Non-occluding phototherapy probe stabilizers
AssigneeCardioFocus, Inc.
InventorsNorman Farr, Lincoln S. Baxter, Edward L. Sinofsky
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Phototherapeutic instruments are disclosed for providing substantially uniform energy distribution to a major portion of an area exposed during phototherapy. These instruments include an element for directing radiation toward the walls of a lumen and a device for centering the radiation directing element within the lumen. The instruments also allow the flow of blood, therapeutic fluid, or air past the exposure site. The instruments are particularly useful as part of a fiber optic-based medical laser system for photodynamic therapy within the bronchia of the lung, blood vessels or other liquid-filled lumens.
Claims19
A fiber optic apparatus for use in applying phototherapeutic radiation inside a body lumen, said apparatus comprising
- an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end adapted for coupling to a source of phototherapeutic radiation and the distal end adapted for directing such radiation into biological tissue;
- the apparatus further comprising a sheath including proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis, the sheath surrounding the distal end of the optical fiber and having a first non-occluding expansion element spaced apart from a second non-occluding expansion element, the first and second expansion elements being capable of projecting outward, away from the optical fiber, subsequent to insertion of the distal end of the optical fiber and the surrounding sheath into the lumen, such that the non-occluding first and second expansion elements contact the wall of the lumen, substantially centering the optical fiber within the lumen.
A fiber optic apparatus for use in applying phototherapeutic radiation inside a body lumen, said apparatus comprising:
- an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end adapted for coupling to a source of phototherapeutic radiation and the distal end adapted for directing such radiation into biological tissue;
- a sheath having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis, the sheath surrounding the distal end of the optical fiber and including a flexible, fluted region having non-occluding expansion elements which are capable of projecting outward, away from the optical fiber, subsequent to insertion of the distal end of the optical fiber and the surrounding sheath into the lumen, such that the expansion elements contact the wall of the lumen, substantially centering the optical fiber within the lumen, the expansion elements further comprising a dosimetry detector;
- and
- a retractor means coupled to the distal end of the sheath for inducing axial compression.
A fiber optic apparatus for use in applying phototherapeutic radiation inside a body lumen, said apparatus comprising
- an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end adapted for coupling to a source of phototherapeutic radiation;
- a diffusive tip assembly having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the optical fiber, the diffusive tip assembly being adapted for diffusing radiation toward the wall of the lumen;
- the apparatus further comprising a sheath surrounding the diffusive tip assembly and having a first non-occluding expansion element spaced apart from a second non-occluding expansion element, the first and second expansion elements being capable of projecting outward, away from the diffusive tip assembly, subsequent to insertion of the diffusive tip assembly and the surrounding sheath into the lumen, such that the expansion elements contact the wall of the lumen, substantially centering the optical fiber within the lumen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.