Phototherapeutic wave guide apparatus

• US 6,423,055 B1
• Filed: 07/14/1999
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cardiofocus Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cardiofocus Incorporated
• Inventors: Farr, Norman E., Wieler, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FARAH, AHMED M
• Application Number:
  US09/357,355
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 606/15, 606/9-13, 606/16, 606/18, 606/3, 606/7, 606/8, 358/4, 607/88, 607/89, 607/92-94, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/245 for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00061 spectrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0097 Cleaning probe surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2266 with a lens, e.g. ball tipped
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2272 with reflective or refractive surfaces for deflecting the beam A61B2018/2261, A61B2018/2266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for forming annular lesions in tissue. The methods include introduction of an optical apparatus proximate to a tissue site, via, for example, a catheter. The optical apparatus includes a pattern-forming optical wave guide in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber. Energy is transmitted through the optical fiber, such that radiation is propagated through the optical fiber and the wave guide projects an annular light pattern, e.g., a circle or a halo.

Claims

1. A method for forming an annular lesion in a tissue by phototherapy, comprising the steps of:

introducing an optical apparatus proximate to a tissue site, said optical apparatus having an optical lens element in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber; and

transmitting energy through said optical fiber, such that radiation propagating through said optical fiber is transmitted into the lens element and then projected by the lens element in an annular light pattern, whereby an annular lesion is formed in said tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, further including the step of passing said annular light pattern through a graded index lens adjacent to said optical lens element for projecting said light pattern.

3. The method of claim 5, wherein said radiation is ultraviolet light.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said ultraviolet light has a wavelength between about 200 nanometers and about 400 nanometers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said radiation is coherent light.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said coherent light has a wavelength between about 200 nanometers and about 2400 nanometers.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said coherent light has a wavelength of about 915 nanometers.

8. A method for forming an annular lesion on endocardial tissue by phototherapeutic processes, comprising the steps of:

introducing an optical apparatus proximate to endocardial tissue, said optical apparatus having an optical lens element in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber; and

transmitting energy through said optical fiber, such that radiation propagating through said optical fiber is transmitted into the lens element and then projected by the lens element in an annular light pattern, whereby an annular lesion is formed in said endocardial tissue.

9. A method for treating or preventing atrial arrhythmias by phototherapy, comprising the steps of:

introducing an optical apparatus proximate to atrial tissue, said optical apparatus having an optical lens element in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber; and

transmitted energy through said optical fiber, such that radiation propagating through said optical fiber is transmitted into the lens element and then projected by the lens element in an annular light pattern, whereby an annular lesion is formed in said atrial tissue, thereby treating or preventing atrial arrhythmias.

10. A method for treating or preventing atrial arrhythmias by phototherapy, comprising the steps of:

introducing an optical apparatus proximate to atrial tissue, said optical apparatus having an optical lens element in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber;

transmitting laser energy through said optical fiber, such that radiation propagating through said optical fiber is transmitted into the lens element and then projected by the lens element in an annular light pattern;

measuring the intensity of light reflected from said target tissue; and

controlling the energy applied to said site in response to monitored changes in the intensity of said light reflected from said target tissue, thereby treating or preventing atrial arrhythmias.