Cardiovascular imaging system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include a laser catheter that includes a catheter body, a light guide, and a distal tip that extends beyond the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, an imaging device is disposed on the distal tip such that the imaging device is distal relative to the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, the imaging device can be gated to record images during and/or slightly beyond periods when the laser catheter is not activated.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 positioning a laser catheter within a vessel, wherein the laser catheter includes a fiber optic bundle with an exit aperture;   imaging the interior of the vessel near the distal tip of the laser catheter using an imaging device disposed at the distal end of the laser catheter relative to an exit aperture of the fiber optic bundle, wherein the imaging device provides images of the interior of the vessel;   activating the laser catheter to ablate material within the vessel; and   gating the imaging device while the laser catheter is activated.   
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the gating includes disabling the imaging device. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the gating includes deleting images recorded while the laser catheter is activated. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the gating includes not providing images to a display while the laser catheter is activated. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the imaging device is an ultrasound imaging device. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the ultrasound imaging device comprises a probe. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the imaging device is disposed at least 0.9 cm from the exit aperture of the fiber optic bundle. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the laser catheter further includes a tip extending distally of from the distal end of the catheter body. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein imaging device is disposed on the tip. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the tip is disposed eccentrically to the light guide. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein imaging device is disposed on the tip. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the laser catheter further includes a catheter body and the fiber optic bundle is longitudinally moveable relative to the catheter body. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein the laser catheter further includes a ramp disposed on the tip, wherein the exit aperture of the fiber optic bundle is slidably moveable relative to the ramp. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the laser catheter further includes a catheter body. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the fiber optic bundle is arranged concentrically about the central axis of the catheter body. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the fiber optic bundle is arranged eccentrically about the central axis of the catheter body. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the catheter body further includes a guide wire lumen. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein guide wire lumen extends through the catheter body. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the laser catheter further includes a tip extending distally of from the distal end of the catheter body. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein guide wire lumen extends through the tip.