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US5505725A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Shapeable optical fiber apparatus

Assignee: Artivion Inc
•
Filing: 1995-01-27
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Granted: 1996-04-09
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Expires: 2015-01-27
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Abstract

Abstract A shapeable optical fiber apparatus includes an optical fiber, a support structure secured over a distal end portion of the optical fiber, and terminates in a lens at its distal end. The transition area between the lens and optical fiber is reinforced with a sleeve that is adhesively bonded to the lens and fiber. The shapeable optical fiber apparatus may be carried within an inflatable balloon dilation catheter, which may be used for balloon angioplasty after a laser cutting procedure using the shapeable optical fiber apparatus to remove a portion of stenosis in the patient's vasculature.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gene Samson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 11:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/245

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 91 words
A catheter assembly for delivery of laser energy comprising: a) an elongated catheter with proximal and distal ends and an inner lumen extending therein; b) disposed within the inner lumenof the elongated catheter a shapable optical fiber which has proximal and distal ends, a distal extremity proximal to the distal end having an exterior surface, and means for shaping and supporting the distal extremity of the optical fiber in a desired configuration which includes a longitudinally deformable tubular structure coaxially surrounding and secured to the exterior surface of the distal extremity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 91 words
A catheter assembly for delivery of laser energy comprising: a) an elongated catheter with proximal and distal ends and an inner lumen extending therein; b) disposed within the inner lumenof the elongated catheter a shapable optical fiber which has proximal and distal ends, a distal extremity proximal to the distal end having an exterior surface, and means for shaping and supporting the distal extremity of the optical fiber in a desired configuration which includes a longitudinally deformable tubular structure coaxially surrounding and secured to the exterior surface of the distal extremity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 30 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein said tubular structure surrounding and secured to the distal extremity of the optical fiber has a distal end disposed within a metallic tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 23 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein the tubular support structure is secured to the exterior of the optical fiber by epoxy adhesive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein metallic tubing is disposed about the optical fiber proximal to the tubular structure surrounding and secured to the distal extremity of the optical fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 41 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein a proximal portion of said optical fiber is disposed within a tubular member and said tubular structure surrounding and secured to the distal extremity of the optical fiber is secured to said tubular member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 38 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a flexible balloon dilatation catheter, at least a portion of said tubular member and at least a portion of said support means being disposed within said flexible elongated balloon dilatation catheter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 43 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1 including lens means secured to the distal end of the optical fiber to collect radiation emitted from the distal end of the optical fiber and direct collected radiation to a location spaced distally of the lens means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 35 words
The catheter assembly of claim 7, wherein said tubular structure surrounding and secured to the distal extremity of the optical fiber is secured to said lens means at said distal end of said optical fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein the tubular structure surrounding and secured to the distal extremity is formed of braided wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
The catheter assembly of claim 9 wherein the braided wire is formed of tungsten.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said braid is formed from two intertwined coils of tungsten wire coiled in opposite directions.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

DE2945080A1 Cited
US4662368A Cited
GB2147209A Cited
US4913142A Cited
US4790624A Cited
US4830460A Cited
US4844062A Cited
US5019040A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-04-09 1999-10-09 2000-04-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-04-09 2003-10-09 2004-04-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-04-09 2007-10-09 2008-04-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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