Patent ID: 7917193
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. In a catheterization device having a first end for insertion into a passageway of the body in the practice of a medical procedure, and a second end, an improvement comprising: (a) light conducting means disposed within said catheterization device for transmitting at least three distinct light beams along the length of said device from said second end toward said first end, said light conducting means terminating near said first end in at least three light emitting locations spaced axially and helically along a terminal segment of said device near said first end; (b) a source of at least three lights configured to emit said at least three light beams, each light beam having a wavelength of at least 650 nanometers, wherein said source of at least three lights emit said at least three light beams in distinct cycles of energized and non-energized intervals in accordance with Kort's law for apparent motion, said light source operatively connected to said second end of said device for transmitting said light through said light conducting means toward said light emitting locations; and (c) a light detector for detecting light emitted from said at least three light emitting locations and for determining the location of said terminal segment of said device.