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 - 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 the proximal end of the collection fiber and the distal collection end of the collection fiber, the conductive core comprising a bend proximate to said distal end; 
   b.) a sheath encasing a portion of the collection fiber, the sheath comprising:
 i.) a proximal end; 
 ii.) a distal end opposite the proximal end; and 
 iii.) a core region located between the proximal end of the sheath and the distal end of the sheath, the core region of the sheath having an orifice in the wall of the sheath; 
   c.) a first anchoring balloon disposed along the sheath and proximate to the proximal end of the of the sheath with respect to the orifice in the wall of the sheath; and   d.) a second anchoring balloon disposed along said sheath and proximate to the distal end of the sheath with respect to the orifice in the wall of the sheath;   wherein the collection fiber is moveably disposed in the sheath, and wherein the bend deploys radially when the distal collection end is advanced through the orifice in the core region of the sheath thereby causing the distal collection end of the collection fiber to move into a space between the first anchoring balloon and the second anchoring balloon.   
     
     
         77 . 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. 
     
     
         78 . The probe device of  claim 77 , wherein the detector comprises a detector array. 
     
     
         79 . The probe device of  claim 76 , further comprising a diagnostic processor having an image acquisition interface responsive to said detector. 
     
     
         80 . 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. 
     
     
         81 . 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. 
     
     
         82 . 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. 
     
     
         83 . The probe device of  claim 82 , 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. 
     
     
         84 . The probe device of  claim 83 , wherein the detector comprises a detector array sensitive to wavelengths of from 6,000 nm to 12,000 nm. 
     
     
         85 . The probe device of  claim 83 , further comprising a diagnostic processor having an image acquisition interface responsive to said detector. 
     
     
         86 . The probe device of  claim 82 , 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. 
     
     
         87 . 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. 
     
     
         88 . The probe device of  claim 76 , further comprising a source of infrared-transparent fluid in fluid communication with the space between the first anchoring balloon and the second anchoring balloon via the orifice in the core region of the sheath. 
     
     
         89 . The probe device of  claim 88 , 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. 
     
     
         90 . 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 the proximal end of the collection fiber and the distal collection end of the collection fiber, the conductive core comprising a bend proximate to said distal end; 
   b.) a sheath encasing a portion of each collection fiber, the sheath comprising:
 i.) a proximal end; 
 ii.) a distal end opposite the proximal end; and 
 iii.) a core region located between the proximal end of the sheath and the distal end of the sheath, the core region of the sheath having an orifice in the wall of the sheath; 
   c.) a first anchoring balloon disposed along the sheath and proximate to the proximal end of the of the sheath with respect to the orifice in the wall of the sheath; and   d.) a second anchoring balloon disposed along said sheath and proximate to the distal end of the sheath with respect to the orifice in the wall of the sheath;   wherein each respective collection fiber in the plurality of collection fibers is moveably disposed in the sheath, and wherein the bend of each respective collection fiber in the plurality of collection fibers deploys radially when the distal collection end of the respective collection fiber is advanced through the orifice in the core region of the sheath thereby causing the distal collection end of the respective collection fiber to move into a space between the first anchoring balloon and the second anchoring balloon.   
     
     
         91 . The probe device of  claim 90 , further comprising a plurality of detectors, wherein each respective collection fiber in the plurality of collection fibers is optically coupled to a corresponding detector in the plurality of detectors. 
     
     
         92 . The probe device of  claim 91 , wherein each respective collection fiber is optically coupled to its corresponding detector through a spectrometer. 
     
     
         93 . The probe device of  claim 91 , wherein the plurality of detectors form a detector array. 
     
     
         94 . The probe device of  claim 90 , wherein a coating is overlayed on the exterior surface of the first 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. 
     
     
         95 . The probe device of  claim 90 , further comprising a source of infrared-transparent fluid in fluid communication with the space between the first anchoring balloon and the second anchoring balloon via the orifice in the core region of the sheath.