Patent ID: 6577891
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
Device for the IR spectroscopy of interior surfaces (2, 2â€²) of a body within a spectral range of interest comprising an optical spectrometer and an endoscope (3; 33; 43) with an IR light guiding means (8) for illuminating the surfaces (2, 2â€²), at the proximal end of which, IR light is guided into the IR guiding means (8) and at the distal end of the IR light guiding means the light can be launched at the surface (2, 2â€²) to be examined, wherein at the distal end of the endoscope (3; 33; 43) a means for receiving IR light reflected by the surfaces (2, 2â€²) to be examined is provided, characterized in that the distal end of the IR light guiding means (8) is arranged within an inflatable balloon (4; 14; 24) consisting essentially of an elastic exterior made from a substantially uniform, single material that is largely transparent in said spectral range of interest, and that the IR light launched from the IR light guiding means (8) as well as the IR light reflected by the surfaces (2, 2â€²) to be examined can each penetrate the exterior of the balloon (4; 14; 24) independent of locations of their points of incidence thereon, wherein the elastic exterior of the balloon (4; 14; 24) is formed such that in the inflated state a cross-section for the passage (17; 17â€²; 27) of blood (1) to be examined remains free, with the elastic exterior of the balloon (14) being formed such that, in the inflated state, there is at least one radial recess (16, 16â€²) in the cross-section through the entire axial extent of the balloon (14), wherein the exterior of the balloon (14) in the area of the recess (16, 16â€²) is formed of a thicker, reinforced and/or rigidified material.