FIBEROPTIC CATHETER

• US 3,674,013 A
• Filed: 09/30/1970
• Issued: 07/04/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Warner Lambert Limited (Pfizer Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Michael L. Polanyl
• Inventors: Polanyl, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Application Number:
  US05/076,714
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2R,2L,2M,2.5D,2.5F,4-8,348 356/241 350/96B
• US Class Current: 600/325
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence

Abstract

A fiberoptic catheter for monitoring blood in vivo with avoidance of thrombus formation. A standard cardiac catheter having longitudinally extending afferent and efferent lightconducting fibers therewithin is terminated with a smoothly rounded tip. Some distance back from the tip, the fibers are directed right-angularly to one side of the catheter where ends thereof are optically finished to form an exposed light-emitting and light-receiving face at said side of the catheter. This face is spaced from walls of passages of the recipient by a fixed bend in the adjacent terminal portion of the catheter.

Claims

1. In a fiber optic catheter including a catheter tubing having a bundle of light-conducting fibers extending longitudinally thereinto, the improvement comprising:

one end of said bundle of fibers being relatively sharply directed right-angularly within said catheter toward an outer side thereof and brought to a terminus disposed in exposed flush relationship with said outer side of said catheter;

means securing said one end of said fiber bundle fixedly in said catheter; and

said catheter tubing having a section being extended beyond said end of said fiber bundle arcuately about a bend having a center of curvature located approximately forwardly of said exposed terminus of said fiber bundle said section having a closed terminus and further being set to substantially permanently retain said arcuate shape of said bend.

2. In a fiberoptic catheter including a catheter tubing having a bundle of light-conducting fibers extending longitudinally thereinto, the improvement comprising:

said catheter tubing including a main section through which said bundle of light-conducting fibers extends, one end of said bundle of fibers being relatively sharply directed right-angularly within said catheter toward an outer side thereof and brought to a terminus disposed in exposed flush relationship with said other side of said catheter;

said catheter tubing further including a separate shorter section which comprises an extension beyond said one end of said fiber bundle;

the terminus of said shorter section of tubing being closed;

a tubular coupling internally of said catheter tubing connecting said main and shorter sections thereof together;

means securing said one end of said fiber bundle fixedly in said catheter; and

said shorter section of catheter tubing being extended beyond said one end of said fiber bundle arcuately about a bend having a center of curvature located approximately forwardly of said exposed fiber bundle terminus.

3. A fiberoptic catheter according to claim 2 wherein the terminus of said shorter section of catheter tubing is closed by an attached smoothly rounded metallic tip and said catheter further includes an electrical lead affixed to said tip and extending efferently therefrom through said catheter.

4. A fiberoptic catheter according to claim 2 wherein said coupling has an opening in one side thereof through which said one end of said bundle of fibers is extended into said exposed flush relationship with said outer side of said catheTer.

5. A fiberoptic catheter according to claim 4 wherein said securing means comprises an adhesive potting agent within said coupling, said agent extending around said terminus of said fiber bundle into smoothly finished flush relationship with adjacent outer sides of said main and shorter sections of said catheter tubing.