Patent EP0355200A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0355200A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Balloon dilatation catheter with laser cutting capability
Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc
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Filing: 1988-10-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-10-26
Abstract
Abstract An intravenous catheter (11) with laser cutting capabilities includes a flexible elongate member (12) containing at least one lumen (16). A fiber optic assembly (21) extending through the lumen terminates in a lens (31) at its distal end. The lens is substantially larger in diameter than the diameter of the fiber optic member and the transition area between the lens and fiber optic member is reinforced with a collar (34) that is adhesively bonded to the lens and fiber. An inflatable balloon (41) may be carried by the distal end of the tubular member and may be used for balloon angioplasty after a laser cutting proceedure to remove a portion of stenosis in the patients vasculature. The balloon is inflated and deflated by a flow passage (43) located in the tubular member. Means to enhance rigidity and pushability (22) are also provided in the tubular member.
Inventors
- 👤 Gene L. Samson
- 👤 Michael Aita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2552; A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/245; B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/06; B23K26/064; B23K26/0648; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An intravascular catheter with laser cutting capabilities which comprises: a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities, said tubular member having at least one lumen extending therethrough; an optical fiber assembly having a distal and a proximal end, said optical fiber assembly extending through said lumen, said distal end of said optical fiber assembly having a lens attached thereto, said lens having a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the light conductive portion of said optical fiber assembly; and reinforcing means attached to said lens and said optical fiber assembly to thereby increase the strength of the juncture therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
An intravascular catheter with laser cutting capabilities which comprises: a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities, said tubular member having at least one lumen extending therethrough; an optical fiber assembly having a distal and a proximal end, said optical fiber assembly extending through said lumen, said distal end of said optical fiber assembly having a lens attached thereto, said lens having a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the light conductive portion of said optical fiber assembly; and reinforcing means attached to said lens and said optical fiber assembly to thereby increase the strength of the juncture therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The intravascular catheter with laser cutting capabilities of claim 1 which further comprises: an inflatable balloon carried by said tubular member near the distal end thereof; and means carried by said tubular member to provide a passage for fluid for inflating and deflating said balloon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The intravascular catheter with laser cutting capabilities of any one of the preceding claims wherein said lens further comprises an essentially spherical lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The intravascular catheter with laser cutting capabilities of any one of the preceding claims wherein said reinforcing means further comprises a collar which fits around the distal portion, said light conducting portions of said optical fiber and mates with the proximal portion of said lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The intravascular catheter with laser cutting capabilities of any one of the preceding claims wherein said lens is fused to said optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The intravascular catheter with laser cutting capabilities of any one of the preceding claims further including a reinforcing tube which encloses a substantial portion of said fiber optic element to increase rigidity and enhance pushability.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The intravascular catheter with laser cutting capabilities of claim 6 wherein said reinforcing tube is made of metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The intravascular catheter with laser cutting capabilities of any one of the preceding claims wherein said lens and the core of said optical fiber assembly and said lens have substantially similar refractive indexes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The intravascular catheter with laser cutting capabilities of claim 8 wherein said lens is formed by controlled melting of the distal end of said optical fiber assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The intravascular catheter with laser cutting capabilities of any one of the preceding claims wherein said lens is formed integrally with said light conducting portion of said optical fiber.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of fabricating a fiber optic element with an essentially spherical lens attached to the distal end thereof which comprises: clamping an essentially spherical bead in a first clamping means in a work area between electrodes capable of sustaining an electrical plasma when suitably excited; clamping an optical fiber in a second clamping means in said work area, with a free end of said fiber protruding into the work area; generating a plasma between said electrodes; moving said free end of said fiber and said bead into close proximity to one another in said plasma to thereby cause the free end of said fiber and a portion of said bead to become molten; and fusing the molten end of said fiber to a molten portion of said bead.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of fabricating a fiber optic element with an essentially spherical lens attached to the distal end thereof which comprises: clamping an essentially spherical bead in a first clamping means in a work area between electrodes capable of sustaining an electrical plasma when suitably excited; clamping an optical fiber in a second clamping means in said work area, with a free end of said fiber protruding into the work area; generating a plasma between said electrodes; moving said free end of said fiber and said bead into close proximity to one another in said plasma to thereby cause the free end of said fiber and a portion of said bead to become molten; and fusing the molten end of said fiber to a molten portion of said bead.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 11 which further comprises the step of: heating the end of said fiber prior to joining said fiber and said bead to thereby create an area of intermediate diameter between said bead and said fiber.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of fabricating an essentially spherical lens end on a fiber optic element, said method comprising: clamping an optical fiber in a clamp with the free end extending into a work area which includes a plurality of nozzles fed by a gas which burns with a low residual flame; causing the nozzles to propagate flames into said work area; moving the free ends of said fiber into the area heated by said flames; holding said free end of said fiber in said flames until a spherical tip is formed on said free end of said fiber by melting of said fiber and the application of surface tension; and removing said fiber from said flames to cool.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of fabricating an essentially spherical lens end on a fiber optic element, said method comprising: clamping an optical fiber in a clamp with the free end extending into a work area which includes a plurality of nozzles fed by a gas which burns with a low residual flame; causing the nozzles to propagate flames into said work area; moving the free ends of said fiber into the area heated by said flames; holding said free end of said fiber in said flames until a spherical tip is formed on said free end of said fiber by melting of said fiber and the application of surface tension; and removing said fiber from said flames to cool.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 which further comprises the step of repeating the above procedure until a sphere of the appropriate size is grown.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
14 words
The method of claims 13 or 14 wherein said low residual gas is hydrogen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 15 which further comprises adding a moderating chemical to said hydrogen to thereby produce a flame having a lower temperature than that produced by hydrogen alone.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said moderating chemical is a mixture of acetone and alcohol.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said means to propagate a flame into said work area further comprises hydrogen generating means.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of attaching a preformed lens to the end of an optical fiber which comprises: clamping an optical fiber in a first holding device so that a free end of said fiber extends into a desired work area; placing a pre-formed lens into a second holding device in said work area; causing an electric arc to be drawn between said lens and said fiber; causing said lens and said free end of fiber to be adjacent to one another in close proximity to said arc; and positioning said lens and said fiber in said arc for a period of time sufficient to fuse said lens and said fiber at their interface.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of attaching a preformed lens to the end of an optical fiber which comprises: clamping an optical fiber in a first holding device so that a free end of said fiber extends into a desired work area; placing a pre-formed lens into a second holding device in said work area; causing an electric arc to be drawn between said lens and said fiber; causing said lens and said free end of fiber to be adjacent to one another in close proximity to said arc; and positioning said lens and said fiber in said arc for a period of time sufficient to fuse said lens and said fiber at their interface.
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