Rotatable ferrules and interfaces for use with an optical guidewire

Abstract

The invention is directed to devices and methods for passing optical radiation into and out of a body lumen. In particular, the invention is directed to a rotatable ferrule for use in an optical guidewire and methods for using a rotatable ferrule. The rotatable ferrule may be either rotatably captured by and free to rotate within a guidewire, or may rotate upon release from a releasable, mechanically stable friction-fit engagement with a guidewire. The invention is further directed to sterile interfaces for readily connecting and disconnecting an optical guidewire with and from other optical instrumentation while maintaining the sterility of the guidewire, and methods for using a sterile interface device. The invention is also directed to interface devices that provide either direct or indirect optical and mechanical connection between an optical guidewire and peripheral instrumentation.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A sterile interface having an optical fiber effective to carry optical radiation, a distal portion and a proximal portion, said distal portion being configured to engage a ferrule, and said proximal portion being configured to engage a peripheral instrument. 
     
     
         24 . The sterile interface of  claim 23 , further comprising a sterile shield. 
     
     
         25 . A sterile interface for quickly connecting and disconnecting an optical guidewire to an instrument, said sterile interface comprising an plurality of parts, each part comprising a bore therethrough, said bores together defining a passage, at least a portion of said passage enclosing an optical fiber, at least a portion of said the passage being configured to receive and engage said optical guidewire. 
     
     
         26 . An instrument for directly or indirectly connecting with an optical guidewire, comprising:
 a connector having a docking portion and an optical path configured to transmit optical radiation to instruments connected to said docking portion;   an optical device configured to direct optical radiation passing along said optical path; and   a mechanical drive configured to rotate said docking portion.   
     
     
         27 . The instrument of  claim 26 , wherein said optical device comprises an optical detector. 
     
     
         28 . The instrument of  claim 26 , wherein said optical device comprises a source of optical radiation. 
     
     
         29 . A ferrule for use with an optical instrument, comprising a passage configured to pass optical radiation and a distal portion with an outer surface configured to engage a shaft with a friction fit. 
     
     
         30 . A ferrule for use with an optical instrument, comprising a passage configured to pass optical radiation and a distal portion with an outer surface configured to rotate within a shaft.