Patent ID: 7996069
Filing Date: 2011-08-09
Classification: A61B,G02B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for identifying vulnerable plaque in a wall of an artery, the apparatus comprising: a catheter defining a longitudinal axis; an optical bench disposed for rotation within the catheter; first and second fibers extending longitudinally, with distal ends disposed on the optical bench; a first beam redirector disposed on the optical bench and in optical communication with the distal end of the first fiber and pointed for directing a beam from the first fiber along a first direction; a second beam redirector disposed on the optical bench and axially separated from the first beam redirector; wherein the second beam redirector is in optical communication with the distal end of the second fiber and pointed such that the second beam redirector is capable of directing a beam from a second direction into the second fiber; the first and second beam redirectors being pointed relative to one another to define an angle; wherein a first line segment parallel to the longitudinal axis extends between the first direction and the second direction; a second line segment parallel to the longitudinal axis extends between the first direction and the second direction; and a distance between the second line segment and the longitudinal axis is greater than a distance between the first line segment and the longitudinal axis, wherein the second line segment is longer than the first line segment; and wherein the angle is selected to enhance collection by the second fiber of scattered light from a target located at a selected depth behind the arterial wall.