US5496309A — Catheter device utilizing a laser beam laterally …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 153 words

A catheter suitable for directing laser energy laterally to a selected site in a body lumen and comprising an elongated, hollow housing including a cap at the distal end of the catheter, defining a confined flow passageway for a liquid medium and a sidewall aperture in communication therewith through which said liquid medium flows; a fiber optic, the distal end of which is mounted in said housing and the proximal end of which is adapted for coupling to a laser source; and a prism covered by said cap and, positioned in said liquid passageway to receive a laser beam emitted by the distal end of said fiber optic and to direct the emitted beam laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the fiber optic; said prism having a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of said liquid medium in said liquid passageway contiguous with the reflective surface of the prism.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 153 words

A catheter suitable for directing laser energy laterally to a selected site in a body lumen and comprising an elongated, hollow housing including a cap at the distal end of the catheter, defining a confined flow passageway for a liquid medium and a sidewall aperture in communication therewith through which said liquid medium flows; a fiber optic, the distal end of which is mounted in said housing and the proximal end of which is adapted for coupling to a laser source; and a prism covered by said cap and, positioned in said liquid passageway to receive a laser beam emitted by the distal end of said fiber optic and to direct the emitted beam laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the fiber optic; said prism having a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of said liquid medium in said liquid passageway contiguous with the reflective surface of the prism.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the respective refractive index ratio for said prism and said liquid medium is at least 1.2.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the distal end of said prism extends beyond said housing.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 24 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 3 wherein the distal end of the prism is frosted or coated with a light energy absorbing substance.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the refractive index of said prism is about 1.7 to about 2.6.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 41 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing comprises an elongated apertured frame mounted to catheter tubing and defining said sidewall aperture, and wherein said prism is held by the frame in a spaced relationship to the fiber optic.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the reflective surface of the prism has a substantially convex shape.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the emissive surface of the prism has a substantially convex shape.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 30 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the input surface of the prism has a convex shape having a curvature sufficient to collimate incoming energy from the fiber optic.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 36 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the distal end of the prism fiber is formed into a ball shape, whose distal end has been beveled to an angle to achieve substantially total internal reflection.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 43 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes an inner surface having ridges formed thereon and said prism includes an outer surface having depressions formed therein, said ridges matchingly engaging with said depressions to secure said prism within said housing.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 160 words

A catheter suitable for directing laser energy laterally to a selected site in a body lumen and comprising: an elongated, hollow cap at a distal end of the catheter, said cap including a sidewall aperture and defining a confined flow passageway for a liquid medium, said liquid medium flowing through said cap and out through said sidewall aperture; a fiber optic including a distal end disposed in said cap and a proximal end for coupling to a laser source; and a prism positioned at the distal end of the catheter and covered by said cap, said prism being held in a spaced relationship from the fiber optic and positioned in said confined flow passageway to receive a laser beam emitted by said fiber optic and to direct the emitted beam outwardly through said sidewall aperture; said prism having a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of said liquid medium contiguous with the reflective surface of the prism.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 160 words

A catheter suitable for directing laser energy laterally to a selected site in a body lumen and comprising: an elongated, hollow cap at a distal end of the catheter, said cap including a sidewall aperture and defining a confined flow passageway for a liquid medium, said liquid medium flowing through said cap and out through said sidewall aperture; a fiber optic including a distal end disposed in said cap and a proximal end for coupling to a laser source; and a prism positioned at the distal end of the catheter and covered by said cap, said prism being held in a spaced relationship from the fiber optic and positioned in said confined flow passageway to receive a laser beam emitted by said fiber optic and to direct the emitted beam outwardly through said sidewall aperture; said prism having a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of said liquid medium contiguous with the reflective surface of the prism.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 24 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 12 wherein the respective refractive index ratio for said prism and said liquid medium is at least 1.2.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 19 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 12 wherein the refractive index of said prism is about 1.7 to 2.6.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 19 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 12 wherein the reflective surface of the prism has a substantially convex shape.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 19 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 12 wherein the emissive surface of the prism has a substantially convex shape.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 12 wherein the input surface of the prism has a convex shape having a curvature sufficient to collimate incoming energy from the fiber optic.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 34 words

The catheter in accordance with claim 12 wherein the distal end of the prism is formed into a ball shape, whose distal end has been beveled to an angle to achieve total internal reflection.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-03-05	1999-09-04	2000-03-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-03-05	2003-09-04	2004-03-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-03-05	2007-09-04	2008-03-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Catheter device utilizing a laser beam laterally directed by a high index prism in a liquid medium

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