Patent ID: 6980848
Filing Date: 2005-12-27
Classification: A61B,G01R

Abstract:
1. An assembly for delivering optical signals comprising a nuclear magnetic resonance system; an optical interface assembly electrically connected to said nuclear magnetic resonance system, said optical interface assembly comprising a first laser for producing laser optical signals, an interface optical to electrical signal convertor, and an interface optical connector assembly; and a catheter assembly comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a catheter optical connector assembly disposed at said proximal end and connected to said interface optical connector assembly of said optical interface assembly, a fiber optic cable assembly, an electronics assembly disposed at said distal end comprised of a catheter electrical to optical signal convertor and a catheter optical to electrical signal convertor, and a first receiving coil disposed at said distal end, wherein: a. said laser optical signals received through said fiber optic cable assembly from said first laser are converted into catheter electrical signals by said catheter optical to electrical signal convertor; b. said first receiving coil is adapted to receive electromagnetic signals and deliver coil electrical signals to said electronics assembly of said catheter assembly; c. said coil electrical signals are converted by said catheter electrical to optical signal convertor to catheter optical signals and said catheter optical signals are delivered through said fiber optic cable assembly to said interface optical to electrical signal convertor; and d. said catheter optical signals are converted by said interface optical to electrical signal convertor into interface electrical signals and are delivered to said nuclear magnetic resonance system.