초록 ▼

A hot tip device, typically used for melting and plowing through stenotic deposits in a coronary artery, is provided with optical diagnostic capabilities. The device includes an elongated, flexible member, a filter glass heating element attached to the distal end of the flexible member and an optica

A hot tip device, typically used for melting and plowing through stenotic deposits in a coronary artery, is provided with optical diagnostic capabilities. The device includes an elongated, flexible member, a filter glass heating element attached to the distal end of the flexible member and an optical fiber extending through the flexible member and optically coupled to the heating element. The filter glass heating element absorbs a first range of wavelengths for heating and passes a second range of wavelengths for irradiating the artery through the filter glass heating element. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible member is a steerable guidewire, and the filter glass heating element is heated by infrared radiation. Ultraviolet or visible radiation is used to stimulate fluorescence from deposits in the artery.

대표청구항 ▼

A medical device for applying heat to a selected site in a lumen, comprising: an elongated, flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end; a heating element attached to the distal end of said flexible member, said heating element comprising optical filter means for absorbing a first range o

A medical device for applying heat to a selected site in a lumen, comprising: an elongated, flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end; a heating element attached to the distal end of said flexible member, said heating element comprising optical filter means for absorbing a first range of wavelengths and for passing a second range of wavelengths; and optical fiber means for transmitting both said first and said second ranges of wavelengths extending through said flexible member, said optical fiber means having a distal end optically coupled to said heating element and having a proximal end adapted for receiving laser energy in said first range of wavelengths for heating said optical filter means and adapted for receiving laser energy in said second range of wavelengths for irradiating said lumen through said optical filter means.