Abstract: An optical fiber storage and manipulation system (1) is disclosed, including a storage container (2) and a fiber insertion tool (3). The storage apparatus (2) includes a housing (11) containing a reel (13) onto which portions of a bare fiber (6) as well as a sheathed tube (36) coaxially covering the fiber (6) is wound. The fiber (6) may be withdrawn from the housing (11) and inserted into a fiber insertion tool (3) having a frame (15) which houses a sliding fiber gripping assembly (16) which permits the application of longitudinal compressive force to the fiber and advances the fiber (6) by means of a fiber advance tube (17) which telescopes into a larger diameter cannula insertion tube (18). The present system can be used, for example, in the field of laser angiosurgery in which arterial blockages are removed by the application of laser energy to arterial blockages by means of advancing an optical fiber to the site of the blockage.

Abstract: A control system for a laser catheter device wherein the control system is provided with means for determining the intensity of laser beam energy at two points, one of which is at the distal tip end thereof, and with the other being interposed along a transmitting column remote from both the source of laser beam energy and the distal tip. A beam splitter means(dichroic filter) is provided for diverting a first portion of the laser beam energy onto a first detector means. Energy passing through the beam splitter is ultimately directed onto a fluorescent member or device disposed adjacent the distal tip, with the fluorescent member or means being capable of emitting or generating radiant energy at a wavelength significantly different from that of the incident laser beam energy. The radiant energy generated by the fluorescent means is directed onto a second surface of the beam splitter means, and ultimately onto a second detector means.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for advancing an optical fiber in a laser enhanced transluminal angioplasty catheter, and for controlling the introduction of laser energy into the fiber. The device includes a catheter and a fiber advance housing. The optical fiber runs through the catheter and housing, and is optically connected to a source of laser energy. A fiber advance assembly, mounted in the housing, reciprocates to advance and retract the fiber relative to the catheter and housing. An actuator member is provided inside the housing to slide independently of the fiber advance assembly. A switching means, provided in the housing, is closed to enable introduction of laser energy into the optical fiber whenever the fiber advance assembly is disposed forwardly of a select position relative to the actuator member. The switching means is open, thereby preventing introduction of laser energy into the fiber, whenever the fiber advance assembly is disposed rearwardly of the select position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cylindrical balloon mounted near the distal tip of a percutaneous transluminal laser angioplasty catheter. Proximal and distal neck sections of the balloon are sealed to the catheter tubing, and a balloon inflation lumen originating at the tubing proximal end is open to the balloon interior. An elongate cylindrical body of the balloon is joined to the distal neck by a substantially transverse distal wall. As the balloon dilates in response to fluid under pressure supplied to the lumen, the distal wall tends to position the distal neck and distal end of the catheter tubing in centered, coaxial relation to the balloon body.

Abstract: A manifold connector, sheath connector and housing connector are provided for independently connecting a fiber enclosing sheath and (laser enhanced) fiber optic catheter housing to a transluminal balloon catheter manifold. The housing connector includes a locking plate enclosure, and a planar locking plate contained in the enclosure to reciprocate between open and locking positions, and spring biased into the locking position. The sheath connector includes an elongate cylindrical body attached to the distal end of the sheath, a disc extended radially outward of the body, and a sleeve extended forwardly of the disc perimeter and coaxial with the body. Two elongate levers also are mounted to the disc perimeter, and normally are aligned with the sleeve. A detent extends radially inward from the distal end of each lever.

Abstract: A transluminal balloon laser catheter has an inflatable distal tip formed by an elongated balloon sealed at the distal end of a length of catheter tubing, and inflatable to an operating configuration in which the balloon effectively extends the distal end of an optical fiber lumen through the catheter tubing. One embodiment of the balloon is formed with a substantially planar distal face, transverse with respect to the extension of the balloon. In an alternative embodiment, the distal face of the balloon is formed as a truncated cone, converging proximally from a radially outward longitudinal balloon section to a radially inward longitudinal balloon section whereby the distal tip of an optical fiber, even when advanced distally of the optical fiber lumen, is proximal with respect to the most distal portion of the balloon.

Abstract: A catheter manifold for an angioplasty balloon catheter assembly houses a plurality of serially arranged luers. Longitudinal sections of the luers are joined by tubular connectors, and with the connectors form a central passage through the manifold. At the most distal tubular connector is a reduction in passage diameter. A plurality of elongate, longitudinally directed flutes are formed in that connector just proximal of the diameter reduction. The flutes are engaged by a guide wire insertion tube or fiber insertion tube as it is loaded into the manifold, and tend to center the tube in the passageway. The flutes tend to maintain it in coaxial relation to the passageway, while permitting fluids from the proximal luers to flow in the passageway exteriorly of the tube.

Abstract: A control system for an optical fiber laser power delivery system wherein the system employs a tip assembly for the optical fibers which provide focusing and beam divergence, mechanical protection for the optical fibers, and in addition functions as the source of a condition responsive signal useful in monitoring and controlling the system operation. The tip assembly utilizes a synthetic sapphire lens or window having incident laser radiation and temperature dependent fluorescing property useful in generating a signal utilized in a feedback control system for the laser system. The improved tip assembly accordingly has application as an optical fiber shield as well as a signal source for the control and monitor portion of the laser system.

Abstract: A multi-lumen laser enhanced transluminal angioplasy catheter apparatus provided with a balloon or expandable member which is coupled to a catheter connecting manifold member providing a plurality of inlet ports for handling and delivering procedure-dependent materials. A laser fiber advance unit, in turn, controllably advances and couples the lasing fiber between the catheter manifold and a laser control unit. The fiber advance unit provides interlock means preventing actuation or operation of the control unit, unless and until the tip of the laser beam transmitting fiber extends beyond the distal end of the catheter, and means are provided for controlling the insertion extent of advancement of the laser fiber and its transmitting tip into the body of the catheter.