Patent ID: 7389137
Filing Date: 2008-06-17
Classification: A61B,G01R

Abstract:
1. An assembly for delivering optical signals comprising a nuclear magnetic resonance system comprised of a magnet, an NMR programmable logic unit, a signal input channel, and a command output channel; an optical interface assembly electrically connected to said nuclear magnetic resonance system, said optical interface assembly comprising a first laser modulated so as to produce laser optical signals, an interface optical to electrical signal convertor; and a catheter assembly connected to said optical interface assembly, said catheter assembly comprising a proximal end, a distal end, 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 NMR programmable logic unit of said nuclear magnetic resonance system sends command signals through said command output channel to said optical interface assembly for use in modulating said first laser; b. 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; c. said first receiving coil is adapted to receive electromagnetic signals and deliver coil electrical signals to said electronics assembly of said catheter assembly; d. 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 e. said catheter optical signals are converted by said interface optical to electrical signal convertor into interface electrical signals and are delivered said signal input channel of said nuclear magnetic resonance system.