Laser Catheter Calibrator

• US 20090299351A1
• Filed: 11/28/2007
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spectranetics Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Spectranetics Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Dadisman, Tom
• Granted Patent: US 8,100,893 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 Calibration or performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable

Abstract

A catheter assembly is disclosed according to one embodiment of the invention. The assembly includes a catheter body, a housing and a detector. The catheter includes a distal tip, a proximal end, and a fiber optic extending between the proximal end and the distal tip. The housing may include a channel adapted to support at least a portion of the distal tip of the catheter. The may be detector disposed within the housing so as to be spaced a fixed distance from the distal tip of the catheter. Methods for providing and calibrating a catheter supported within housing are also disclosed according to other embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A catheter assembly comprising:

a catheter body including a distal tip, a proximal end, and a fiber optic extending between the proximal end and the distal tip;

a housing including a channel adapted to receive at least a portion of the distal tip of the catheter; and

a detector disposed within the housing so as to be spaced a fixed distance from the distal tip of the catheter.

2. The catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the channel is adapted to provide a sterile environment for the distal tip of the catheter.

3. The catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the channel supports the catheter half an inch from the detector.

4. The catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the channel supports the catheter less than two inches from the detector.

5. The catheter assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a laser coupled with the proximal end of the catheter.

6. A calibration method comprising:

receiving a catheter within a sterile package, wherein the catheter includes a connector and a distal tip;

removing at least a portion of the connector from the package;

coupling the connector with a laser system, wherein the distal tip of the catheter is secured a fixed distance from a detector; and

calibrating the catheter according to a calibration sequence.

7. The method according to claims 6, further comprising receiving calibration parameters from a user at the laser system.

8. The method according to claims 6, further comprising retrieving catheter specific calibration parameters from a memory.

9. The method according to claims 8, further comprising pulsing the laser with a first pulsing sequence.

10. The method according to claims 6, wherein the catheter is disposable.

11. A method for providing a sterile catheter to a customer, the method comprising:

providing a housing that includes a channel;

supporting at least a distal tip of a catheter within the channel, wherein the channel is adapted to keep the tip of the catheter at least until removed from the channel; and

placing the catheter and housing within a sterile package.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

coupling the catheter with a laser, wherein the coupling holds the distal tip of the catheter a fixed distance from a detector; and

calibrating the catheter.

13. A laser catheter comprising:

a laser system;

a catheter body including a distal tip, a proximal end, and a fiber optic extending between the proximal end and the distal tip, wherein the proximal end is adapted to be coupled with the laser;

a proximal housing including a channel adapted to receive the distal tip of the catheter body and a connector, wherein the connector is adapted to be coupled with the laser system; and

a detector disposed within the laser system so as to be spaced apart from the distal tip of the catheter body when the catheter is connected with the laser system.