Optical Imaging Balloon Catheters
First Claim
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1. An optical catheter for optically interrogating blood vessel walls, comprising:
- an elongate catheter body having a distal end and a proximal end;
a balloon section of the catheter comprising;
a low-pressure inflatable balloon outwardly and radially disposed on the catheter, wherein the lumen of the balloon is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the catheter to permit inflation and deflation of the balloon; and
side-viewing optics disposed within the balloon section such that light can be emitted laterally through the balloon toward a vessel wall and can be received for analysis.
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Abstract
The present invention provides balloon catheters in which lateral-viewing optical components for interrogating the walls of blood vessel lumens are disposed within the lumen of the balloon(s). Advantageously, low pressure compliant balloons are used to minimize the possibility of injury to the blood vessels. The expanded balloons at least substantially clear blood from the optical path between the vessel wall that is interrogated and the lateral-viewing optics.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An optical catheter for optically interrogating blood vessel walls, comprising:
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an elongate catheter body having a distal end and a proximal end;
a balloon section of the catheter comprising;
a low-pressure inflatable balloon outwardly and radially disposed on the catheter, wherein the lumen of the balloon is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the catheter to permit inflation and deflation of the balloon; and
side-viewing optics disposed within the balloon section such that light can be emitted laterally through the balloon toward a vessel wall and can be received for analysis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification