Imaging guidewire with photoactivation capabilities
AssigneeVolcano Corporation
InventorPaul Hoseit
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A guidewire providing imaging and light for photoactivation of therapeutic agents. Using optical fibers with Bragg gratings, electromagnetic waves are coupled to photoacoustic materials thereby providing acoustic energy for imaging tissues. The reflected acoustic waves can be sensed with photoreflective materials coupled to different optical fibers. Additional optical fibers allow photoactivated therapeutics to be activated in proximity to the imaged tissues. The photoactivated therapeutics may be administered intravenously or with a drug-delivery catheter.
Claims27
A guidewire comprising:
- a first optical fiber comprising a first blazed Bragg grating being at least partially reflective of a first wavelength;
- a photoabsorptive member that absorbs the first wavelength and is in photocommunication with the first blazed Bragg grating;
- a second optical fiber comprising a second blazed Bragg grating being at least partially reflective of a second wavelength;
- and
- a lens in photocommunication with the second blazed Bragg grating and an exterior of the guidewire.
A method of treating a subject, comprising:
- imaging a subject with acoustic energy produced from a guidewire;
- administering a photosensitive therapeutic agent to the subject;
- and
- activating the photosensitive therapeutic agent with electromagnetic radiation from the guidewire.
A system for administering a photosensitive therapeutic agent to a subject, comprising:
- a guidewire, the guidewire comprising:
- a first optical fiber comprising a first blazed Bragg grating being at least partially reflective of a first wavelength,
- a photoabsorptive member that absorbs the first wavelength and is in photocommunication with the first blazed Bragg grating,
- a second optical fiber comprising a second blazed Bragg grating being at least partially reflective of a second wavelength, and
- a lens in photocommunication with the second blazed Bragg grating and an exterior of the guidewire;
- a source of the first wavelength optically coupled to the first optical fiber;
- a source of the second wavelength optically coupled to the second optical fiber;
- and
- a controller coupled to the source of the first wavelength and the source of the second wavelength, and capable of imaging a portion of a subject with acoustic energy created with the first wavelength and activating a photosensitive therapeutic agent with the second wavelength.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.