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US 6,741,884 B1Granted
Infrared endoscopic balloon probes
AssigneeHyperMed, Inc.
InventorsJenny E. Freeman, Charles R. Lambert, Michael J. Hopmeier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Balloon probes, adapted for use in endoscopy and other medical procedures, are useful to obtain spectroscopic information reflected or emitted from a tissue of interest in the infrared spectral region. The information collected by the probe is useful in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The invention also relates to methods utilizing these probes to analyze a surface of interest, in a minimally invasive manner, in connection with the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Claims52
A probe, comprising:
- one or more infrared transparent fibers, each fiber comprising:
- a proximal end;
- a collection end opposite the proximal end;
- and
- a conductive core which is conductive to radiation and located between the proximal end and the collection end;
- a balloon positioned relative to the one or more fibers and proximate the collection end of the one or more fibers;
- a source of infrared lucent fluid;
- and
- a detector responsive to radiation from the proximal end of the one or more fibers.
6 more elements
A probe comprising:
- one or more infrared transparent fibers in the form of a bundle, said bundle comprising:
- a proximal end;
- a distal collection end opposite said proximal end adapted to collect infrared radiation;
- and
- an infrared conductive core located between said proximal end and said distal collection end;
- a sheath for receiving at least a portion of said bundle, wherein said sheath has a distal portion extending beyond said distal collection end of said bundle;
- a first anchoring balloon disposed on said sheath between said proximal end and said distal collection end of said bundle;
- a second anchoring balloon disposed on said distal portion of said sheath;
- and
- a cavity between said first and second anchoring balloons, wherein said distal collection end is disposed in said cavity.
7 more elements
A probe comprising:
- one or more infrared transparent fibers, said one or more infrared transparent fibers comprising:
- a proximal end;
- a distal collection end opposite said proximal end for collection of infrared radiation;
- and
- an infrared conductive core located between said proximal end and said distal collection end;
- a sheath for receiving at least a portion of said one or more infrared transparent fibers;
- an anchoring and protective balloon disposed on said sheath, wherein said balloon is infrared lucent and toroidally shaped, and protects said distal collection end from infrared contaminants;
- an illumination fiber having a distal illumination end adjacent said distal collection end of said one or more infrared transparent fibers and a proximate end coupled to an illumination source;
- and
- a passage through said balloon to allow fluid communication between a proximal end and distal end of said balloon.
7 more elements
A method for obtaining information about a surface of interest comprising the steps of:
- positioning a probe adjacent to said surface of interest, said probe comprising:
- a collection fiber, said collection fiber comprising a proximal end, a distal collection end opposite said proximal end for collection of infrared radiation;
- and
- an infrared conductive core located between said proximal end and said distal collection end;
- a first anchoring balloon disposed therein which is infrared lucent;
- and
- a sheath surrounding a portion of said collection fiber wherein said first anchoring balloon is disposed on said sheath between said proximal end and said distal collection end, and said sheath extends distally past said distal collection end and wherein said probe further comprises a second anchoring balloon disposed on said sheath distal to said distal collection end, and wherein said surface of interest is disposed in a lumen;
- inflating said first anchoring balloon and said second anchoring balloon to create an enclosed volume defined by said first anchoring balloon, said second anchoring balloon and said lumen;
- filling said volume with a fluid;
- collecting infrared radiation from said surface with said probe;
- transmitting infrared radiation collected from said surface to analyzing means;
- and
- analyzing the infrared radiation with said analyzing means to determine one or more properties of said surface.
10 more elements
A probe comprising:
- one or more infrared transparent fibers, each fiber comprising:
- a proximal end;
- a collection end opposite the proximal end;
- and
- a conductive core which is conductive to radiation and located between the proximal end and the collection end;
- a balloon with a first opening along its length and a second opening midway along the length of the first opening, and extending from the midway point of the first opening to outside the balloon, and positioned at and covering the collection end wherein the one or more fibers at the collection end of the probe enter an end of the first opening of the balloon and exit the second opening to contact a sample surface adjacent to the balloon surface;
- a source of a fluid to expand the balloon;
- and
- a detector responsive to radiation from the proximal end of the one or more fibers.
6 more elements
A probe comprising:
- one or more infrared transparent fibers, each fiber comprising:
- a proximal end;
- a collection end opposite the proximal end;
- and
- a conductive core which is conductive to radiation and located between the proximal end and the collection end;
- a balloon with an opening along its length to allow passage of body fluids wherein the one or more fibers at the collection end of the probe is attached to and located at the outer surface of a portion of the balloon without extending into the balloon;
- a source of a fluid to expand the balloon;
- and
- a detector responsive to radiation from the proximal end of the one or more fibers.
6 more elements
A method for obtaining spectral information from a body surface inside a lumen of the body using an infrared probe, the probe comprising:
- one or more infrared transparent fibers, each fiber comprising:
- a proximal end;
- a collection end opposite the proximal end;
- a conductive core which is conductive to radiation and located between the proximal end and the collection end;
- and
- a balloon with a first opening along its length and a second opening midway along the length of the first opening, and extending from the midway point of the first opening to outside the balloon, and positioned at and covering the collection end,
- wherein the one or more fibers at the collection end of the probe enter an end of the first opening of the balloon and exit the second opening to contact a sample surface adjacent to the balloon surface, and a fluid to expand the balloon, comprising:
- positioning the probe inside the lumen and adjacent to the body surface;
- and
- collecting radiation from the surface using the probe.
7 more elements
A method for obtaining spectral information from a body surface inside a lumen of the body using a probe comprising:
- one or more infrared transparent fibers, each fiber including:
- a proximal end;
- a collection end opposite the proximal end;
- a conductive core which is conductive to radiation and located between the proximal end and the collection end;
- a balloon with an opening along its length to allow passage of body fluids, wherein the one or more fibers at the collection end of the probe are attached to and located at the outer surface of a portion of the balloon without extending into the balloon;
- and
- a source of a fluid to expand the balloon, comprising:
- positioning the probe inside the lumen and adjacent to the body surface;
- and
- collecting radiation from the surface using the probe.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.