The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 01, 1997
Filed:
Jun. 06, 1995
Lincoln S Baxter, Centerville, MA (US);
Norman Farr, Monument Beach, MA (US);
Edward L Sinofsky, Dennis, MA (US);
Rare Earth Medical, Inc., W. Yarmouth, MA (US);
Abstract
Phototherapeutic instruments are disclosed having integral stopper devices which limit the penetration of an optical fiber during tissue penetrating phototherapy. In one preferred embodiment, a fluted outer sheath is disposed about an internal optical fiber. The fluted sheath is configured to expand during penetration of the optical fiber into a patient's tissue. As the fluted elements expand, the present a much larger cross-sectional area which resists further penetration of the instrument beyond a predetermined desirable distance. The invention is useful in limiting an optically-transmissive fiber's penetration and, thereby, reduce the possibility of perforation of a body lumen or organ. The invention is particularly useful in placing a ablative laser radiation device into the ventricle of the heart when performing arrhythmia-correcting laser ablative procedures or when revascularizing the heart percutaneously. The stopper devices limit penetration and stabilize the optically-transmissive tip during such procedures.