Avinger has been granted a patent for optical pressure sensor assemblies that can be used with existing catheters and imaging systems. The pressure sensors employ optical interferometry and can be integrated with existing imaging modalities such as OCT. The system includes a movable membrane, an optical fiber, a housing, a resilient sheath, a mirror, an optical connector, receiving electronics, and a processor. The processor computes a pressure value based on the optical radiation received. GlobalData’s report on Avinger gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Avinger, Transcranial ultrasound was a key innovation area identified from patents. Avinger's grant share as of September 2023 was 54%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Optical pressure sensor assembly for catheters and imaging systems
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11723538B2) describes a pressure measurement system that utilizes optical technology. The system includes an optical radiation source, a pressure probe, and various components for measuring and computing pressure values.
The pressure probe consists of an optical fiber housed within a resilient sheath. The distal end of the optical fiber is positioned at an opening of the housing, and a mirror in the distal tip of the housing reflects optical radiation from the fiber to the sheath. The sheath is designed to deflect in response to pressure exerted on its outer surface, and the optical fiber transmits and receives optical radiation reflected or scattered by the sheath while it is deflected.
The system also includes an optical connector in communication with the optical radiation source, receiving electronics to capture the reflected or scattered optical radiation, and a processor to compute pressure values based on the received optical radiation. Additionally, there is an optional display for visualizing the measured pressure values.
The resilient sheath is described as a flexible membrane that deflects towards the optical fiber under positive pressure. It can have a convex surface facing the fiber when deflected. The optical fiber can be removable from the housing, and the processor generates pressure values by comparing the received optical radiation with a set of pressure calibration data stored in a memory storage device, which can be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).
Other features of the system include a catheter forming the housing, the optical fiber being adhered to the housing, and a rotational mechanism to generate an OCT (optical coherence tomography) image. The optical fiber has a core that provides a common path for optical radiation reflected or scattered from a reference and the sheath. The receiving electronics include a detector.
Overall, this patent describes a pressure measurement system that utilizes optical technology and includes various components for accurate pressure computation. The system has potential applications in medical and industrial fields where precise pressure measurements are required.
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