Patent ID: 8414568
Filing Date: 2013-04-09
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. An optical guidewire system, comprising: a hypotube including a proximal end segment, a distal end segment, a proximal end and a distal end; an adhesive plug arranged within the distal end segment of the hypotube, the adhesive plug including a distal end having a distal face configured in substantially a same plane as the distal end of the hypotube; and a plurality of optical fibers disposed within the hypotube, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers have a portion extending into a portion of the adhesive plug and each of the plurality of optical fibers terminate at the distal end of the adhesive plug, wherein the adhesive plug surrounds at least a portion of the plurality of optical fibers and couples the plurality of optical fibers to the distal end segment of the hypotube, wherein the distal end segment of the hypotube comprises an outer surface having a plurality of openings configured to provide variable stiffness to the hypotube, and wherein the outer surface comprises an alternating series of circumferentially oriented hoops and longitudinally oriented braces, and arranged by having two braces between each two neighboring hoops and each of the two braces disposed on substantially opposing sides.