Optical coherence domain reflectometry guidewire

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:873504

Colston, Billy W ^[1]; Everett, Matthew ^[2]; Da Silva, Luiz B ^[3]; Matthews, Dennis ^[4]

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1. Livermore, CA
2. Pleasanton, CA
3. Danville, CA
4. Moss Beach, CA

A guidewire with optical sensing capabilities is based on a multiplexed optical coherence domain reflectometer (OCDR), which allows it to sense location, thickness, and structure of the arterial walls or other intra-cavity regions as it travels through the body during minimally invasive medical procedures. This information will be used both to direct the guidewire through the body by detecting vascular junctions and to evaluate the nearby tissue. The guidewire contains multiple optical fibers which couple light from the proximal to distal end. Light from the fibers at the distal end of the guidewire is directed onto interior cavity walls via small diameter optics such as gradient index lenses and mirrored corner cubes. Both forward viewing and side viewing fibers can be included. The light reflected or scattered from the cavity walls is then collected by the fibers, which are multiplexed at the proximal end to the sample arm of an optical low coherence reflectometer. The guidewire can also be used in nonmedical applications.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Regents of Universtiy of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6175669
• OSTI ID: 873504
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

optical
coherence
domain
reflectometry
guidewire
sensing
capabilities
based
multiplexed
reflectometer
ocdr
allows
sense
location
thickness
structure
arterial
walls
intra-cavity
regions
travels
minimally
invasive
medical
procedures
information
direct
detecting
vascular
junctions
evaluate
nearby
tissue
contains
multiple
fibers
couple
light
proximal
distal
directed
interior
cavity
via
diameter
optics
gradient
index
lenses
mirrored
corner
cubes
forward
viewing
included
reflected
scattered
collected
sample
arm
nonmedical
applications
optical sensing
gradient index
optical coherence
medical procedures
interior cavity
domain reflectometry
light reflected
medical applications
optical fibers
optical fiber
minimally invasive
couple light
coherence domain
cavity walls
sensing capabilities
cavity wall
domain reflectometer
index lenses
corner cube
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