Rotating catheter probe using a light-drive apparatus

摘要

The invention is a rotating tip catheter-imaging probe where electromagnetic energy is delivered to the distal end of a catheter and converted to mechanical energy using a light drive apparatus. The mechanical energy is then used to rotate a mirror that redirects light in fixed pattern on a sample. The rotating element of the light drive apparatus contains vanes, which rotate about an axis and positioned with bearings to minimize friction. A chamber encompasses the rotating element and is set to a vacuum pressure. The rotational speed of the catheter tip can be controlled by varying the optical power delivered to the vanes, the vacuum pressure in the chamber, or by a braking mechanism applied to the rotating element. The vanes may be shaped in a particular geometry to increase forces on the vanes from thermally driven gas flow.

主权项

1. A method of making an optical imaging device, comprising the steps of:
providing a body having a central longitudinal lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the body; disposing an optical conduit within the central longitudinal lumen of the body and operably coupled with an optical imaging device; disposing a rotating reflecting element at a distal end of the body in optical communication with the optical conduit; positioning a gradient index lens proximal to the rotating reflecting element and in optical communication between the optical conduit and the rotating reflecting element; mounting a plurality of vane members on a central rotary axle of the rotating reflecting element, wherein each of the plurality of vane members comprising an energy absorbing surface and an energy reflecting surface to provide for a thermal gradient when optical energy impinges on the plurality of vane members, and the rotating reflecting element further comprises a capillary tube having an inner lumen in optical communication with the optical conduit and the plurality of vane members are provided along the inner lumen, wherein the inner lumen includes a light scattering material for directing incident light toward the energy reflecting surface and the energy absorbing surface; and selecting a scattering coefficient for the light scattering material that scatters light incident radially outward.