MULTI-FACETED OPTICAL REFLECTOR
First Claim
1. An endovascular probe assembly for guiding light radiation therein comprising:
- at least one waveguide;
a conduit having a longitudinal axis, wherein the at least one waveguide is positioned on a surface of the conduit, and extends along the longitudinal axis of the conduit; and
a reflecting element about the conduit, the reflecting element having a plurality of reflective facets formed out of an end of the reflecting element that are annularly arranged about the conduit, wherein each of the reflective facets is positioned to at least one of direct light to the at least one waveguide and receive reflected light from the at least one waveguide.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reflecting element with multiple reflective facets is integrated with the distal end of a multi-fiber optical probe. The facets are shaped depending on the type of analysis performed and according to the desired distribution of radiation to and from internal body tissues and fluids. The probe can include a protective transparent balloon or other covering that separates the reflecting element from interior tissue walls and provides a window for radiation to be transmitted between the reflecting facets and a region of interest. The probe can be integrated with treatment-based devices, including lumen-expanding angioplasty balloon catheters. The probe can also be adapted as an imaging device such as an endoscope.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. An endovascular probe assembly for guiding light radiation therein comprising:
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at least one waveguide;
a conduit having a longitudinal axis, wherein the at least one waveguide is positioned on a surface of the conduit, and extends along the longitudinal axis of the conduit; and
a reflecting element about the conduit, the reflecting element having a plurality of reflective facets formed out of an end of the reflecting element that are annularly arranged about the conduit, wherein each of the reflective facets is positioned to at least one of direct light to the at least one waveguide and receive reflected light from the at least one waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of inspecting a body lumen, the method comprising:
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providing a source of radiation to a catheter probe having a reflecting element at its distal end, the reflecting element having a plurality of reflective facets that are annularly arranged about the reflecting element and that are formed out of an end of the reflecting element, wherein each reflective facet is shaped to at least one of deliver radiation and receive radiation via one or more corresponding waveguides to or from a target area at predetermined angles of incidence;
inserting the catheter probe into the target area;
collecting through the catheter probe radiation that is received by the reflective facets from the target area;
delivering the received radiation to an analyzer or imager. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for making a fiber-optic probe assembly, the method comprising:
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forming a conduit having a longitudinal axis, wherein a waveguide arrangement is positioned on a surface of the conduit, and extends along the longitudinal axis of the conduit;
forming a reflecting element about the conduit, the reflecting element comprising a plurality of reflective facets, wherein the reflective facets are formed out of an end of the reflecting element and arranged annularly about the reflecting element, and wherein each reflective facet is positioned to at least one of direct radiation to the waveguide arrangement and receive light from the waveguide arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. An endoscope assembly for guiding optical radiation therein comprising:
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a conduit along which an waveguide arrangement extends; and
one or more reflecting elements disposed about the conduit, each of the reflecting elements having a plurality of reflective facets annularly arranged about the conduit and configured to at least one of direct light to and receive light from the waveguide arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (41)
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42. A probe assembly for guiding light radiation therein comprising:
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at least one waveguide;
a conduit having a longitudinal axis, wherein the at least one waveguide is positioned on the conduit, and extends along the longitudinal axis of the conduit; and
a reflecting element about the conduit, the reflecting element comprising a opening having an inner surface, wherein the conduit is inserted through the opening, the reflecting element having an outer surface, the reflecting element comprising a plurality of reflective facets, wherein a surface of each facet extends from the inner surface to the outer surface, and wherein each of the reflective facets is positioned to at least one of direct light to the at least one waveguide and receive reflected light from the at least one waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification