US5601087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for diagnosing tissue with guidewire
Assignee: SpectraScience Inc
•
Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1997-02-11
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a guidewire which incorporates an optical fiber and associated diagnostic apparatus for diagnosing tissue in vivo. Use of the present invention provides for diagnosis of tissue and tailoring of the therapeutic portion of the procedure to the tissue or condition identified by the guidewire and associated diagnostic apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C. Gunderson
- 👤 James S. Sharrow
- 👤 Jeffrey A. McBroom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0082; A61B5/0084; A61B5/0086; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/245; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6851; A61B5/0062; A61B5/0066; A61B5/0075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A tissue diagnosis and treatment system comprising: a) a guidewire comprising a hollow tube having a solid wall defined by inner and outer diameters, the tube further having proximal and distal ends, the hollow tube having sufficient torsional rigidity to transmit substantially all angular rotation applied at the proximal end to the distal end, flexible means attached to the distal end of the tube for providing flexibility at the distal end of the guidewire, the flexible means forming a hollow bore aligned axially with the tube, an optical fiber having proximal and distal ends, the optical fiber contained within the inner diameter of the hollow tube and bore of the flexible means and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the guidewire; and b) a diagnostic apparatus for spectroscopically diagnosing tissue, the diagnostic apparatus comprising: 1) a source of illumination adjacent the proximal end of the guidewire, the source providing illumination entering the proximal end of the optical fiber of the guidewire; and 2) means for analyzing returned illumination entering the distal end of the guidewire to provide a diagnosis of the tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A tissue diagnosis and treatment system comprising: a) a guidewire comprising a hollow tube having a solid wall defined by inner and outer diameters, the tube further having proximal and distal ends, the hollow tube having sufficient torsional rigidity to transmit substantially all angular rotation applied at the proximal end to the distal end, flexible means attached to the distal end of the tube for providing flexibility at the distal end of the guidewire, the flexible means forming a hollow bore aligned axially with the tube, an optical fiber having proximal and distal ends, the optical fiber contained within the inner diameter of the hollow tube and bore of the flexible means and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the guidewire; and b) a diagnostic apparatus for spectroscopically diagnosing tissue, the diagnostic apparatus comprising: 1) a source of illumination adjacent the proximal end of the guidewire, the source providing illumination entering the proximal end of the optical fiber of the guidewire; and 2) means for analyzing returned illumination entering the distal end of the guidewire to provide a diagnosis of the tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 1, further comprising a treatment catheter introduced over the guidewire for treating the tissue diagnosed using the diagnostic apparatus and the guidewire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible means enables the distal end of the guidewire to be formed into a desired shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein the flexible means comprises a wire coil forming the hollow bore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein the hollow tube of the guidewire further comprises a tapered section proximate its distal end in which the outer diameter of the tube decreases and further wherein the wire coil is fitted over at least a portion of the tapered section, the wire coil further having an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the hollow tube before the outer diameter of the hollow tube decreases in the tapered section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said hollow tube further comprises a main tube extending the major length of the hollow tube, and an extension tube attached to a distal end of the main tube, the optical fiber extending through the main tube and the extension tube, and the flexible means being attached to the extension tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber comprises a plurality of optical fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are provided as a coherent fiber bundle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber further comprises a multi-mode optical fiber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein at least the distal end of the guidewire is coated with an optically clear elastomer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the source of illumination further comprises means for providing the illumination at a plurality of wavelengths.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 1, further comprising light focusing means at the distal end of the optical fiber for expanding the illumination from the source of illumination.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the illumination entering the proximal end of the optical fiber causes light to be directed along the optical fiber from the proximal end to the distal end of the optical fiber, and wherein the guidewire further comprises means for changing the direction in which light from the optical fiber is directed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the guidewire has a maximum outer diameter that is less than or equal to about 0.038 inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the guidewire has a maximum outer diameter that is less than or equal to about 0.018 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the guidewire has a maximum outer diameter that is less than or equal to about 0.014 inches.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
242 words
A tissue diagnosis and treatment system comprising: a) a guidewire comprising a hollow tube having a solid wall defined by inner and outer diameters, the tube further having proximal and distal ends, the hollow tube having sufficient torsional rigidity to transmit substantially all angular rotation applied at the proximal end to the distal end, flexible means attached to the distal end of the tube for providing flexibility at the distal end of the guidewire, the flexible means forming a hollow bore aligned axially with the tube, an optical fiber having proximal and distal ends, the optical fiber contained within the inner diameter of the hollow tube and bore of the flexible means and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the guidewire, wherein the guidewire has a maximum outer diameter that is less than or equal to about 0.018 inches, and wherein the flexible means enables the distal end of the guidewire to be formed into a desired shape; and b) a diagnostic apparatus for spectroscopically diagnosing tissue, the diagnostic apparatus comprising: 1) a source of illumination adjacent the proximal end of the guidewire, the source providing illumination entering the proximal end of the optical fiber of the guidewire; and 2) means for analyzing returned illumination entering the distal end of the guidewire to provide a diagnosis of the tissue; and c) a treatment catheter introduced over the guidewire for treating the tissue diagnosed using the diagnostic apparatus and the guidewire.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
242 words
A tissue diagnosis and treatment system comprising: a) a guidewire comprising a hollow tube having a solid wall defined by inner and outer diameters, the tube further having proximal and distal ends, the hollow tube having sufficient torsional rigidity to transmit substantially all angular rotation applied at the proximal end to the distal end, flexible means attached to the distal end of the tube for providing flexibility at the distal end of the guidewire, the flexible means forming a hollow bore aligned axially with the tube, an optical fiber having proximal and distal ends, the optical fiber contained within the inner diameter of the hollow tube and bore of the flexible means and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the guidewire, wherein the guidewire has a maximum outer diameter that is less than or equal to about 0.018 inches, and wherein the flexible means enables the distal end of the guidewire to be formed into a desired shape; and b) a diagnostic apparatus for spectroscopically diagnosing tissue, the diagnostic apparatus comprising: 1) a source of illumination adjacent the proximal end of the guidewire, the source providing illumination entering the proximal end of the optical fiber of the guidewire; and 2) means for analyzing returned illumination entering the distal end of the guidewire to provide a diagnosis of the tissue; and c) a treatment catheter introduced over the guidewire for treating the tissue diagnosed using the diagnostic apparatus and the guidewire.
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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) | 2000-02-11 | 2000-08-12 | 2001-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-11 | 2004-08-12 | 2005-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-11 | 2008-08-12 | 2009-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |