Patent US6423055B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6423055B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Phototherapeutic wave guide apparatus
Assignee: Cardiofocus Inc
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Filing: 1999-07-14
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Granted: 2002-07-23
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Expires: 2019-07-14
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus are disclosed for forming annular lesions in tissue. The methods include introduction of an optical apparatus proximate to a tissue site, via, for example, a catheter. The optical apparatus includes a pattern-forming optical wave guide in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber. Energy is transmitted through the optical fiber, such that radiation is propagated through the optical fiber and the wave guide projects an annular light pattern, e.g., a circle or a halo.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman E. Farr
- 👤 William E. Wieler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/245; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00057; A61B2017/00061; A61B2018/00964; A61B2018/0097; A61B2018/2255; A61B2018/2266; A61B2018/2272; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/064; A61B2090/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for forming an annular lesion in a tissue by phototherapy, comprising the steps of: introducing an optical apparatus proximate to a tissue site, said optical apparatus having an optical lens element in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber; and transmitting energy through said optical fiber, such that radiation propagating through said optical fiber is transmitted into the lens element and then projected by the lens element in an annular light pattern, whereby an annular lesion is formed in said tissue.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for forming an annular lesion in a tissue by phototherapy, comprising the steps of: introducing an optical apparatus proximate to a tissue site, said optical apparatus having an optical lens element in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber; and transmitting energy through said optical fiber, such that radiation propagating through said optical fiber is transmitted into the lens element and then projected by the lens element in an annular light pattern, whereby an annular lesion is formed in said tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of passing said annular light pattern through a graded index lens adjacent to said optical lens element for projecting said light pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein said radiation is ultraviolet light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said ultraviolet light has a wavelength between about 200 nanometers and about 400 nanometers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said radiation is coherent light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein said coherent light has a wavelength between about 200 nanometers and about 2400 nanometers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein said coherent light has a wavelength of about 915 nanometers.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for forming an annular lesion on endocardial tissue by phototherapeutic processes, comprising the steps of: introducing an optical apparatus proximate to endocardial tissue, said optical apparatus having an optical lens element in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber; and transmitting energy through said optical fiber, such that radiation propagating through said optical fiber is transmitted into the lens element and then projected by the lens element in an annular light pattern, whereby an annular lesion is formed in said endocardial tissue.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for forming an annular lesion on endocardial tissue by phototherapeutic processes, comprising the steps of: introducing an optical apparatus proximate to endocardial tissue, said optical apparatus having an optical lens element in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber; and transmitting energy through said optical fiber, such that radiation propagating through said optical fiber is transmitted into the lens element and then projected by the lens element in an annular light pattern, whereby an annular lesion is formed in said endocardial tissue.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for treating or preventing atrial arrhythmias by phototherapy, comprising the steps of: introducing an optical apparatus proximate to atrial tissue, said optical apparatus having an optical lens element in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber; and transmitted energy through said optical fiber, such that radiation propagating through said optical fiber is transmitted into the lens element and then projected by the lens element in an annular light pattern, whereby an annular lesion is formed in said atrial tissue, thereby treating or preventing atrial arrhythmias.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for treating or preventing atrial arrhythmias by phototherapy, comprising the steps of: introducing an optical apparatus proximate to atrial tissue, said optical apparatus having an optical lens element in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber; and transmitted energy through said optical fiber, such that radiation propagating through said optical fiber is transmitted into the lens element and then projected by the lens element in an annular light pattern, whereby an annular lesion is formed in said atrial tissue, thereby treating or preventing atrial arrhythmias.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for treating or preventing atrial arrhythmias by phototherapy, comprising the steps of: introducing an optical apparatus proximate to atrial tissue, said optical apparatus having an optical lens element in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber; transmitting laser energy through said optical fiber, such that radiation propagating through said optical fiber is transmitted into the lens element and then projected by the lens element in an annular light pattern; measuring the intensity of light reflected from said target tissue; and controlling the energy applied to said site in response to monitored changes in the intensity of said light reflected from said target tissue, thereby treating or preventing atrial arrhythmias.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for treating or preventing atrial arrhythmias by phototherapy, comprising the steps of: introducing an optical apparatus proximate to atrial tissue, said optical apparatus having an optical lens element in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber; transmitting laser energy through said optical fiber, such that radiation propagating through said optical fiber is transmitted into the lens element and then projected by the lens element in an annular light pattern; measuring the intensity of light reflected from said target tissue; and controlling the energy applied to said site in response to monitored changes in the intensity of said light reflected from said target tissue, thereby treating or preventing atrial arrhythmias.
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