Intravascular Data Collection Probes and Related Assemblies

Abstract

In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a probe that a cylindrical marker band defining an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end and having a band length, the inner surface defining a marker band bore, the cylindrical marker band includes a radiopaque material; a molded unitary lens defining an elongate optical fiber receiving section having a fiber section length and a beam directing surface, wherein the fiber section length and the band length overlap along an overlap distance; and an optical fiber, wherein a first section of the optical fiber is disposed in the optical fiber receiving section, wherein a portion of the first section of the optical fiber is disposed within the marker band bore.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intravascular data collection probe comprising:
 a marker band defining a bore, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, the marker band having a band length, the marker band comprising a radiopaque material;   a lens defining a beam directing surface, the lens partially disposed in the bore, wherein the beam directing surface extends past the second end;   an optical fiber disposed in the marker band, wherein a section of the optical fiber extends from the first end of the marker band, the optical fiber optically coupled to the lens.   
     
     
         2 . The probe of  claim 1  further comprising a jacket defining a jacket bore, wherein the marker band, the lens, and a section of the optical fiber are disposed in the jacket bore. 
     
     
         3 . The probe of  claim 1  further comprising a torque wire defining a torque wire bore and a torque wire end face, wherein the optical fiber extending from the marker band is disposed in the torque wire bore, wherein the first end of the marker band is joined to the torque wire end face. 
     
     
         4 . The probe of  claim 3  wherein the marker band is joined to the torque wire end face by a butt weld. 
     
     
         5 . The probe of  claim 3  further comprising a jacket defining a jacket bore, wherein the marker band, the lens, and a section of the optical fiber are disposed in the jacket bore. 
     
     
         6 . The probe of  claim 5  wherein the first end of the marker band and the torque wire end face are disposed in the jacket bore. 
     
     
         7 . The probe of  claim 3  wherein the torque wire end face defines a bevel oriented at a bevel angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the torque wire bore, wherein the end face is welded to the first end of the marker band. 
     
     
         8 . The probe of  claim 2  wherein lens is a molded unitary lens defining an elongate optical fiber receiving section having a fiber section length and a beam directing surface. 
     
     
         9 . The probe of  claim 8 , wherein a first section of the optical fiber is disposed in the optical fiber receiving section, wherein a portion of the first section of the optical fiber is disposed within the marker band bore. 
     
     
         10 . The probe of  claim 3  wherein the torque wire defines a first outer diameter at the first endface and a second outer diameter at the second endface, wherein the second outer diameter is less than the first outer diameter. 
     
     
         11 . The probe of  claim 10  wherein the second outer diameter spans a distance from the second end face until the second outer diameter reaches a step up to the first outer diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The probe of  claim 10  wherein a portion of the second end of the torque wire that defines the second diameter is disposed within the bore of the marker band. 
     
     
         13 . The probe of  claim 7  wherein the bevel angle ranges from about 20 degrees to about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The probe of  claim 3  wherein torque wire has a first stiffness, wherein marker band has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness, wherein sum of length of marker band and length of lens extending from marker band defines a stiffness section. 
     
     
         15 . The probe of  claim 14  wherein the length of the stiffness section ranges from about 2 mm to about 3 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The probe of  claim 4  wherein the probe is configured to reduce chatter when rotating the probe and collecting image data. 
     
     
         17 . The probe of  claim 1  further comprising a coating, the coating is disposed on or relative to the lens such that the lens and the coating define a compound lens system. 
     
     
         18 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein the marker band is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         19 . The probe of  claim 3  wherein the torque wire is connected to the marker band by a joint substantially in a single plane. 
     
     
         20 . The probe of  claim 4  wherein lens is a molded unitary lens defining an elongate optical fiber receiving section having a fiber section length and a beam directing surface. 
     
     
         21 . The probe of  claim 3 , wherein marker band and torque wire are joined by a flexible junction. 
     
     
         22 . The probe of  claim 8  wherein the fiber section length and the band length overlap.