US5125404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for obtaining spectrally resolved spatial images of tissue
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
•
Filing: 1989-11-21
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Granted: 1992-06-30
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Expires: 2009-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A laser catheter is disclosed wherein optical fibers carrying laser light are mounted in a catheter for insertion into an artery to provide controlled delivery of a laser beam for percutaneous intravascular laser treatment of atherosclerotic disease. A transparent protective shield is provided at the distal end of the catheter for mechanically displacing intravascular blood and protecting the fibers from the intravascular contents, as well as protecting the patient in the event of failure of the fiber optics. Multiple optical fibers allow the selection of tissue that is to be removed. A computer controlled system automatically aligns fibers with the laser and controls exposure time. Spectroscopic diagnostics determine what tissue is to be removed.
Inventors
- 👤 Carter Kittrell
- 👤 Robert M. Cothren, Jr.
- 👤 Michael S. Feld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:32
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4296; A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/245; A61B5/00; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0075; A61B5/0082; A61B5/0084; A61B2018/2238; A61B5/0071; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3502; G02B6/3504; G02B6/3508; G02B6/351; G02B6/3512; G02B6/3516; G02B6/354; G02B6/3544; G02B6/3548; G02B6/3598
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An optical system for generating a spectrally resolved spatial image of tissue comprising: a catheter containing a plurality of optical fibers; a laser coupled to the fibers to illuminate tissue with light; a spectral analyzer for separating light returned by the tissue and transmitted along the fibers to said analyzer into different wavelengths; a detector array for receiving the separated wavelengths of light, the detector array generating a spectrally resolved electronic representation of the received light; and a computer for processing the separated light received by the detector such that the spectrally resolved light provides a displayable spatial image of the illuminated tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
An optical system for generating a spectrally resolved spatial image of tissue comprising: a catheter containing a plurality of optical fibers; a laser coupled to the fibers to illuminate tissue with light; a spectral analyzer for separating light returned by the tissue and transmitted along the fibers to said analyzer into different wavelengths; a detector array for receiving the separated wavelengths of light, the detector array generating a spectrally resolved electronic representation of the received light; and a computer for processing the separated light received by the detector such that the spectrally resolved light provides a displayable spatial image of the illuminated tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein the optical fibers are arranged within the catheter in a fiber bundle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said spectral analyzer comprises a diffraction grating.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of obtaining spectrally resolved spatial images comprising the steps of: positioning the distal end of an optical multifiber catheter in proximity with tissue to be imaged; passing light through illuminating optical fibers onto the surface of tissue; collecting light returned from said tissue and delivering it to a spectral analyzer with said optical fibers such that the light is spectrally dispersed and impinges on a detector array; and processing signals from said detector array in a computer to generate a spectrally resolved spatial image of said tissue.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of obtaining spectrally resolved spatial images comprising the steps of: positioning the distal end of an optical multifiber catheter in proximity with tissue to be imaged; passing light through illuminating optical fibers onto the surface of tissue; collecting light returned from said tissue and delivering it to a spectral analyzer with said optical fibers such that the light is spectrally dispersed and impinges on a detector array; and processing signals from said detector array in a computer to generate a spectrally resolved spatial image of said tissue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
A spectrally resolved imaging system comprising: a catheter containing a coherent optical fiber bundle; a light source coupled to the fiber bundle to irradiate tissue positioned adjacent a distal end of the catheter such that radiation emitted by different portions of the tissue in response to the irradiation from the source is transmitted through the catheter; a spectral analyzer that receives light emitted by the different portions of the tissue which is transmitted from the proximal end of the catheter such that the light emitted by each portion of tissue is spectrally resolved; a detector to receive the spectrally resolved light for each portion of tissue; and a data processor that processes the spectral information received by the detector for each portion of tissue to form a spectrally resolved spatial image for each portion of tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
136 words
A spectrally resolved imaging system comprising: a catheter containing a coherent optical fiber bundle; a light source coupled to the fiber bundle to irradiate tissue positioned adjacent a distal end of the catheter such that radiation emitted by different portions of the tissue in response to the irradiation from the source is transmitted through the catheter; a spectral analyzer that receives light emitted by the different portions of the tissue which is transmitted from the proximal end of the catheter such that the light emitted by each portion of tissue is spectrally resolved; a detector to receive the spectrally resolved light for each portion of tissue; and a data processor that processes the spectral information received by the detector for each portion of tissue to form a spectrally resolved spatial image for each portion of tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The spectrally resolved imaging system of claim 5 wherein the detector comprises a detector array such that each wavelength of light falls on a single detector element of the array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The spectrally resolved imaging system of claim 5 wherein the spectral analyzer comprises a plurality of filter elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The spectrally resolved imaging system of claim 5 wherein the spectral analyzer comprises a diffraction grating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The spectrally resolved imaging system of claim 5 wherein the detector comprises an array of photodiodes.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of imaging tissue comprising: positioning a distal end of a catheter adjacent to the tissue; transmitting laser radiation along optical fibers within the catheter; irradiating the tissue with the laser radiation projected from the distal end of the catheter; collecting radiation returned from the tissue resulting from the irradiation thereof with the optical fibers such that the collected radiation is projected from the proximal end of the catheter; spectrally resolving the radiation projected from the proximal end of the catheter; forming a spectrally resolved spatial image of the tissue from the resolved radiation.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of imaging tissue comprising: positioning a distal end of a catheter adjacent to the tissue; transmitting laser radiation along optical fibers within the catheter; irradiating the tissue with the laser radiation projected from the distal end of the catheter; collecting radiation returned from the tissue resulting from the irradiation thereof with the optical fibers such that the collected radiation is projected from the proximal end of the catheter; spectrally resolving the radiation projected from the proximal end of the catheter; forming a spectrally resolved spatial image of the tissue from the resolved radiation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of imaging tissue of claim 10 further comprising spectrally resolving the radiation transmitted from the tissue with a diffraction grating.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of imaging tissue of claim 10 further comprising detecting the spectrally resolved radiation such that each wavelength of the radiation transmitted from the tissue by the fibers is directed onto a different portion of a detector array.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of imaging tissue of claim 10 wherein said spectrally resolving step further comprises directing the projected radiation a plurality of filters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of imaging tissue of claim 10 further comprising detecting the spectrally resolved radiation to produce an imaging signal and processing the imaging signal to form the spectrally resolved spatial image.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-30 | 1995-12-30 | 1996-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-30 | 1999-12-30 | 2000-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-30 | 2003-12-30 | 2004-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |