Patents by Inventor Robert M. Cothren, Jr.
Robert M. Cothren, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 5693043Abstract: A laser catheter is disclosed wherein optical fibers carrying laser light are mounted in a catheter for insertion into an artery to provide controlled delivery of a laser beam for percutaneous intravascular laser treatment of atherosclerotic disease. A transparent protective shield is provided at the distal end of the catheter for mechanically diplacing intravascular blood and protecting the fibers from the intravascular contents, as well as protecting the patient in the event of failure of the fiber optics. Multiple optical fibers allow the selection of tissue that is to be removed. A computer controlled system automatically aligns fibers with the laser and controls exposure time. Spectroscopic diagnostics determine what tissue is to be removed.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1990Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Carter Kittrell, Robert M. Cothren, Jr., Michael S. Feld
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Patent number: 5496305Abstract: A laser catheter is disclosed wherein optical fibers carrying laser light are mounted in a catheter for insertion into an artery to provide controlled delivery of a laser beam for percutaneous intravascular laser treatment of atherosclerotic disease. A transparent protective shield is provided at the distal end of the catheter for mechanically diplacing intravascular blood and protecting the fibers from the intravascular contents, as well as protecting the patient in the event of failure of the fiber optics. Multiple optical fibers allow the selection of tissue that is to be removed. A computer controlled system automatically aligns fibers with the laser and controls exposure time. Spectroscopic diagnostics determine what tissue is to be removed.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1992Date of Patent: March 5, 1996Assignee: Massachusetts Institue of TechnologyInventors: Carter Kittrell, Robert M. Cothren, Jr., Michael S. Feld
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Patent number: 5318024Abstract: A laser endoscope is disclosed for generating a spectrally resolved spatial image of tissue. Fiber optics positioned within an optically shielded endoscope are used to deliver laser radiation to tissue to be imaged. Radiation returning through the fiber optics from the tissue is spectrally resolved and used to generate an image of tissue that can assist in diagnosis and treatment.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1991Date of Patent: June 7, 1994Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Carter Kittrell, Robert M. Cothren, Jr., Michael S. Feld
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Patent number: 5304173Abstract: A laser catheter is disclosed wherein optical fibers carrying laser light are mounted in a catheter for insertion into an artery to provide controlled delivery of a laser beam for percutaneous intravascular laser treatment of atherosclerotic disease. A transparent protective shield is provided at the distal end of the catheter for mechanically diplacing intravascular blood and protecting the fibers from the intravascular contents, as well as protecting the patient in the event of failure of the fiber optics. Multiple optical fibers allow the selection of tissue that is to be removed. A computer controlled system automatically aligns fibers with the laser and controls exposure time. Spectroscopic diagnostics determine what tissue is to be removed.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1993Date of Patent: April 19, 1994Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Carter Kittrell, Robert M. Cothren, Jr., Michael S. Feld
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Patent number: 5290275Abstract: A laser catheter is disclosed wherein optical fibers carrying laser light are mounted in a catheter for insertion into an artery to provide controlled delivery of a laser beam for percutaneous intravascular laser treatment of atherosclerotic disease. A transparent protective shield is provided at the distal end of the catheter for mechanically diplacing intravascular blood and protecting the fibers from the intravascular contents, as well as protecting the patient in the event of failure of the fiber optics. Multiple optical fibers allow the selection of tissue that is to be removed. A computer controlled system automatically aligns fibers with the laser and controls exposure time. Spectroscopic diagnostics determine what tissue is to be removed.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1991Date of Patent: March 1, 1994Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Carter Kittrell, Robert M. Cothren, Jr., Michael S. Feld, Barry Sachs
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Patent number: 5199431Abstract: A laser catheter is disclosed wherein optical fibers carrying laser light are mounted in a catheter for insertion into an artery to provide controlled delivery of a laser beam for percutaneous intravascular laser treatment of atherosclerotic disease. A transparent protective shield is provided at the distal end of the catheter for mechanically diplacing intravascular blood and protecting the fibers from the intravascular contents, as well as protecting the patient in the event of failure of the fiber optics. Multiple optical fibers allow the selection of tissue that is to be removed. A computer controlled system automatically aligns fibers with the laser and controls exposure time. Spectroscopic diagnostics determine what tissue is to be removed.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1989Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Carter Kittrell, Robert M. Cothren, Jr., Michael S. Feld
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Patent number: 5125404Abstract: A laser catheter is disclosed wherein optical fibers carrying laser light are mounted in a catheter for insertion into an artery to provide controlled delivery of a laser beam for percutaneous intravascular laser treatment of atherosclerotic disease. A transparent protective shield is provided at the distal end of the catheter for mechanically displacing intravascular blood and protecting the fibers from the intravascular contents, as well as protecting the patient in the event of failure of the fiber optics. Multiple optical fibers allow the selection of tissue that is to be removed. A computer controlled system automatically aligns fibers with the laser and controls exposure time. Spectroscopic diagnostics determine what tissue is to be removed.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1989Date of Patent: June 30, 1992Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Carter Kittrell, Robert M. Cothren, Jr., Michael S. Feld
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Patent number: 5106387Abstract: A method of diagnosis of the type of tissue in an artery, including distinguishing artery wall from atheromateous plaque is described, in which a catheter with one or more optical fibers is enclosed at a distal end by an optical shield transparent to light radiation and wherein the proximal end of the catheter and optical fibers are coupled to a source of optical radiation. The catheter is inserted into an artery until the optical shield is brought into contact with a suspected arterial lesion or other tissue to be diagnosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1989Date of Patent: April 21, 1992Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Carter Kittrell, Robert M. Cothren, Jr., Michael S. Feld
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Patent number: 5104392Abstract: A laser catheter is disclosed wherein optical fibers carrying laser light are mounted in a catheter for insertion into an artery to provide controlled delivery of a laser beam for percutaneous intravascular laser treatment of atherosclerotic disease. A transparent protective shield is provided at the distal end of the catheter for mechanically diplacing intravascular blood and protecting the fibers from the intravascular contents, as well as protecting the patient in the event of failure of the fiber optics. Multiple optical fibers allow the selection of tissue that is to be removed. A computer controlled system automatically aligns fibers with the laser and controls exposure time. Spectroscopic diagnostics determine what tissue is to be removed.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1989Date of Patent: April 14, 1992Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Carter Kittrell, Robert M. Cothren, Jr., Michael S. Feld
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Patent number: 5034010Abstract: A laser catheter is disclosed wherein optical fibers carrying laser light are mounted in a catheter for insertion into an artery to provide controlled delivery of a laser beam for percutaneous intravascular laser treatment of atherosclerotic disease. A transparent protective shield is provided at the distal end of the catheter for mechanically diplacing intravascular blood and protecting the fibers from the intravascular contents, as well as protecting the patient in the event of failure of the fiber optics. Multiple optical fibers allow the selection of tissue that is to be removed. A computer controlled system automatically aligns fibers with the laser and controls exposure time. Spectroscopic diagnostics determine what tissue is to be removed.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1989Date of Patent: July 23, 1991Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Carter Kittrell, Robert M. Cothren, Jr., Michael S. Feld
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Patent number: 4913142Abstract: A laser catheter is disclosed wherein optical fibers carrying laser light are mounted in a catheter for insertion into an artery to provide controlled delivery of a laser beam for percutaneous intravascular laser treatment of atherosclerotic disease. A transparent protective shield is provided at the distal end of the catheter for mechanically displacing intravascular blood and protecting the fibers from the intravascular contents, as well as protecting the patient in the event of failure of the fiber optics. Multiple optical fibers allow the selection of tissue that is to be removed. A computer controlled system automatically aligns fibers with the laser and controls exposure time. Spectroscopic diagnostics determine what tissue is to be removed.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1987Date of Patent: April 3, 1990Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Carter Kittrell, Robert M. Cothren, Jr., Michael S. Feld
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Patent number: 4669467Abstract: A mode mixer is described for mixing themodes of optical fibers in a laser catheter adapted to be inserted in arteries for treatment of arterial tissue or obstructions. The mode mixer creates microbends in the fibers by physically deforming the fibers, such as by mechanically pressing the fibers against a rigid member to adjust the spot size of light exiting the fibers.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1985Date of Patent: June 2, 1987Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Robert L. Willett, Robert M. Cothren, Jr., Carter Kittrell, Michael S. Feld