Safety shut-off device for laser surgical instruments employing blackbody emitters
AssigneeCardioFocus, Inc.
InventorEdward L. Sinofsky
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Abstract
Methods and systems are disclosed for detecting overheating in an optical device before harmful consequences, such as severe local heating, can result. In one embodiment of the invention, a blackbody emitter is disposed in close proximity to a therapeutic optical fiber to absorb therapeutic radiation at a fault and re-emit blackbody (infrared) radiation. The emitter can be coupled to the fiber but, during normal operation, lies outside the optical path between the output of the laser radiation and the site of treatment. Systems and catheters incorporating such emitters are also described for effective monitoring of the laser power transmitted along the optical fiber within the phototherapy device.
Claims50
A monitoring apparatus for detecting a fault in a phototherapy device having at least one optical fiber defining an optical path between a source of therapeutic radiation and a treatment site, the apparatus comprising:
- a blackbody radiation emitter disposed along the optical path, for absorbing therapeutic radiation released at a fault and emitting blackbody radiation,
- a detector optically coupled to the optical fiber for receiving blackbody radiation,
- whereby therapeutic radiation released at the fault can be detected by measurement of blackbody radiation emitted by the emitter and transmitted by the fiber to the detector.
A method for detecting a fault in a phototherapy device having at least one optical fiber defining an optical path between a source of therapeutic radiation and a treatment site, comprising:
- absorbing therapeutic radiation released at a fault along the optical path and emitting blackbody radiation, and
- detecting blackbody radiation emitted from the fault site,
- whereby therapeutic radiation released at the fault can be detected as blackbody radiation emitted and then transmitted by the optical fiber to the detector.
A self-monitoring catheter for performing phototherapy procedures comprising:
- an elongate body, adapted for insertion into a subject, having one of more inner lumens;
- at least one optical fiber defining an optical path between a source of therapeutic radiation and a treatment site having a proximal end adapted for coupling to an optical beam splitter such that forward propagating radiation can be transmitted into the fiber from the source and backward propagating radiation can be directed to a detector;
- and
- a blackbody radiation emitter disposed along the optical path, for absorbing therapeutic radiation released at a fault and emitting blackbody radiation,
- whereby therapeutic radiation released at the fault can be detected by measurement of blackbody radiation emitted by the emitter and transmitted by the fiber to a detector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.