Optical catheter calibration apparatus and method.

摘要

A calibration device (10) to be used in calibrating a separate catheter (13) of the type having a catheter tube through which light can be propagated to an end portion of the catheter tube, includes a calibration element (15) defining a cavity (23) extending along a cavity axis (24) to an open end (26) that has a size and shape adapted to receive the end portion of the catheter tube for calibration purposes. A body of resiliently deformable material (17) with which to hold the catheter tube and thereby retain the end portion within the cavity is retained in generally fixed proximity with the open end of the cavity by a retainer member (16), and a channel-defining portion (53) of the body of resiliently deformable material (17) defines a longitudinally-opening channel (51) generally aligned with the cavity axis (24) that has a size and shape adapted to receive the catheter tube in an interference fit. The channel (51) receives the catheter tube (13) by movement of the catheter tube into the channel radially after the end portion of the catheter tube has been placed into the cavity (23), and it inhibits movement of the catheter tube (13) axially to thereby inhibit movement of the end portion within the cavity (23).