Transilluminating catheter
US5902247A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 11, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/06
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for transilluminating a tubular tissue within the body. The apparatus comprises an elongate catheter having a fiber optic substantially coextensive with the length thereof which provides diffuse illumination laterally along at least a portion of the length of the catheter. The fiber optic terminus at the proximal end of the catheter is flared to form a light receiving aperture for collecting illuminating light. The flared proximal end of the optical fiber presents an effectively greater light input aperture and enables the fiber to conduct more light to the distal delivery end than would otherwise be possible with a fiber having a flat cut end and receiving light from a divergent light source. The distal end of the catheter is dimensioned to fit within a tubular tissue and be advanced therethrough. A portion of the distal end of the fiber optic is adapted to redirect the light laterally away from the optical axis along a length thereof to provide diffuse cylindrical illumination directed radially outward from the optical axis. The catheter is particularly adapted for transilluminating the wall of a length of a tubular tissue for visualization during surgical…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.