Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Robert M Cothren, Jr

Michael S Feld

Carter Kittrell

Robert L Willett

Barry Sachs

A laser catheter is disclosed wherein optical fibers carrying laser light are mounted in a catheter for insertion into an artery to provide controlled delivery of a laser beam for percutaneous intravascular laser treatment of atherosclerotic disease. A transparent protective shield is provided at the distal end of the catheter for mechanically diplacing intravascular blood and protecting the fibers from the intravascular contents, as well as protecting the patient in the event of failure of the fiber optics. Multiple optical fibers allow the selection of tissue that is to be removed. A computer controlled system automatically aligns fibers with the laser and controls exposure time. Spectroscopic diagnostics determine what tissue is to be removed.

Catheter for laser angiosurgery

A laser endoscope is disclosed for generating a spectrally resolved spatial image of tissue. Fiber optics positioned within an optically shielded endoscope are used to deliver laser radiation to tissue to be imaged. Radiation returning through the fiber optics from the tissue is spectrally resolved and used to generate an image of tissue that can assist in diagnosis and treatment.

Laser endoscope for spectroscopic imaging

Spectral diagonostic and treatment system

Optical needle for spectroscopic diagnosis

A laser catheter is disclosed wherein optical fibers carrying laser light are mounted in a catheter for insertion into an artery to provide controlled delivery of a laser beam for percutaneous intravascular laser treatment of atherosclerotic disease. A transparent protective shield is provided at the distal end of the catheter for mechanically displacing intravascular blood and protecting the fibers from the intravascular contents, as well as protecting the patient in the event of failure of the fiber optics. Multiple optical fibers allow the selection of tissue that is to be removed. A computer controlled system automatically aligns fibers with the laser and controls exposure time. Spectroscopic diagnostics determine what tissue is to be removed.

Apparatus and method for obtaining spectrally resolved spatial images of

A method of diagnosis of the type of tissue in an artery, including distinguishing artery wall from atheromateous plaque is described, in which a catheter with one or more optical fibers is enclosed at a distal end by an optical shield transparent to light radiation and wherein the proximal end of the catheter and optical fibers are coupled to a source of optical radiation. The catheter is inserted into an artery until the optical shield is brought into contact with a suspected arterial lesion or other tissue to be diagnosed.

Method for spectroscopic diagnosis of tissue

Laser spectro-optic imaging for diagnosis and treatment of diseased

Optical shield for a laser catheter

A mode mixer is described for mixing themodes of optical fibers in a laser catheter adapted to be inserted in arteries for treatment of arterial tissue or obstructions. The mode mixer creates microbends in the fibers by physically deforming the fibers, such as by mechanically pressing the fibers against a rigid member to adjust the spot size of light exiting the fibers.

Growing community of inventors

Beatrice, NE, United States of America

Robert M Cothren, Jr