Apparatus and method for making a diffusing tip in a balloon catheter system
US5344419A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N5/062
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed for making a laser balloon catheter (10) having a diffusing tip (24) for propagating a uniform cylindrical pattern of laser energy. Included in the catheter are an elongated flexible tube (12) with an inflatable balloon (14) connected to the tube and means for inflating (16) and deflating (18) the balloon. A central channel (20) is disposed within the balloon and coupled to the tube. An optical fiber (22) with the diffusing tip at its distal end delivers laser radiation through the balloon to tissue to be treated. The method comprises the steps of etching the distal end of the optical fiber to form an etched portion thereof, cladding the etched portion with a medium which secures the optical fiber to the central channel, and microballoons which diffuse the laser radiation radially from the optical fiber, thereby substantially avoiding axial propagation and heating of blood forward of the optical fiber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.