Laser heated cautery cap with transparent substrate
First Claim
1. An improved intravascular cautery cap assembly for recanalization of a lumen, including a substrate member formed of a transparent high temperature tolerant material, said substrate member having a diameter and an outer surface which is smoothly curved along a direction axial to said substrate member, at least one optical fiber having an input end adapted to be connected to a controlled laser light source and an output end mechanically and optically coupled to said substrate member, a central bore having a surface extending axially through said substrate member and having a distal end, a counterbore extending axially into the distal end of said bore, said counterbore having a smooth, inwardly tapering surface, reflective surface coating means secured to said inwardly tapering surface to form an internally reflective surface in confronting alignment to said optical fiber output end, heat zone means at the outer surface of said substrate member and disposed to receive a primary reflection of said laser light from said internally reflective surface, said heat zone means including absorptive surface coating means which has a thermal mass for absorbing said laser light and generating thermal energy therefrom, said heat zone means being positioned on said outer surface to contact material blocking the lumen in which the substrate member is disposed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A laser heated cautery cap assembly includes a catheter assembly adapted to be introduced into a lumen, such as an arterial opening. The catheter assembly includes at least one optical fiber connected to a laser light source adapted to produce short output bursts. A cautery cap at the catheter distal end includes a transparent substrate member disposed to receive the laser energy from the optical fiber(s). The substrate member preferably is formed of a crystalline solid having a smooth, curved outer surface, with a central guidewire bore extending therethrough. One end of the bore is provided with a tapering counterbore, and the opposite end of the substrate member is an input surface disposed to receive laser energy from the optical fiber. A nose piece includes a central guidewire bore coaxial with the substrate member bore, the nose piece including a tapered proximal end dimensioned to fit within the counterbore of the substrate. The substrate counterbore and bore surfaces, and major portions of the curved outer surface are coated with a highly reflective material, and another portion of the outer surface is coated with a material which absorbs the laser energy and is heated thereby. The input surface of the substrate receives laser illumination from the optical fiber(s) and conducts it to the counterbore surface, which reflects the light internally to the absorptive coating portion. Thus a portion of the cap structure is heated, while the nose piece and the remainder of the substrate surface remains relatively cool.
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Citations
35 Claims
- 1. An improved intravascular cautery cap assembly for recanalization of a lumen, including a substrate member formed of a transparent high temperature tolerant material, said substrate member having a diameter and an outer surface which is smoothly curved along a direction axial to said substrate member, at least one optical fiber having an input end adapted to be connected to a controlled laser light source and an output end mechanically and optically coupled to said substrate member, a central bore having a surface extending axially through said substrate member and having a distal end, a counterbore extending axially into the distal end of said bore, said counterbore having a smooth, inwardly tapering surface, reflective surface coating means secured to said inwardly tapering surface to form an internally reflective surface in confronting alignment to said optical fiber output end, heat zone means at the outer surface of said substrate member and disposed to receive a primary reflection of said laser light from said internally reflective surface, said heat zone means including absorptive surface coating means which has a thermal mass for absorbing said laser light and generating thermal energy therefrom, said heat zone means being positioned on said outer surface to contact material blocking the lumen in which the substrate member is disposed.
- 30. An improved intravascular cautery cap assembly for recanalization of a lumen, including a substrate member formed of a transparent, high temperature tolerant material, said substrate member having an outer surface which is smoothly curved along a direction axial to said substrate member, an optical fiber having an input end adapted to be connected to a controlled laser light source and an output end mechanically and optically coupled to said substrate member, heat zone means at the outer surface of said substrate member and disposed to receive said laser light from said output end, said heat zone means including absorptive surface coating means to absorb said laser light and generate thermal energy therefrom, said heat zone means being positioned on said outer surface to contact material blocking the lumen in which the assembly is disposed, and opaque surface coating means secured to at least all non-heat zone portions of said smoothly curved outer surface.
Specification