FIBEROPTIC CATHETER

• US 3,866,599 A
• Filed: 01/21/1972
• Issued: 02/18/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Original Assignee: Curtis C. Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Curtis C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Application Number:
  US05/219,666
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2R,2M,2L,2.5R,2.5F,4-8,348,349B 356/41
• US Class Current: 600/342
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14503 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors A61B5/1459, A61B5/1464, A61B5/1473, A61B5/1482, A61B5/14865 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6853 with a balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6859 with multiple distal splines
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0073 Tip designed for influencing the flow or the flow velocity of the fluid, e.g. inserts for twisted or vortex flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1052 for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0082 Catheter tip comprising a tool
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00

Abstract

A catheter of the fiberoptic type is disclosed for insertion into the cardiovascular system. The catheter comprises a flexible element with light-conducting fibers therein extending from one end of the element to the other. A recess is provided adjacent one end of the catheter to prevent the optical fibers from contacting a vessel wall when the catheter is inserted therein.

Claims

1. A catheter for insertion into the cardiovascular system comprising an elongated flexible element having a multiplicity of light-conducting fibers extending therethrough, a recess formed in the distal end of the element, the recess cutting across said fibers at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the fibers, the distal end of the catheter preventing the light conducting fibers from contacting said vessel wall, and an expandable sleeve located near the distal end and on the exterior of said catheter whereby upon expansion of the sleeve, it extends beyond said element to further maintain a space between the distal end of the fibers and the end of the sleeve.