Optical transesophageal echocardiography probe

• US 20030036681A1
• Filed: 07/01/2002
• Published: 02/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York (Columbia University)
• Original Assignee: Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York (Columbia University)
• Inventors: Di Tullio, Marco R., Aviv, Jonathan E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,884,220 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/129
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2733 Oesophagoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00

Abstract

The present invention concerns an optical transesophageal echocardiography probe (OPTEE) having an optical fiber bundle, a suction channel and light channels for illumination, wherein the OPTEE has a circumference along its distal tip that allows both safe insertion and insures the stability of the probe. The probe tip is generally circular in circumference, but levels off to a flat surface for a portion of the circumference, and is provided with beveled edges and corner throughout so that there are no sharp edges to traumatize the patient. The invention also concerns an optically-recessed OPTEE comprising an optical transesophageal probe comprising a longitudinally extending main body having an outer surface and a substantially circular cross-section and a distal portion having an outer surface and a distal tip, wherein an optical bundle having a distal tip is positioned on the outer surface of the main body and the outer surface of the distal portion and the distal tip of the optical bundle does not extend as far as the distal tip of the distal portion.

Claims

1. An optical transesophageal echocardiography probe comprising a probe shaft, a transition zone having a generally circular cross-section and a probe tip reduced in at least one dimension, wherein said probe tip is provided with a flat surface.

2. The probe of claim 1, wherein the end of said probe tip is rounded.

3. The probe of claim 1, wherein edges of the probe tip are beveled.

4. The probe of claim 1, wherein the transition zone has edges that are beveled.

5. The probe of claim 1, wherein the probe also comprises at least one viewing channel, at least one suction channel, and at least one illumination channel.

6. The probe of claim 1, wherein the horizontal dimension of the cross-section of probe tip is substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the probe shaft.

7. The probe of claim 6, where the horizontal dimension of the cross-section of probe tip is from about 1.2 to about 2.0 times the diameter of the probe shaft.

8. The probe of claim 1, wherein the vertical dimension of the cross-section of probe tip is equal to or slightly less than the diameter of the probe shaft.

9. The probe of claim 8, wherein the vertical dimension of the cross-section of distal tip is slightly less than the diameter of the probe shaft.

10. An optical transesophageal probe comprising a longitudinally extending main body having an outer surface and a substantially circular cross-section and a distal portion having an outer surface and a distal tip, wherein an optical bundle having a distal tip is positioned on the outer surface of the main body and the outer surface of the distal portion and the distal tip of the optical bundle does not extend as far as the distal tip of the distal portion.

11. The probe of claim 10, wherein the probe distal portion has a flat surface.

12. The probe of claim 11, where the flat surface is a lateral flat surface that comprises one or more ultrasound transducers.

13. The probe of claim 10, wherein the optical bundle comprises an illumination source and a viewing means.

14. The probe of claim 13, where the optical bundle comprises fiber optic fibers that deliver illumination and transmit an image to a viewer or viewing means.

15. The probe of claim 10, wherein there is more than one optical bundle.

16. The probe of claim 10 wherein one optical bundle is positioned opposite to a lateral flat surface.

17. The probe of claim 10, wherein all or a portion of the optical bundle is partly received in a groove or channel in the outer surface of the main body and/or the distal portion.

18. The probe of claim 10, wherein all or a portion of each optical bundle is affixed or adhered to the outer surface of the main body and/or distal portion.

19. The probe of claim 18, wherein a sheath encircles at least a portion of the outer surface of the main body and/or the distal portion.