Infrared endoscopic balloon probes

Abstract

Balloon probes, adapted for use in endoscopy and other medical procedures, are useful to obtain spectroscopic information reflected or emitted from a tissue of interest in the infrared spectral region. The information collected by the probe is useful in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The invention also relates to methods utilizing these probes to analyze a surface of interest, in a minimally invasive manner, in connection with the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

1  to  75 . (canceled) 
     
     
         76 . A probe device, comprising:
 a.) a collection fiber, said collection fiber comprising:
 i.) a proximal end; 
 ii.) a distal collection end opposite said proximal end of the collection fiber, the distal collection end adapted to collect radiation; and 
 iii.) a conductive core located between said proximal end of the collection fiber and said distal collection end; 
   b.) a sheath; and   c.) an anchoring balloon disposed along said sheath;   wherein said collection fiber is in apposition with an exterior surface of the anchoring balloon, without extending into the anchoring balloon, such that the distal collection end of said collection fiber extends away from the anchoring balloon.   
     
     
         77 . The probe device of  claim 76 , wherein said conductive core comprises a bend proximate to said distal collection end. 
     
     
         78 . The probe device of  claim 76 , wherein the conductive core comprises a reflector that is configured to redirect light from the distal collection end to the proximal end of the collection fiber. 
     
     
         79 . The probe device of  claim 76 , further comprising a spectrometer optically coupled to the proximal end of said collection fiber and a detector optically coupled to said spectrometer. 
     
     
         80 . The probe device of  claim 79 , wherein the detector comprises a detector array. 
     
     
         81 . The probe device of  claim 79 , further comprising a diagnostic processor having an image acquisition interface responsive to said detector. 
     
     
         82 . The probe device of  claim 76 , further comprising an illumination fiber, said illumination fiber having a distal illumination end adjacent to the distal collection end of said collection fiber and a proximate end optically coupled to an illumination source. 
     
     
         83 . The probe device of  claim 82 , wherein a portion of the illumination fiber is fixed to an outer surface of said anchoring balloon. 
     
     
         84 . The probe device of  claim 76 , wherein said collection fiber comprises a beam splitter, to allow both illumination and collection of radiation by said collection fiber. 
     
     
         85 . The probe device of  claim 76 , wherein the distal end of said collection fiber is adapted to collect infrared radiation and the conductive core of said collection fiber is an infrared conductive core. 
     
     
         86 . The probe device of  claim 85 , further comprising a spectrometer optically coupled to the proximal end of said collection fiber and a detector optically coupled to said spectrometer, wherein said detector is sensitive to infrared radiation. 
     
     
         87 . The probe device of  claim 86 , wherein the detector comprises a detector array sensitive to wavelengths of from 6,000 nm to 12,000 nm. 
     
     
         88 . The probe device of  claim 86 , further comprising a diagnostic processor having an image acquisition interface responsive to said detector. 
     
     
         89 . The probe device of  claim 85 , further comprising an infrared transmitting illumination fiber, said illumination fiber having a distal illumination end adjacent to the distal collection end of said collection fiber and a proximate end optically coupled to an infrared illumination source. 
     
     
         90 . The probe device of  claim 89 , wherein a portion of the infrared transmitting illumination fiber is fixed to an outer surface of said anchoring balloon. 
     
     
         91 . The probe device of  claim 76 , wherein said collection fiber comprises a beam splitter, to allow both illumination and collection of radiation by said collection fiber. 
     
     
         92 . The probe device of  claim 76 , wherein a coating is overlayed on the exterior surface of the anchoring balloon, wherein the coating comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of a protein, an antigen, a tissue stimulant, an effector molecule, and a chemical. 
     
     
         93 . The probe device of  claim 76 , wherein said anchoring balloon further comprises a passage through said anchoring balloon to allow fluid communication between a proximal end and a distal end of said anchoring balloon. 
     
     
         94 . A probe device, comprising:
 a.) a plurality of collection fibers, each respective collection fiber in the plurality of collection fibers comprising:
 i.) a proximal end; 
 ii.) a distal collection end opposite said proximal end of the collection fiber, the distal collection end adapted to collect radiation; and 
 iii.) a conductive core located between said proximal end of the collection fiber and said distal collection end; 
   b.) a sheath; and   c.) an anchoring balloon disposed on said sheath;   wherein each respective collection fiber in said plurality of collection fibers is in apposition with an exterior surface of the anchoring balloon, without extending into the anchoring balloon, such that the distal collection end of each respective collection fiber in said plurality of collection fibers extends away from the outside wall of the anchoring balloon.   
     
     
         95 . The probe device of  claim 94 , wherein each respective conductive core in said plurality of collection fibers comprises a bend proximate to the distal collection end of the respective collection fiber. 
     
     
         96 . The probe device of  claim 94 , wherein each respective conductive core in said plurality of collection fibers comprises a reflector that is configured to redirect light from the distal collection end of the respective collection fiber to the proximal end of the respective collection fiber. 
     
     
         97 . The probe device of  claim 94 , wherein a light collected by a respective collection fiber in said plurality of collection fibers provides a single pixel of a digital image. 
     
     
         98 . The probe device of  claim 94 , wherein the distal end of each collection fiber in said plurality of collection fibers is adapted to collect infrared radiation and the conductive core of each collection fiber in said plurality of collection fibers is an infrared conductive core. 
     
     
         99 . The probe device of  claim 94 , wherein the plurality of collection fibers in apposition with the exterior of the anchoring balloon forms a bundle of collection fibers that surrounds said anchoring balloon.