Optical analyzer assembly and method for intravascular lithotripsy device

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11903642
  • Patent Number
    11,903,642
  • Date Filed
    Saturday, February 20, 2021
    3 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 20, 2024
    9 months ago
Abstract
A method for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve, includes the steps of (i) generating light energy with a light source; (ii) positioning a balloon substantially adjacent to the treatment site, the balloon having a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid; (iii) receiving the light energy from the light source with a light guide at a guide proximal end; (iv) guiding the light energy with the light guide in a first direction from the guide proximal end toward a guide distal end that is positioned within the balloon interior; and (v) optically analyzing with an optical analyzer assembly light energy from the light guide, wherein the light energy that is analyzed moves in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
Description
BACKGROUND

Vascular lesions within vessels in the body can be associated with an increased risk for major adverse events, such as myocardial infarction, embolism, deep vein thrombosis, stroke, and the like. Severe vascular lesions can be difficult to treat and achieve patency for a physician in a clinical setting.


Vascular lesions may be treated using interventions such as drug therapy, balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, stent placement, vascular graft bypass, to name a few. Such interventions may not always be ideal or may require subsequent treatment to address the lesion.


SUMMARY

The present invention is directed toward a method for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve. In various embodiments, the method includes the steps of (i) generating light energy with a light source; (ii) positioning a balloon substantially adjacent to the treatment site, the balloon having a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid; (iii) receiving the light energy from the light source with a light guide at a guide proximal end; (iv) guiding the light energy with the light guide in a first direction from the guide proximal end toward a guide distal end that is positioned within the balloon interior; and (v) optically analyzing with an optical analyzer assembly light energy from the light guide, wherein the light energy that is analyzed moves in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.


In some embodiments, the step of positioning includes providing the balloon fluid to the balloon interior so that the balloon expands from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration.


In certain embodiments, the step of generating includes generating pulses of light energy with the light source, and the step of guiding includes guiding the pulses of light energy along the light guide into the balloon interior to induce plasma generation in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior.


In some embodiments, the method further includes the steps of positioning a plasma generator at the guide distal end of the light guide, and generating plasma in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior with the plasma generator.


In certain embodiments, the step of optically analyzing includes optically detecting whether plasma generation occurred in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior with the optical analyzer assembly.


In some embodiments, the step of optically analyzing includes optically detecting whether a lack of plasma generation occurred in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior with the optical analyzer assembly.


In certain embodiments, the step of optically analyzing includes optically detecting a failure of the light guide at any point along a length of the light guide from the guide proximal end to the guide distal end with the optical analyzer assembly.


In some embodiments, the step of optically analyzing includes optically detecting potential damage to the light guide at any point along a length of the light guide from the guide proximal end to the guide distal end with the optical analyzer assembly.


In certain embodiments, the method further includes the step of receiving light energy through the light guide in the second direction from the guide distal end to the guide proximal end as a returning energy beam, the light energy being emitted from the plasma that is generated in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior.


In some embodiments, the method further includes the steps of coupling a pulse generator to the light source, triggering the light source with the pulse generator to emit pulses of light energy that are guided along the light guide from the guide proximal end to the guide distal end, energizing a plasma generator that is positioned at the guide distal end of the light guide with the pulses of light energy, and generating plasma in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior with the plasma generator. In certain such embodiments, the method further includes the steps of guiding light energy back through the light guide to the guide proximal end as a returning energy beam, and optically analyzing the returning energy beam with the optical analyzer assembly to determine whether plasma generation has occurred in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior. In one such embodiment, the step of optically analyzing the returning energy beam includes receiving the returning energy beam with a beamsplitter and directing at least a portion of the returning energy beam onto the photodetector with the beamsplitter.


In certain embodiments, the method further includes the steps of generating light energy as an interrogation beam with a second light source, receiving the interrogation beam from the second light source at the guide proximal end of the light guide, and guiding the interrogation beam from the second light source with the light guide toward the guide distal end.


In one embodiment, the step of generating includes the light source being a laser.


Additionally, in one embodiment, the step of generating includes the light source being an infrared laser that emits light energy in the form of pulses of infrared light.


In certain embodiments, the step of receiving includes the light guide including an optical fiber.


The present invention is also directed toward a method for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve, the method including the steps of (A) generating light energy with a light source; (B) positioning a balloon substantially adjacent to the treatment site, the balloon having a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid; (C) receiving the light energy from the light source with a light guide at a guide proximal end; (D) guiding the light energy with the light guide in a first direction from the guide proximal end toward a guide distal end that is positioned within the balloon interior; and (E) optically analyzing with an optical analyzer assembly light energy from the light guide, wherein the light energy that is analyzed moves in a second direction that is opposite the first direction, the step of optically analyzing including at least one of the steps of (i) optically detecting whether plasma generation occurred in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior, (ii) optically detecting whether a lack of plasma generation occurred in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior, (iii) optically detecting a failure of the light guide at any point along a length of the light guide from the guide proximal end to the guide distal end, and (iv) optically detecting potential damage to the light guide at any point along a length of the light guide from the guide proximal end to the guide distal end.


This summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the present application and is not intended to be an exclusive or exhaustive treatment of the present subject matter. Further details are found in the detailed description and appended claims. Other aspects will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description and viewing the drawings that form a part thereof, each of which is not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope herein is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:



FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a catheter system in accordance with various embodiments herein, the catheter system including an optical analyzer assembly having features of the present invention;



FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic view of a portion of an embodiment of the catheter system including an embodiment of the optical analyzer assembly; and



FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic view of a portion of another embodiment of the catheter system including another embodiment of the optical analyzer assembly.





While embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example and drawings, and are described in detail herein. It is understood, however, that the scope herein is not limited to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope herein.


DESCRIPTION

Treatment of vascular lesions (also sometimes referred to herein as “treatment sites”) can reduce major adverse events or death in affected subjects. As referred to herein, a major adverse event is one that can occur anywhere within the body due to the presence of a vascular lesion. Major adverse events can include, but are not limited to, major adverse cardiac events, major adverse events in the peripheral or central vasculature, major adverse events in the brain, major adverse events in the musculature, or major adverse events in any of the internal organs.


The catheter systems and related methods disclosed herein are configured to monitor the performance, reliability and safety of an intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) catheter. In various embodiments, the catheter systems of the present invention utilize an energy source, e.g., a light source such as a laser source or another suitable energy source, which provides energy that is guided by an energy guide, e.g., a light guide, to create a localized plasma in a balloon fluid within a balloon interior of an inflatable balloon of the catheter. As such, the energy guide can sometimes be referred to herein as, or can be said to incorporate a “plasma generator” at or near a guide distal end of the energy guide that is positioned within the balloon interior. This localized plasma induces pressure waves that impart pressure onto and induce fractures in a treatment site within or adjacent to a blood vessel wall within a body of a patient. As used herein, the treatment site can include a vascular lesion such as a calcified vascular lesion or a fibrous vascular lesion, typically found in a blood vessel and/or a heart valve.


In particular, in various embodiments, the catheter systems can include a catheter configured to advance to the treatment site within or adjacent a blood vessel or heart valve within the body of the patient. The catheter includes a catheter shaft, and a balloon that is coupled and/or secured to the catheter shaft. The balloons herein can include a balloon wall that defines the balloon interior and can be configured to receive the balloon fluid within the balloon interior to expand from a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the catheter through a patient's vasculature, to an expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the catheter in position relative to the treatment site. The catheter systems also include one or more energy guides, e.g., light guides, disposed along the catheter shaft and within the balloon. Each energy guide can be configured for generating pressure waves within the balloon for disrupting the vascular lesions. The catheter systems utilize energy from an energy source, e.g., light energy from a light source, to generate the plasma, i.e. via the plasma generator, within the balloon fluid at or near a guide distal end of the energy guide disposed in the balloon located at the treatment site. The plasma formation can initiate one or more pressure waves and can initiate the rapid formation of one or more bubbles that can rapidly expand to a maximum size and then dissipate through a cavitation event that can launch pressure waves upon collapse. The rapid expansion of the plasma-induced bubbles can generate one or more pressure waves within the balloon fluid retained within the balloon and thereby impart pressure waves upon the treatment site. In some embodiments, the energy source can be configured to provide sub-millisecond pulses of energy, e.g., light energy, from the energy source to initiate plasma formation in the balloon fluid within the balloon to cause rapid bubble formation and to impart pressure waves upon the balloon wall at the treatment site. Thus, the pressure waves can transfer mechanical energy through an incompressible balloon fluid to the treatment site to impart a fracture force on the treatment site.


Importantly, as described in detail herein, the catheter systems of the present invention include an optical analyzer assembly that is configured to provide real-time continuous monitoring of the light emitted from the light guide into the balloon interior, which can be used to detect that a plasma event has occurred, and can also be used as a monitor for nominal operation of the catheter system. Additionally, the optical analyzer assembly can also be utilized to measure the intensity of the light energy emitted from the light guide in order to provide an accurate measurement of the energy output of the plasma generator that is incorporated as part of the light guide. More specifically, the measurement of the energy output of the plasma generator can be used in conjunction with the known energy input from the energy source to determine the conversion efficiency. Such metric can also be used to assess the condition of the plasma generator and light guide and determine if the catheter system is performing normally, as well as the number of operation cycles remaining.


More specifically, in various embodiments, as described in detail herein, the present invention comprises a means of sampling light returned from the plasma generator and/or from the balloon interior back through the light guide. It is appreciated that light energy can travel in both, opposing directions along the length of the light guide. Thus, it is possible to detect light originating at the guide distal end of the light guide, or at any other position along the length of the light guide, at a guide proximal end of the light guide. Such light energy that is transmitted back through the light guide will thus be separated and detected and/or analyzed via the optical analyzer assembly to effectively monitor the performance, reliability and safety of the catheter system as described in detail herein.


It is appreciated that the continuous monitoring of the light energy emitted from the plasma generator, and the measuring of the intensity of the emitted light energy, through use of the present invention, as described in detail herein, addresses multiple potential issues with the performance, reliability and safety of an IVL catheter, in particular one that utilizes an energy source to create a localized plasma which in turn produces a high energy bubble inside a balloon catheter. Specific issues this invention addresses include: 1) optical detection of successful firing of the energy source, e.g., the laser source, to generate the plasma within the balloon interior, 2) accurate determination of the energy output of the plasma generator, 3) optical detection of a failure of the catheter system to generate the desired plasma within the balloon interior, and 4) optical detection of a failure of the light guide at any point along the length of the light guide.


As used herein, the terms “intravascular lesion”, “vascular lesion” and “treatment site” are used interchangeably unless otherwise noted. As such, the intravascular lesions and/or the vascular lesions are sometimes referred to herein simply as “lesions”.


Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following detailed description of the present invention is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.


In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application-related and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it is appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.


It is appreciated that the catheter systems disclosed herein can include many different forms. Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic cross-sectional view is shown of a catheter system 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein. As described herein, the catheter system 100 is suitable for imparting pressure to induce fractures in one or more vascular lesions within or adjacent a vessel wall of a blood vessel, or on or adjacent to a heart valve within a body of a patient. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the catheter system 100 can include one or more of a catheter 102, a light guide bundle 122 including one or more light guides 122A, a source manifold 136, a fluid pump 138, a system console 123 including one or more of a light source 124, a power source 125, a system controller 126, and a graphic user interface 127 (a “GUI”), a handle assembly 128, and an optical analyzer assembly 142.


The catheter 102 is configured to move to a treatment site 106 within or adjacent to a blood vessel 108 within a body 107 of a patient 109. The treatment site 106 can include one or more vascular lesions such as calcified vascular lesions, for example. Additionally, or in the alternative, the treatment site 106 can include vascular lesions such as fibrous vascular lesions.


The catheter 102 can include an inflatable balloon 104 (sometimes referred to herein simply as a “balloon”), a catheter shaft 110 and a guidewire 112. The balloon 104 can be coupled to the catheter shaft 110. The balloon 104 can include a balloon proximal end 104P and a balloon distal end 104D. The catheter shaft 110 can extend from a proximal portion 114 of the catheter system 100 to a distal portion 116 of the catheter system 100. The catheter shaft 110 can include a longitudinal axis 144. The catheter shaft 110 can also include a guidewire lumen 118 which is configured to move over the guidewire 112. The catheter shaft 110 can further include an inflation lumen (not shown). In some embodiments, the catheter 102 can have a distal end opening 120 and can accommodate and be tracked over the guidewire 112 as the catheter 102 is moved and positioned at or near the treatment site 106.


The catheter shaft 110 of the catheter 102 can be coupled to the one or more light guides 122A of the light guide bundle 122 that are in optical communication with the light source 124. The light guide(s) 122A can be disposed along the catheter shaft 110 and within the balloon 104. In some embodiments, each light guide 122A can be an optical fiber and the light source 124 can be a laser. The light source 124 can be in optical communication with the light guides 122A at the proximal portion 114 of the catheter system 100.


In some embodiments, the catheter shaft 110 can be coupled to multiple light guides 122A such as a first light guide, a second light guide, a third light guide, etc., which can be disposed at any suitable positions about the guidewire lumen 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110. For example, in certain non-exclusive embodiments, two light guides 122A can be spaced apart by approximately 180 degrees about the circumference of the guidewire lumen 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110; three light guides 122A can be spaced apart by approximately 120 degrees about the circumference of the guidewire lumen 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110; or four light guides 122A can be spaced apart by approximately 90 degrees about the circumference of the guidewire lumen 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110. Still alternatively, multiple light guides 122A need not be uniformly spaced apart from one another about the circumference of the guidewire lumen 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110. More particularly, it is further appreciated that the light guides 122A described herein can be disposed uniformly or non-uniformly about the guidewire lumen 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110 to achieve the desired effect in the desired locations.


The balloon 104 can include a balloon wall 130 that defines a balloon interior 146, and can be inflated with a balloon fluid 132 to expand from a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the catheter 102 through a patient's vasculature, to an expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the catheter 102 in position relative to the treatment site 106. Stated in another manner, when the balloon 104 is in the expanded configuration, the balloon wall 130 of the balloon 104 is configured to be positioned substantially adjacent to the treatment site 106, i.e. to the vascular lesion(s). In some embodiments, the light source 124 of the catheter system 100 can be configured to provide sub-millisecond pulses of light from the light source 124, along the light guides 122A, to a location within the balloon interior 146 of the balloon 104, thereby inducing plasma formation in the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146 of the balloon 104. The plasma formation causes rapid bubble formation, and imparts pressure waves upon the treatment site 106. Exemplary plasma-induced bubbles are shown as bubbles 134 in FIG. 1.


It is appreciated that although the catheter systems 100 illustrated herein are generally described as including a light source 124 and one or more light guides 122A, the catheter system 100 can alternatively include any suitable energy source and energy guides for purposes of generating the desired plasma in the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146.


The balloons 104 suitable for use in the catheter systems 100 described in detail herein include those that can be passed through the vasculature of a patient when in the collapsed configuration. In some embodiments, the balloons 104 herein are made from silicone. In other embodiments, the balloons 104 herein are made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyurethane, polymers such as PEBAX™ material available from Arkema, which has a location at King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA, nylon, and the like. In some embodiments, the balloons 104 can include those having diameters ranging from one millimeter (mm) to 25 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, the balloons 104 can include those having diameters ranging from at least 1.5 mm to 12 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, the balloons 104 can include those having diameters ranging from at least one mm to five mm in diameter.


Additionally, in some embodiments, the balloons 104 herein can include those having a length ranging from at least five mm to 300 mm. More particularly, in some embodiments, the balloons 104 herein can include those having a length ranging from at least eight mm to 200 mm. It is appreciated that balloons 104 of greater length can be positioned adjacent to larger treatment sites 106, and, thus, may be usable for imparting pressure onto and inducing fractures in larger vascular lesions or multiple vascular lesions at precise locations within the treatment site 106.


Further, the balloons 104 herein can be inflated to inflation pressures of between approximately one atmosphere (atm) and 70 atm. In some embodiments, the balloons 104 herein can be inflated to inflation pressures of from at least 20 atm to 70 atm. In other embodiments, the balloons 104 herein can be inflated to inflation pressures of from at least six atm to 20 atm. In still other embodiments, the balloons 104 herein can be inflated to inflation pressures of from at least three atm to 20 atm. In yet other embodiments, the balloons 104 herein can be inflated to inflation pressures of from at least two atm to ten atm.


Still further, the balloons 104 herein can include those having various shapes, including, but not to be limited to, a conical shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a spherical shape, a conical/square shape, a conical/spherical shape, an extended spherical shape, an oval shape, a tapered shape, a bone shape, a stepped diameter shape, an offset shape, or a conical offset shape. In some embodiments, the balloons 104 herein can include a drug eluting coating or a drug eluting stent structure. The drug eluting coating or drug eluting stent can include one or more therapeutic agents including anti-inflammatory agents, anti-neoplastic agents, anti-angiogenic agents, and the like.


The balloon fluid 132 can be a liquid or a gas. Exemplary balloon fluids 132 suitable for use herein can include, but are not limited to one or more of water, saline, contrast medium, fluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, gases, such as carbon dioxide, and the like. In some embodiments, the balloon fluids 132 described can be used as base inflation fluids. In some embodiments, the balloon fluids 132 include a mixture of saline to contrast medium in a volume ratio of 50:50. In other embodiments, the balloon fluids 132 include a mixture of saline to contrast medium in a volume ratio of 25:75. In still other embodiments, the balloon fluids 132 include a mixture of saline to contrast medium in a volume ratio of 75:25. Additionally, the balloon fluids 132 suitable for use herein can be tailored on the basis of composition, viscosity, and the like in order to manipulate the rate of travel of the pressure waves therein. In certain embodiments, the balloon fluids 132 suitable for use herein are biocompatible. A volume of balloon fluid 132 can be tailored by the chosen light source 124 and the type of balloon fluid 132 used.


In some embodiments, the contrast agents used in the contrast media herein can include, but are not to be limited to, iodine-based contrast agents, such as ionic or non-ionic iodine-based contrast agents. Some non-limiting examples of ionic iodine-based contrast agents include diatrizoate, metrizoate, iothalamate, and ioxaglate. Some non-limiting examples of non-ionic iodine-based contrast agents include iopamidol, iohexol, ioxilan, iopromide, iodixanol, and ioversol. In other embodiments, non-iodine based contrast agents can be used. Suitable non-iodine containing contrast agents can include gadolinium (III)-based contrast agents. Suitable fluorocarbon and perfluorocarbon agents can include, but are not to be limited to, agents such as the perfluorocarbon dodecafluoropentane (DDFP, C5F12).


Additionally, the balloon fluids 132 herein can include those that include absorptive agents that can selectively absorb light in the ultraviolet region (e.g., at least ten nanometers (nm) to 400 nm), the visible region (e.g., at least 400 nm to 780 nm), or the near-infrared region (e.g., at least 780 nm to 2.5 μm) of the electromagnetic spectrum. Suitable absorptive agents can include those with absorption maxima along the spectrum from at least ten nm to 2.5 μm. Alternatively, the balloon fluids 132 can include those that include absorptive agents that can selectively absorb light in the mid-infrared region (e.g., at least 2.5 μm to 15 μm), or the far-infrared region (e.g., at least 15 μm to one mm) of the electromagnetic spectrum. In various embodiments, the absorptive agent can be those that have an absorption maximum matched with the emission maximum of the laser used in the catheter system. By way of non-limiting examples, various lasers described herein can include neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG—emission maximum=1064 nm) lasers, holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG—emission maximum=2.1 μm) lasers, or erbium:YAG (Er:YAG—emission maximum=2.94 μm) lasers. In some embodiments, the absorptive agents used herein can be water soluble. In other embodiments, the absorptive agents used herein are not water soluble. In some embodiments, the absorptive agents used in the balloon fluids 132 herein can be tailored to match the peak emission of the light source 124. Various light sources 124 having emission wavelengths of at least ten nanometers to one millimeter are discussed elsewhere herein.


It is appreciated that the catheter system 100 and/or the light guide bundle 122 disclosed herein can include any number of light guides 122A in optical communication with the light source 124 at the proximal portion 114, and with the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146 of the balloon 104 at the distal portion 116. For example, in some embodiments, the catheter system 100 and/or the light guide bundle 122 can include from one light guide 122A to five light guides 122A. In other embodiments, the catheter system 100 and/or the light guide bundle 122 can include from five light guides 122A to fifteen light guides 122A. In yet other embodiments, the catheter system 100 and/or the light guide bundle 122 can include from ten light guides 122A to thirty light guides 122A. Alternatively, in still other embodiments, the catheter system 100 and/or the light guide bundle 122 can include greater than 30 light guides 122A.


The light guides 122A herein can include an optical fiber or flexible light pipe. The light guides 122A herein can be thin and flexible and can allow light signals to be sent with very little loss of strength. The light guides 122A herein can include a core surrounded by a cladding about its circumference. In some embodiments, the core can be a cylindrical core or a partially cylindrical core. The core and cladding of the light guides 122A can be formed from one or more materials, including but not limited to one or more types of glass, silica, or one or more polymers. The light guides 122A may also include a protective coating, such as a polymer. It is appreciated that the index of refraction of the core will be greater than the index of refraction of the cladding.


Each light guide 122A can guide light along its length from a proximal portion, i.e. a guide proximal end 122P, to a distal portion, i.e. a guide distal end 122D, having at least one optical window (not shown) that is positioned within the balloon interior 146. The light guides 122A can create a light path as a portion of an optical network including the light source 124. The light path within the optical network allows light to travel from one part of the network to another. Both the optical fiber and the flexible light pipe can provide a light path within the optical networks herein.


As provided herein, the guide distal end 122D can further include and/or incorporate a distal light receiver 122R that enables light energy to be moved back into and through the light guide 122A from the guide distal end 122D to the guide proximal end 122P. Stated another way, the light energy can move in a first direction 121F along the light guide 122A that is generally from the guide proximal end 122P toward the guide distal end 122D of the light guide 122A. At least a portion of the light energy can also move in a second direction 121S along the light guide 122A that is substantially opposite the first direction 121F, i.e. from the guide distal end 122D toward the guide proximal end 122P of the light guide 122A. Moreover, as described in greater detail herein below, the light energy emitted from the guide proximal end 122P after being moved back through the light guide 122A (in the second direction 121S) can be separated and then optically detected, interrogated and/or analyzed through use of the optical analyzer assembly 142.


Further, the light guides 122A herein can assume many configurations about and/or relative to the catheter shaft 110 of the catheters 102 described herein. In some embodiments, the light guides 122A can run parallel to the longitudinal axis 144 of the catheter shaft 110. In some embodiments, the light guides 122A can be physically coupled to the catheter shaft 110. In other embodiments, the light guides 122A can be disposed along a length of an outer diameter of the catheter shaft 110. In yet other embodiments, the light guides 122A herein can be disposed within one or more light guide lumens within the catheter shaft 110.


Additionally, it is further appreciated that the light guides 122A can be disposed at any suitable positions about the circumference of the guidewire lumen 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110, and the guide distal end 122D of each of the light guides 122A can be disposed at any suitable longitudinal position relative to the length of the balloon 104 and/or relative to the length of the guidewire lumen 118.


Further, the light guides 122A herein can include one or more photoacoustic transducers 154, where each photoacoustic transducer 154 can be in optical communication with the light guide 122A within which it is disposed. In some embodiments, the photoacoustic transducers 154 can be in optical communication with the guide distal end 122D of the light guide 122A. Additionally, in such embodiments, the photoacoustic transducers 154 can have a shape that corresponds with and/or conforms to the guide distal end 122D of the light guide 122A.


The photoacoustic transducer 154 is configured to convert light energy into an acoustic wave at or near the guide distal end 122D of the light guide 122A. It is appreciated that the direction of the acoustic wave can be tailored by changing an angle of the guide distal end 122D of the light guide 122A.


It is further appreciated that the photoacoustic transducers 154 disposed at the guide distal end 122D of the light guide 122A herein can assume the same shape as the guide distal end 122D of the light guide 122A. For example, in certain non-exclusive embodiments, the photoacoustic transducer 154 and/or the guide distal end 122D can have a conical shape, a convex shape, a concave shape, a bulbous shape, a square shape, a stepped shape, a half-circle shape, an ovoid shape, and the like. It is also appreciated that the light guide 122A can further include additional photoacoustic transducers 154 disposed along one or more side surfaces of the length of the light guide 122A.


The light guides 122A described herein can further include one or more diverting features or “diverters” (not shown in FIG. 1) within the light guide 122A that are configured to direct light to exit the light guide 122A toward a side surface e.g., at or near the guide distal end 122D of the light guide 122A, and toward the balloon wall 130. A diverting feature can include any feature of the system herein that diverts light from the light guide 122A away from its axial path toward a side surface of the light guide 122A. Additionally, the light guides 122A can each include one or more light windows disposed along the longitudinal or axial surfaces of each light guide 122A and in optical communication with a diverting feature. Stated in another manner, the diverting features herein can be configured to direct light in the light guide 122A toward a side surface, e.g., at or near the guide distal end 122D, where the side surface is in optical communication with a light window. The light windows can include a portion of the light guide 122A that allows light to exit the light guide 122A from within the light guide 122A, such as a portion of the light guide 122A lacking a cladding material on or about the light guide 122A.


Examples of the diverting features suitable for use herein include a reflecting element, a refracting element, and a fiber diffuser. Additionally, the diverting features suitable for focusing light away from the tip of the light guides 122A herein can include, but are not to be limited to, those having a convex surface, a gradient-index (GRIN) lens, and a mirror focus lens. Upon contact with the diverting feature, the light is diverted within the light guide 122A to the photoacoustic transducer 154 that is in optical communication with a side surface of the light guide 122A. As noted, the photoacoustic transducer 154 then converts light energy into an acoustic wave that extends away from the side surface of the light guide 122A.


The source manifold 136 can be positioned at or near the proximal portion 114 of the catheter system 100. The source manifold 136 can include one or more proximal end openings that can receive the plurality of light guides 122A of the light guide bundle 122, the guidewire 112, and/or an inflation conduit 140 that is coupled in fluid communication with the fluid pump 138. The catheter system 100 can also include the fluid pump 138 that is configured to inflate the balloon 104 with the balloon fluid 132 as needed.


As noted above, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the system console 123 includes one or more of the light source 124, the power source 125, the system controller 126, and the GUI 127. Alternatively, the system console 123 can include more components or fewer components than those specifically illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, in certain non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the system console 123 can be designed without the GUI 127. Still alternatively, one or more of the light source 124, the power source 125, the system controller 126, and the GUI 127 can be provided within the catheter system 100 without the specific need for the system console 123.


Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, at least a portion of the optical analyzer assembly 142 can also be positioned substantially within the system console 123. Alternatively, components of the optical analyzer assembly 142 can be positioned in a different manner than what is specifically shown in FIG. 1.


Additionally, as shown, the system console 123, and the components included therewith, is operatively coupled to the catheter 102, the light guide bundle 122, and the remainder of the catheter system 100. For example, in some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the system console 123 can include a console connection aperture 148 (also sometimes referred to generally as a “socket”) by which the light guide bundle 122 is mechanically coupled to the system console 123. In such embodiments, the light guide bundle 122 can include a guide coupling housing 150 (also sometimes referred to generally as a “ferrule”) that houses a portion, e.g., the guide proximal end 122P, of each of the light guides 122A. The guide coupling housing 150 is configured to fit and be selectively retained within the console connection aperture 148 to provide the desired mechanical coupling between the light guide bundle 122 and the system console 123.


Further, the light guide bundle 122 can also include a guide bundler 152 (or “shell”) that brings each of the individual light guides 122A closer together so that the light guides 122A and/or the light guide bundle 122 can be in a more compact form as it extends with the catheter 102 into the blood vessel 108 during use of the catheter system 100.


As provided herein, the light source 124 can be selectively and/or alternatively coupled in optical communication with each of the light guides 122A, i.e. to the guide proximal end 122P of each of the light guides 122A, in the light guide bundle 122. In particular, the light source 124 is configured to generate light energy in the form of a source beam 124A, e.g., a pulsed source beam, that can be selectively and/or alternatively directed to and received by each of the light guides 122A in the light guide bundle 122 as an individual guide beam 1248. Alternatively, the catheter system 100 can include more than one light source 124. For example, in one non-exclusive alternative embodiment, the catheter system 100 can include a separate light source 124 for each of the light guides 122A in the light guide bundle 122.


The light source 124 can have any suitable design. In certain embodiments, as noted above, the light source 124 can be configured to provide sub-millisecond pulses of light from the light source 124 that are focused onto a small spot in order to couple it into the guide proximal end 122P of the light guide 122A. Such pulses of light energy are then directed along the light guides 122A to a location within the balloon 104, thereby inducing plasma formation in the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146 of the balloon 104. In particular, the light energy emitted at the guide distal end 122D of the light guide 122A energizes the plasma generator to form the plasma within the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146. The plasma formation causes rapid bubble formation, and imparts pressure waves upon the treatment site 106. In such embodiments, the sub-millisecond pulses of light from the light source 124 can be delivered to the treatment site 106 at a frequency of between approximately one hertz (Hz) and 5000 Hz. In some embodiments, the sub-millisecond pulses of light from the light source 124 can be delivered to the treatment site 106 at a frequency of between approximately 30 Hz and 1000 Hz. In other embodiments, the sub-millisecond pulses of light from the light source 124 can be delivered to the treatment site 106 at a frequency of between approximately ten Hz and 100 Hz. In yet other embodiments, the sub-millisecond pulses of light from the light source 124 can be delivered to the treatment site 106 at a frequency of between approximately one Hz and 30 Hz. Alternatively, the sub-millisecond pulses of light can be delivered to the treatment site 106 at a frequency that can be greater than 5000 Hz.


It is appreciated that although the light source 124 is typically utilized to provide pulses of light energy, the light source 124 can still be described as providing a single source beam 124A, i.e. a single pulsed source beam.


The light sources 124 suitable for use herein can include various types of light sources including lasers and lamps. For example, in certain non-exclusive embodiments, the light source 124 can be an infrared laser that emits light energy in the form of pulses of infrared light. Alternatively, as noted above, the light sources 124, as referred to herein, can include any suitable type of energy source.


Suitable lasers can include short pulse lasers on the sub-millisecond timescale. In some embodiments, the light source 124 can include lasers on the nanosecond (ns) timescale. The lasers can also include short pulse lasers on the picosecond (ps), femtosecond (fs), and microsecond (us) timescales. It is appreciated that there are many combinations of laser wavelengths, pulse widths and energy levels that can be employed to achieve plasma in the balloon fluid 132 of the catheters 102 described herein. In various embodiments, the pulse widths can include those falling within a range including from at least ten ns to 200 ns. In some embodiments, the pulse widths can include those falling within a range including from at least 20 ns to 100 ns. In other embodiments, the pulse widths can include those falling within a range including from at least one ns to 500 ns.


Additionally, exemplary nanosecond lasers can include those within the UV to IR spectrum, spanning wavelengths of about ten nanometers (nm) to one millimeter (mm). In some embodiments, the light sources 124 suitable for use in the catheter systems 100 herein can include those capable of producing light at wavelengths of from at least 750 nm to 2000 nm. In other embodiments, the light sources 124 can include those capable of producing light at wavelengths of from at least 700 nm to 3000 nm. In still other embodiments, the light sources 124 can include those capable of producing light at wavelengths of from at least 100 nm to ten micrometers (μm). Nanosecond lasers can include those having repetition rates of up to 200 kHz. In some embodiments, the laser can include a Q-switched thulium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Tm:YAG) laser. In other embodiments, the laser can include a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser, erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser, excimer laser, helium-neon laser, carbon dioxide laser, as well as doped, pulsed, fiber lasers.


The catheter systems 100 disclosed herein can generate pressure waves having maximum pressures in the range of at least one megapascal (MPa) to 100 MPa. The maximum pressure generated by a particular catheter system 100 will depend on the light source 124, the absorbing material, the bubble expansion, the propagation medium, the balloon material, and other factors. In some embodiments, the catheter systems 100 herein can generate pressure waves having maximum pressures in the range of at least two MPa to 50 MPa. In other embodiments, the catheter systems 100 herein can generate pressure waves having maximum pressures in the range of at least two MPa to 30 MPa. In yet other embodiments, the catheter systems 100 herein can generate pressure waves having maximum pressures in the range of at least 15 MPa to 25 MPa.


The pressure waves described herein can be imparted upon the treatment site 106 from a distance within a range from at least 0.1 millimeters (mm) to 25 mm extending radially from the light guides 122A when the catheter 102 is placed at the treatment site 106. In some embodiments, the pressure waves can be imparted upon the treatment site 106 from a distance within a range from at least ten mm to 20 mm extending radially from the light guides 122A when the catheter 102 is placed at the treatment site 106. In other embodiments, the pressure waves can be imparted upon the treatment site 106 from a distance within a range from at least one mm to ten mm extending radially from the light guides 122A when the catheter 102 is placed at the treatment site 106. In yet other embodiments, the pressure waves can be imparted upon the treatment site 106 from a distance within a range from at least 1.5 mm to four mm extending radially from the light guides 122A when the catheter 102 is placed at the treatment site 106. In some embodiments, the pressure waves can be imparted upon the treatment site 106 from a range of at least two MPa to 30 MPa at a distance from 0.1 mm to ten mm. In some embodiments, the pressure waves can be imparted upon the treatment site 106 from a range of at least two MPa to 25 MPa at a distance from 0.1 mm to ten mm.


The power source 125 is electrically coupled to and is configured to provide necessary power to each of the light source 124, the system controller 126, the GUI 127, the handle assembly 128, and the optical analyzer assembly 142. The power source 125 can have any suitable design for such purposes.


As noted, the system controller 126 is electrically coupled to and receives power from the power source 125. Additionally, the system controller 126 is coupled to and is configured to control operation of each of the light source 124, the GUI 127 and the optical analyzer assembly 142. The system controller 126 can include one or more processors or circuits for purposes of controlling the operation of at least the light source 124, the GUI 127 and the optical analyzer assembly 142. For example, the system controller 126 can control the light source 124 for generating pulses of light energy as desired, e.g., at any desired firing rate. Additionally, the system controller 126 can control and/or operate in conjunction with the optical analyzer assembly 142 to effectively provide real-time continuous monitoring of the performance, reliability and safety of the catheter system 100.


Additionally, the system controller 126 can further be configured to control operation of other components of the catheter system 100, e.g., the positioning of the catheter 102 adjacent to the treatment site 106, the inflation of the balloon 104 with the balloon fluid 132, etc. Further, or in the alternative, the catheter system 100 can include one or more additional controllers that can be positioned in any suitable manner for purposes of controlling the various operations of the catheter system 100. For example, in certain embodiments, an additional controller and/or a portion of the system controller 126 can be positioned and/or incorporated within the handle assembly 128.


The GUI 127 is accessible by the user or operator of the catheter system 100. Additionally, the GUI 127 is electrically connected to the system controller 126. With such design, the GUI 127 can be used by the user or operator to ensure that the catheter system 100 is employed as desired to impart pressure onto and induce fractures into the vascular lesions at the treatment site 106. Additionally, the GUI 127 can provide the user or operator with information that can be used before, during and after use of the catheter system 100. In one embodiment, the GUI 127 can provide static visual data and/or information to the user or operator. In addition, or in the alternative, the GUI 127 can provide dynamic visual data and/or information to the user or operator, such as video data or any other data that changes over time, e.g., during use of the catheter system 100. Further, in various embodiments, the GUI 127 can include one or more colors, different sizes, varying brightness, etc., that may act as alerts to the user or operator. Additionally, or in the alternative, the GUI 127 can provide audio data or information to the user or operator. It is appreciated that the specifics of the GUI 127 can vary depending upon the design requirements of the catheter system 100, or the specific needs, specifications and/or desires of the user or operator.


As shown in FIG. 1, the handle assembly 128 can be positioned at or near the proximal portion 114 of the catheter system 100, and/or near the source manifold 136. Additionally, in this embodiment, the handle assembly 128 is coupled to the balloon 104 and is positioned spaced apart from the balloon 104. Alternatively, the handle assembly 128 can be positioned at another suitable location.


The handle assembly 128 is handled and used by the user or operator to operate, position and control the catheter 102. The design and specific features of the handle assembly 128 can vary to suit the design requirements of the catheter system 100. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the handle assembly 128 is separate from, but in electrical and/or fluid communication with one or more of the system controller 126, the light source 124, the fluid pump 138, the GUI 127 and the optical analyzer assembly 142. In some embodiments, the handle assembly 128 can integrate and/or include at least a portion of the system controller 126 within an interior of the handle assembly 128. For example, as shown, in certain such embodiments, the handle assembly 128 can include circuitry 156 that can form at least a portion of the system controller 126. Additionally, in some embodiments, the circuitry 156 can receive electrical signals or data from the optical analyzer assembly 142. Further, or in the alternative, the circuitry 156 can transmit such electrical signals or otherwise provide data to the system controller 126.


In one embodiment, the circuitry 156 can include a printed circuit board having one or more integrated circuits, or any other suitable circuitry. In an alternative embodiment, the circuitry 156 can be omitted, or can be included within the system controller 126, which in various embodiments can be positioned outside of the handle assembly 128, e.g., within the system console 123. It is understood that the handle assembly 128 can include fewer or additional components than those specifically illustrated and described herein.


As an overview, and as provided in greater detail herein, the optical analyzer assembly 142 is configured to effectively monitor the performance, reliability and safety of the catheter system 100. During use of the catheter system 100, when the plasma initially forms in the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior, the plasma emits broad-spectrum electromagnetic radiation. Additionally, as noted above, at least a portion of the light energy emitted can reflect off of, or otherwise be received by, the distal light receiver 122R near the guide distal end 122D of the light guide 122A. Such portion of the light energy can thus travel back through the light guide 122A in the second direction 121S to the guide proximal end 122P where it can be separated and detected. The intensity and timing of the visible light pulse relative to the plasma-generating pulse from the light source 124 provides an indication that the plasma generator functioned, its energy output, and its functional condition. It is appreciated that visible light flashes may occur in other locations along the length of the light guide 122A if the light guide 122A is damaged or broken. Such additional light flashes will also be coupled into the light guide 122A and carried back in the second direction 121S to the guide proximal end 122P. The intensity and timing of these additional light pulses can indicate a damaged light guide 122A or plasma generator.


It is appreciated that the failure of an energy-driven plasma generator or associated light guide 122A, e.g., if the light guide 122A breaks or is damaged during the use of the catheter system 100, could lead to patient or operator harm resulting from the leaked energy. Potential harms include tissue burns and retinal damage. As noted above, in some embodiments, the energy source 124 is a laser that emits invisible infrared light, making visible detection by the operator impossible. Thus, if the optical analyzer assembly 142 indicates any such failures to have occurred, the procedure and energy delivery, e.g., laser energy delivery, must be stopped immediately to mitigate the associated risks to the patient and the operator. Stated in another manner, with the design of the optical analyzer assembly 142 described herein, the present invention detects any noted failures within the catheter system 100, e.g., breaking of, damage to, or failure of the light guide 122A and/or the plasma generator, and provides an indicator or signal that the system controller 126 can use to lock out the energy source 124. This provides a necessary safety interlock for a potentially hazardous condition in which the energy source 124 can leak out in an undesirable way. Moreover, the system controller 126 could be used to indicate to the surgeon, e.g., via the GUI 127, to halt the procedure and remove the catheter 102 from the patient 109 under treatment.


Additionally, it is further appreciated that the optical analyzer assembly 142 can have any suitable design for purposes of effectively monitoring the performance, reliability and safety of the catheter system 100. Certain non-exclusive examples of potential designs for the optical analyzer assembly 142 are described in detail herein below.



FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic view of a portion of an embodiment of the catheter system 200 including an embodiment of the optical analyzer assembly 242. The design of the catheter system 200 is substantially similar to the embodiments illustrated and described herein above. It is appreciated that various components of the catheter system 200, such as are shown in FIG. 1, are not illustrated in FIG. 2 for purposes of clarity and ease of illustration. However, it is appreciated that the catheter system 200 will likely include most, if not all, of such components.


As shown in FIG. 2, the catheter system 200 again includes an energy source 224 that is configured to generate light energy in the form of a source beam 224A, e.g., a pulsed source beam, that can be selectively and/or alternatively directed to and received by each light guide 222A (only one light guide is illustrated in FIG. 2) as an individual guide beam 224B. In one non-exclusive embodiment, the energy source 224 is an infrared laser source, and the light guide 222A is a small diameter, multimode optical fiber. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a pulse generator 260 is coupled to the energy source 224. The pulse generator 260 is configured to trigger the energy source 224, which, thus, emits an energy pulse as the source beam 224A. In certain embodiments, the source beam 224A from the energy source 224 passes through an optical element 262, e.g., a focusing lens, that is configured to focus the source beam 224A as the individual guide beam 224B down onto a guide proximal end 222P of the light guide 222A, thereby coupling the pulse of infrared energy, i.e. the individual guide beam 224B, into the light guide 222A.


Subsequently, the pulse of infrared energy, i.e. the individual guide beam 224B, travels along and/or through the light guide 222A and energizes a plasma generator 264 that is positioned and/or incorporated at or near a guide distal end 222D of the light guide 222A. The plasma generator 264 utilizes the pulse of infrared energy to create a localized plasma in the balloon fluid 132 (illustrated in FIG. 1) within the balloon interior 146 (illustrated in FIG. 1) of the balloon 104 (illustrated in FIG. 1).


Upon creation of the plasma in the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146, in various embodiments, a pulse of broad-spectrum light energy emitted from the plasma is coupled back into the guide distal end 222D of the light guide 222A. Such pulse of broad-spectrum light energy then travels back along and/or through the light guide 222A from where it is emitted from the guide proximal end 222P of the light guide 222A, i.e. as a returning energy beam 224C.


As described in detail herein, the optical analyzer assembly 242 is configured to effectively monitor the performance, reliability and safety of the catheter system 200 by optically analyzing the light energy emitted from the guide proximal end 222P of the light guide 222A, e.g., the returning energy beam 224C. The design of the optical analyzer assembly 242 can be varied to suit the specific requirements of the catheter system 200. In particular, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the optical analyzer assembly 242 includes one or more of a beamsplitter 266, an optical element 268, e.g., a coupling lens, a photodetector 270, and a signal conditioning and processing system 272. Additionally, as shown, the signal conditioning and processing system 272 can include one or more of an amplifier 274, a discriminator 276, and control electronics 278, which can include one or more processors or circuits. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the optical analyzer assembly 242 and/or the signal conditioning and processing system 272 can include more components or fewer components than what is specifically illustrated and described herein.


As shown, the beamsplitter 266, e.g., a dichroic beamsplitter, is positioned in the optical path of the energy source 224 and the guide proximal end 222P of the light guide 222A. In certain embodiments, the beamsplitter 266 is configured to pass light for wavelengths longer than those visible to the photodetector 270. This can be referred to as the cutoff wavelength. The beamsplitter 266 is further configured to reflect all light having a wavelength that is shorter than the cutoff wavelength. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the returning energy beam 224C that is emitted from the guide proximal end 222P of the light guide 222A is reflected off of the beamsplitter 266 and is coupled into the photodetector 270 using the optical element 268. More particularly, the optical element 268, e.g., a coupling lens, is positioned in the optical path of the returning energy beam 224C after it is reflected off of the beamsplitter 266, between the beamsplitter 266 and the photodetector 270. The optical element 268 effectively images the guide proximal end 222P of the light guide onto the photodetector 270, thereby coupling light energy emitted from the guide proximal end 222P of the light guide 222A, i.e. in the form of the returning energy beam 224C, onto the photodetector 270. With such design, the visible light emitted from the plasma formed at the guide distal end 222D of the light guide 222A is collected by the photodetector 270.


Additionally, in some embodiments, the photodetector 270 generates a signal that is based on the visible light emitted from the plasma formed at the guide distal end 222D of the light guide 222A that has been collected by the photodetector 270. As shown in FIG. 2, the signal from the photodetector 270 is then directed to the signal conditioning and processing system 272, where detection of and intensity evaluation of the plasma event are determined. In particular, in certain embodiments, the signal from the photodetector 270 is directed toward the amplifier 274 where the signal from the photodetector 270 is amplified. The amplified signal is thus utilized, e.g., within the control electronics 278, to determine the intensity of the plasma event that occurred in the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146.


Further, in certain embodiments, the pulse from the amplified photodetector signal is gated using the discriminator 276, e.g., a discriminator circuit, that is triggered by the pulse from the pulse generator 260. This information can then be used, e.g., within the control electronics 278, to determine when the plasma event occurred in the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146. More specifically, the control electronics 278 can compare the timing of the original pulse of energy from the energy source 224, as triggered by the pulse generator 260, with the timing of the amplified photodetector signal, as gated using the discriminator 276, to determine when the plasma event occurred in the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146.


In some embodiments, the control electronics 278 of the signal conditioning and processing system 272 can be included as part of the system controller 126 (illustrated in FIG. 1). Alternatively, the control electronics 278 of the signal conditioning and processing system 272 can be provided independently of the system controller 126 and can be in electrical communication with the system controller 126.


It is appreciated that there are numerous other configurations for the photodetector 270 and the signal conditioning and processing system 272 that are needed to detect and analyze the light pulse returning from the light guide 222A, i.e. the returning energy beam 224C. For example, in another embodiment, the photodetector 270 can be a spectrometer that provides intensity and wavelength information about the returning energy beam 224C. In such embodiment, this information can be used to generate a spectral signature to further identify specific conditions or events in the light guide 222A and/or the plasma generator 264. More particularly, the small quantities of material comprising the plasma generator 264 will be vaporized during its regular operation. These will produce a spectral line that would be distinct. It is further appreciated that this approach could further be used to differentiate between a functioning plasma generator 264 and a broken or damaged light guide 222A.


As described in detail herein, the primary mechanism for the present invention is direct detection of the light pulse created by the plasma event in the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146. The signal conditioning and processing system 278 can be utilized to indicate the intensity of the light pulse, its spectrum, and when it occurs relative to the input pulse from the energy source 224. This can be interpreted as follows:

    • 1) The light pulse must occur after a time interval determined by the length of the light guide 222A and the duration of the input energy pulse from the energy source 224. If the detected light pulse has the correct intensity and occurs within a specific time window, it is an indication that the plasma generator 264 functioned correctly.
    • 2) If no light pulse is detected at all, it is an indication of device failure.
    • 3) If a smaller light pulse is detected that occurs too early relative to the energy pulse from the energy source 224, this would be an indication of a failure of the light guide 222A.
    • 4) If the light pulse is detected as having a different spectrum or missing a spectral line or signature, this could be used to indicate a device failure.



FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic view of a portion of another embodiment of the catheter system 300 including another embodiment of the optical analyzer assembly 342. The design of the catheter system 300 is substantially similar to the embodiments illustrated and described herein above. It is appreciated that various components of the catheter system 300, such as are shown in FIG. 1, are not illustrated in FIG. 3 for purposes of clarity and ease of illustration. However, it is appreciated that the catheter system 300 will likely include most, if not all, of such components.


As shown in FIG. 3, the catheter system 300 again includes an energy source 324 that is configured to generate light energy in the form of a source beam 324A, e.g., a pulsed source beam, that can be selectively and/or alternatively directed to and received by each light guide 322A (only one light guide is illustrated in FIG. 3) as an individual guide beam 324B. In one non-exclusive embodiment, the energy source 324 is an infrared laser source, and the light guide 322A is a small diameter, multimode optical fiber. In certain embodiments, the energy source 324 can again be configured to provide sub-millisecond pulses of energy as the source beam 324A, which are then focused, e.g., with an optical element 362, onto a small spot in order to couple it as the individual guide beam 324B into the guide proximal end 322P of the light guide 322A.


Subsequently, the individual guide beam 324B travels along and/or through the light guide 322A and energizes a plasma generator 364 that is positioned and/or incorporated at or near a guide distal end 322D of the light guide 322A. The plasma generator 364 utilizes the pulse of infrared energy to create a localized plasma in the balloon fluid 132 (illustrated in FIG. 1) within the balloon interior 146 (illustrated in FIG. 1) of the balloon 104 (illustrated in FIG. 1).


As described in detail herein, the optical analyzer assembly 342 is again configured to effectively monitor the performance, reliability and safety of the catheter system 300, e.g., the light guide 322A and the plasma generator 364, through optical analysis of light energy emitted from the guide proximal end 322P of the light guide 322A. However, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the optical analyzer assembly 342 has a different design than in the previous embodiments. More specifically, in this embodiment, rather than detecting and analyzing the light pulse emitted from the plasma or broken section of the light guide as the returning energy beam 224C (illustrated in FIG. 2), a separate, second energy source 380, e.g., a second light source, is used to interrogate the light guide 322A. This approach has similarities to Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) which is used for detecting failures in long optical fiber transmission lines.


In particular, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the optical analyzer assembly 342 includes one or more of the second energy source 380, a pulse generator 382, a beamsplitter 366, an optical element 368, e.g., a coupling lens, a second beamsplitter 384, a photodetector 370, and a signal conditioning and processing system 372. Additionally, as shown, the signal conditioning and processing system 372 can include one or more of an amplifier 374, a discriminator 376, and control electronics 378, which can include one or more processors or circuits. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the optical analyzer assembly 342 and/or the signal conditioning and processing system 372 can include more components or fewer components than what is specifically illustrated and described herein.


As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the pulse generator 382 is coupled to the second energy source 380, with the pulse generator 382 being configured to trigger the second energy source 380, which, thus, emits an energy pulse as an interrogation beam 380A. In one non-exclusive embodiment, the second energy source 380 is a high-intensity, visible wavelength laser, and the pulse generator 382 is used to create a short, high-intensity pulse from the second energy source 380. The interrogation beam 380A is initially directed toward the second beamsplitter 384, which, as described herein, can be used to create separate source and return paths for the second energy source 380. In one embodiment, the second beamsplitter 384 is an ordinary beamsplitter that has a high reflection-to-transmission ratio. This allows a small, but sufficient amount of light energy to be coupled into the light guide 322A.


Additionally, in certain embodiments, the interrogation beam 380A from the second energy source 380 then passes through the optical element 368, and is redirected onto the guide proximal end 322P of the light guide 322A by the beamsplitter 366, e.g., a dichroic beamsplitter. The interrogation beam 380A then travels along and/or through the length of the light guide 322A. The interrogation beam 380A will be scattered or reflected by the plasma generator 364 at or near the guide distal end 322D of the light guide 322A and return to the guide proximal end 322P. The same optical path is then used to collect and detect the returned light pulse, i.e. a returned interrogation beam 380B.


As shown in FIG. 3, the returned interrogation beam 380B is optically analyzed using the optical analyzer assembly 342. More particularly, as shown, the beamsplitter 366 and the optical element 368 are again utilized to separate the light energy returning through the light guide 322A, i.e. the returned interrogation beam 380B, to be emitted from the guide proximal end 322P of the light guide 322A. Subsequently, the returned interrogation beam 380B is directed toward the second beamsplitter 384. As noted above, the second beamsplitter 384 can have a high reflection-to-transmission ratio, which allows collection and detection of a weak reflected pulse from the light guide 322A in the form of the returned interrogation beam 380B. Thus, the portion of the returned interrogation beam 380B that is reflected by the second beamsplitter 384 can be collected and coupled into the photodetector 370. With such design, the optical element 368 effectively images the guide proximal end 322P of the light guide onto the photodetector 370, thereby coupling light energy emitted from the guide proximal end 322P of the light guide 322A, i.e. in the form of the returned interrogation beam 380B, onto the photodetector 370.


Additionally, in some embodiments, the photodetector 370 generates a signal that is based on the portion of the returned interrogation beam 380B that has been collected by the photodetector 370. As shown in FIG. 3, the signal from the photodetector 370 is then directed to the signal conditioning and processing system 372, where detection of the plasma event is determined. In certain embodiments, the signal from the photodetector 370 is directed toward the amplifier 374 where the signal from the photodetector 370 is amplified. Further, in some embodiments, the pulse from the amplified photodetector signal is gated using the discriminator 276, e.g., a discriminator circuit, that is triggered by the pulse from the pulse generator 382. This information can then be used, e.g., within the control electronics 378, to determine when and if the plasma event occurred in the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146. More specifically, the control electronics 378 can compare the timing of the original pulse of energy from the second energy source 380, as triggered by the pulse generator 382, with the timing of the electronic pulse of the amplified photodetector signal, as gated using the discriminator 376, to indicate where along the light guide 322A the interrogating pulse was returned, i.e. as the returned interrogation beam 380B. This could be conditioned to determine whether the returned interrogation beam 380B was from the plasma generator 364, which would be a maximum time difference between trigger pulse and return pulse. Conversely, a shorter time interval between the trigger pulse and the return pulse would indicate the return was nearer to the guide proximal end 322P of the light guide 322A, which would indicate a failure or break in the light guide.


In some embodiments, the control electronics 378 of the signal conditioning and processing system 372 can be included as part of the system controller 126 (illustrated in FIG. 1). Alternatively, the control electronics 378 of the signal conditioning and processing system 372 can be provided independently of the system controller 126 and can be in electrical communication with the system controller 126.


As noted above, the optical analyzer assembly of the present invention addresses multiple potential issues with the performance, reliability and safety of an IVL catheter, in particular one that utilizes an energy source, e.g., a light source such as a laser source, to create a localized plasma which in turn induces a high energy bubble in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior of the balloon. For example, as noted above, issues that are addressed by the present invention include, but are not limited to: (1) optical detection of successful firing of the energy source and/or the plasma generator to generate the plasma within the balloon interior, (2) accurate determination of the energy output of the plasma generator, (3) optical detection of failure of the catheter system, e.g., the plasma generator, to generate the desired plasma within the balloon interior, and (4) optical detection of a failure of the light guide within the plasma generator, the balloon or along any section of the catheter shaft.


It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content and/or context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content or context clearly dictates otherwise.


It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the phrase “configured” describes a system, apparatus, or other structure that is constructed or configured to perform a particular task or adopt a particular configuration. The phrase “configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases such as arranged and configured, constructed and arranged, constructed, manufactured and arranged, and the like.


The headings used herein are provided for consistency with suggestions under 37 CFR 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not be viewed to limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. As an example, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not an admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” or “Abstract” to be considered as a characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims.


The embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the detailed description provided herein. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art can appreciate and understand the principles and practices. As such, aspects have been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope herein.


It is understood that although a number of different embodiments of the catheter systems have been illustrated and described herein, one or more features of any one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of one or more of the other embodiments, provided that such combination satisfies the intent of the present invention.


While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments of the catheter systems have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope, and no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown.

Claims
  • 1. A method for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve, the method comprising the steps of: generating light energy with a light source;positioning a balloon substantially adjacent to the treatment site, the balloon having a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid;receiving the light energy from the light source with a light guide at a guide proximal end;guiding the light energy with the light guide so that the light energy from the light source moves through the light guide in a first direction from the guide proximal end toward a guide distal end that is positioned within the balloon interior, the light energy from the light source that moves through the light guide in the first direction generating a plasma in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior, the guide distal end of the light guide being in fluid communication with the balloon fluid in which the plasma is configured to be generated;subsequently guiding a portion of the light energy from the light source that generates the plasma in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior back through the light guide from the guide distal end to the guide proximal end in a second direction that is opposite the first direction, the portion of the light energy that is guided back though the light guide in the second direction being emitted from the plasma that is generated in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior; andoptically analyzing with an optical analyzer assembly the portion of the light energy from the guide proximal end of the light guide that moved back through the light guide in the second direction.
  • 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of positioning includes providing the balloon fluid to the balloon interior so that the balloon expands to an expanded configuration.
  • 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of guiding includes the light energy from the light source that moves through the light guide in the first direction generating the plasma in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior that has been used to expand the balloon to the expanded configuration; and wherein the step of subsequently guiding includes subsequently guiding the portion of the light energy from the light source that generates the plasma in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior that has been used to expand the balloon to the expanded configuration back through the light guide from the guide distal end to the guide proximal end in the second direction.
  • 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of generating includes generating pulses of light energy with the light source, and the step of guiding includes guiding the pulses of light energy along the light guide into the balloon interior to induce the plasma generation in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior.
  • 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of optically analyzing includes optically detecting when the plasma generation occurred in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior.
  • 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of optically analyzing includes optically detecting a failure of the light guide at any point along a length of the light guide from the guide proximal end to the guide distal end.
  • 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of optically analyzing includes optically detecting damage to the light guide at any point along a length of the light guide from the guide proximal end to the guide distal end.
  • 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of coupling a pulse generator to the light source, triggering the light source with the pulse generator to emit pulses of light energy that are guided along the light guide from the guide proximal end to the guide distal end, emitting the pulses of light energy from the guide distal end of the light guide into the balloon fluid within the balloon interior, and generating the plasma in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior with the pulses of light energy.
  • 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of subsequently guiding includes guiding the portion of the light energy back through the light guide to the guide proximal end as a returning energy beam, and wherein the step of optically analyzing includes optically analyzing the returning energy beam to determine when the plasma generation has occurred in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior.
  • 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of optically analyzing the returning energy beam includes receiving the returning energy beam with a beamsplitter and directing at least a portion of the returning energy beam onto a photodetector with the beamsplitter.
  • 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of generating includes the light source being a laser.
  • 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of generating includes the light source being an infrared laser that emits light energy in the form of pulses of infrared light.
  • 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of receiving includes the light guide including an optical fiber.
  • 14. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of subsequently guiding includes the portion of the light energy from the light source that moves back through the light guide from the guide distal end to the guide proximal end including broad-spectrum light energy emitted from the plasma that is coupled back into the guide distal end of the light guide.
  • 15. A method for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve, the method comprising the steps of: generating light energy with a light source;positioning a balloon substantially adjacent to the treatment site, the balloon having a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid that is configured to expand the balloon to an expanded configuration;receiving the light energy from the light source with a light guide at a guide proximal end;guiding the light energy with the light guide so that the light energy from the light source moves through the light guide in a first direction from the guide proximal end toward a guide distal end that is positioned within the balloon interior, the light energy from the light source that moves through the light guide in the first direction generating plasma in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior that has been used to expand the balloon to the expanded configuration;subsequently guiding a portion of the light energy from the light source that generates the plasma in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior that has been used to expand the balloon to the expanded configuration back through the light guide from the guide distal end to the guide proximal end in a second direction that is opposite the first direction, the portion of the light energy that is guided back though the light guide in the second direction being emitted from the plasma that is generated in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior; andoptically analyzing with an optical analyzer assembly the portion of the light energy from the guide proximal end of the light guide that moved back through the light guide in the second direction.
  • 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of generating includes generating pulses of light energy with the light source, and the step of guiding includes guiding the pulses of light energy along the light guide into the balloon interior to induce the plasma generation in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior that has been used to expand the balloon to the expanded configuration.
  • 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of coupling a pulse generator to the light source, triggering the light source with the pulse generator to emit pulses of light energy that are guided along the light guide from the guide proximal end to the guide distal end, emitting the pulses of light energy from the guide distal end of the light guide into the balloon fluid within the balloon interior, and generating the plasma in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior that has been used to expand the balloon to the expanded configuration with the pulses of light energy.
  • 18. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of subsequently guiding includes guiding the portion of the light energy back through the light guide to the guide proximal end as a returning energy beam, and wherein the step of optically analyzing includes optically analyzing the returning energy beam to determine when the plasma generation has occurred in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior that has been used to expand the balloon to the expanded configuration.
  • 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of optically analyzing the returning energy beam includes receiving the returning energy beam with a beamsplitter and directing at least a portion of the returning energy beam onto a photodetector with the beamsplitter.
  • 20. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of generating includes the light source being a laser; and wherein the step of receiving includes the light guide including an optical fiber.
  • 21. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of subsequently guiding includes the portion of the light energy from the light source that moves back through the light guide from the guide distal end to the guide proximal end including broad-spectrum light energy emitted from the plasma that is coupled back into the guide distal end of the light guide.
RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority on U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/172,980, filed on Feb. 10, 2021, and on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/991,394, filed on Mar. 18, 2020. To the extent permitted, the contents of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/991,394 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/172,980 are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

US Referenced Citations (514)
Number Name Date Kind
4649924 Taccardi Mar 1987 A
4699147 Chilson et al. Oct 1987 A
4799479 Spears Jan 1989 A
4850351 Herman Jul 1989 A
4913142 Kittrell et al. Apr 1990 A
4932954 Wondrazek et al. Jun 1990 A
4955895 Suglyama Sep 1990 A
4960108 Reichel et al. Oct 1990 A
4994059 Kosa et al. Feb 1991 A
5034010 Kittrell et al. Jul 1991 A
5041121 Wondrazek et al. Aug 1991 A
5082343 Coult et al. Jan 1992 A
5093877 Aita et al. Mar 1992 A
5104391 Ingle Apr 1992 A
5104392 Kittrell et al. Apr 1992 A
5116227 Levy May 1992 A
5152768 Bhatta Oct 1992 A
5173049 Levy Dec 1992 A
5181921 Makita et al. Jan 1993 A
5200838 Nudelman Apr 1993 A
5290277 Vercimak et al. Mar 1994 A
5324282 Dodick Jun 1994 A
5372138 Crowley Dec 1994 A
5387225 Euteneur Feb 1995 A
5400428 Grace Mar 1995 A
5422926 Smith Jun 1995 A
5454809 Janssen Oct 1995 A
5456680 Taylor Oct 1995 A
5474537 Solar Dec 1995 A
5509917 Cecchetti Apr 1996 A
5540679 Fram Jul 1996 A
5562657 Griffin Oct 1996 A
5598494 Behrmann et al. Jan 1997 A
5609606 O'Boyle Mar 1997 A
5611807 O'Boyle Mar 1997 A
5697377 Wittkamph Dec 1997 A
5718241 Ben-Haim et al. Feb 1998 A
5729583 Tang Mar 1998 A
5772609 Nguyen et al. Jun 1998 A
5860974 Abele Jan 1999 A
5891135 Jackson et al. Apr 1999 A
5906611 Dodick et al. May 1999 A
5944697 Benett et al. Aug 1999 A
6015404 Altshuler Jan 2000 A
6080119 Schwarze et al. Jun 2000 A
6123923 Unger Sep 2000 A
6139510 Palermo Oct 2000 A
6186963 Schwarze et al. Feb 2001 B1
6203537 Adrian Mar 2001 B1
6210404 Shadduck Apr 2001 B1
6339470 Papademetriou et al. Jan 2002 B1
6356575 Fukumoto Mar 2002 B1
6368318 Visuri et al. Apr 2002 B1
6500174 Maguire et al. Dec 2002 B1
6514203 Bukshpan Feb 2003 B2
6514249 Maguire Feb 2003 B1
6524251 Rabiner et al. Mar 2003 B2
6538739 Visuri Mar 2003 B1
6607502 Maguire et al. Aug 2003 B1
6652547 Rabiner et al. Nov 2003 B2
6666834 Restle et al. Dec 2003 B2
6773447 Laguna Aug 2004 B2
6849994 White et al. Feb 2005 B1
6947785 Beatty et al. Sep 2005 B1
6966890 Coyle et al. Nov 2005 B2
6978168 Beatty et al. Dec 2005 B2
6990370 Beatty et al. Jan 2006 B1
7309324 Hayes et al. Dec 2007 B2
7470240 Schultheiss et al. Dec 2008 B2
7539231 Honea et al. May 2009 B1
7569032 Naimark et al. Aug 2009 B2
7599588 Eberle et al. Oct 2009 B2
7713260 Lessard May 2010 B2
7758572 Weber et al. Jul 2010 B2
7810395 Zhou Oct 2010 B2
7850685 Kunis et al. Dec 2010 B2
7867178 Simnacher Jan 2011 B2
7972299 Carter Jul 2011 B2
7985189 Ogden et al. Jul 2011 B1
8162859 Schultheiss et al. Apr 2012 B2
8166825 Zhou May 2012 B2
8192368 Woodruff Jun 2012 B2
8292913 Warnack Oct 2012 B2
8328820 Diamant Dec 2012 B2
8364235 Kordis et al. Jan 2013 B2
8419613 Saadat Apr 2013 B2
8439890 Beyar May 2013 B2
8556813 Cashman et al. Oct 2013 B2
8574247 Adams et al. Nov 2013 B2
8657814 Werneth Feb 2014 B2
8709075 Adams et al. Apr 2014 B2
8728091 Hakala et al. May 2014 B2
8747416 Hakala et al. Jun 2014 B2
8888788 Hakala et al. Nov 2014 B2
8956371 Hawkins et al. Feb 2015 B2
8956374 Hawkins et al. Feb 2015 B2
8986339 Warnack Mar 2015 B2
8992817 Stamberg Mar 2015 B2
9005216 Hakala et al. Apr 2015 B2
9011462 Adams et al. Apr 2015 B2
9011463 Adams et al. Apr 2015 B2
9044618 Hawkins et al. Jun 2015 B2
9044619 Hawkins et al. Jun 2015 B2
9072534 Adams et al. Jul 2015 B2
9131949 Coleman et al. Sep 2015 B2
9138249 Adams et al. Sep 2015 B2
9138260 Miller et al. Sep 2015 B2
9180280 Hawkins et al. Nov 2015 B2
9220521 Hawkins et al. Dec 2015 B2
9237984 Hawkins et al. Jan 2016 B2
9289132 Ghaffari et al. Mar 2016 B2
9289224 Adams et al. Mar 2016 B2
9320530 Grace Apr 2016 B2
9333000 Hakala et al. May 2016 B2
9375223 Wallace Jun 2016 B2
9421025 Hawkins et al. Aug 2016 B2
9433428 Hakala et al. Sep 2016 B2
9504809 Bo Nov 2016 B2
9510887 Burnett Dec 2016 B2
9522012 Adams Dec 2016 B2
9554815 Adams et al. Jan 2017 B2
9555267 Ein-gal Jan 2017 B2
9566209 Katragadda et al. Feb 2017 B2
9579114 Mantell et al. Feb 2017 B2
9629567 Porath et al. Apr 2017 B2
9642673 Adams May 2017 B2
9662069 De Graff et al. May 2017 B2
9687166 Subramaniam Jun 2017 B2
9730715 Adams Aug 2017 B2
9764142 Imran Sep 2017 B2
9814476 Adams et al. Nov 2017 B2
9861377 Mantell et al. Jan 2018 B2
9867629 Hawkins et al. Jan 2018 B2
9894756 Weinkam et al. Feb 2018 B2
9955946 Miller et al. May 2018 B2
9974963 Imran May 2018 B2
9974970 Nuta et al. May 2018 B2
9993292 Adams et al. Jun 2018 B2
10039561 Adams et al. Aug 2018 B2
10136829 Deno et al. Nov 2018 B2
10149690 Hawkins et al. Dec 2018 B2
10159505 Hakala et al. Dec 2018 B2
10194994 Deno et al. Feb 2019 B2
10201387 Grace et al. Feb 2019 B2
10206698 Hakala et al. Feb 2019 B2
10226265 Ku et al. Mar 2019 B2
10357264 Kat-Kuoy Jul 2019 B2
10405923 Yu et al. Sep 2019 B2
10406031 Thyzel Sep 2019 B2
10420569 Adams Sep 2019 B2
10441300 Hawkins Oct 2019 B2
10478202 Adams et al. Nov 2019 B2
10517620 Adams Dec 2019 B2
10517621 Hakala et al. Dec 2019 B1
10537287 Braido et al. Jan 2020 B2
10555744 Nguyen et al. Feb 2020 B2
10561428 Eggert et al. Feb 2020 B2
10646240 Betelia et al. May 2020 B2
10682178 Adams et al. Jun 2020 B2
10702293 Adams et al. Jul 2020 B2
10709462 Nguyen et al. Jul 2020 B2
10758255 Adams Sep 2020 B2
10797684 Benz et al. Oct 2020 B1
10842567 Grace et al. Nov 2020 B2
10959743 Adams et al. Mar 2021 B2
10966737 Nguyen Apr 2021 B2
10967156 Gulachenski Apr 2021 B2
10973538 Hakala et al. Apr 2021 B2
11000299 Hawkins et al. May 2021 B2
11020135 Hawkins Jun 2021 B1
11026707 Ku et al. Jun 2021 B2
11058492 Grace et al. Jul 2021 B2
11076874 Hakala et al. Aug 2021 B2
11213661 Spindler Jan 2022 B2
11229772 Nita Jan 2022 B2
11229776 Kugler et al. Jan 2022 B2
11246659 Grace et al. Feb 2022 B2
20010016761 Rudie Aug 2001 A1
20010051784 Brisken Dec 2001 A1
20020045811 Kittrell Apr 2002 A1
20020065512 Fjield et al. May 2002 A1
20020082553 Duchamp Jun 2002 A1
20020183729 Farr et al. Dec 2002 A1
20020188204 McNamara et al. Dec 2002 A1
20030009157 Levine et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030050632 Fjield et al. Mar 2003 A1
20030065316 Evine et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030114901 Loeb et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030125719 Furnish Jul 2003 A1
20030176873 Chernenko et al. Sep 2003 A1
20040002677 Gentsler Jan 2004 A1
20040024349 Flock et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040073251 Weber Apr 2004 A1
20040097996 Rabiner May 2004 A1
20040133254 Sterzer et al. Jul 2004 A1
20040162508 Uebelacker Aug 2004 A1
20040243119 Lane et al. Dec 2004 A1
20040249401 Rabiner Dec 2004 A1
20040254570 Hadsjicostis Dec 2004 A1
20050010095 Stewart et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050021013 Visuri Jan 2005 A1
20050080396 Rontal Apr 2005 A1
20050113722 Schultheiss May 2005 A1
20050171437 Carberry Aug 2005 A1
20050171527 Bhola Aug 2005 A1
20050251131 Lesh Nov 2005 A1
20050259319 Brooker Nov 2005 A1
20050273014 Gianchandani et al. Dec 2005 A1
20050277839 Alderman et al. Dec 2005 A1
20060033241 Schewe et al. Feb 2006 A1
20060084966 Maguire et al. Apr 2006 A1
20060098921 Benaron et al. May 2006 A1
20060190022 Beyar et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060200039 Brockway et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060221528 Li et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060241524 Lee et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060241572 Zhou Oct 2006 A1
20060241733 Zhang et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060270976 Savage et al. Nov 2006 A1
20070027524 Johnson Feb 2007 A1
20070043340 Thyzel Feb 2007 A1
20070060990 Satake Mar 2007 A1
20070088380 Hirszowicz et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070118057 Ein-gal May 2007 A1
20070142819 El-Nounou et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070179496 Swoyer Aug 2007 A1
20070239082 Schultheiss et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070255270 Carney Nov 2007 A1
20070264353 Myntti et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070270897 Skerven Nov 2007 A1
20070280311 Hofmann Dec 2007 A1
20070299392 Beyar et al. Dec 2007 A1
20080033519 Burwell Feb 2008 A1
20080081950 Koenig Apr 2008 A1
20080086118 Lai Apr 2008 A1
20080095714 Castella et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080097251 Babaev Apr 2008 A1
20080108867 Zhou May 2008 A1
20080114341 Thyzel May 2008 A1
20080132810 Scoseria et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080195088 Farr et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080214891 Slenker et al. Sep 2008 A1
20080296152 Voss Dec 2008 A1
20080319356 Cain et al. Dec 2008 A1
20090036803 Warlick et al. Feb 2009 A1
20090043300 Reitmajer et al. Feb 2009 A1
20090054881 Krespi Feb 2009 A1
20090097806 Viellerobe et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090125007 Splinter May 2009 A1
20090131921 Kurtz May 2009 A1
20090192495 Ostrovsky et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090247945 Levit Oct 2009 A1
20090296751 Kewitsch et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090299327 Tilson et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090306533 Rousche Dec 2009 A1
20090312768 Hawkins et al. Dec 2009 A1
20100016862 Hawkins et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100036294 Mantell et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100114020 Hawkins et al. May 2010 A1
20100114065 Hawkins et al. May 2010 A1
20100125268 Gustus et al. May 2010 A1
20100160903 Krespi Jun 2010 A1
20100168572 Sliwa Jul 2010 A1
20100168862 Edie et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100179632 Bruszewski et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100191089 Stebler et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100198114 Novak et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100199773 Zhou Aug 2010 A1
20100222786 Kassab Sep 2010 A1
20100234875 Allex et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100256535 Novak et al. Oct 2010 A1
20110034832 Cioanta et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110059415 Kasenbacher Mar 2011 A1
20110082452 Melsky Apr 2011 A1
20110082534 Wallace Apr 2011 A1
20110118634 Golan May 2011 A1
20110144502 Zhou et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110184244 Kagaya et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110208185 Diamant et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110213349 Brown Sep 2011 A1
20110245740 Novak et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110257641 Hastings Oct 2011 A1
20110263921 Vrba et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110275990 Besser et al. Nov 2011 A1
20120064141 Andreacchi et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120071715 Beyar et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120071867 Ryan Mar 2012 A1
20120071889 Mantell et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120089132 Dick et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120095335 Sverdlik et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120095461 Herscher et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120116289 Hawkins et al. May 2012 A1
20120116486 Naga et al. May 2012 A1
20120123331 Satake May 2012 A1
20120123399 Belikov May 2012 A1
20120157892 Reitmajer et al. Jun 2012 A1
20120197245 Burnett Aug 2012 A1
20120203255 Hawkins et al. Aug 2012 A1
20120221013 Hawkins et al. Aug 2012 A1
20120232409 Stahmann Sep 2012 A1
20120296367 Grovender et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120330293 Arai Dec 2012 A1
20130030431 Adams Jan 2013 A1
20130030447 Adams Jan 2013 A1
20130041355 Heeren et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130046207 Capelli Feb 2013 A1
20130046293 Arai Feb 2013 A1
20130053762 Rontal et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130116714 Adams et al. May 2013 A1
20130190803 Angel et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130197614 Gustus Aug 2013 A1
20130218054 Sverdlik et al. Aug 2013 A1
20130226131 Bacino et al. Aug 2013 A1
20130253466 Campbell Sep 2013 A1
20130345617 Wallace Dec 2013 A1
20140005576 Adams Jan 2014 A1
20140005706 Gelfand et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140012186 Thyzel Jan 2014 A1
20140039002 Adams et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140039358 Zhou et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140039513 Hakala Feb 2014 A1
20140046229 Hawkins et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140046353 Adams Feb 2014 A1
20140052146 Curtis et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140052147 Hakala et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140058294 Gross et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140074111 Hakala Mar 2014 A1
20140114198 Samada et al. Apr 2014 A1
20140153087 Hutchings et al. Jun 2014 A1
20140155990 Nyuli Jun 2014 A1
20140180069 Millett Jun 2014 A1
20140180126 Millett Jun 2014 A1
20140180134 Hoseit Jun 2014 A1
20140188094 Islam Jul 2014 A1
20140228829 Schmitt Aug 2014 A1
20140257144 Capelli et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140257148 Jie Sep 2014 A1
20140276573 Miesel Sep 2014 A1
20140288570 Adams Sep 2014 A1
20140336632 Toth Nov 2014 A1
20140357997 Hartmann Dec 2014 A1
20150005576 Diodone et al. Jan 2015 A1
20150039002 Hawkins Feb 2015 A1
20150073430 Hakala et al. Mar 2015 A1
20150080875 Kasprzyk et al. Mar 2015 A1
20150105715 Pikus et al. Apr 2015 A1
20150119870 Rudie Apr 2015 A1
20150141764 Harks et al. May 2015 A1
20150250542 Islam Sep 2015 A1
20150276689 Watanabe Oct 2015 A1
20150313732 Fulton, III Nov 2015 A1
20150342678 Deladurantaye et al. Dec 2015 A1
20150359432 Ehrenreich Dec 2015 A1
20160008016 Cioanta et al. Jan 2016 A1
20160016016 Taylor et al. Jan 2016 A1
20160018602 Govari et al. Jan 2016 A1
20160022294 Cioanta et al. Jan 2016 A1
20160038087 Hunter Feb 2016 A1
20160095610 Lipowski et al. Apr 2016 A1
20160135828 Hawkins et al. May 2016 A1
20160143522 Ransbury May 2016 A1
20160151639 Scharf et al. Jun 2016 A1
20160183819 Burnett Jun 2016 A1
20160183957 Hakala et al. Jun 2016 A1
20160184020 Kowalewski et al. Jun 2016 A1
20160184022 Grace et al. Jun 2016 A1
20160184023 Grace et al. Jun 2016 A1
20160184570 Grace et al. Jun 2016 A1
20160262784 Grace et al. Sep 2016 A1
20160270806 Wallace Sep 2016 A1
20160234534 Hawkins et al. Nov 2016 A1
20160324564 Gerlach et al. Nov 2016 A1
20160331389 Hakala et al. Nov 2016 A1
20160367274 Wallace Dec 2016 A1
20160367275 Wallace Dec 2016 A1
20170049463 Popovic et al. Feb 2017 A1
20170056035 Adams Mar 2017 A1
20170056087 Buckley Mar 2017 A1
20170086867 Adams Mar 2017 A1
20170119469 Shimizu et al. May 2017 A1
20170119470 Diamant et al. May 2017 A1
20170135709 Nguyen et al. May 2017 A1
20170151421 Asher Jun 2017 A1
20170209050 Fengler et al. Jul 2017 A1
20170265942 Grace Sep 2017 A1
20170303946 Ku et al. Oct 2017 A1
20170311965 Adams Nov 2017 A1
20180008348 Grace et al. Jan 2018 A1
20180042661 Long Feb 2018 A1
20180042677 Yu et al. Feb 2018 A1
20180049877 Venkatasubramanian Feb 2018 A1
20180085174 Radtke et al. Mar 2018 A1
20180092763 Dagan et al. Apr 2018 A1
20180095287 Jeng et al. Apr 2018 A1
20180098779 Betelia et al. Apr 2018 A1
20180152568 Kat-kuoy Jun 2018 A1
20180238675 Wan Aug 2018 A1
20180256250 Adams et al. Sep 2018 A1
20180280005 Parmentier Oct 2018 A1
20180303501 Hawkins Oct 2018 A1
20180303503 Eggert et al. Oct 2018 A1
20180303504 Eggert et al. Oct 2018 A1
20180304053 Eggert et al. Oct 2018 A1
20180323571 Brown Nov 2018 A1
20180333043 Teriluc Nov 2018 A1
20180360482 Nguyen Dec 2018 A1
20190029702 De Cicco Jan 2019 A1
20190029703 Wasdyke et al. Jan 2019 A1
20190069916 Hawkins et al. Mar 2019 A1
20190097380 Luft et al. Mar 2019 A1
20190099588 Ramanath et al. Apr 2019 A1
20190104933 Stern Apr 2019 A1
20190117242 Lawinger Apr 2019 A1
20190150960 Nguyen et al. May 2019 A1
20190175111 Genereux et al. Jun 2019 A1
20190175300 Horn et al. Jun 2019 A1
20190175372 Boyden et al. Jun 2019 A1
20190175407 Bacher Jun 2019 A1
20190209368 Park et al. Jul 2019 A1
20190232066 Lim et al. Aug 2019 A1
20190247680 Mayer Aug 2019 A1
20190262594 Ogata et al. Aug 2019 A1
20190265419 Tayebati Aug 2019 A1
20190282249 Tran et al. Sep 2019 A1
20190282250 Tran et al. Sep 2019 A1
20190328259 Deno et al. Oct 2019 A1
20190365400 Adams et al. Dec 2019 A1
20190388002 Bozsak et al. Dec 2019 A1
20190388110 Nguyen et al. Dec 2019 A1
20190388133 Sharma Dec 2019 A1
20190388151 Bhawalkar Dec 2019 A1
20200000484 Hawkins Jan 2020 A1
20200008856 Harmouche Jan 2020 A1
20200022754 Cottone Jan 2020 A1
20200038087 Harmouche Feb 2020 A1
20200046429 Tschida et al. Feb 2020 A1
20200046949 Chisena et al. Feb 2020 A1
20200054352 Brouillette et al. Feb 2020 A1
20200061931 Brown et al. Feb 2020 A1
20200069371 Brown et al. Mar 2020 A1
20200085458 Nguyen et al. Mar 2020 A1
20200085459 Adams Mar 2020 A1
20200101269 Hayes Apr 2020 A1
20200107960 Bacher Apr 2020 A1
20200108236 Salazar et al. Apr 2020 A1
20200129195 McGowan et al. Apr 2020 A1
20200129741 Kawwas Apr 2020 A1
20200155812 Zhang et al. May 2020 A1
20200197019 Harper Jun 2020 A1
20200205890 Harlev Jul 2020 A1
20200246032 Betelia et al. Aug 2020 A1
20200289202 Miyagawa et al. Sep 2020 A1
20200297366 Nguyen et al. Sep 2020 A1
20200337717 Walzman Oct 2020 A1
20200383724 Adams et al. Dec 2020 A1
20200397230 Massimini et al. Dec 2020 A1
20200397453 McGowan et al. Dec 2020 A1
20200398033 McGowan et al. Dec 2020 A1
20200405333 Massimini et al. Dec 2020 A1
20200405391 Massimini et al. Dec 2020 A1
20200406009 Massimini Dec 2020 A1
20200406010 Massimini et al. Dec 2020 A1
20210038237 Adams Feb 2021 A1
20210085347 Phan et al. Mar 2021 A1
20210085348 Nguyen Mar 2021 A1
20210085383 Vo et al. Mar 2021 A1
20210128241 Schultheis May 2021 A1
20210137598 Cook May 2021 A1
20210153939 Cook May 2021 A1
20210177442 Girdhar et al. Jun 2021 A1
20210177445 Nguyen Jun 2021 A1
20210186613 Cook Jun 2021 A1
20210212765 Verhagen Jul 2021 A1
20210220052 Cook Jul 2021 A1
20210220053 Cook Jul 2021 A1
20210244473 Cook et al. Aug 2021 A1
20210267685 Schultheis Sep 2021 A1
20210275247 Schultheis Sep 2021 A1
20210275249 Massimini et al. Sep 2021 A1
20210282792 Adams et al. Sep 2021 A1
20210290259 Hakala et al. Sep 2021 A1
20210290286 Cook Sep 2021 A1
20210290305 Cook Sep 2021 A1
20210298603 Feldman Sep 2021 A1
20210307828 Schultheis Oct 2021 A1
20210330384 Cook Oct 2021 A1
20210338258 Hawkins et al. Nov 2021 A1
20210353359 Cook Nov 2021 A1
20210369348 Cook Dec 2021 A1
20210378743 Massimini et al. Dec 2021 A1
20210378744 Fanier et al. Dec 2021 A1
20210386479 Massimini et al. Dec 2021 A1
20220000505 Hauser Jan 2022 A1
20220000506 Hauser Jan 2022 A1
20220000507 Hauser Jan 2022 A1
20220000508 Schmitt et al. Jan 2022 A1
20220000509 Laser et al. Jan 2022 A1
20220000551 Govari et al. Jan 2022 A1
20220008130 Massimini et al. Jan 2022 A1
20220008693 Humbert et al. Jan 2022 A1
20220015785 Hakala et al. Jan 2022 A1
20220021190 Pecquois Jan 2022 A1
20220022902 Spano Jan 2022 A1
20220022912 Efremkin Jan 2022 A1
20220023528 Long et al. Jan 2022 A1
20220071704 Le Mar 2022 A1
20220168594 Mayer Jun 2022 A1
20220183738 Flores et al. Jun 2022 A1
20220218402 Schultheis Jul 2022 A1
20220249165 Cook Aug 2022 A1
20220273324 Schultheis Sep 2022 A1
20220354578 Cook Nov 2022 A1
20220387106 Cook Dec 2022 A1
20230013920 Massimini Jan 2023 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (160)
Number Date Country
2017205323 Jan 2022 AU
2019452180 Jan 2022 AU
2229806 Mar 1997 CA
2983655 Oct 2016 CA
102057422 May 2011 CN
109223100 Jan 2019 CN
110638501 Jan 2020 CN
106794043 Mar 2020 CN
11399346 Jan 2022 CN
107411805 Jan 2022 CN
107899126 Jan 2022 CN
109475378 Jan 2022 CN
113876388 Jan 2022 CN
113877044 Jan 2022 CN
113907838 Jan 2022 CN
113951972 Jan 2022 CN
113951973 Jan 2022 CN
113974765 Jan 2022 CN
113974826 Jan 2022 CN
215384399 Jan 2022 CN
215386905 Jan 2022 CN
215458400 Jan 2022 CN
215458401 Jan 2022 CN
215505065 Jan 2022 CN
215534803 Jan 2022 CN
215537694 Jan 2022 CN
215584286 Jan 2022 CN
215606068 Jan 2022 CN
215651393 Jan 2022 CN
215651394 Jan 2022 CN
215651484 Jan 2022 CN
215653328 Jan 2022 CN
3038445 May 1982 DE
3836337 Apr 1990 DE
3913027 Oct 1990 DE
202008016760 Mar 2009 DE
102007046902 Apr 2009 DE
102008034702 Jan 2010 DE
102009007129 Aug 2010 DE
202010009899 Nov 2010 DE
102013201928 Aug 2014 DE
102020117713 Jan 2022 DE
0119296 Sep 1984 EP
0261831 Jun 1992 EP
558297 Sep 1993 EP
0571306 Nov 1993 EP
1179993 Feb 2002 EP
1946712 Jul 2008 EP
1946712 Jul 2008 EP
1453566 Sep 2008 EP
2157569 Feb 2010 EP
2879595 Jun 2015 EP
2879595 Jun 2015 EP
2944264 Jun 2015 EP
3226795 Oct 2017 EP
3318204 May 2018 EP
2879607 Feb 2019 EP
3461438 Apr 2019 EP
3473195 Apr 2019 EP
3643260 Apr 2020 EP
3076881 Jan 2022 EP
3932342 Jan 2022 EP
3936140 Jan 2022 EP
3960099 Mar 2022 EP
4051154 Sep 2022 EP
1082397 Sep 1967 GB
S62275446 Nov 1987 JP
20050098932 Oct 2005 KR
20080040111 May 2008 KR
20160090877 Aug 2016 KR
WO9007904 Jul 1990 WO
WO9105332 Apr 1991 WO
9203095 Mar 1992 WO
WO9208515 May 1992 WO
9902095 Jan 1999 WO
1999002095 Jan 1999 WO
9920189 Apr 1999 WO
1999020189 Apr 1999 WO
WO200067648 Nov 2000 WO
WO2000067648 Nov 2000 WO
WO0103599 Jan 2001 WO
20060006169 Jan 2006 WO
WO2006006169 Jan 2006 WO
WO2009121017 Oct 2009 WO
WO2009149321 Dec 2009 WO
WO2009152352 Dec 2009 WO
2010042653 Apr 2010 WO
WO2011094379 Aug 2011 WO
20110126580 Oct 2011 WO
WO2011126580 Oct 2011 WO
WO2012025833 Mar 2012 WO
WO20120052924 Apr 2012 WO
WO2012099974 Jul 2012 WO
WO20120120495 Sep 2012 WO
WO2013119662 Aug 2013 WO
20130169807 Nov 2013 WO
WO2013169807 Nov 2013 WO
WO2014022436 Feb 2014 WO
WO2014025397 Feb 2014 WO
WO20140022867 Feb 2014 WO
WO2014138582 Sep 2014 WO
WO2015056662 Apr 2015 WO
WO2015097251 Jul 2015 WO
20150177790 Nov 2015 WO
WO2016014999 Jan 2016 WO
WO2016089683 Jun 2016 WO
WO2016090175 Jun 2016 WO
WO2016109739 Jul 2016 WO
WO2016151595 Sep 2016 WO
WO2017004432 Jan 2017 WO
WO20170192869 Nov 2017 WO
20180022641 Feb 2018 WO
WO2018022593 Feb 2018 WO
WO2018083666 May 2018 WO
20180175322 Sep 2018 WO
WO2018175322 Sep 2018 WO
WO2018191013 Oct 2018 WO
WO2019200201 Oct 2019 WO
WO2019215869 Nov 2019 WO
WO2019222843 Nov 2019 WO
WO2020056031 Mar 2020 WO
WO20200086361 Apr 2020 WO
WO2020089876 May 2020 WO
WO2020157648 Aug 2020 WO
WO2020256898 Dec 2020 WO
WO2020256898 Dec 2020 WO
WO2020256949 Dec 2020 WO
WO2020256949 Dec 2020 WO
WO2020263469 Dec 2020 WO
WO2020263685 Dec 2020 WO
WO2020263687 Dec 2020 WO
WO2020263688 Dec 2020 WO
WO2020263689 Dec 2020 WO
WO2021061451 Apr 2021 WO
WO2021067563 Apr 2021 WO
WO2021086571 May 2021 WO
WO2021096922 May 2021 WO
WO2021101766 May 2021 WO
WO2021101766 May 2021 WO
WO2021126762 Jun 2021 WO
WO2021162855 Aug 2021 WO
WO2021173417 Sep 2021 WO
WO2021183367 Sep 2021 WO
WO2021183401 Sep 2021 WO
WO2021188233 Sep 2021 WO
WO2021202248 Oct 2021 WO
WO2021231178 Nov 2021 WO
WO2021247685 Dec 2021 WO
WO2021257425 Dec 2021 WO
WO2022007490 Jan 2022 WO
WO2022008440 Jan 2022 WO
WO2022010767 Jan 2022 WO
WO2022055784 Mar 2022 WO
WO2022125525 Jun 2022 WO
WO2022154954 Jul 2022 WO
WO2022173719 Aug 2022 WO
WO2022187058 Sep 2022 WO
WO2022216488 Oct 2022 WO
WO2022240674 Nov 2022 WO
WO2022260932 Dec 2022 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (190)
Entry
Vogel, A., et al. “Intraocular Photodisruption With Picosecond and Nanosecond Laser Pulses: Tissue Effects in Cornea, Lens, and Retina”, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Jun. 1994, pp. 3032-3044, vol. 35, No. 7, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
Jones, H. M., et al. “Pulsed dielectric breakdown of pressurized water and salt solutions”, Journal of Applied Physics, Jun. 1998, pp. 795-805, vol. 77, No. 2, American Institute of Physics.
Kozulin, I., et al. “The dynamic of the water explosive vaporization on the flat microheater”, Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2018, pp. 1-4, IOP Publishing, Russia.
Cross, F., “Laser Angioplasty”, Vascular Medicine Review, 1992, pp. 21-30, Edward Arnold.
Doukas, A. G., et al. “Laser-generated stress waves and their effects on the cell membrane”, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 1999, pp. 997-1003, vol. 5, Issue 4, IEEE.
Noack, J., et al. “Laser-Induced Plasma Formation in Water at Nanosecond to Femtosecond Time Scales: Calculation of Thresholds, Absorption Coefficients, and Energy Density”, IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, 1999, pp. 1156-1167, vol. 35, No. 8, IEEE.
Pratsos, A., “The use of Laser for the treatment of coronary artery disease”, Bryn Mawr Hospital, 2010.
Li, Xian-Dong, et al. “Influence of deposited energy on shock wave induced by underwater pulsed current discharge”, Physics of Plasmas, 2016, vol. 23, American Institute of Physics.
Logunov, S., et al. “Light diffusing optical fiber illumination”, Renewable Energy and the Environment Congress, 2013, Corning, NY, USA.
Maxwell, A. D., et al. “Cavitation clouds created by shock scattering from bubbles during histotripsy”, Acoustical Society of America, 2011, pp. 1888-1898, vol. 130, No. 4, Acoustical Society of America.
McAteer, James A., et al. “Ultracal-30 Gypsum Artificial Stones For Research On The Mechinisms Of Stone Breakage In Shock Wave Lithotripsy”, 2005, pp. 429-434, Springer-Verlag.
Vogel, A., et al. “Mechanisms of Intraocular Photodisruption With Picosecond and Nanosecond Laser Pulses”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 1994, pp. 32-43, vol. 15, Wiley-Liss Inc., Lubeck, Germany.
Vogel, A., et al. “Mechanisms of Pulsed Laser Ablation of Biological Tissues”, Chemical Reviews, 2003, pp. 577-644, vol. 103, No. 2, American Chemical Society.
Mayo, Michael E., “Interaction of Laser Radiation with Urinary Calculi”, Cranfield University Defense and Security, PHD Thesis, 2009, Cranfield University.
Vogel, A., et al. “Minimization of Cavitation Effects in Pulsed Laser Ablation Illustrated on Laser Angioplasty”, Applied Physics, 1996, pp. 173-182, vol. 62, Springer-Verlag.
Mirshekari, G., et al. “Microscale Shock Tube”, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, 2012, pp. 739-747, vol. 21, No. 3, IEEE.
“Polymicro Sculpted Silica Fiber Tips”, Molex, 2013, Molex.
Zhou, J., et al. “Optical Fiber Tips and Their Applications”, Polymicro Technologies A Subsidiary of Molex, Nov. 2007.
Liang, Xiao-Xuan, et al. “Multi-Rate-Equation modeling of the energy spectrum of laser-induced conduction band electrons in water”, Optics Express, 2019, vol. 27, No. 4, Optical Society of America.
Nachabe, R., et al. “Diagnosis of breast cancer using diffuse optical spectroscopy from 500 to 1600 nm: comparison of classification methods”, Journal of Biomedical Optics, 2011, vol. 16(8), SPIE.
Naugol'Nykh, K. A., et al. “Spark Discharges in Water”, Academy of Sciences USSR Institute of Acoustics, 1971, Nauka Publishing Co., Moscow, USSR.
Van Leeuwen, Ton G., et al. “Noncontact Tissue Ablation by Holmium: YSGG Laser Pulses in Blood”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 1991, vol. 11, pp. 26-34, Wiley-Liss Inc.
Nyame, Yaw A., et al. “Kidney Stone Models for In Vitro Lithotripsy Research: A Comprehensive Review”, Journal of Endourology, Oct. 2015, pp. 1106-1109, vol. 29, No. 10, Mary Ann Liebert Inc., Cleveland, USA.
Zheng, W., “Optical Lenses Manufactured on Fiber Ends”, IEEE, 2015, Splicer Engineering, Duncan SC USA.
Dwyer, P. J., et al. “Optically integrating balloon device for photodynamic therapy”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2000, pp. 58-66, vol. 26, Issue 1, Wiley-Liss Inc., Boston MA USA.
“The New Optiguide DCYL700 Fiber Optic Diffuser Series”, Optiguide Fiber Optic Spec Sheet, Pinnacle Biologics, 2014, Pinnacle Biologics, Illinois, USA.
Van Leeuwen, Ton G., et al. “Origin of arterial wall dissections induced by pulsed excimer and mid-infared laser ablation in the pig”, JACC, 1992, pp. 1610-1618, vol. 19, No. 7, American College of Cardiology.
Oshita, D., et al. “Characteristic of Cavitation Bubbles and Shock Waves Generated by Pulsed Electric Discharges with Different Voltages”, IEEE, 2012, pp. 102-105, Kumamoto, Japan.
Karsch, Karl R., et al. “Percutaneous Coronary Excimer Laser Angioplasty in Patients With Stable and Unstable Angina Pectoris”, Circulation, 1990, pp. 1849-1859, vol. 81, No. 6, American Heart Association, Dallas TX, USA.
Murray, A., et al. “Peripheral laser angioplasty with pulsed dye laser and ball tipped optical fibres”, The Lancet, 1989, pp. 1471-1474, vol. 2, Issue 8678-8679.
Mohammadzadeh, M., et al. “Photoacoustic Shock Wave Emission and Cavitation from Structured Optical Fiber Tips”, Applied Physics Letters, 2016, vol. 108, American Institute of Physics Publishing LLC.
Doukas, A. G., et al. “Physical characteristics and biological effects of laser-induced stress waves”, Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 1996, pp. 151-164, vol. 22, Issue 2, World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, USA.
Doukas, A. G., et al. “Physical factors involved in stress-wave-induced cell injury: the effect of stress gradient”, Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 1995, pp. 961-967, vol. 21, Issue 7, Elsevier Science Ltd., USA.
Piedrahita, Francisco S., “Experimental Research Work On A Sub-Millimeter Spark-Gap For Sub Nanosecond Gas Breakdown”, Thesis for Universidad Nacional De Colombia, 2012, Bogota, Colombia.
Vogel, A., et al. “Plasma Formation in Water by Picosecond and Nanosecond Nd: YAG Laser Pulses—Part I: Optical Breakdown at Threshold and Superthreshold Irradiance”, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 1996, pp. 847-859, vol. 2, No. 4, IEEE.
Park, Hee K., et al. “Pressure Generation and Measurement in the Rapid Vaporization of Water on a Pulsed-Laser-Heated Surface”, Journal of Applied Physics, 1996, pp. 4072-4081, vol. 80, No. 7, American Institute of Physics.
Cummings, Joseph P., et al. “Q-Switched laser ablation of tissue: plume dynamics and the effect of tissue mechanical properties”, SPIE, Laser-Tissue Interaction III, 1992, pp. 242-253, vol. 1646.
Lee, Seung H., et al. “Radial-firing optical fiber tip containing conical-shaped air-pocket for biomedical applications”, Optics Express, 2015, vol. 23, No. 16, Optical Society of America.
Hui, C., et al. “Research on sound fields generated by laser-induced liquid breakdown”, Optica Applicata, 2010, pp. 898-907, vol. XL, No. 4, Xi'an, China.
Riel, Louis-Philippe, et al. “Characterization of Calcified Plaques Retrieved From Occluded Arteries and Comparison with Potential Artificial Analogues”, Proceedings of the ASME 2014 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, 2014, pp. 1-11, ASME, Canada.
Roberts, Randy M., et al. “The Energy Partition of Underwater Sparks”, The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 1996, pp. 3465-3475, vol. 99, No. 6, Acoustical Society of America.
Rocha, R., et al. “Fluorescence and Reflectance Spectroscopy for Identification of Atherosclerosis in Human Carotid Arteries Using Principal Components Analysis”, Photomedicine and Lsser Surgery, 2008, pp. 329-335, vol. 26, No. 4, Mary Ann Liebert Inc.
Scepanovic, Obrad R., et al. “Multimodal spectroscopy detects features of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque”, Journal of Biomedical Optics, 2011, pp. 1-10, vol. 16, No. 1, SPIE.
Serruys, P. W., et al. “Shaking and Breaking Calcified Plaque Lithoplasty, a Breakthrough in Interventional Armamentarium?”, JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, 2017, pp. 907-911, vol. 10, No. 8, Elsevier.
Vogel, A., et al. “Shock wave emission and cavitation bubble generation by picosecond and nanosecond optical breakdown in water”, The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 1996, pp. 148-165, vol. 100, No. 1, Acoustical Society of America.
Vogel, A., et al. “Shock-Wave Energy and Acoustic Energy Dissipation After Laser-induced Breakdown”, SPIE, 1998, pp. 180-189, vol. 3254, SPIE.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Aug. 25, 2022 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT US/2022/028035.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Sep. 15, 2022 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT US/2022/032045.
International Search Report and Written Opinion, issued by the EP/ISA, in PCT/US2021/048819, dated Jan. 14, 2022.
International Search Report and Written Opinion, issued by the European Patent Office for PCT/2021/XXX, dated Sep. 30, 2021.
Davletshin, Yevgeniy R., “A Computational Analysis of Nanoparticle-Mediated Optical Breakdown”, A dissertation presented to Ryerson University in Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Program of Physics, Toronto, Ontario, CA 2017.
Vogel, A., et al. “Acoustic transient generation by laser-produced cavitation bubbles near solid boundaries”, Journal Acoustical Society of America, 1988, pp. 719-731, vol. 84.
Asshauer, T., et al. “Acoustic transient generation by holmium-laser-induced cavitation bubbles”, Journal of Applied Physics, Nov. 1, 1994, pp. 5007-5013, vol. 76, No. 9, American Institute of Physics.
Zheng, W., “Optic Lenses Manufactured on Fiber Ends”, 2015, Splicer Engineering AFL, Duncan, SC USA.
Ali, Ziad A., et al. “Optical Coherence Tomography Characterization of Coronary Lithoplasty for Treatment of Calcified Lesions”, JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, 2017, pp. 897-906, vol. 109, No. 8, Elsevier.
Ali, Ziad A., et al. “Intravascular lithotripsy for treatment of stent underexpansion secondary to severe coronary calcification” 2018, European Society of Cardiology.
Ashok, Praveen C., et al. “Raman spectroscopy bio-sensor for tissue discrimination in surgical robotics—full article”, Journal of Biophotonics, 2014, pp. 103-109, vol. 7, No. 1-2.
Ashok, Praveen C., et al. “Raman spectroscopy bio-sensor for tissue discrimination in surgical robotics—proof” Journal of Biophotonics 7, 2014, No. 1-2.
Bian, D. C., et al. “Experimental Study of Pulsed Discharge Underwater Shock-Related Properties in Pressurized Liquid Water”, Hindawi Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, Jan. 2018, 12 pages, vol. 2018, Article ID 8025708.
Bian, D. C., et al. “Study on Breakdown Delay Characteristics Based on High-voltage Pulse Discharge in Water with Hydrostatic Pressure”, Journal of Power Technologies 97(2), 2017, pp. 89-102.
Doukas, A. G., et al. “Biological effects of laser induced shock waves: Structural and functional cell damage in vitro”, Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 1993, pp. 137-146, vol. 19, Issue 2, Pergamon Press, USA.
Brodmann, Marianne et al. “Safety and Performance of Lithoplasty for Treatment of Calcified Peripheral Artery Lesions”, JACC, 2017, vol. 70, No. 7.
Brouillette, M., “Shock Waves at Microscales”, 2003, pp. 3-12, Springer-Verlag.
Mirshekari, G., et al. “Shock Waves in Microchannels”, 2013, pp. 259-283, vol. 724, Cambridge University Press.
“Bubble Dynamics and Shock Waves”, Springer, 2013, Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heildelberg.
Hardy, Luke A., et al. “Cavitation Bubble Dynamics During Thulium Fiber Laser Lithotripsy”, SPIE, Feb. 29, 2016, vol. 9689, San Francisco, California, USA.
Claverie, A., et al. “Experimental characterization of plasma formation and shockwave propagation induced by high power pulsed underwater electrical discharge”, Review of Scientific Instruments, 2014, American Institute of Physics.
Blackmon, Richard L., et al. “Comparison of holmium: YAG and thulium fiber laser lithotripsy ablation thresholds, ablation rates, and retropulsion effects”, Journal of Biomedical Optics, 2011, vol. 16(7), SPIE.
Debasis, P., et al. “Continuous-wave and quasi-continuous wave thulium-doped all-fiber laser: implementation on kidney stone fragmentations”, Applied Optics, Aug. 10, 2016, vol. 55, No. 23, Optical Society of America.
Cook, Jason R., et al. “Tissue mimicking phantoms for photoacoustic and ultrasonic imaging”, Biomedical Optics Express, 2011, vol. 2, No. 11, Optical Society of America.
Deckelbaum, Lawrence I., “Coronary Laser Angioplasty”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 1994, pp. 101-110, Wiley-Liss Inc.
Costanzo, F., “Underwater Explosion Phenomena and Shock Physics”, Research Gate, 2011.
Mizeret, J. C., et al. “Cylindrical fiber optic light diffuser for medical applications”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 1996, pp. 159-167, vol. 19, Issue 2, Wiley-Liss Inc., Lausanne, Switzerland.
De Silva, K., et al. “A Calcific, Undilatable Stenosis Lithoplasty, a New Tool in the Box?”, JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, 2017, vol. 10, No. 3, Elsevier.
Vesselov, L., et al. “Design and performance of thin cylindrical diffusers created in Ge-doped multimode optical fibers”, Applied Optics, 2005, pp. 2754-2758, vol. 44, Issue 14, Optical Society of America.
Hutchens, Thomas C., et al. “Detachable fiber optic tips for use in thulium fiber laser lithotripsy”, Journal of Biomedical Optics, Mar. 2013, vol. 18(3), SPIE.
Kostanski, Kris L., et al. “Development of Novel Tunable Light Scattering Coating Materials for Fiber Optic Diffusers in Photodynamic Cancer Therapy”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2009, pp. 1516-1523, vol. 112, Wiley InterScience.
Kristiansen, M., et al. “High Voltage Water Breakdown Studies”, DoD, 1998, Alexandria, VA, USA.
Dwyer, J. R., et al. “A study of X-ray emission from laboratory sparks in air at atmospheric pressure”, Journal of Geophysical Research, 2008, vol. 113, American Geophysical Union.
Jansen, Duco E., et al. “Effect of Pulse Duration on Bubble Formation and Laser-Induced Pressure Waves During Holmium Laser Ablation”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 18, 1996, pp. 278-293, Wiley-Liss Inc., Austin, TX, USA.
Shangguan, HanQun et al. “Effects of Material Properties on Laser-induced Bubble Formation in Absorbing Liquids and On Submerged Targets”, SPIE, 1997, pp. 783-791, vol. 2869.
Varghese, B., et al. “Effects of polarization and absorption on laser induced optical breakdown threshold for skin rejuvenation”, SPIE, Mar. 9, 2016, vol. 9740, SPIE, San Francisco, USA.
Varghese, B., et al. “Effects of polarization and apodization on laser induced optical breakdown threshold”, Optics Express, Jul. 29, 2013, vol. 21, No. 15, Optical Society of America.
Bonito, Valentina, “Effects of polarization, plasma and thermal initiation pathway on irradiance threshold of laser induced optical breakdown”, Philips Research, 2013, The Netherlands.
Vogel, A. et al. “Energy balance of optical breakdown in water at nanosecond to femtosecond time scales”, Applied Physics B 68, 1999, pp. 271-280, Springer-Verlag.
Kang, Hyun W., et al. “Enhanced photocoagulation with catheter based diffusing optical device”, Journal of Biomedical Optics, Nov. 2012, vol. 17(11), SPIE.
Esch, E., et al. “A Simple Method For Fabricating Artificial Kidney Stones Of Different Physical Properties”, National Institute of Health Public Access Author Manuscript, Aug. 2010.
Isner, Jeffrey M., et al. “Excimer Laser Atherectomy”, Circulation, Jun. 1990, vol. 81, No. 6, American Heart Association, Dallas, TX, USA.
Israel, Douglas H., et al. “Excimer Laser-Facilitated Balloon Angioplasty of a Nondilateable Lesion”, JACC, Oct. 1991, vol. 18, No. 4, American College of Cardiology, New York, USA.
Van Leeuwen, Ton G., et al. “Excimer Laser Induced Bubble: Dimensions, Theory, and Implications for Laser Angioplasty”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 18, 1996, pp. 381-390, Wiley-Liss Inc., Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Nguyen, H., et al. “Fabrication of multipoint side-firing optical fiber by laser micro-ablation”, Optics Letters, May 1, 2017, vol. 42, No. 9, Optical Society of America.
Zheng, W., “Optic Lenses Manufactured on Fiber Ends”, 2015, IEEE, Duncan, SC, USA.
Whitesides, George M., et al. “Fluidic Optics”, 2006, vol. 6329, SPIE, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Forero, M., et al. “Coronary lithoplasty: a novel treatment for stent underexpansion”, Cardiovascular Flashlight, 2018, European Society of Cardiology.
Ghanate, A. D., et al. “Comparative evaluation of spectroscopic models using different multivariate statistical tools in a multicancer scenario”, Journal of Biomedical Optics, Feb. 2011, pp. 1-9, vol. 16(2), SPIE.
Roberts, Randy M., et al. “The Energy Partition of Underwater Sparks”, The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Jun. 1996, pp. 3465-3474, Acoustical Society of America, Austin, TX, USA.
Blackmon, Richard L., et al. “Holmium: YAG Versus Thulium Fiber Laser Lithotripsy”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2010, pp. 232-236, Wiley-Liss Inc.
Varghese, B., “Influence of absorption induced thermal initiation pathway on irradiance threshold for laser induced breakdown”, Biomedical Optics Express, 2015, vol. 6, No. 4, Optical Society of America.
Noack, J., “Influence of pulse duration on mechanical effects after laser-induced breakdown in water”, Journal of Applied Physics, 1998, pp. 7488-EOA, vol. 83, American Institute of Physics.
Van Leeuwen, Ton G., et al. “Intraluminal Vapor Bubble Induced by Excimer Laser Pulse Causes Microsecond Arterial Dilation and Invagination Leading to Extensive Wall Damage in the Rabbit”, Circulation, Apr. 1993, vol. 87, No. 4, American Heart Association, Dallas, TX, USA.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Apr. 4, 2022 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2021/062170.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Apr. 4, 2022 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2021/065073.
Partial Search Report and Provisional Opinion dated May 3, 2022 in PCT Application No. PCT/ US2022/015577.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated May 13, 2022 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2022/017562.
Stelzle, F., et al. “Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy for Optical Soft Tissue Differentiation as Remote Feedback Control for Tissue-Specific Laser Surgery”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2010, pp. 319-325, vol. 42, Wiley-Liss Inc.
Stelzle, F., et al. Tissue Discrimination by Uncorrected Autofluorescence Spectra: A Proof-of-Principle Study for Tissue-Specific Laser Surgery, Sensors, 2013, pp. 13717-13731, vol. 13, Basel, Switzerland.
Tagawa, Y., et al. “Structure of laser-induced shock wave in water”, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 2016.
Shen, Y., et al. “Theoretical and experimental studies of directivity of sound field generated by pulsed laser induced breakdown in liquid water”, SPIE, 2013, pp. 8796141-8796148, vol. 8796, SPIE.
Preisack, M., et al. “Ultrafast imaging of tissue ablation by a XeCl excimer laser in saline”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 1992, pp. 520-527, vol. 12, Wiley-Liss Inc.
Versluis, M., et al. “How Snapping Shrimp Snap: Through Cavitating Bubbles”, Science Mag, 2000, pp. 2114-2117, vol. 289, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington DC, USA.
Yan, D., et al. “Study of the Electrical Characteristics, Shock-Wave Pressure Characteristics, and Attenuation Law Based on Pulse Discharge in Water”, Shock and Vibration, 2016, pp. 1-11, vol. 2016, Article ID 6412309, Hindawi Publishing Corporation.
Zhang, Q., et al. “Improved Instruments and Methods for the Photographic Study of Spark-Induced Cavitation Bubbles”, Water, 2018, pp. 1-12, vol. 10, No. 1683.
“Damage threshold of fiber facets”, NKT Photonics, 2012, pp. 1-4, Denmark.
Smith, A., et al. “Bulk and surface laser damage of silica by picosecond and nanosecond pulses at 1064 nm”, Applied Optics, 2008, pp. 4812-4832, vol. 47, No. 26, Optical Society of America.
Smith, A., et al. “Deterministic Nanosecond Laser-Induced Breakdown Thresholds In Pure and Yb3 Doped Fused Silica”, SPIE, 2007, pp. 6453171-64531712, vol. 6453, SPIE.
Sun, X., et al. “Laser Induced Damage to Large Core Optical Fiber by High Peak Power Laser”, Specialty Photonics Division, 2010.
Smith, A., et al. “Nanosecond laser-induced breakdown in pure and Yb3 doped fused silica”, SPIE, 2007, vol. 6403, SPIE.
Smith, A., et al. “Optical Damage Limits to Pulse Energy From Fibers”, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 2009, pp. 153-158, vol. 15, No. 1, IEEE.
Reichel, E., et al. “A Special Irrigation Liquid to Increase the Reliability of Laser-Induced Shockwave Lithotripsy”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 1992, pp. 204-209, vol. 12, Wiley-Liss Inc., Graz, Austria.
Reichel, E., et al. “Bifunctional irrigation liquid as an ideal energy converter for laser lithotripsy with nanosecond laser pulses”, SPIE Lasers in Urology, Laparoscopy, and General Surgery, 1991, pp. 129-133, vol. 1421, SPIE.
Reichel, E., et al. “Laser-induced Shock Wave Lithotripsy with a Regenerative Energy Converter”, Lasers in Medical Science, 1992, pp. 423-425, vol. 7, Bailliere Tindall.
Hardy, L., et al. “Cavitation Bubble Dynamics during Thulium Fiber Laser Lithotripsy”, SPIE BiOS, 2016, vol. 9689, SPIE.
Deckelbaum, L., “Coronary Laser Angioplasty”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 1994, pp. 101-110, vol. 14, Wiley-Liss Inc., Conneticuit, USA.
Shangguan, H., et al. “Effects of Material Properties on Laser-induced Bubble Formation in Absorbing Liquids and On Submerged Targets”, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Cardiovascular Interventions VII, SPIE, 1997, pp. 783-791, vol. 2869, SPIE.
Van Leeuwen, T., et al. “Excimer Laser Induced Bubble: Dimensions, Theory, and Implications for Laser Angioplasty”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 1996, pp. 381-390, vol. 18, Wiley-Liss Inc., The Netherlands.
Vogel, A., et al. “Shock Wave Emission and Cavitation Bubble Generation by Picosecond and Nanosecond Optical Breakdown in Water”, The Journal of Acoustical Society of America, 1996, pp. 148-165, vol. 100, No. 1, The Acoustical Society of America.
Varghese, B., et al. “Influence of absorption induced thermal initiation pathway on irradiance threshold for laser induced breakdown”, Biomedical Optics Express, 2015, vol. 6, No. 4, Optical Society of America.
Linz, N., et al. “Wavelength dependence of nanosecond infrared laser-induced breakdown in water: Evidence for multiphoton initiation via an intermediate state”, Physical Review, 2015, pp. 134114.1-1341141.10, vol. 91, American Physical Society.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 27, 2018, in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2018/027121.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jul. 20, 2018, in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2018/027801.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jul. 20, 2018, in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2018/027784.
European Search Report, for European U.S. Appl. No. 18/185,152, dated Dec. 13, 2018.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated May 22, 2019, in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2019/022009.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated May 29, 2019, in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2019/022016.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 22, 2018, in Application Serial No. NL2019807, issued by the European Patent Office.
Noimark, Sacha, et al., “Carbon-Nanotube-PDMS Composite Coatings on Optical Fibers for All-Optical Ultrasound Imaging”, Advanced Functional Materials, 2016, pp. 8390-8396, vol. 26, Wiley-Liss Inc.
Chen, Sung-Liang, “Review of Laser-Generated Ultrasound Transmitters and their Applications to All-Optical Ultrasound Transducers and Imaging”, Appl. Sci. 2017, 7, 25.
Colchester, R., et al. “Laser-Generated ultrasound with optica fibres using functionalised carbon nanotube composite coatings”, Appl. Phys. Lett., 2014, vol. 104, 173504, American Institute of Physics.
Poduval, R., et al. “Optical fiber ultrasound transmitter with electrospun carbon nanotube-polymer composite”, Appl. Phys. Lett., 2017, vol. 110, 223701, American Institute of Physics.
Tian, J., et al. “Distributed fiber-optic laser-ultrasound generation based on ghost-mode of tilted fiber Bragg gratings”, Optics Express, Mar. 2013, pp. 6109-6114, vol. 21, No. 5, Optical Society of America.
Kim, J., et al. “Optical Fiber Laser-Generated-Focused-Ultrasound Transducers for Intravascular Therapies”, IEEE, 2017.
Kang, H., et al. “Enhanced photocoagulation with catheter-based diffusing optical device”, Journal of Biomedical Optics, 2012, vol. 17, Issue 11, 118001, SPIE.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jan. 3, 2020, in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2019/056579.
Communication Pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC, for European Patent Application No. 18185152.8, dated Jan. 16, 2019.
European Search Report, for European Patent Application No. 18185152.8, dated Dec. 20, 2018.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jul. 29, 2020 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2020/034005.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Sep. 11, 2020 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2020/038517.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Sep. 9, 2020 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2020/038530.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Sep. 11, 2020 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2020/038521.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Sep. 7, 2020 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/U2020/034642.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Sep. 15, 2020 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2019/022009.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Sep. 14, 2020 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2020/038523.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Oct. 2, 2020 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2020/036107.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jan. 29, 2020 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2020/059961.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jan. 20, 2020 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2020/054792.
Partial Search Report and Provisional Opinion dated Feb. 19, 2021 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2020/059960.
Shariat, Mohammad H., et al. “Localization of the ectopic spiral electrical source using intracardiac electrograms during atrial fibrillation.” 2015 IEEE 28th Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE). IEEE, 2015.
Nademanee, Koonlawee, et al. “A new approach for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: mapping of the electrophysiologic substrate.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology 43.11 (2004): 2044-2053.
Calkins, Hugh. “Three dimensional mapping of atrial fibrillation: techniques and necessity.” Journal of interventional cardiac electrophysiology 13.1 (2005): 53-59.
Shariat, Mohammad Hassan. Processing the intracardiac electrogram for atrial fibrillation ablation. Diss. Queen's University (Canada), 2016.
Oriel Instruments, “Introduction to Beam Splitters for Optical Research Applications”, Apr. 2014, pp. 1-9, https://www.azoptics.com/Article.aspx?ArticaID=871.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Apr. 12, 2021 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2020/059960.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Apr. 13, 2021 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2020/064846.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Apr. 13, 2021 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2021/013944.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated May 25, 2021 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2021/017604.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 2, 2021 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2021/018522.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 2, 2021 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2021/015204.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 17, 2021 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2021/020934.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jul. 13, 2021 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2021/024216.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 22, 2021 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2021/020937.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 24, 2021 in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2021/021272.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 28, 2022, in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2022/015577.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 27, 2022, in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2022/022460.
Medlight, “Cylindrical light diffuser Model RD-ML”, Medlight S.A., Switzerland. 2015. (This reference was cited in a prior Information Disclosure Statement. However, the relevant date was missing. The date has now been added.).
Medlight, “Cylindircal light diffuser Model RD”, Medlight S.A., Switzerland. 2015. (This reference was cited in a prior Information Disclosure Statement. However, the relevant date was missing. The date has now been added.).
Ohl, Siew-Wan, et al. “Bubbles with shock waves and ultrasound: a review”, Interface Focus, pp. 1-15, vol. 5, The Royal Society Publishing. Oct. 2015. (This reference was cited in a prior Information Disclosure Statement. However, the relevant date was missing. The date has now been added.).
Schafter+Kirchhoff, Laser Beam Couplers series 60SMS for coupling into single-mode and polarization-maintaining fiber cables, Schafter+Kirchhoff, pp. 1-5, Germany. Dec. 2, 2021. (This reference was cited in a prior Information Disclosure Statement. However, the relevant date was missing. The date has now been added.).
Meng et al., “Accurate Recovery Of Atrial Endocardial Potential Maps From Non-contact Electrode Data.” Auckland Bioengineering Institute. (ID 1421). May 2019. (This reference was cited in a prior Information Disclosure Statement. However, the relevant date was missing. The date has now been added.).
Jiang et al., “Multielectrode Catheter For Substrate Mapping For Scar-related VT Ablation: A Comparison Between Grid Versus Linear Configurations.” UChicago Medicine, Center for Arrhythmia Care, Chicago IL (ID 1368). Poster for conference in San Francisco, May 8-11, 2019. (This reference was cited in a prior Information Disclosure Statement. However, the relevant date was missing. The date has now been added.).
Sacher et al., “Comparison Of Manual Vs Automatic Annotation To Identify Abnormal Substrate For Scar Related VT Ablation.” LIRYC Institute, Bordeaux University Hospital, France (ID 1336). Poster for conference in San Francisco, May 8-11, 2019. (This reference was cited in a prior Information Disclosure Statement. However, the relevant date was missing. The date has now been added.).
International Search Report and Written Opinion, PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2022/047751 dated Feb. 10, 2023, by the European Patent Office. (56PCT).
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Nov. 8, 2022 in PCT Application Serial No. PCTUS/2022/039678.
AccuCoat, “Beamsplitter: Divide, combine & conquer”; 2023.
Lin et al., “Photoacoustic imaging”, Science Direct; 2021.
Zhou et al., “Photoacoustic Imaging with fiber optic technology: A review”, Science Direct; 2020.
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued by the European Patent Office, for Serial No. PCT/US2022/053775, dated Apr. 21, 2023. (Re 45PCT).
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued by the European Patent Office, for Serial No. PCT/US2023/011497, dated Apr. 28, 2023. (Re 54PCT).
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued by the European Patent Office, for Serial No. PCT/US2023/012599, dated May 19, 2023. (Re 57PCT).
PathFinder Digital, “Free Space Optics vs. Fiber Optics”, 2023.
International Search Report and Written Opinion, issued in Application Serial No. PCT/US2023/016152, dated Jul. 12, 2023.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20210290305 A1 Sep 2021 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
62991394 Mar 2020 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 17172980 Feb 2021 US
Child 17180738 US