The Spectranetics Corporation

Robert Splinter

Kevin D Taylor

Robert Carver

Clint Fix

Ted A Giem

Wade A Bowe

Jacob Keeler

James Nye

Chris Hebert

Krishn Khanna

Ken Harlan

A laser catheter with a pressure sensor is provided according to embodiments of the invention. The pressure sensor may be coupled with the distal end of the laser catheter and may comprise any of various piezoelectric materials, for example Polyvinylidene Difluoride (PVDF). In various embodiments of the invention the pressure sensor is configured to detect pressure longitudinally and coaxially. The pressure sensor may provide an electric potential that is proportional to the vessel pressure and may be used to monitor and/or adjust laser parameters. In other embodiments the results from the pressure sensor may be used to determine the vessel size and/or the type of material being ablated.

Intra-vascular device with pressure detection capabilities using pressure sensitive material

Embodiments of the present invention include a laser catheter that includes a catheter body, a light guide, and a distal tip that extends beyond the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, an imaging device is disposed on the distal tip such that the imaging device is distal relative to the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, the imaging device can be gated to record images during and or slightly beyond periods when the laser catheter is not activated.

Cardiovascular imaging system

A light-diverting catheter tip is provided according to embodiments disclosed herein. The light-diverting catheter tip may be coupled with the distal tip of a laser catheter and divert at least a portion of the light exiting the distal tip of the laser catheter such that the spot size of the laser beam on an object after exiting the catheter tip is larger than the spot size of the light entering the catheter without the catheter tip. The catheter tip may be removably coupled with the catheter or constructed as part of the catheter. In other embodiment, the catheter tip may conduct fluid and/or divert fluid at the tip of the laser catheter.

Liquid light-guide catheter with optically diverging tip

A method of delivering light energy to target matter in a mammalian body is described. The method may include inserting at least a portion of a catheter into a patient's vasculature, wherein the catheter comprises an open distal tip, a lumen extending proximally from the open distal tip, and at least one optical fiber within the lumen, wherein the at least one optical fiber has a distal end. The method may include flowing a liquid light guide medium through the open-ended catheter tip, wherein the liquid light guide medium flows beyond the distal end of the at least one optical fiber, wherein the liquid light guide medium comprises a magnesium chloride solution having an ion concentration that is isotonic with blood and tissue. The method may include forming a fluid optical channel with the liquid light guide medium between the catheter and the target matter. Other methods are described.

Liquid light guide catheter having biocompatible liquid light guide medium

A light-diverting catheter tip is provided according to embodiments disclosed herein. The light-diverting catheter tip may be coupled with the distal tip of a laser catheter and divert at least a portion of the light exiting the distal tip of the laser catheter such that the spot size of the laser beam on an object after exiting the catheter tip is larger than the spot size of the light entering the catheter without the catheter tip. The catheter tip may be removably coupled with the catheter or constructed as part of the catheter. In other embodiments, the catheter tip may conduct fluid and/or divert fluid at the tip of the laser catheter.

A catheter system to ablate target matter within a mammalian body using light energy is described. The system may include an open-ended catheter tip through which a liquid light guide medium flows to the target matter, where at least a portion of the liquid light guide medium exiting the catheter tip creates a fluid optical channel to transmit the light energy from the catheter tip to the target matter. The system may also include a catheter lumen whose distal end includes the open-ended catheter tip, a light source to generate the light energy, and a liquid light guide medium source fluidly coupled to the catheter lumen. The liquid light guide medium source may include a reservoir of the liquid light guide medium that includes a magnesium chloride solution or a lactated Ringer's solution.

Embodiments of the present invention include a laser catheter that includes a catheter body, a light guide, and a distal tip that extends beyond the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, an imaging device is disposed on the distal tip such that the imaging device is distal relative to the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, the imaging device can be gated to record images during and/or slightly beyond periods when the laser catheter is not activated.

An optical sensor that provides lateral viewing while maintaining light polarization is disclosed according to one embodiment of the invention. The sensor includes a sensor body, at least one waveguide and at least one refractive optical element. The sensor body may includes proximal end and a distal end. The waveguide includes a proximal end coincident near the proximal end of the sensor body and a distal end coincident at a point near the distal end of the sensor body. The waveguide may include one or more fiber optic. The waveguide may be positioned within the sensor body. The refractive optical element may be positioned within the sensor near the distal end of the waveguide and may be configured to refract light received from the distal end of the waveguide outward from the sensor. The refractive optical element may include one or more prisms.

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Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America

Robert Splinter