Catheter devices and methods for delivering
First Claim
1. A flowing fluid laser catheter for delivering laser energy from a laser generating device to a target location within a mammalian body, said catheter comprising:
- an elongate flexible catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, an outer surface and a hollow lumen defined by a luminal surface extending longitudinally therethrough;
a laser transmitting optical fiber disposed within a proximal portion of said catheter lumen such that the proximal and of said fiber is coupleable to a said laser generating device and such that the distal end of said fiber terminates within the catheter lumen at a launch point proximal to the distal end of said catheter lumen;
a liquid inflow opening proximal to said launch point for infusing a laser transmitting liquid through said catheter lumen;
a liquid outflow opening formed distal to said launch point for permitting said laser transmitting liquid to flow out of said catheter lumen;
a fluid flow restricting endcap positioned on the distal end of said catheter lumen, said end cap having said liquid outflow opening formed therein, the size of said liquid outflow opening being smaller than the transverse dimension of said catheter lumen so as to restrict the outflow of liquid from the distal end of said catheter lumen; and
whereby laser energy is transmitted from said laser generating device, through said optical fiber, and into a flow of laser transmitting liquid being infused through said lumen and out of said outflow opening.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for conducting laser energy to a site includes steps of bringing the proximal end of a flexible tube near the site, filling at least a proximal portion of the tube with a liquid by introducing the liquid into the tube, allowing a portion of the liquid to flow out from the proximal end of the tube toward the site, and directing laser energy from a laser energy source into the distal end of the tube, whereby a portion of the laser energy emerges from the proximal end of the tube at the site. Also, such a method in which the liquid is a radiographic contrast medium. Also, such a method for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel in an animal. Also, apparatus for delivering laser energy to a site includes a flexible tube, a liquid, the tube having an opening in a first end through which the liquid can pass, means for providing a flow of the liquid into the tube, and a source of laser energy operationally associated with a second end of the tube, wherein the tube and the liquid are adapted to cooperate, when the tube contains the liquid, to conduct laser energy from the source and to emit a portion of the laser energy from the first end of the liquid-containing tube.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A flowing fluid laser catheter for delivering laser energy from a laser generating device to a target location within a mammalian body, said catheter comprising:
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an elongate flexible catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, an outer surface and a hollow lumen defined by a luminal surface extending longitudinally therethrough; a laser transmitting optical fiber disposed within a proximal portion of said catheter lumen such that the proximal and of said fiber is coupleable to a said laser generating device and such that the distal end of said fiber terminates within the catheter lumen at a launch point proximal to the distal end of said catheter lumen; a liquid inflow opening proximal to said launch point for infusing a laser transmitting liquid through said catheter lumen; a liquid outflow opening formed distal to said launch point for permitting said laser transmitting liquid to flow out of said catheter lumen; a fluid flow restricting endcap positioned on the distal end of said catheter lumen, said end cap having said liquid outflow opening formed therein, the size of said liquid outflow opening being smaller than the transverse dimension of said catheter lumen so as to restrict the outflow of liquid from the distal end of said catheter lumen; and whereby laser energy is transmitted from said laser generating device, through said optical fiber, and into a flow of laser transmitting liquid being infused through said lumen and out of said outflow opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for effectuating laser treatment of obstructive matter within a mammalian blood vessel, said method comprising the steps of:
- catheter comprising;
(i.) an elongate catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end and a hollow lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; (ii.) a laser transmitting optical fiber extending longitudinally through a proximal portion of said catheter, said fiber having a proximal end which is coupleable to a laser generating device and a distal end which is positioned within said catheter lumen at a launch point which is proximal to the distal end of said catheter lumen; (iii.) a liquid inflow port located proximal to said launch point for infusing laser transmitting liquid into said catheter lumen; (iv). a liquid outflow aperture located distal to said launch point to permit said laser transmitting liquid to flow out of said catheter lumen; (b.) inserting said catheter into said mammalian blood vessel and advancing said catheter to a position whereat the outflow aperture of said catheter is directed at the obstructive matter to be treated; (c.) coupling the laser transmitting optical fiber of said catheter to said laser generating device; (d.) infusing a laser transmitting liquid through said liquid inflow port, through said catheter lumen, and out of said outflow aperture; (e.) operating said laser generating device to pass laser energy through said optical fiber such that said laser energy will pass out of the distal end of said optical fiber and into the flow of laser transmitting liquid being infused through said catheter lumen and out of said outflow aperture; and (f.) maintaining the rate of flow of said laser transmitting liquid so that the liquid exiting said outflow aperture, and the laser energy contained therein, will strike the obstructive matter at which said outflow aperture is directed. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
- catheter comprising;
Specification