Light generating guide wire for intravascular use
First Claim
1. A light emitting guidewire comprising:
- a flexible integrated guidewire, comprising;
a hollow tube, having a proximal and a distal end;
a first conductive path disposed within the hollow tube from the proximal to the distal end comprising a first wire; and
a second conductive path disposed within the hollow tube from the proximal to the distal end and comprising a second wire;
a plurality of light sources disposed at the distal end of the tube; and
an external power supply energizing the plurality of light sources;
wherein the first and the second conductive paths are configured to electrically couple the plurality of light sources to the external power supply and supply illuminating power to the plurality of light sources, andwherein at least one of the first and the second conductive paths comprises a crenellated configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Light sources are incorporated into a guidewire for enabling the ability to render light therapy be added to catheters that do not have that capability. In one exemplary embodiment, a solid guidewire includes a conductive core, and light sources are added to compartments formed in a distal end of the guidewire. In another exemplary embodiment, a light source array is included in a distal end of a hollow guidewire. A plurality of openings are formed into the walls of the hollow guidewire surrounding the array, enabling light to pass through the openings. Conductors extend from the array though the hollow center of the guidewire, to a proximal end of the hollow guidewire. The hollow guidewire can be coated with a conductive material, so that the coating on the guidewire serves as a conductor.
191 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A light emitting guidewire comprising:
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a flexible integrated guidewire, comprising; a hollow tube, having a proximal and a distal end; a first conductive path disposed within the hollow tube from the proximal to the distal end comprising a first wire; and a second conductive path disposed within the hollow tube from the proximal to the distal end and comprising a second wire; a plurality of light sources disposed at the distal end of the tube; and an external power supply energizing the plurality of light sources; wherein the first and the second conductive paths are configured to electrically couple the plurality of light sources to the external power supply and supply illuminating power to the plurality of light sources, and wherein at least one of the first and the second conductive paths comprises a crenellated configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification