An imaging guidewire can include one or more optical fibers communicating light along the guidewire. At or near its distal end, one or more blazed or other fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) directs light to a photoacoustic transducer material that provides ultrasonic imaging energy. Returned ultrasound is sensed by an FBG sensor. A responsive signal is optically communicated to the proximal end of the guidewire, and processed to develop a 2D or 3D image. In one example, the guidewire outer diameter is small enough such that an intravascular catheter can be passed over the guidewire. Techniques for improving ultrasound reception include using a high compliance material, resonating the ultrasound sensing transducer, using an attenuation-reducing coating and/or thickness, and/or using optical wavelength discrimination. Techniques for improving the ultrasound generating transducer include using a blazed FBG, designing the photoacoustic material thickness to enhance optical absorption. Techniques for distinguishing plaque or vulnerable plaque may be used to enhance the displayed image.

Claims

8 · 3 independent · depth 4

8 granted claims

›1.independentAn imaging apparatus comprising:nan imaging guidewire including:na first optical fiber including a first blazed fiber Bragg grating (FBG);an optical c…+5

›2.↳ 1The imaging apparatus of claim 1,nthe imaging guidewire including:na third optical fiber including a third blazed FBG; andthe optical coupler includin…d2+2

›5.↳ 1The imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the imaging guidewire has a first end, andnwherein when the first end of the imaging guidewire is positioned…d2

›6.↳ 1The imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the imaging guidewire is positioned within the receptacle includes butting the imaging guidewire into t…d2

›7.independentAn imaging apparatus comprising:nan imaging guidewire including:na first optical fiber including a first blazed fiber Bragg grating (FBG);a second opt…

›8.independentAn imaging apparatus comprising:nan imaging guidewire including:na first optical fiber including a first blazed fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and a second…

Classifications

8 codes

IPC · International Patent Classification

Section A — Human necessities

A61B8/08
A61B5/02
A61B1/00
A61B8/12
A61B5/00

Section G — Physics

G01N29/24
G01H9/00
G02B6/34

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Pendency

1.4 y

508 days filing → grant

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none on record

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1 RCE

Examiner

Jerry Rahll

art unit 2874 · TC 2800

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1 priority documents

›Priority documents — 1

Type	Document	Date
related publication	US 20140254975 A1	11 Sep 2014

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