GUIDEWIRE WITH TOUCH SENSOR

• US 20140180168A1
• Filed: 12/20/2013
• Published: 06/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Volcano Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Volcano Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Millett, Bret
• Application Number:
  US14/136,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20140180168A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0097 by applying acoustic waves and detecting light, i.e. acoustooptic measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02007 Evaluating blood vessel condition, e.g. elasticity, compliance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1079 using optical or photographic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6851 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/246 using integrated gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to methods and devices for sensing the surface of a luminal wall. The invention can involve an elongated body configured to fit within the lumen of a vessel and at least one touch sensor located on the elongated body.

Claims

1. A device for sensing the surface of a luminal wall, the device comprising:

an elongated body configured to fit within the lumen of a vessel; and

at least one touch sensor located on the elongated body.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated body is a catheter.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated body is a guide wire.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor comprises an optical fiber.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the optical fiber comprises at least one fiber Bragg grating.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the fiber Bragg grating is an unblazed fiber Bragg grating.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the fiber Bragg grating is a blazed fiber Bragg grating.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor is located at a distal region of the elongated body.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the distal region is the distal tip of the elongated body.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor is located at a side region of the elongated body.

11. A method for sensing the surface of a luminal wall, the method comprising,

providing a surface sensing device comprising an elongated body configured to fit within the lumen of a vessel and at least one touch sensor located on the elongated body;

inserting the device into the lumen of a vessel; and

advancing the device until the device contacts a lumen surface.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the elongated body is a catheter.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the elongated body is a guide wire.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the touch sensor comprises an optical fiber.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the optical fiber comprises at least one fiber Bragg grating.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the fiber Bragg grating is an unblazed fiber Bragg grating.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the fiber Bragg grating is a blazed fiber Bragg grating.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the touch sensor is located at a distal region of the elongated body.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the distal region is the distal tip of the elongated body.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the sensor is located at a side region of the elongated body.