Radiation-transmitting sheath and methods for its use
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A radiation transmitting sheath comprising:
- a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a tubular wall, and a central lumen extending therethrough;
a tubular radiation guide extending axially from the proximal end to the distal end thereof within the tubular wall of the tubular member; and
a coupler for attaching a radiation source to the proximal end of the radiation guide;
wherein the distal end of the radiation guide is shaped to disperse radiation from the guide over a distally disposed diverging conical field having a conical angle of at least 15°
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Abstract
A radiation transmitting sheath comprises a tubular body having a radiation guide extending axially therein. A coupler for attaching a radiation source is provided at the proximal end of the sheath. A dispersive tip for dispersing radiation from the radiation guide over a conical field is provided at the distal end of the sheath. Such sheaths are useful for providing illumination and endoscopic viewing methods and for providing sensitizing radiation in photodynamic therapy of body cavities.
194 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A radiation transmitting sheath comprising:
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a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a tubular wall, and a central lumen extending therethrough; a tubular radiation guide extending axially from the proximal end to the distal end thereof within the tubular wall of the tubular member; and a coupler for attaching a radiation source to the proximal end of the radiation guide; wherein the distal end of the radiation guide is shaped to disperse radiation from the guide over a distally disposed diverging conical field having a conical angle of at least 15°
. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for illuminating a body cavity, said method comprising:
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positioning a sheath having a cylindrical wall comprising a tubular radiation guide so that a distal end of the sheath lies within the body cavity and a proximal end of the sheath lies externally to the body; directing illuminating radiation to the proximal end of the sheath, wherein the illuminating radiation is transmitted axially through the tubular radiation guide to the distal end of the sheath; and dispersing the illuminating radiation from the distal end of the sheath over a distally disposed diverging conical field having a conical angle of at least 15°
. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification