Fiber optic imaging catheter

• US 20060030753A1
• Filed: 08/09/2004
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Scopton, Paul M., Boutillette, Michael P., Graves, David Micky, Richardson, M. Kevin, Freed, David I.
• Granted Patent: US 7,922,654 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/146
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00071 Insertion part of the endoscope body A61B1/0055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00103 designed for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00117 Optical cables in or with an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00119 Tubes or pipes in or with an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0052 Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0057 Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 for annular illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3614 using optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers

Abstract

A steerable imaging catheter is provided, including an elongated catheter tube, at least one steering cable extending along the catheter tube to control the movement of the distal end thereof, and a fiber optic cable extending along the catheter tube. The fiber optic cable transmits illumination light from its proximal end to its distal end and transmits an image from its distal end to its proximal end. In one embodiment, two or more steering cables are used, and the catheter tube is configured to have greater flexibility near its distal end than its proximal end so as to concentrate the movement (flexing) of the catheter tube at its distal end. The use of two or more steering cables, together with the catheter tube having varying flexibility, permit better control of the distal end of the catheter tube while reducing undue twisting of the remainder of the catheter tube.

Claims

1. A steerable imaging catheter comprising:

an elongated catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

at least one steering cable extending along the catheter tube substantially from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter tube to control the movement of the distal end of the catheter tube; and

a fiber optic cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the fiber optic cable extending along the catheter tube substantially from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter tube, and the fiber optic cable transmitting illumination light from its proximal end to its distal end while transmitting an image from its distal end to its proximal end;

wherein the diameter of the steerable imaging catheter is between about 1 mm and about 4.5 mm.

2. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising an objective lens provided at the distal end of the fiber optic cable.

3. The catheter of claim 1, wherein four steering cables are provided generally equiangularly along a periphery of the catheter tube.

4. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter tube defines a plurality of lumens extending therethrough, one of the lumens receiving the fiber optic cable.

5. The catheter of claim 4, wherein one of the lumens receives a measuring probe.

6. The catheter of claim 4, wherein one of the lumens receives a cutting device.

7. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter tube is configured to be separable from the fiber optic cable.

8. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter tube has a greater flexibility near its distal end than near its proximal end.

9. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable is used to carry out an optical biopsy.

10. The catheter of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the fiber optic cable is coated with a lubricous material.

11. The catheter of claim 10, wherein the lubricous material is a hydrophilic coating.

12. The catheter of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the catheter tube is coated with a lubricous material.

13. The catheter of claim 12, wherein the lubricous material is a hydrophilic coating.

14. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable is integrally formed with the catheter tube.

15. A steerable imaging catheter comprising:

an elongated catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

at least one steering cable extending along the catheter tube substantially from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter tube to control the movement of the distal end of the catheter tube; and

a fiber optic cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the fiber optic cable extending along the catheter tube substantially from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter tube, and the fiber optic cable transmitting illumination light from its proximal end to its distal end while transmitting an image from its distal end to its proximal end;

wherein the catheter tube has greater flexibility near its distal end than near its proximal end so as to concentrate flexing near the distal end.

16. The catheter of claim 15, wherein approximately 1 to 2 inches from the distal end of the catheter tube is configured to have greater flexibility than the remainder of the catheter tube.

17. The catheter of claim 15, wherein the catheter tube near its distal end and the catheter tube near its proximal end are formed of materials having different durometer ratings.

18. The catheter of claim 15, wherein the catheter tube is configured to be separable from the fiber optic cable.

19. The catheter of claim 15, wherein the fiber optic cable is integrally formed with the catheter tube.

20. The catheter of claim 15, wherein the catheter tube defines a plurality of lumens extending therethrough, one of the lumens receiving the fiber optic cable.

21. A steerable imaging catheter comprising:

an elongated catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

at least two steering cables extending along the catheter tube substantially from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter tube to control the movement of the distal end of the catheter tube; and

a fiber optic cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the fiber optic cable extending along the catheter tube substantially from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter tube, and the fiber optic cable transmitting illumination light from its proximal end to its distal end while transmitting an image from its distal end to its proximal end;

wherein the diameter of the steerable imaging catheter is between about 1 mm and about 4.5 mm.

22. A steerable imaging catheter comprising:

an elongated catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

at least three steering cables extending along the catheter tube substantially from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter tube to control the movement of the distal end of the catheter tube; and

a fiber optic cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the fiber optic cable extending along the catheter tube substantially from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter tube, and the fiber optic cable transmitting illumination light from its proximal end to its distal end while transmitting an image from its distal end to its proximal end;

wherein the diameter of the steerable imaging catheter is between about 1 mm and about 4.5 mm.