CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING SYSTEM

• US 20110009750A1
• Filed: 12/30/2009
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spectranetics Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Spectranetics Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Splinter, Robert, Taylor, Kevin D., Bowe, Wade A., Harlan, Ken, Keeler, Jacob, Nye, James, Hebert, Chris J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,545,488 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/463
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/245 for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22038 with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22061 for spreading elements apart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2238 with means for selectively laterally deflecting the tip of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include a laser catheter that includes a catheter body, a light guide, and a distal tip that extends beyond the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, an imaging device is disposed on the distal tip such that the imaging device is distal relative to the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, the imaging device can be gated to record images during and/or slightly beyond periods when the laser catheter is not activated.

Claims

1. A laser catheter comprising:

a catheter body having a central axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter body having a lumen disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the lumen having a distal opening at the distal end;

a light guide having a proximal end and a distal end, the light guide at least partially disposed within the lumen and the distal end of the light guide extending from within the distal opening of the catheter body, wherein the light guide is configured to conduct light from the distal end to the proximal end;

a tip extending distally from the distal end of the catheter body; and

an imaging device disposed on the tip and positioned distally from the catheter body opening.

2. The laser catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of wires coupled with the imaging element, wherein the wires extend through the tip and the catheter body and emerge from the proximal end of the catheter body.

3. The laser catheter according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device comprises an ultrasound probe.

5. The laser catheter according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is configured to image when the light guide is not conducting light.

6. The laser catheter according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is disposed at least 0.9 cm from the distal end of the light guide.

7. The laser catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a ramp disposed on the tip, wherein the light guide is longitudinally moveable relative to the catheter body, and wherein the lateral position of the distal end of the light guide relative to the central axis of the catheter body is moveable by sliding the light guide longitudinally over the ramp.

8. The laser catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a balloon positioned near the distal opening and disposed proximate with the distal end of the light guide, wherein the lateral position of the distal end of the light guide relative to the central axis of the catheter body is moveable by inflating the balloon.

9. The laser catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a balloon disposed on the catheter body.

10. The laser catheter according to claim 8, further comprising a balloon inflation tube coupled with the balloon, wherein the balloon inflation tube extends through the catheter body.

11. The laser catheter according to claim 1, wherein the light guide comprises a plurality of optical fibers arranged concentrically about the central axis of the catheter body.

12. The laser catheter according to claim 1. wherein the light guide comprises a plurality of optical fibers arranged eccentrically about the central axis of the catheter body.

13. The laser catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a guide wire lumen extending through the catheter body.

14. The laser catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a guide wire lumen extending through at least a portion of the tip.

4. The laser catheter according to claim 4, further comprising a wire tube disposed within the catheter body within which the plurality of wires are disposed.

15. A catheter comprising:

a fiber optic bundle configured to couple with a laser light source at the proximal end of the fiber optic bundle and direct light received from the laser light source toward the distal end of the fiber optic bundle; and

an ultrasonic probe disposed distal relative to the distal end of the fiber optic bundle.

16. The catheter according to claim 15, wherein the ultrasonic probe is disposed at least 0.5 cm distal relative to the distal end of the fiber optic bundle.

17. The catheter according to claim 15, further comprising a guide wire lumen disposed at least partially within the fiber optic bundle.

18. The catheter according to claim 15, further comprising a balloon coupled with at least a portion of the fiber optic bundle.

19. The catheter according to claim 15, wherein the fiber optic bundle directs pulsed laser light from the laser light source and wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to image when laser light is not being pulsed.

20. A method comprising:

positioning a laser catheter within a vessel, wherein the laser catheter includes a fiber optic bundle with an exit aperture;

imaging the interior of the vessel near the distal tip of the laser catheter using an imaging device disposed at the distal end of the catheter relative to an exit aperture of the fiber optic bundle, wherein the imaging provides images of the interior of the vessel;

activating the laser catheter to ablate material within the vessel; and

gating the imaging device while the laser catheter is activated.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the gating includes disabling the imaging device.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the gating includes deleting images recorded while the laser catheter is activated.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the gating includes not providing images to a display while the laser catheter is activated.