Rotatable ferrules and interfaces for use with an optical guidewire

• US 7,736,301 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2001
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Jalisi, Marc M., Webler, William E., Phillips, Kevin M., Norton, Susan, Whitt, Michael D., Chudy, Andrej M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker; John P
• Application Number:
  US10/025,515
• Time in Patent Office: 3,101 Days
• Field of Search: 385 53- 55, 385/60, 385/68, 385/72, 385 76- 85, 385 88- 94, 600/114, 600/125, 600136-138, 606 15- 18
• US Class Current: 600/125
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00126 optical, e.g. for light supply cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0062 Arrangements for scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3826 characterised by form or shape
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4219 Mechanical fixtures for holding or positioning the elements relative to each other in the couplings; Alignment methods for the elements, e.g. measuring or observing methods especially used therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements

Abstract

Devices and methods for passing optical radiation into and out of a body lumen which can include a rotatable ferrule for use in an optical guidewire and methods for using a rotation ferrule. The rotatable ferrule may be either rotatably captured by and free to rotate within a guidewire, or may rotate upon release from a releasable, mechanically stable friction-fit engagement with a guidewire. Sterile interfaces for readily connecting and disconnecting an optical guidewire with and from other optical instrumentation while maintaining the sterility of the guidewire are provided as well as methods for using a sterile interface device. Interface devices can provide either direct or indirect optical and mechanical connection between an optical guidewire and peripheral instrumentation.

Claims

1. An elongated intracorporeal optical instrument, comprising:

a. an elongated shaft having a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal portions having ends, the proximal portion having a substantially constant outer diameter, an optical pathway configured for passing optical radiation, and an internal surface having a proximal portion and defining an internal chamber within the elongated shaft extending to the optical pathway;

b. an elongated optical fiber extending substantially a length of said internal chamber of said elongated shaft;

c. a ferrule directly connected to said optical fiber and having a distal portion with a diameter and an outer surface, a proximal portion with a substantially constant outer diameter and an outer surface, the outer diameter being substantially the same as the outer diameter of the elongated shaft proximal portion, and configured to have a first position in which said ferrule is secured to the elongated shaft and a second position in which the ferrule is released from the elongated shaft and is free to rotate around said longitudinal axis;

wherein said ferrule diameters are each less than about 0.01 inch.

2. An elongated intracorporeal optical instrument, comprising:

a. an elongated shaft having a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal portions having ends, the proximal portion having a substantially constant outer diameter, an optical pathway configured for passing optical radiation, and an internal surface having a proximal portion and defining an internal chamber within the elongated shaft extending to the optical pathway;

b. an elongated optical fiber extending substantially an entire length of said internal chamber of said elongated shaft; and

c. a ferrule directly connected to said optical fiber and having a distal portion with a diameter and an outer surface, a proximal portion with a substantially constant outer diameter and an outer surface, the outer diameter being substantially the same as the outer diameter of the elongated shaft proximal portion, and configured to have a first position in which said ferrule is secured to the elongated shaft and a second position in which the ferrule is released from the elongated shaft and is free to rotate around said longitudinal axis, wherein said ferrule diameters are each less than about 0.006 inch.