Medical devices utilizing optical fibers for simultaneous power, communications and control
A medical device is constructed in the basic form of a catheter having a distal end for insertion into and manipulation within a body and a proximal end providing for a user to control the manipulation of the distal end within the body. A fiberoptic cable is disposed within the catheter and having a distal end proximate to the distal end of the catheter and a proximal end for external coupling of laser light energy. A laser-light-to-mechanical-power converter is connected to receive light from the distal end of the fiber optic cable and may include a photo-voltaic cell and an electromechanical motor or a heat-sensitive photo-thermal material. An electronic sensor is connected to receive electrical power from said distal end of the fiberoptic cable and is connected to provide signal information about a particular physical environment and communicated externally through the fiberoptic cable to the proximal end thereof. A mechanical sensor is attached to the distal end of the fiberoptic cable and connected to provide light signal information about a particular physical environment and communicated externally through the fiberoptic cable.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- The Regents of the University of California (Oakland, CA)
- Patent Number(s):
- 6,575,965
- Application Number:
- 09/713,988
- OSTI ID:
- 1174359
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Microminiaturized minimally invasive intravascular micro-mechanical systems powered and controlled via fiber-optic cable
Probe-and-fire lasers