Side-firing linear optic array for interstitial optical therapy and monitoring using compact helical geometry
First Claim
1. An optical fiber probe comprising:
- a plurality of helically wound side-firing optical fibers; and
a plurality of fiber ends, one on each of the fibers, the fiber ends being arranged in a linear side-firing array.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical probe has multiple side-firing optical fibers which terminate in a linearly staggered fashion. A central fiber can be used as well. In diagnostic techniques, one fiber can be used as an emitter, while the others are used as receivers, or various fibers can be used as emitters and receivers at different times to form a map of the area. In therapeutic techniques, the treatment light can be emitted from the fibers in parallel or in sequence, and the fluence can be independently adjusted for each of the fibers. Therapy is readily combined with diagnosis and monitoring by directing the therapeutic light through the central fiber and using the side-firing fibers for reflectance and/or fluorescence spectroscopy before, during, and after therapy.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An optical fiber probe comprising:
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a plurality of helically wound side-firing optical fibers; and
a plurality of fiber ends, one on each of the fibers, the fiber ends being arranged in a linear side-firing array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An optical fiber probe system comprising:
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a plurality of helically wound side-firing optical fibers;
a plurality of fiber ends, one on each of the fibers, the fiber ends being arranged in a linear side-firing array;
at least one light source for outputting light from at least one of the fiber ends through at least one of the fibers; and
a spectrometer for receiving light from at least one of the fiber ends through at least one of the fibers and for analyzing the received light. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for treating or diagnosing tissue, the method comprising:
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(a) inserting an optical fiber probe into the tissue, the optical fiber probe comprising a plurality of helically wound side-firing optical fibers and a plurality of fiber ends, one on each of the fibers, the fiber ends being arranged in a linear side-firing array; and
(b) applying light to the tissue through at least one of the fibers. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification