Optical cutting catheter coil system

Abstract

Catheter assemblies with separation devices for delivering implants are provided herein. A method of coil embolization using a catheter includes: inserting the catheter into a patient via a vein or an artery; navigating the catheter to an aneurysm, the catheter defining an outer wall; placing the tip of the catheter at the opening of the aneurysm; the coil penetrates through the catheter cavity of the catheter to be fed into the aneurysm through the pushing line; determining a user-defined separation point at which a distal coil section of the coil should be separated from the coil; aligning a user-defined separation point of the coil with a specified separation zone at the tip of the catheter; and switching a laser source connected to the embedded optical fiber to separate the distal coil section from the coil by an embedded laser beam emitted from the optical fiber at a specified separation zone at the tip of the catheter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to catheter assemblies and separation mechanisms used in delivering implants, such as microcatheters for coil embolization and other catheter-based implant procedures. Background Art

[0002] A catheter is a tubular medical device used for a variety of applications. All sorts of applications of catheters require inserting the catheter into the body. Once inside the body, depending on the catheter's kit, the catheter can be used for treatment, surgery, or diagnosis. A microcatheter is a subclass of catheters, typically having a diameter of less than 2 millimeters and mainly designed for endovascular procedures. Coil embolization is such an endovascular procedure that uses a microcatheter to treat aneurysms, and this will be used as an exemplary procedure to describe embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein.

[0003] An aneurysm refers to an abnormal dilation or expansion of the arterial wall, which may lead to internal bleeding or more severe consequences. The nature of aneurysms and the endovascular system makes treatment cumbersome and patient-specific, especially for brain aneurysms. Previously, invasive surgeries were used to treat brain aneurysms, but in recent decades, non-invasive treatment methods have been developed. Coil embolization is a procedure for treating aneurysms by inserting wire segments into the aneurysm using a microcatheter to form blood clots and impede abnormal blood flow. The wire segments are typically manufactured with designated separation zones. The need for these designated separation zones leads to problems that will be described in detail below.

[0004] There are also other procedures that use catheters to deliver implants. To a large extent due to its non-invasiveness, catheter-based implant procedures are an ideal alternative compared to traditional surgeries. The progress of medicine is committed to minimizing invasive surgeries, which will continue to popularize the use of catheter-based implants and make the use of catheter-based implants a necessity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Generally speaking, embodiments of the present disclosure provided herein include an improved catheter assembly, wherein the catheter is improved to at least include an optical fiber connected to a laser source.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the catheter is a microcatheter. The optical fiber is connected to a laser source, and when the laser source is activated, the laser source serves as a separation mechanism in catheter-based implant procedures.

[0007] In some embodiments, the optical fiber is embedded in the outer wall of the catheter, and the optical fiber is slotted or cut at the distal end such that the laser from the laser source is emitted through the slot or incision to selectively cut through an object or material at the distal end of the catheter.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the improved microcatheter disclosed herein is used in coil embolization procedures, where an optical fiber connected to a laser source serves as a laser cutting separation mechanism for segmenting coils during the procedure.

[0009] In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a separation method for catheter-based implantation procedures, where the catheter is modified to include at least an optical fiber, the distal end of which is slotted or cut, and the optical fiber is connected to a laser source, where the laser is activated such that the laser is emitted through the slot or incision at the distal end of the optical fiber and is used to separate the implant.

[0010] In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a catheter, where the catheter includes at least an optical fiber having a slot or incision formed at the distal end, and the optical fiber is configured to be connected to a laser source capable of cutting an implant used in catheter-based implantation procedures.

[0011] In one embodiment, the microcatheter is an industry standard microcatheter that includes at least an outer wall, a push wire located inside the outer wall, and an optical fiber. The optical fiber is embedded in the wall of the microcatheter. At the proximal end, the optical fiber is connected to a laser source. At the distal end, the optical fiber extends to the tip of the microcatheter and has an exposed portion. The optical fiber is slotted / cut at the exposed portion such that the laser passing through the optical fiber is emitted through the slot / incision and directed into the interior or tip of the microcatheter. The emitted laser is used to selectively cut through an object or material at the tip of the microcatheter, thereby serving as a separation mechanism.

[0012] The above summary is only for summarizing some exemplary embodiments to provide a basic understanding of certain aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed as narrowing the scope or spirit of the present disclosure in any way. It should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments other than those outlined herein, some of which will be further described below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims.

[0013] The embodiments provided herein include a catheter that includes: an outer wall; a push wire at least partially surrounded by the outer wall; and an optical fiber, the distal end of which is embedded in the catheter, where the exposed portion of the distal end of the optical fiber defines at least one of a slot or a beveled incision such that a laser beam passing through the optical fiber is emitted inwardly from the distal end to cut through an object or material at the distal tip of the catheter. According to some embodiments, the catheter is a microcatheter configured for catheter delivery of an implant. According to certain embodiments, the outer diameter of the distal tip of the catheter is between 1.0 Fr and 4.0 Fr. According to some embodiments, the length of the microcatheter is between 50 cm and 200 cm. Some embodiments of the catheter include a steerable tip. Embodiments optionally include a laser source connected to the optical fiber, where the laser source is a ytterbium nanosecond pulsed fiber laser.

[0014] Embodiments provided herein include a method of using a catheter for coil embolization, the method comprising: inserting a catheter into a patient via a vein or artery; navigating the catheter to an aneurysm site, the catheter defining an outer wall; placing a tip of the catheter at an opening of the aneurysm; delivering a coil through a lumen of the catheter into the aneurysm by advancing a wire; determining a user-defined separation point at which a distal coil segment of the coil is to be separated from the coil; aligning the user-defined separation point of the coil with a designated separation zone at the catheter tip, an exposed portion of an embedded optical fiber being located in the separation zone, wherein the optical fiber defines at least one of a notch or a bevel in the exposed portion; and switching on a laser source connected to the embedded optical fiber, thereby separating the distal coil segment from the coil by an embedded laser beam emitted from the optical fiber at at least one of the notch or the bevel to the designated separation zone at the catheter tip.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the catheter is a microcatheter configured for catheter-delivered implants. According to certain embodiments, an outer diameter of a distal end of the microcatheter is between 1.0 Fr and 4.0 Fr. According to some embodiments, a length of the microcatheter is between 50 cm and 200 cm. The catheter tip of an exemplary embodiment includes a steerable tip. In some embodiments, the laser source connected to the embedded optical fiber is a ytterbium nanosecond pulsed fiber laser. The coil of an exemplary embodiment may be made of at least one of platinum or other metal alloys embedded in a gel substance.

[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system comprising: a catheter defining a distal tip; and a laser source, wherein the catheter includes: an outer wall; a push wire located inside the outer wall; and an optical fiber embedded within the catheter, wherein an exposed portion of a distal end of the optical fiber defines at least one of a notch or a bevel such that a laser beam passing through the optical fiber is emitted inwardly from at least one of the notch or the bevel to cut through an object or material at the distal tip of the catheter, wherein the laser source is connected to the optical fiber embedded within the catheter.

[0017] According to certain embodiments, the catheter is a microcatheter configured for catheter-delivered implants. In some embodiments, an outer diameter of a distal tip of the microcatheter is between 1.0 Fr and 4.0 Fr. In some embodiments, a length of the microcatheter is between 50 cm and 200 cm. The catheter of an exemplary embodiment includes a steerable tip. In some embodiments, the laser source connected to the optical fiber is a ytterbium nanosecond pulsed fiber laser. The laser source of an exemplary embodiment is configured to output a laser having a fixed pulse of about 100 nanoseconds and a pulse energy of about 1 millijoule. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is an example of a catheter standard in the industry, where the top outer wall is removed so that the internal structure can be seen.

[0019] Figure 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing an optical fiber embedded in a catheter.

[0020] Figure 3 is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing an improved catheter with an embedded optical fiber and the top outer wall removed so that the internal structure can be seen.

[0021] Figure 4 is an example of an optical fiber standard in the industry.

[0022] Figure 5 is an exemplary embodiment of a laser that can be connected to the optical fiber in the improved catheter disclosed herein. Detailed Description

[0023] Some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In fact, the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0024] The terms "catheter" and "microcatheter" used herein may be used interchangeably. Any embodiment described herein as a "catheter" or "microcatheter" is not necessarily to be construed as mutually exclusive. Various embodiments familiar to those skilled in the art may be understood that the methods and apparatuses disclosed in the present invention are applicable to catheters of various sizes and types.

[0025] The terms "laser", "light", "light beam", etc. used herein may be used interchangeably to generally refer to the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (infrared, visible, ultraviolet) in which the laser operates and its output.

[0026] The word "example" or "exemplary" used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment described herein as "example" or "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred over or superior to other embodiments.

[0027] The terms "front", "rear", "top", "proximal", "distal", etc. used herein are for illustrative purposes in the examples provided below to describe the relative positions of certain components or component parts. The term "or" as used herein is used both in the alternative and in the conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. The terms "along" and similar terms used indicate being near or on an edge or other reference position, but do not necessarily require being directly on the edge or other reference position. The terms "about", "substantially", and "essentially" refer to within the manufacturing and / or engineering tolerances of the corresponding material and / or element, unless otherwise indicated. The use of such terms includes and is intended to permit independent recitation of the listed specific values. Thus, the use of any of the foregoing terms or similar interchangeable terms should not be construed as limiting the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] The accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale and are only used to illustrate some example embodiments of the invention described herein. The drawings do not limit the scope of the present disclosure or the appended claims. Several aspects of the example embodiments will be described below in connection with example applications for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the relevant art will readily recognize that these example embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details or using other methods. In other instances, well-known structures and / or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the example embodiments.

[0029] In the present disclosure, devices and methods for improving existing catheter assemblies are described, particularly microcatheters designed for endovascular procedures that require catheter delivery of implants.

[0030] Microcatheters are commonly used in a variety of medical procedures and can replace invasive surgical procedures with non-invasive, interventional, or diagnostic procedures. Microcatheters are typically used to navigate arteries / veins in the body for various procedures.

[0031] An exemplary procedure that requires microcatheter delivery of an implant is coil embolization for the treatment of aneurysms. Typically, the microcatheter is passed through the patient's artery and navigated to the aneurysm site. Fine metal coils are delivered through the microcatheter and inserted into the aneurysm to form a blood clot and prevent abnormal blood flow into the aneurysm. When inserting a section of the coil into the aneurysm, the section of the coil must be separated from the coil.

[0032] Existing aneurysm coil systems employ various separation methods, including but not limited to mechanical separation, electrolytic separation, fuse connections, etc. The presence of a single fixed separation zone inherently limits the size of the coils that can be delivered and presents the risk of inappropriate coil sizing and coil deformation or premature separation.

[0033] Typically, multiple coils are used to occlude an aneurysm, proceeding from frame construction to packing. As the aneurysm packing progresses, the deployment of the coils increases the risk of aneurysm rupture or the coils protruding into the parent vessel. If the coils are partially deployed and the remaining coil length is considered too long to continue placement, an attempt can be made to recapture the coils, but this may not be successful and there is a risk of coil mass displacement or loss of the position of the microcatheter within the aneurysm, thereby reintroducing the risk of re-entry into the aneurysm.

[0034] Due to variations in factors such as location, vessel size, neck / dome size, orientation, etc., the ideal coil configuration for each aneurysm is different. There are essentially an infinite number of possible anatomical variations. It is physically impossible to manufacture discrete coils of a perfect length fixed by patient. Instead, many different shapes and lengths of microcatheters are manufactured and then often stockpiled in hospital inventories awaiting use.

[0035] Generally speaking, a separation mechanism for catheter-based implants is needed that allows user-defined separation at any point. Specifically, these and other issues have created a need for a separation mechanism for coil embolization that allows user-defined coil segment lengths and the coils have no fixed separation zones.

[0036] Microcatheters are complex tools to manufacture, but their wide range of uses has made them a standard in the medical industry. Various applications and use cases have prompted manufacturers to develop microcatheters with different physical characteristics and toolkits. However, generally, microcatheters embody some standards that will be described in further detail below. It should be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only and does not imply a limitation on the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that catheters incorporating variations or the opposite of the following generalizations do not limit the application of the improved catheter disclosed herein.

[0037] The microcatheter has a proximal end, a midsection, and a distal end with a tip. The overall length of the microcatheter is less than about 200 cm but greater than 50 cm. The outer diameter of each region is less than the outer diameter of its proximal region, such that the distal end and tip have a minimum outer diameter (about 1.6 Fr to 4.0 Fr), while the proximal end has a maximum outer diameter (about 2.0 Fr to 6.0 Fr). The interior of the entire microcatheter has a constant diameter. The tip of the microcatheter can be fixed at an angle, or an integrated steerable tip can be used to improve navigation, where the user can control the shape of the tip in real time. The wall of the microcatheter can include several layers. An injection molding system can be used to create an outermost layer with a hydrophilic coating, which helps the microcatheter move within veins or arteries. The layers interior to the outermost layer can provide kink resistance and structural support to the microcatheter. Generally, different sections along the length of the microcatheter include different layers to achieve different physical properties. For example, in one of the layers, braided wires are wound along the microcatheter in different ways (e.g., single layer braiding, double layer braiding, parallel, perpendicular, etc.) to achieve a more flexible distal section than the proximal section. Inside the wall, a push wire extends from the proximal end through the lumen of the microcatheter to the tip at the distal end. The length of the push wire exceeds the length of the microcatheter and allows the user to deliver implants and perform general interactions.

[0038] In an example of coil embolization, the invention described herein allows for the placement of industry-standard coils through an improved microcatheter that includes an optical fiber connected to a laser source, allowing for user-determined separation of the coils along any length while the catheter remains within the patient. The invention is also applicable to non-flow diversion stents and flow diversion stents or other catheter-delivered implants, such as but not limited to detachable balloons.

[0039] In one exemplary embodiment, the microcatheter is improved to include an optical fiber that extends from the proximal end to the tip at the distal end along the length of the microcatheter. At the proximal end, the optical fiber is connected to a laser source. At the tip, a notch or bevel cut is made in the optical fiber. The notch / cut causes the light passing through the optical fiber to be redirected at a nearly perpendicular angle to selectively cut through an object passing through the microcatheter. For example, a coil in a coil embolization procedure.

[0040] In another exemplary embodiment, a method of manufacturing a microcatheter is disclosed, where the microcatheter includes an embedded optical fiber connected to a laser source. At the distal end, the optical fiber is slotted or cut and aligned with the tip of the microcatheter to redirect light into the interior of the microcatheter such that the user can selectively cut through the material of the microcatheter by switching the laser source.

[0041] In another exemplary embodiment, a method of coil embolization is disclosed, wherein the coil is delivered through a microcatheter, which is modified to have an optical fiber embedded along the length of the microcatheter, wherein the distal end of the optical fiber is slotted or cut such that the laser in the optical fiber is redirected inside the tip of the microcatheter to selectively cut the coil as the coil passes through the distal end of the microcatheter.

[0042] In another exemplary embodiment, a method of implant separation during a catheter-based implantation procedure is disclosed, wherein the microcatheter has been modified to include an embedded optical fiber that includes a notch / incision at the tip of the microcatheter such that the laser passing through the optical fiber from a connected laser source is emitted from the notch / incision to selectively cut the implant being delivered, thereby serving as a separation mechanism for the microcatheter.

[0043] In one exemplary embodiment, the modified microcatheter can be used in coil embolization procedures for treating aneurysms. The modified microcatheter can provide improved functionality for the user by eliminating the need to have a fixed separation zone on the coil. Instead, continuous coils can be used and the user can activate the laser source to separate coil segments at points determined by the user. This can provide improved coil structural integrity and eliminate the risk of having an inappropriate coil segment size.

[0044] According to some embodiments, a method of separation during a catheter-delivered implantation procedure includes a catheter or microcatheter that is modified to have an optical fiber embedded along the length of the catheter. The embedded optical fiber is modified to have a notch or incision at the distal end of the optical fiber that redirects the laser passing through the optical fiber to an object or material passing through the distal end of the catheter to cut the object or material, and the proximal end of the optical fiber is connected to a laser source.

[0045] In some embodiments, the modified catheter is used to allow a user performing a catheter-based implantation to selectively separate an object or material delivered by a pusher wire by activating a laser such that the laser beam passes through the optical fiber embedded in the catheter and exits the optical fiber through a notch or incision made at the distal end of the optical fiber, thereby severing and separating the object or material being delivered by the pusher wire inside the catheter.

[0046] Figure 1 Shown is an industry standard microcatheter for coil embolization. The microcatheter includes at least a wall 102, a coil 104, and a pusher wire 106. The wall 102 provides a barrier for the microcatheter and houses various internal components while maintaining flexibility and maneuverability. The coil 104 is the implant for coil embolization. The pusher wire 106 allows the user to push, pull, grasp, release, and otherwise generally interact according to the needs of various procedures. In this example, the pusher wire is used to deliver the coil 104.

[0047] In conventional microcatheters for catheter-based implant procedures, various separation mechanisms are used to separate deliverable implants, including but not limited to mechanical separation, electrolytic separation, fusing connections, etc. For example, in coil embolization procedures, these separation mechanisms typically require the coil to include a designated separation site, thus presenting a risk that the coil segment may be too short, too long, or separated prematurely for the procedure.

[0048] The present invention provides a separation mechanism that overcomes this problem by allowing the use of coils of any length determined by the user. This is achieved by utilizing a laser-based separation mechanism, thus allowing the use of coils without a designated separation site. Those skilled in the art will appreciate other catheter-based implant procedures that may benefit from user-specified separation sites.

[0049] Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of the disclosure is shown. An optical fiber 202 is embedded in a microcatheter 204.

[0050] Microcatheters are extremely complex manufacturing objects as they must be small enough to be maneuvered within veins or arteries while also maintaining important characteristics such as kink resistance, pushability, trackability, and sufficient stiffness. Additionally, the composition of different microcatheters will vary to meet different physical characteristics and thus appropriately satisfy the requirements of various use cases.

[0051] For these reasons, it should be understood that various manufacturing methods allowing the embedding of the optical fiber 202 within the microcatheter can be developed according to the needs of the individual microcatheter manufacturer and use case. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative structures may be suitable for various conditions such as specialized procedures, ease of manufacture, cost, etc. In some embodiments, the optical fiber can be embedded within a plastic mold that forms the outer wall of the microcatheter, as Figure 2 shown. In other embodiments, the optical fiber 202 can be embedded inside the outer wall, fixed to the microcatheter, or accommodated inside the microcatheter in any manner suitable for the application. Thus, the specific manner in which the optical fiber is embedded within the microcatheter is not a limiting aspect of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 3 Another exemplary embodiment is shown. A standard microcatheter design is modified to include an embedded optical fiber 202 along the length of the microcatheter. At the distal end of the microcatheter, near the tip, the optical fiber 202 is slotted or cut at point 302. Light emits from the optical fiber 202, as shown at point 304.

[0053] When the optical fiber is properly slotted or cut, total internal reflection is disrupted and light is emitted perpendicular to its original path. The present invention utilizes this phenomenon as a separation mechanism in an improved catheter. By sloting or cutting the distal end of the optical fiber, the light beam from the laser source is directed out of the slot / cut towards the interior of the catheter tip, such that when the laser source is activated, the user can selectively cut an object or material being delivered through the catheter tip. By modifying parameters such as pulse width, power, duration, etc., different materials can be cut appropriately. For example, cutting industry standard coils during coil embolization for treating aneurysms.

[0054] In one exemplary embodiment, a user desires to perform a catheter-based implantation procedure. As Figure 3 shown, a standard microcatheter is modified to include an optical fiber embedded along the length of the microcatheter. A notch is made in the optical fiber, as shown at point 302, such that when light passes through the optical fiber 202, the light is redirected inwards, as shown at point 304. A push wire can pass through the internal opening of the microcatheter to deliver an implant through the tip of the microcatheter. If the user determines that the implant should be separated, the implant can be placed at a point in front of point 304 where they desire to cut the implant. Once in place, the user can switch on the laser source connected to the optical fiber, and the notch made at point 302 will emit the laser, as shown at point 304, thereby cutting the implant at the desired location.

[0055] Figure 4 An example of an optical fiber 400 that can be embedded in the improved catheter disclosed herein is shown. The optical fiber 400 is an industry standard. The optical fiber 400 includes a buffer layer 402, a cladding layer 404, and a core fiber 406.

[0056] The core fiber 406 serves as the medium through which light from the laser source propagates. The cladding layer 404 is used to reflect the light inwards, thereby trapping the light inside the core fiber 406. The buffer layer 402 is an outer coating that typically protects the interior. The optical fiber 402 can be any single-mode fiber that a person skilled in the art would couple to the selected laser source.

[0057] In some embodiments, industry standard 5 micron or 10 micron silica single-mode fibers can be used. The buffer layer 402 can be approximately 250 microns, the cladding layer 404 can be approximately 125 microns and made of acrylate, and the core fiber 406 can be approximately 10 microns.

[0058] Fiber lasers have been widely used in modern industrial fields, from cleaning to cutting. They are relatively simple to manufacture, small in size, occupy a compact space, and are capable of outputting high pulse energy at a relatively low average power, making them an improved version of the industry-standard Nd-YAG lasers. Fiber lasers typically require an active fiber doped with rare earth elements, such as ytterbium, erbium, or thulium. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an optical fiber embedded in an improved catheter is connected to a ytterbium nanosecond pulsed fiber laser. However, those skilled in the art should understand that alternative lasers can be used. For the purposes of the present invention, any laser source can be used as long as it can operate according to the embodiments of the catheter-based implant separation mechanism described herein.

[0059] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of a ytterbium nanosecond pulsed fiber laser is shown, which can be used as the laser source for the improved microcatheter described herein. The laser can have variable parameters, such as pulse width and power, so that materials or objects passing through the microcatheter can be selectively removed without damaging the microcatheter or the surrounding tissue.

[0060] The laser source connected to the optical fiber emits a laser beam capable of cutting through objects or materials in the microcatheter and serves as the separation mechanism for the improved microcatheter disclosed herein.

[0061] The laser source can be a compact fiber or diode-based device with a wavelength of approximately 1 micron, which is the industry-standard cutting wavelength and has a high absorption rate for many metals. The pulse width and power are adjustable to selectively remove the implant at the desired length without damaging the catheter or the surrounding tissue.

[0062] In some embodiments, the laser source uses a fixed pulse duration of 100 ns, an average power of 10 watts to 100 watts, a repetition frequency of 2 kHz to 500 kHz, and a pulse energy of approximately 1 mJ.

[0063] The embodiments described herein can also be extended to accommodate various applications, such as for catheters and / or microcatheters of different sizes and configurations. Those skilled in the art will find it convenient and / or necessary to implement specific applications in combination with the teachings of the present disclosure, and thus various components of the embodiments described herein can be added, removed, reorganized, modified, copied, and / or the like. In addition, those skilled in the art will find it convenient and / or necessary to implement specific applications according to the teachings of the present disclosure, and thus specialized features, characteristics, materials, components, and / or devices can be combined with the teachings of the present disclosure for application.

[0064] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure described herein will come to mind to those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains, benefiting from the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the related drawings. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, although the foregoing description and the related drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it is to be understood that, given the present disclosure, different combinations of elements and / or functions can be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and / or functions different from those explicitly described above are also contemplated, as set forth in certain of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A catheter, comprising: An outer wall; A push wire, at least part of which is surrounded by the outer wall; And An optical fiber, the distal end of which is embedded in the catheter, Wherein, the exposed portion of the distal end of the optical fiber defines at least one of a notch or a bevel, such that a laser beam passing through the optical fiber is emitted inward from the distal end to cut through an object or material at the distal tip of the catheter.

2. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the catheter is a microcatheter configured for catheter-delivered implants.

3. The microcatheter according to claim 2, wherein the outer diameter of the distal tip of the catheter is between 1.0 Fr and 4.0 Fr.

4. The microcatheter according to claim 2, wherein the length of the microcatheter is between 50 cm and 200 cm.

5. The catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a steerable tip.

6. The catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a laser source connected to the optical fiber, wherein the laser source is a ytterbium nanosecond pulsed fiber laser.

7. A method of performing coil embolization using a catheter, the method comprising: Inserting the catheter into a patient via a vein or an artery; Navigating the catheter to the site of an aneurysm, the catheter defining an outer wall; Placing the tip of the catheter at the opening of the aneurysm; Feeding a coil through the lumen of the catheter into the aneurysm via the push wire; Determining a user-defined separation point at which the distal coil segment of the coil should be separated from the coil; Aligning the user-defined separation point of the coil with a designated separation zone at the tip of the catheter, wherein the exposed portion of the embedded optical fiber is located in the separation zone, and wherein the optical fiber defines at least one of a notch or a bevel in the exposed portion; And Switching a laser source connected to the embedded optical fiber, thereby separating the distal coil segment from the coil by an emitted laser beam that is emitted from the embedded optical fiber at at least one of the notch or the bevel to the designated separation zone at the tip of the catheter.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the catheter is a microcatheter configured for catheter-delivered implants.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the outer diameter of the distal end of the microcatheter is between 1.0 Fr and 4.0 Fr.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the length of the microcatheter is between 50 cm and 200 cm.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the catheter further comprises a steerable tip.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the laser source connected to the embedded optical fiber is a ytterbium nanosecond pulsed fiber laser.

13. The method according to claim 7, wherein the coil is made of at least one of platinum or steel.

14. A system, comprising: A catheter defining a distal tip; And A laser source; Wherein the catheter comprises: An outer wall; A push wire located inside the outer wall; and An optical fiber embedded in the catheter, The exposed portion of the distal end of the optical fiber defines at least one of a notch or a bevel such that a laser beam passing through the optical fiber is emitted inwardly from at least one of the notch or the bevel to cut through an object or material at the distal tip of the catheter. The laser source is connected to the optical fiber embedded in the catheter.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the catheter is a microcatheter configured for delivering an implant.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the outer diameter of the distal tip of the microcatheter is between 1.0 Fr and 4.0 Fr.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the length of the microcatheter is between 50 cm and 200 cm.

18. The system according to claim 14, wherein the catheter further includes a steerable tip.

19. The system according to claim 14, wherein the laser source connected to the optical fiber is a ytterbium nanosecond pulsed fiber laser.

20. The system according to claim 14, wherein the laser source is configured to output a laser having a fixed pulse with a pulse width of about 100 nanoseconds and a pulse energy of about 1 millijoule.

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