Light diffusing guidewire
First Claim
1. A light diffusing guidewire comprising a substantially cylindrical elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end and a body portion therebetween and wherein said body portion comprises an optically transparent outer sheath surrounding and enveloping a fiber optic having a proximal end and a distal end, said fiber optic distal end having a light diffusing element affixed thereto and wherein said distal end of said body portion has a guidewire tip extending distally therefrom.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A light diffusing guidewire which has the ability to deliver light to luminal surfaces such as blood vessels for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. The device can be used either in conjunction with another outer catheter such as a balloon catheter or as a stand-alone device. The light diffusing guidewire can be used as a standard guidewire for directing the placement of another catheter. The guidewire has an elongate body portion having a proximal end and a distal (invasive) end. A portion of the body portion transmits light from the proximal end to a light diffusing element within the body portion near the distal end. The guidewire has a floppy tip distal to the light diffusing element and is rigid and highly torqueable proximal to the diffusing element. The outer diameter of the guidewire is similar to that of standard interventional guidewires such as angioplasty guidewires, i.e. 0.014"-0.038". The light diffusing guidewire has a low profile which enables delivery of illuminating diagnostic or treatment light to the walls of even the most distal, small-diameter vessels.
-
Citations
11 Claims
- 1. A light diffusing guidewire comprising a substantially cylindrical elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end and a body portion therebetween and wherein said body portion comprises an optically transparent outer sheath surrounding and enveloping a fiber optic having a proximal end and a distal end, said fiber optic distal end having a light diffusing element affixed thereto and wherein said distal end of said body portion has a guidewire tip extending distally therefrom.
- 5. A light diffusing guidewire comprising an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end and a body portion therebetween and wherein said body portion consists of a transparent outer sheath surrounding a fiber optic having a distal end with a cylindrical light diffusing element affixed thereto and wherein said distal end of said body portion has a guidewire tip extending distally therefrom and wherein said guidewire tip further comprises a tapered wire with a second wire coiled therearound.
Specification