CATHETER PROBE ARRANGEMENT FOR TISSUE ANALYSIS BY RADIANT ENERGY DELIVERY AND RADIANT ENERGY COLLECTION

摘要

A catheter tip apparatus arranged in a catheter for the delivery and collection of a light-energy signal to permit subsequent computerized analysis of body tissue by the collected signal. The apparatus comprises an elongated housing supporting a first reflective surface (42) and a second reflective surface (36). The first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are longitudinally spaced apart from one another. A first flexible, elongated energy bearing delivery fiber (44) has a distalmost end arranged adjacent the first reflective surface. A second flexible, elongated energy bearing collection fiber (30) has a distalmost end arranged adjacent the second reflective surface. The housing is rotatably supported on a flexible catheter sheath for insertion of the catheter into a mammalian body for tissue analysis thereof.