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Fiber optic catheter system

  • US 6,236,879 B1
  • Filed: 11/24/1998
  • Issued: 05/22/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A catheter system comprising a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and means for determining the position of the distal end of the catheter relative to the position of the proximal end of the catheter, said means for determining the position comprising a glass fiber within a lumen of the catheter, said lumen being defined by a wall, a first polarization filter near the proximal end of the catheter, and a second polarization filter near the distal end of the catheter, wherein said first and second polarization filters are fixed with respect to said wall, and wherein said glass fiber is suitable for transporting polarized light while maintaining the direction of polarization of said light substantially unchanged during torsional stress of the catheter.

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