Sheathed optical fiber

Abstract

An optical device for illuminating the vasculature of a mammal using ultraviolet, visible, and/or infrared light is described. The optical device includes an optical fiber encased in a biocompatible sheath, and is dimensioned to lie within an intravascular catheter. When placed within a vascular space and coupled with a suitable light source the optical device illuminates the vascular space and its contents. The faces of the optical fiber are configured to optimize the capture of ultraviolet, visible, and/or infrared light from a light source without the use of active optics.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sheathed optical fiber comprising:
 a sheath comprising a lumen, wherein the lumen has a first diameter;   an optical fiber placed within the lumen in its entirety and having a length essentially identical to that of the sheath, having second diameter and comprising an optical medium that is substantially transparent to at least one of the group of wavelengths of light consisting of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light, wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter, the space defined by the first diameter and the second diameter providing the boundaries of an intraluminal space; and   a fixative,   wherein the fixative occupies at least a portion of the intraluminal space.   
     
     
         2 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath comprises a biocompatible material. 
     
     
         3 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the optical medium comprises silica. 
     
     
         4 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber comprises a core, a cladding, and a jacket. 
     
     
         5 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the fixative is substantially transparent to visible light. 
     
     
         6 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the fixative occupies at least 95% of the intraluminal space. 
     
     
         7 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution of the fixative within the intraluminal space is configured to contain a fragment of a damaged optical fiber. 
     
     
         8 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the fixative is compatible with a pharmaceutically acceptable solution. 
     
     
         9 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber further comprises a first terminus and a second terminus. 
     
     
         10 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 9 , wherein the first terminus and the second terminus have a first face and a second face respectively, and wherein both the first face and the second face are within 0° to 3° of perpendicular to a major axis of the sheathed optical fiber. 
     
     
         11 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 9 , wherein the first face and the second face each have a surface roughness of less than or equal to 0.3 microns. 
     
     
         12 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the fixative comprises an epoxy resin. 
     
     
         13 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1  wherein the sheath comprises passivated stainless steel. 
     
     
         14 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is pliant. 
     
     
         15 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is resilient. 
     
     
         16 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1 , wherein outer diameter of the sheath is dimensioned to lie within a lumen of an intravenous catheter such that an average distance of at least 0.04 mm lies between the surface of the sheath and the wall of the lumen. 
     
     
         17 . The sheathed optical fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter of the sheath is less than 0.75 mm. 
     
     
         18 . A method of illuminating a vasculature comprising:
 providing a sheathed optical fiber comprising a sheath, an optical fiber having essentially the same length as the sheath and positioned entirely within a lumen of the sheath, and a fixative that occupies at least a portion of a volume defined by the diameter of the optical fiber and the diameter of the lumen;   placing the sheathed optical fiber within a vascular space; and   applying an electromagnetic energy to the sheathed optical fiber.   
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing a sheathed optical fiber, comprising:
 providing an optical fiber having a first length, a first fiber terminus, and a second fiber terminus, the optical fiber comprising a core and a cladding;   providing a sheath having a second length and a lumen, the lumen dimensioned to accommodate the optical fiber;   instilling an uncured fixative into a first terminus of the lumen of the sheath;   advancing the optical fiber through the length of the lumen of the sheath, beginning at the first terminus of the lumen;   removing any excess fixative;   curing the uncured fixative; and   polishing first fiber terminus and the second fiber terminus to a roughness of less than or equal to 0.3 microns.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first length and the second length are substantially equal. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the uncured fixative is instilled by applying the uncured fixative to the optical fiber prior to advancing the optical fiber through the length of the lumen.