Coronary light probe and method of use
OwnerJack Kolffinventor
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Abstract
A coronary light probe and method of use are disclosed. The light probe has an elongate portion with fiber-optic cables for conveying light to a distal tip of the probe. The cables are disposed so as to laterally emit light at the distal tip so that when the probe is disposed in a vessel, the light emitted from the distal tip illuminates the vessel adjacent the distal tip. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the probe has a plurality of light emitting mechanisms disposed about the sides thereof proximal to the distal tip so that the light emitting mechanisms illuminate several portions of the vessel. The probe may to used to determine the location of blocking structures within a vessel, or simply to illuminate the vessel to prevent accidental laceration during surgery.
Claims21
A method for using a light probe in open heart/by-pass surgery to indicate the location of a blockage contained within an artery/vein and inhibiting blood flow through the artery/vein, the method comprising:
- (a) selecting a probe having a lighting means disposed at a distal tip thereof for laterally emitting light;
- (b) making an incision in an artery/vein for insertion of the probe;
- (c) inserting the probe into the artery/vein and advancing the probe until the probe is disposed adjacent the blockage contained within the artery/vein;
- (d) illuminating the artery/vein adjacent to the blockage to thereby indicate the position of the blockage;
- (e) marking the artery/vein at the location of the lighting means within the artery/vein to thereby indicate a desired location for attachment of a by-pass vessel.
A method for facilitating placement of a by-pass vessel around a blockage contained within in a primary vessel carrying blood to thereby facilitate improved blood flow through the primary vessel, the method comprising:
- (a) inserting a probe having a light emitting mechanism disposed at a distal end thereof into the primary vessel for laterally emitting light into the primary vessel;
- and
- (b) advancing the distal end of the probe in the primary vessel until the distal end is disposed adjacent the blockage;
- and
- (c) illuminating a portion of the primary vessel adjacent the blockage so as to indicate the location of the blockage which will be by-passed by the by-pass vessel.
A method for enhancing the visibility of a coronary artery during invasive surgery on one or more structures adjacent to, but not including, the coronary artery to thereby avoid accidental laceration of the coronary artery during the surgery on the one or more structures, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a probe having a plurality of lighting mechanisms disposed thereon for providing light radially outwardly from the probe;
- (b) sliding the probe into the coronary artery;
- and
- (c) illuminating at least two portions of the coronary artery with the lighting mechanisms disposed on the probe so as to enhance visibility of the coronary artery and thereby prevent accidental laceration of the coronary artery during surgery on the one or more structures adjacent the coronary artery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.