Apparatus, devices and methods for obtaining omnidirectional viewing by a catheter

Abstract

An apparatus for obtaining information regarding a biological structure(s) can include, for example a light guiding arrangement which can include a fiber through which an electromagnetic radiation(s) can be propagated, where the electromagnetic radiation can be provided to or from the structure. An at least partially reflective arrangement can have multiple surfaces, where the reflecting arrangement can be situated with respect to the optical arrangement such that the surfaces thereof each can receive a(s) beam of the electromagnetic radiations instantaneously, and a receiving arrangement(s) which can be configured to receive the reflected radiation from the surfaces which include speckle patterns.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This application relates to and claims priority from U.S. Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61 / 836,716 filed on Jun. 19, 2013, 61 / 934,454 filed on Jan. 31, 2014, and 61 / 905,893 filed on Nov. 19, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to viewing by a catheter, and more specifically, to exemplary embodiments of exemplary devices, apparati and methods for omnidirectional (e.g., laser speckle) imaging, and viewing by a catheter.BACKGROUND INFORMATION[0003]Despite major advances in coronary interventions and pharmacotherapies, acute myocardial-infarction (“AMI”) remains the leading cause of death, annually claiming over 10 million lives worldwide. AMI can be caused by coronary thrombosis that can frequently result from the rupture of vulnerable plaque. If vulnerable plaques could be identified and treated prior to rupture, the incidence of AM...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes various technical improvements related to optical arrangements for detecting and analyzing electromagnetic radiation. Some of the technical improvements include using polarizing arrangements to prevent the return of reflected light, optical arrangements that can include a GRIN lens, ball lens, or imaging lens, and light guiding arrangements that can split and reflect the electromagnetic radiation at different wavelengths. The patent also describes methods for reducing inter-fiber crosstalk in fiber optic bundles by using core fibers with a reduced fluctuation in core diameter, numerical apertures, and core spacing. Overall, these technical improvements can enhance the performance and accuracy of optical arrangements for detecting and analyzing electromagnetic radiation.

Problems solved by technology

However, evaluation of plaque viscoelastic properties can be intractable using this approach.

While recent studies have utilized inverse methods and deformable curves to reconstruct Young's moduli from elastography strain maps, the approximation of linear elastic behavior by these methods can restrict accurate evaluation of the load bearing properties of viscoelastic tissue components and low viscosity lipid pools.

Loss of OCT signal in lipid rich tissue, however, can preclude strain assessment in NC plaques, thus significantly limiting clinical utility.65-67 There are no known techniques that can evaluate the viscoelastic properties of coronary plaques in patients.

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