# US 2014/0194861 A1 · Biasing laser catheter: monorail design > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194861 A1 - Document ID: US20140194861A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/152,334 - Filed: 2014-01-10 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2008-11-05 - Assignees: The Spectranetics Corporation - Applicants: The Spectranetics Corporation - Inventors: Jacob Keeler; Melissa Brookshier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194861A1 ## CPC - A61B 18/245: {for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi} - A61B 2017/22038: {with a guide wire} - A61B 2018/2211: {Plurality of fibres} - A61B 2018/2238: {with means for selectively laterally deflecting the tip of the fibre} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract In some embodiments, without limitation, the invention comprises a catheter having an elongated housing with a channel disposed therein. A laser delivery member is movable and at least partially disposed within the channel. A ramp is disposed within the housing at an angle to its central axis and proximate to its distal end. The ramp is adapted to move the distal end of the laser delivery member outwardly from the central axis of the housing. A guidewire biases the distal end of the laser delivery member generally inwardly toward the central axis of the housing. In some embodiments, without limitation, the offset of the central axis of the tip of the laser delivery member from the central axis of the housing is determined by adjusting the extent to which the laser delivery member travels on the ramp, and disposition of the laser delivery member on the guidewire maintains the offset tip substantially parallel to the central axis of the housing. Thus, in accordance with the invention, the distal end of the laser delivery member may be biased in a desired direction or offset, permitting ablation of an area larger than the area of the distal end of the catheter. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-33. (canceled) ### Claim 34 A catheter comprising: an elongated housing having a first proximal end, a first distal end, a central axis, and a housing channel disposed between the first proximal end and the first distal end, a cavity disposed proximate the first distal end of the elongated housing and in communication with the housing channel; the first distal end having: a first guidewire channel; a ramp disposed at an angle to the central axis of the elongated housing, wherein the ramp is located proximately within the first distal end of the elongated housing and in communication with the housing channel; and a slot disposed at least partially within the ramp, the slot in communication with the housing channel, the cavity, and the guidewire channel; a laser delivery member having a second proximal end, a second distal end, at least one optical fiber, and a second guidewire channel, the laser delivery member being at least partially disposed within the housing channel and movable therein; and a trigger mechanism coupled to the elongated housing and the laser delivery member, the trigger mechanism having a body and a plunger disposed at least partially within the body, whereupon distally advancing the plunger, the second distal end of the laser delivery member engages the ramp and moves outwardly through the cavity and away from the central axis of the elongated housing. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The catheter according to claim 34 whereupon distally advancing the plunger, in cooperation with a guidewire in communication with the first guidewire channel, the second guidewire channel and the slot, the second distal end of the laser delivery member moves toward a position generally parallel with the central axis of the elongated housing. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) The catheter according to claim 34, wherein the trigger mechanism further comprises an engagement device coupled to the body and a catching device coupled to the plunger. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The catheter according to claim 36, wherein the trigger mechanism further comprises a spring. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The catheter according to claim 36, whereupon coupling of the engagement device and the catching device, the laser delivery member is in a locked position relative to the elongated housing. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The catheter according to claim 38, wherein the trigger mechanism further comprises a spring, such that upon decoupling the engagement device and the catching device, the plunger moves proximally. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The catheter according to claim 38, wherein the trigger mechanism further comprises a spring, such that upon decoupling the engagement device and the catching device, the laser delivery member returns to an unlocked position relative to the elongated housing. ### Claim 41 (depends on 34) The catheter according to claim 34, wherein the elongated housing further comprises at least one radiopaque marker. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The catheter according to claim 41, wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is located on the first distal end of the elongated housing. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The catheter according to claim 42, wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is located adjacent the cavity on the first distal end of the elongated housing. ### Claim 44 (depends on 42) The catheter according to claim 42, wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is located distally of the cavity on the first distal end of the elongated housing. ### Claim 45 (depends on 34) The catheter according to claim 34, wherein the elongated housing comprises at least two radiopaque marker. ### Claim 46 A method of removing a blockage within a blood vessel using a catheter comprising: an elongated housing having a first proximal end, a first distal end, a central axis and a housing channel disposed between the first proximal end and the first distal end, a cavity disposed proximate the first distal end of the elongated housing and in communication with the housing channel; the first distal end having: a first guidewire channel; a ramp disposed at an angle to the central axis of the elongated housing, wherein the ramp is located proximately within the first distal end of the elongated housing and in communication with the housing channel; and a slot disposed at least partially within the ramp, the slot in communication with the housing channel, the cavity, and the guidewire channel; a laser delivery member having a second proximal end, a second distal end, at least one optical fiber, and a second guidewire channel, the laser delivery member being at least partially disposed within the housing channel and movable therein; and a trigger mechanism coupled to the elongated housing and the laser delivery member, the trigger mechanism having a body and a plunger disposed at least partially within the body; the method comprising: advancing a guidewire into a blood vessel; advancing the elongated housing and the laser delivery member over guidewire and through the first guidewire channel, the second guidewire channel and the slot; moving the plunger distally and causing the second distal end of the laser delivery member to engage the ramp, thereby moving the second distal end outwardly through the cavity and away from the central axis of the elongated housing and, in conjunction with the guidewire, moving the second distal end toward a position generally parallel with the central axis of the elongated housing; and delivering laser energy to a blockage within the blood vessel. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The method of claim 46 wherein the trigger mechanism further comprises an engagement device coupled to the body and a catching device coupled to the plunger. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The method of claim 47 further comprising coupling the engagement device and the catching device, thereby locking the laser delivery member relative to the elongated housing. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48 wherein the trigger mechanism further comprises a spring. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) The method of claim 49, further comprising discontinuing delivering laser energy to a blockage within the blood vessel and decoupling the engagement device and the catching device, allowing unlocking the plunger and allowing the spring to move the plunger proximally. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) The method of claim 50, further comprising rotating the catheter within the blood vessel. ### Claim 52 (depends on 46, 51) The method of claim 51, further comprising repeating the moving step and delivering step of claim 46.