System and method for non-endoscopic optical biopsy detection of diseased tissue
First Claim
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1. A catheter, comprising:
- an elongated catheter shaft adapted for introduction into a body passageway of a patient;
at least one optical fiber extending through the catheter shaft, the optical fiber having a proximal end coupled to electro-optical spectral analysis equipment and a distal end positioned at or near a distal end of the catheter for illuminating tissue and receiving light energy from tissue at the location of the distal end of the tip; and
wherein a distal region of the catheter includes a deformed portion having a crest offset from a longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft and wherein a distal tip of the optical fiber is positioned at the crest to increases the likelihood of the distal tip contacting tissue of a wall of the body passageway.
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Abstract
A catheter has an elongated catheter shaft adapted for introduction into a body passageway of a patient. At least one optical fiber extends through the catheter shaft. The optical fiber has a distal end positioned at or near a distal end of the catheter for illuminating tissue and receiving light energy from tissue at the location of the distal end of the tip. A distal region of the catheter includes a deformed portion having a crest offset from a longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft. A distal tip of the optical fiber is positioned at the crest to increases the likelihood of the distal tip contacting tissue of a wall of the body passageway.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A catheter, comprising:
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an elongated catheter shaft adapted for introduction into a body passageway of a patient;
at least one optical fiber extending through the catheter shaft, the optical fiber having a proximal end coupled to electro-optical spectral analysis equipment and a distal end positioned at or near a distal end of the catheter for illuminating tissue and receiving light energy from tissue at the location of the distal end of the tip; and
wherein a distal region of the catheter includes a deformed portion having a crest offset from a longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft and wherein a distal tip of the optical fiber is positioned at the crest to increases the likelihood of the distal tip contacting tissue of a wall of the body passageway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of using a catheter comprising:
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providing a catheter having at least one optical fiber extending through a catheter shaft wherein a distal region of the catheter includes a deformed portion having a crest offset from a longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft and wherein a distal tip of the optical fiber is positioned at the crest to increases the likelihood of the distal tip contacting tissue of a wall of the body passageway;
inserting the catheter into a body passageway of a patient; and
manipulating the catheter such that the crest is adjacent tissue to be examined. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification