Laser catheter apparatus for use in arteries or other narrow paths within living organisms

Claim 2

A laser catheter for treatment of biological materials within arteries or other narrow passages of living organisms comprising: a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic optically transparent dual-phase contact member having a planar laser energy input surface at a proximal end of the contact member and a generally rounded laser output surface at a distal end of the contact member for contacting biological material and outputting laser energy opposed to the input surface; a catheter conduit having at least one lumen; a housing member for rigidly retaining said contact member and coupling the contact member to said catheter conduit; and an optical fiber positioned within one of the at least one conduit lumen, having an input end and an output end, said input end adapted for coupling to a source of laser energy and said output end having a generally planar output surface and disposed adjacent and in operative proximity to the contact member input surface, the contact member input surface disposed at an angle to the optical fiber output surface; whereby laser energy, emitted from said output surface of the optical fiber, propagates in a path generally normal to and forward of said output surface and couples into the contact member at the contact member input surface, the input surface canting the laser energy path resulting in laser energy emitting from the contact surface at an angle to the laser energy path emitted from the optical fiber and impinging biological material residing along walls of the narrow passages surrounding the catheter.

Claim 3

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages of living organisms comprising; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility suitable for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit having at least one lumen therein through which an optical fiber may pass, an optical fiber within the conduit lumen and having an output end, the fiber having a longitudinal axis, a distal member disposed substantially in front of the fiber, the distal member also having a longitudinal axis, and a housing member for mounting and retaining the distal member to an end of the catheter conduit, the distal member being a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic, optically transmissive member having a generally rounded energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, distal member input surface disposed at an angle to and in operative proximity with the output end of the optical fiber whereby laser energy emitted from the output end of the optical fiber is coupled into the distal member such that a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy propagates through the contact member deviates from a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy is emitted from said optical fiber when said laser energy couples into the contact member at the contact member input surface, thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said contact surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage.

Claim 4

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages of living organisms comprising; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility suitable for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit having at least one lumen therein through which an optical fiber may pass, an optical fiber within the conduit lumen and having an output end, the fiber having a longitudinal axis, a distal member disposed substantially in front of the fiber, the distal member also having a longitudinal axis, and a housing member for mounting and retaining the distal member to an end of the catheter conduit, the distal member being a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic, optically transmissive member having a generally rounded energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, distal member input surface disposed at an angle to and in operative proximity with the output end of the optical fiber whereby laser energy emitted from the output end of the optical fiber is coupled into the distal member such that a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy propagates through the contact member deviates from a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy is emitted from said optical fiber when said laser energy couples into the contact member at the contact member input surface, thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said contact surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage.

Claim 5

The laser catheter of claim 2 further comprising a guide wire recess in the contact member, said recess being disposed generally parallel to, and offset from, the longitudinal axis of the contact member whereby laser damage to a guide wire extending through the contact member is avoided.

Claim 6

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages of living organisms, comprising: a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic optically transparent dual-phase contact member having a generally rounded energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, said contact member including an optical energy absorbing coating on the output surface for absorbing a portion of laser energy input to said contact member and converting said laser energy to heat energy, the heat energy being emitted from the output surface, said contact member simultaneously emitting a portion of laser energy input thereto directly from the output surface for direct irradiation of an object to be treated, the heat energy and the laser energy being emitted from substantially identical regions of the output surface; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility suitable for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit having at least one lumen therein through which an optical fiber may pass and having a retainer thereon for supporting said contact member; a housing member for rigidly retaining and mounting the contact member to an end of the catheter conduit; and an optical fiber within said conduit lumen, the optical fiber including an output end extending into said retainer in operative proximity to the contact member input surface; the contact member input surface disposed at an angle to the optical fiber output end whereby laser energy emitted from the optical fiber output end in a path generally normal to and forward of the output end of the fiber deviates from the path as said laser energy couples into the contact member through the contact member input surface thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said output surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage.

Claim 7

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages of living organisms, comprising: a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic optically transparent dual-phase contact member having a generally rounded energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, said contact member including an optical energy absorbing coating on the output surface for absorbing a portion of laser energy input to said contact member and converting said laser energy to heat energy, the heat energy being emitted from the output surface, said contact member simultaneously emitting a portion of laser energy input thereto directly from the output surface for direct irradiation of an object to be treated, the heat energy and the laser energy being emitted from substantially identical regions of the output surface; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility suitable for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit having at least one lumen therein through which an optical fiber may pass and having a retainer thereon for supporting said contact member; a housing member for rigidly retaining and mounting the contact member to an end of the catheter conduit; and an optical fiber within said conduit lumen, the optical fiber including an output end extending into said retainer in operative proximity to the contact member input surface; the contact member input surface disposed at an angle to the optical fiber output end whereby laser energy emitted from the optical fiber output end in a path generally normal to and forward of the output end of the fiber deviates from the path as said laser energy couples into the contact member through the contact member input surface thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said output surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage.

Claim 8

The laser catheter of claim 4 further comprising a guide wire recess in the contact member, said recess being disposed generally parallel to, and offset from, the longitudinal axis of the contact member whereby laser damage to a guide wire extending through the contact member is avoided.

Claim 9

The laser catheter of claim 4 wherein the longitudinal axis of the contact member is offset from a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber.

Claim 10

The laser catheter of claim 4 wherein the center longitudinal axis of the contact member is askew from a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber.

Claim 11

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages within living organisms, comprising: a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic optically transparent dual-phase contact member having a generally round energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, said contact member including an optical energy absorbing coating on the output surface for absorbing a portion of laser energy input to said contact member and converting said laser energy to heat energy, the heat energy being emitted from the output surface, said contact member simultaneously emitting a portion of laser energy input thereto directly from the output surface for direct irradiation of an object to be treated, the laser energy emitted from the contact member passing through at least that portion of the output surface which contacts the object to be treated; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility suitable for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit having at least two lumens therein; an optical fiber within a first conduit lumen, the optical fiber including an end in operative proximity to the contact member input surface; the contact member input surface disposed at an angle to the optical fiber output end such that a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy propagates through the contact member deviates from a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy is emitted from said optical fiber when said laser energy couples into the contact member at the contact member input surface, thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said contact surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage; housing means for rigidly retaining and mounting said contact member to an end of the catheter conduit the housing means and contact member having a central longitudinal axis defined therethrough; and a guide wire recess in the housing means and contact member, said recess being disposed generally parallel to, and offset from, the longitudinal axis whereby laser damage to a guide wire extending through the housing means and contact member is avoided; a second lumen in the catheter conduit for the passage of a guide wire therethrough, said second lumen disposed in generally collinear relationship to the housing means and contact member guide wire recess whereby a guide wire may be inserted, and subsequently removed, through the catheter conduit, the housing means, and contact member guide wire recess to permit the wire to be extended forwardly of the laser catheter to facilitate positioning of the laser catheter through curved or tight paths.

Claim 12

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages within living organisms, comprising: a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic optically transparent dual-phase contact member having a generally round energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, said contact member including an optical energy absorbing coating on the output surface for absorbing a portion of laser energy input to said contact member and converting said laser energy to heat energy, the heat energy being emitted from the output surface, said contact member simultaneously emitting a portion of laser energy input thereto directly from the output surface for direct irradiation of an object to be treated, the laser energy emitted from the contact member passing through at least that portion of the output surface which contacts the object to be treated; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility suitable for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit having at least two lumens therein; an optical fiber within a first conduit lumen, the optical fiber including an end in operative proximity to the contact member input surface; the contact member input surface disposed at an angle to the optical fiber output end such that a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy propagates through the contact member deviates from a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy is emitted from said optical fiber when said laser energy couples into the contact member at the contact member input surface, thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said contact surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage; housing means for rigidly retaining and mounting said contact member to an end of the catheter conduit the housing means and contact member having a central longitudinal axis defined therethrough; and a guide wire recess in the housing means and contact member, said recess being disposed generally parallel to, and offset from, the longitudinal axis whereby laser damage to a guide wire extending through the housing means and contact member is avoided; a second lumen in the catheter conduit for the passage of a guide wire therethrough, said second lumen disposed in generally collinear relationship to the housing means and contact member guide wire recess whereby a guide wire may be inserted, and subsequently removed, through the catheter conduit, the housing means, and contact member guide wire recess to permit the wire to be extended forwardly of the laser catheter to facilitate positioning of the laser catheter through curved or tight paths.

Claim 13

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages within living organisms comprising: a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic optically transparent dual-phase contact member having a generally rounded energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, said contact member including an optical energy absorbing coating on the output surface for absorbing a portion of laser energy input to said contact member and converting said laser energy to heat energy, the heat energy being emitted from the output, said contact member simultaneously emitting a portion of laser energy input thereto directly from the output for direct irradiation of an object to be treated, the heat energy and the laser energy being emitted from substantially identical regions of the output surface; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit said conduit having at least one lumen therein through which an optical fiber and cooling fluid may pass and having a retainer thereon for supporting said contact member; an optical fiber within the conduit lumen, the optical fiber including an output end extending into said retainer in operative proximity to the contact member input surface whereby laser energy from the optical fiber is coupled into the contact member; and a housing means for rigidly retaining and mounting said contact member to an end of the catheter conduit; the contact member input surface disposed at an angle to the optical fiber output end such that a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy propagates through the contact member deviates from a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy is emitted from said optical fiber when said laser energy couples into the contact member at the contact member input surface, thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said contact surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage.

Claim 14

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages within living organisms comprising: a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic optically transparent dual-phase contact member having a generally rounded energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, said contact member including an optical energy absorbing coating on the output surface for absorbing a portion of laser energy input to said contact member and converting said laser energy to heat energy, the heat energy being emitted from the output, said contact member simultaneously emitting a portion of laser energy input thereto directly from the output for direct irradiation of an object to be treated, the heat energy and the laser energy being emitted from substantially identical regions of the output surface; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit said conduit having at least one lumen therein through which an optical fiber and cooling fluid may pass and having a retainer thereon for supporting said contact member; an optical fiber within the conduit lumen, the optical fiber including an output end extending into said retainer in operative proximity to the contact member input surface whereby laser energy from the optical fiber is coupled into the contact member; and a housing means for rigidly retaining and mounting said contact member to an end of the catheter conduit; the contact member input surface disposed at an angle to the optical fiber output end such that a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy propagates through the contact member deviates from a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy is emitted from said optical fiber when said laser energy couples into the contact member at the contact member input surface, thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said contact surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage.

Claim 15

The laser catheter of claim 9 wherein the longitudinal axis of the contact member is offset from a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber.

Claim 16

The laser catheter of claim 9 further comprising a guide wire recess in the contact member, said recess being disposed generally parallel to, and offset from, the longitudinal axis of the contact member whereby laser damage to a guide wire extending through the contact member is avoided.

Claim 17

The laser catheter of claim 4 wherein the center longitudinal axis of the contact member is askew from a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber.

Claim 18

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages of living organisms, comprising: a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic optically transparent dual-phase contact member having a generally rounded energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, said contact member including an optical energy absorbing coating on the output surface for absorbing a portion of laser energy input to said contact member and converting said laser energy to heat energy, the heat energy being emitted from the output surface, said contact member simultaneously emitting a portion of laser energy input thereto directly from the output surface for direct irradiation of an object to be treated, the laser energy emitted passing through at least that portion of the output surface which contacts the object to be treated; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility suitable for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit having at least one lumen therein through which an optical fiber may pass; a housing member for rigidly retaining and mounting the contact member to an end of the catheter conduit; and an optical fiber within the conduit lumen, the optical fiber including an output end in operative proximity to the contact member input surface whereby laser energy from the optical fiber is coupled into the contact member; the contact member input surface disposed at an angle to the optical fiber output end such that a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy propagates through the contact member deviates from a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy is emitted from said optical fiber when said laser energy couples into the contact member at the contact member input surface, thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said contact surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage.

Claim 19

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages of living organisms, comprising: a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic optically transparent dual-phase contact member having a generally rounded energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, said contact member including an optical energy absorbing coating on the output surface for absorbing a portion of laser energy input to said contact member and converting said laser energy to heat energy, the heat energy being emitted from the output surface, said contact member simultaneously emitting a portion of laser energy input thereto directly from the output surface for direct irradiation of an object to be treated, the laser energy emitted passing through at least that portion of the output surface which contacts the object to be treated; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility suitable for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit having at least one lumen therein through which an optical fiber may pass; a housing member for rigidly retaining and mounting the contact member to an end of the catheter conduit; and an optical fiber within the conduit lumen, the optical fiber including an output end in operative proximity to the contact member input surface whereby laser energy from the optical fiber is coupled into the contact member; the contact member input surface disposed at an angle to the optical fiber output end such that a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy propagates through the contact member deviates from a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy is emitted from said optical fiber when said laser energy couples into the contact member at the contact member input surface, thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said contact surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage.

Claim 20

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages within living organisms, comprising: a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic optically transparent dual-phase contact member having a generally rounded energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, said contact member including an optical energy absorbing coating on the output surface for absorbing a portion of laser energy input to said contact member and converting said laser energy to heat energy, the heat energy being emitted from the output surface, said contact member simultaneously emitting a portion of laser energy input thereto directly from the output surface for direct irradiation of an object to be treated, the heat energy and the laser energy being emitted from substantially identical regions of the output surface; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility suitable for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit having at least two lumens therein and having a retainer thereon for supporting said contact member; an optical fiber within a first conduit lumen, the optical fiber including an output end extending into said retainer in operative proximity to the contact member input surface; the contact member input surface disposed at an angle to the optical fiber output end such that a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy propagates through the contact member deviates from a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy is emitted from said optical fiber when said laser energy couples into the contact member at the contact member input surface, thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said contact surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage; housing means for rigidly retaining and mounting said contact member to an end of the catheter conduit, the housing means and contact member having a central longitudinal axis defined therethrough; and a guide wire recess in the housing means and contact member, said recess being disposed generally parallel to, and offset from, the longitudinal axis whereby laser damage to a guide wire extending through the housing means and contact member is avoided; a second lumen in the catheter conduit for passage of a guide wire therethrough, said second lumen disposed in generally collinear relationship to the housing means and contact member guide wire recess whereby a guide wire may be inserted, and subsequently removed, through the catheter conduit, the housing means, and contact member guide wire recess to permit the wire to be extended forwardly of the laser catheter to facilitate positioning of the laser catheter through curved or tight paths.

Claim 21

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages within living organisms, comprising: a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic optically transparent dual-phase contact member having a generally rounded energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, said contact member including an optical energy absorbing coating on the output surface for absorbing a portion of laser energy input to said contact member and converting said laser energy to heat energy, the heat energy being emitted from the output surface, said contact member simultaneously emitting a portion of laser energy input thereto directly from the output surface for direct irradiation of an object to be treated, the heat energy and the laser energy being emitted from substantially identical regions of the output surface; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility suitable for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit having at least two lumens therein and having a retainer thereon for supporting said contact member; an optical fiber within a first conduit lumen, the optical fiber including an output end extending into said retainer in operative proximity to the contact member input surface; the contact member input surface disposed at an angle to the optical fiber output end such that a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy propagates through the contact member deviates from a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy is emitted from said optical fiber when said laser energy couples into the contact member at the contact member input surface, thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said contact surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage; housing means for rigidly retaining and mounting said contact member to an end of the catheter conduit, the housing means and contact member having a central longitudinal axis defined therethrough; and a guide wire recess in the housing means and contact member, said recess being disposed generally parallel to, and offset from, the longitudinal axis whereby laser damage to a guide wire extending through the housing means and contact member is avoided; a second lumen in the catheter conduit for passage of a guide wire therethrough, said second lumen disposed in generally collinear relationship to the housing means and contact member guide wire recess whereby a guide wire may be inserted, and subsequently removed, through the catheter conduit, the housing means, and contact member guide wire recess to permit the wire to be extended forwardly of the laser catheter to facilitate positioning of the laser catheter through curved or tight paths.

Claim 22

The laser catheter of claim 14 wherein the center longitudinal axis of the contact member is askew from a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber.

Claim 23

The laser catheter of claim 4, including a balloon external and affixed in fluid-tight engagement with the catheter conduit; and a third conduit lumen in fluid communication with the balloon whereby the balloon may be expanded and contracted through the application and removal of pressurized fluid to the third lumen.

Claim 24

The laser catheter of claim 14 wherein the longitudinal axis of the contact member is offset from a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber.

Claim 25

The laser catheter of claim 14 including a source of cooling fluid connected to a distal end of said first conduit for delivering a cooling fluid through the first conduit to said contact member.

Claim 26

The laser catheter of claim 18 in which the means for delivering a cooling fluid includes a separate catheter conduit fluid lumen, said fluid lumen having a distal end in fluid communication with the contact member and a proximal end into which fluid may be introduced, whereby fluid introduced into the proximal end of the lumen is communicated to, and cools, the contact member.

Claim 27

The laser catheter of claim 18 which the means for delivering a cooling fluid includes the first optical fiber lumen, said lumen defining a cross-section of area greater than that of the optical fiber therein and wherein said first lumen has a distal end in fluid communication with the contact member and a proximal end remote therefrom whereby fluid introduced into the proximal end of the first lumen is communicated to, and cools, the contact member.

Claim 28

The laser catheter of claim 18 wherein the housing means includes means bridging an end of the catheter conduit and contact member whereby substantially all of the cooling fluid delivered through the catheter conduit passes outwardly from the laser catheter through the contact member guide wire recess.

Claim 29

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages within living organisms, comprising: a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic optically transparent dual-phase contact member having a generally round energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, said contact member including an optical energy absorbing coating on the output surface for absorbing a portion of laser energy input to said contact member and converting said laser energy to heat energy, the heat energy being emitted from the output surface, said contact member simultaneously emitting a portion of laser energy input thereto directly from the output surface for direct irradiation of an object to be treated, the laser energy emitted passing through at least that portion of the output surface which contacts the object to be treated; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility suitable for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit having at least one lumen therein through which an optical fiber and cooling fluid may pass; housing means for rigidly retaining and mounting the contact member to an end of the catheter conduit; and an optical fiber within the conduit lumen, the optical fiber including an output end in operative proximity to the contact member input surface whereby laser energy from the optical fiber is coupled into the contact member; the contact member input surface disposed at an angle to the optical fiber output end such that a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy propagates through the contact member deviates from a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy is emitted from said optical fiber when said laser energy couples into the contact member at the contact member input surface, thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said contact surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage.

Claim 30

A laser catheter for treatment of biological material within arteries or other narrow passages within living organisms, comprising: a substantially non-thermally conductive, non-metallic optically transparent dual-phase contact member having a generally round energy output surface on a forward end thereof and a laser energy input surface on an opposed rearward end thereof, said contact member including an optical energy absorbing coating on the output surface for absorbing a portion of laser energy input to said contact member and converting said laser energy to heat energy, the heat energy being emitted from the output surface, said contact member simultaneously emitting a portion of laser energy input thereto directly from the output surface for direct irradiation of an object to be treated, the laser energy emitted passing through at least that portion of the output surface which contacts the object to be treated; a catheter conduit of a slimness and flexibility suitable for insertion into a narrow bodily passage, said conduit having at least one lumen therein through which an optical fiber and cooling fluid may pass; housing means for rigidly retaining and mounting the contact member to an end of the catheter conduit; and an optical fiber within the conduit lumen, the optical fiber including an output end in operative proximity to the contact member input surface whereby laser energy from the optical fiber is coupled into the contact member; the contact member input surface disposed at an angle to the optical fiber output end such that a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy propagates through the contact member deviates from a path defined by the laser energy as said laser energy is emitted from said optical fiber when said laser energy couples into the contact member at the contact member input surface, thereby rendering such laser energy emitted from said contact surface suitable for treating the surrounding walls of said narrow bodily passage.