Optical catheter
First Claim
1. A sterilizable small diameter optical catheter for viewing and/or treatment within body cavities by nonsurgical or micro-surgical procedures and having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity and a proximate end, said catheter comprising:
- a coherent fiber optical bundle having a micro-thin diameter and extending from said distal end to a point adjacent said proximate end and having a planar surface at its proximate end;
a plurality of light transmitting fibers spaced around said optical bundle;
a tubular outer cover extending over said fibers to hold them in place, said outer cover extending from said distal end to a point spaced from said proximate end;
optical lens means at said distal end of said optical bundle to focus an image of a portion of the cavity on said distal end of said optical bundle for transmission through said optical bundle;
a coupling means for removably connecting said catheter to a viewing means in fixed angular relationship, fixedly attached to said proximate end of said catheter and having a diameter no larger than the diameter of said outer covering so that said catheter can pass completely through a trochar lumen or operating channel of a larger endoscope; and
a strain relief unit having a first smaller end for receiving said coupling means in aligned relationship and having a second larger end with a male connector for reception in optical alignment in a receptacle of a viewing means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sterilizable catheter of small diameter has a central coherent fiber bundle for carrying an image to a viewing means, and the fiber bundle is surrounded by light fibers. The proximate end of the catheter is provided with a coupling means for aligning the coherent optical bundle with the optical system of the viewing means and for providing an interface with light transmitting means to transmit light from a light source along the light fibers to the body cavity. The coupling means may have a diameter no bigger than the diameter of the covering of the catheter. When the catheter is used inside a larger endoscope or a trochar, the endoscope or trochar can be removed while the catheter remains in place. This is accomplished by removing the viewing means and sliding the endoscope or trochar over the catheter and then replacing the viewing means for further viewing within the body cavity. This device can be used for detection for cancer cells and treatment thereof by phototherapy. A fluorescent dye is attached to the cancer cells and subsequently exposed to an exciting laser light frequency. The fluorescent light is transmitted and displayed on the video monitor and the same light frequency is then transmitted through the light fibers to the cell for phototherapy treatment.
250 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A sterilizable small diameter optical catheter for viewing and/or treatment within body cavities by nonsurgical or micro-surgical procedures and having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity and a proximate end, said catheter comprising:
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a coherent fiber optical bundle having a micro-thin diameter and extending from said distal end to a point adjacent said proximate end and having a planar surface at its proximate end; a plurality of light transmitting fibers spaced around said optical bundle; a tubular outer cover extending over said fibers to hold them in place, said outer cover extending from said distal end to a point spaced from said proximate end; optical lens means at said distal end of said optical bundle to focus an image of a portion of the cavity on said distal end of said optical bundle for transmission through said optical bundle; a coupling means for removably connecting said catheter to a viewing means in fixed angular relationship, fixedly attached to said proximate end of said catheter and having a diameter no larger than the diameter of said outer covering so that said catheter can pass completely through a trochar lumen or operating channel of a larger endoscope; and a strain relief unit having a first smaller end for receiving said coupling means in aligned relationship and having a second larger end with a male connector for reception in optical alignment in a receptacle of a viewing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification