ultraviolet or visible radiation is used to stimulate fluorescence from deposits in the artery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.