Electro-optical instruments and methods for producing same

• US 4,803,992 A
• Filed: 04/29/1986
• Issued: 02/14/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Original Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Inventors: Lemelson, Jerome H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hanley, John C.
• Application Number:
  US06/857,055
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 128/633, 128/634, 128/666, 128/667, 128/675, 128/748
• US Class Current: 600/342
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22077 with a part piercing the tissue A61B2017/22044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0062 Arrangements for scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02154 by optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/07 Endoradiosondes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0002 with a pressure sensor at the distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0086 the needles having bent tips, i.e. the needle distal tips are angled in relation to the longitudinal axis of the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0087 Multiple injection needles protruding laterally from the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0096 : being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0069 : Tip not integral with tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/007 : Injectors for solid bodies, e.g. suppositories
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0069 : Devices for implanting pellets, e.g. markers or solid medicaments for introducing of radioactive sources for interstitial radiation therapy, i.e. brachytherapy A61N5/1027
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1002 : Intraluminal radiation therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1014 : Intracavitary radiation therapy
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/50 : by addition or application of a germicide or by oligodynamic treatment C02F1/4606, C02F1/467, C02F1/76 take precedence

Abstract

Improvements in catheters, particularly of the electrooptical type employing light energy and detect and measure body variables, such as blood pressure and flow and the composition of body fluid. Catheter head and medical instrument structures are provided which may be easily fabricated at low cost to receive and hold light pipes and to contain or define optical components, such as reflectors, lenses and the like, to permit their use in detecting such variables while the instrument or catheter is located in the body. Improvements are also provided in the structures of instrument capsules adapted to be swallowed and allowed to pass through the digestive tract for the purpose of detecting body variables such as the composition of body fluid and tissue.

Claims

1. A medical instrument comprising:

(a) a support,

(b) an operating head having side and end walls supported by said support, wherein said side and end walls form a cavity region inside of said operating head,

(c) a recess in one of said walls, said recess being defined by light transmissive walls and;

a diaphragm supported by said light transmissive walls which moves with respect to said head cavity when subjected to pressure differences between the cavity pressure and the surrounding body pressure.

(d) a first light transmission means in said cavity for directing light to said diaphragm,

(e) a first measurement means for receiving light reflected from said diaphragm and for measuring pressure therefrom,

(f) a second light transmission means for directing light through said recess walls, whereby light passes through a first wall from said cavity, into said recess, then into a second wall of said recess and back into said cavity, and

(g) a second measurement means for receiving said second light transmission light which passes back into said cavity and for measuring parameters of matter in said recess from the received light.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second light transmission means includes a fiber optic conductor which carries light into said cavity.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first and second light transmission means further includes a beam splitter means located in said cavity to split the light from said fiber optic.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said recess is located on a side wall of said operating head.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said diaphragm is located at the deepest portion of said recess.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said recess is located adjacent the end wall of said operating head.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said recess is located on a side wall of said operating head.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a third measurement means for directing light through a wall of said operating head and for measuring light reflected back to said cavity from matter located outside of said cavity.