Apparatus and methods for intraluminal photothermoforming

Abstract

Abstract A method and apparatus for molding polymeric structures in vivo is disclosed. The structures comprise polymers that may be heated to their molding temperature by absorption of visible or near-visible wavelengths of light. By providing a light source that produces radiation of the wavelength absorbed by the polymeric material, the material may be selectively heated and shaped in vivo without a corresponding heating of adjacent tissues or fluids to unacceptable levels. The apparatus comprises a catheter (10) having a shaping element (12) positioned near its distal end. An emitter (15) provided with light from at least one optical fiber (18) is positioned within the shaping element. The emitter serves to provide a moldable polymeric article (19) positioned on the shaping element with a substantially uniform light field, thereby allowing the article to be heated and molded at a desired treatment site in a body lumen.

Inventors

• 👤 Chandrashekhar P. Pathak
• 👤 Amarpreet S. Sawhney
• 👤 Jeffrey A. Hubbell
• 👤 Stephen J. Herman
• 👤 Laurence A. Roth
• 👤 Patrick K. Campbell
• 👤 Kevin M. Berrigan
• 👤 Peter K. Jarrett
• 👤 Arthur J. Coury

Bibliographic Details