Apparatus for delivering radiation energy
AssigneeEndo Vasix, Inc.
InventorsStephanos Papademetriou, Victor C. Esch, Miquel M.L. Praca, Alan S. Crarer
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for accurately and reproducibly locating a planar array of optical fibers in space are disclosed. A single acousto-optic modulator is used to accurately and substantially-simultaneously deflect multiple beams of different-wavelength radiation energy to each of said accurately-positioned optical fibers. Both aspects of the invention can be used in an apparatus and method for removing occlusions from vessels, as previously disclosed.
Claims65
A method of scanning multiple radiation energy beams, comprising:
- providing a first frequency to an acousto-optic modulator,
- transmitting a first beam having a first wavelength to said acousto-optic modulator such that said first beam is deflected to a first location,
- providing a second frequency to said acousto-optic modulator, and
- transmitting a second beam having a second wavelength to said acousto-optic modulator such that said second beam is deflected to said first location.
The method of claim 1 or 5, wherein said first and second beams are simultaneously transmitted to said acousto-optic modulator.
The method of claim I wherein said first beam is pulsed.
An apparatus for accurately delivering a free radiation energy beam to an object located across a void, comprising:
- a source of radiation, said source providing a beam of radiation energy having a proximal and a free distal end;
- means for scanning said radiation beam within a predetermined plane;
- and
- means for positioning said object substantially within said plane, such that said means for scanning is able to scan said free distal end of said radiation beam to said object.
An apparatus for accurately delivering a free radiation beam, comprising:
- a source of radiation providing a beam of radiation having a proximal and a free distal end;
- an acousto-optic modulator for scanning said radiation beam within a predetermined plane;
- a connector housing proximal ends of a substantially planar array of optical fibers, said array positioned remotely from said proximal end of said energy beam;
- and
- a positioning apparatus comprising two towers, said connector positioned between said towers such that said planar fiber array is substantially coplanar with said predetermined plane and such that said modulator can scan said distal end of said beam to each of said optical fibers.
An apparatus for accurately positioning an object in space, comprising:
- two rigid towers, each tower having a base, an opposed wall, and a portion remote from the base;
- a baseplate, said tower bases attached to said baseplate such that said opposed walls face each other;
- and
- means for biasing said towers towards each other to grip an object positioned between said opposed walls of said remote portions of said towers.
An apparatus for accurately positioning a plurality of optical fibers within a predetermined plane, comprising:
- a connector comprising two plates, each plate having a plurality of grooves in a surface, said plates integrally connected so that said grooved surfaces face each other and said pluralities of grooves align to form a plurality of positioning channels in a predetermined arrangement;
- a plurality of optical fibers, each fiber having a proximal end positioned within a corresponding one of said channels, such that the proximal ends of said fibers form a substantially planar fiber array;
- said connector further having at least one alignment groove positioned in each of two opposite surfaces of said connector, said alignment grooves for positioning said connector between two opposed rod-like structures so that said fiber array is substantially coplanar with said predetermined plane.
An apparatus for accurately positioning an array of optical fibers, comprising:
- a connector having a plurality of channels,
- a plurality of optical fibers, each fiber having a proximal end positioned within a corresponding one of said channels such that the proximal ends of said fibers form a substantially planar fiber array;
- said connector further having at pair of alignment grooves for positioning said connector between two opposed, substantially parallel rod-like structures, said rod-like structures and said alignment grooves interacting so that said fiber array is substantially coplanar with a predetermined plane.
An apparatus for accurately positioning at least one optical fiber within a predetermined plane, comprising:
- a connector comprising two plates, each plate having at least one groove in a surface, said plates integrally connected together with said grooved surfaces opposing one another, such that said grooves align to form at least one channel in said connector;
- at least one optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said fiber positioned within said at least one channel;
- said connector further having at least two alignment grooves, one of said at least two alignment grooves positioned in each of two opposite surfaces of said connector, said alignment grooves for positioning said connector between two opposed rod-like structures so that said proximal end of said fiber is substantially within said predetermined plane.
A method of aligning a plurality of optical fibers within a predetermined plane, comprising:
- immovably positioning said plurality of fibers within a substantially planar array, and
- positioning said array relative to two opposed rod-like structures so that said fiber array is substantially coplanar with said predetermined plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.