US 11,806,075 B2
Active alignment system and method for laser optical coupling
Christopher A. Cook, Laguna Niguel, CA (US)
Assigned to Bolt Medical, Inc., Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed by BOLT MEDICAL, INC., Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 2, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/831,056.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/197,959, filed on Jun. 7, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0387106 A1, Dec. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 18/22 (2006.01); A61M 25/01 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/20 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/22 (2013.01) [A61M 25/0105 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00107 (2013.01); A61B 2018/205547 (2017.05); A61B 2018/2261 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0166 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve, the catheter system comprising:
a light source that generates light energy;
a first light guide that receives the light energy from the light source, the first light guide having a guide proximal end;
a second light guide that receives the light energy from the light source, the second light guide having a guide proximal end;
a multiplexer that directs the light energy toward the guide proximal end of the first light guide and the guide proximal end of the second light guide; and
an optical alignment system that determines an alignment of the light energy relative to at least one of the guide proximal ends, the optical alignment system adjusting a positioning of the light energy relative to the at least one of the guide proximal ends based at least partially on the alignment of the light energy relative to the at least one of the guide proximal ends, the optical alignment system including an imaging system including an imaging sensor that is configured to capture images of a focal point of the light source and the at least one of the guide proximal ends.
 
10. A catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve, the catheter system comprising:
a light source that generates light energy;
a first light guide that receives the light energy from the light source, the first light guide having a guide proximal end;
a second light guide that receives the light energy from the light source, the second light guide having a guide proximal end;
a multiplexer that directs the light energy toward the guide proximal end of the first light guide and the guide proximal end of the second light guide; and
an optical alignment system that determines an alignment of the light energy relative to at least one of the guide proximal ends, the optical alignment system adjusting a positioning of the light energy relative to the at least one of the guide proximal ends based at least partially on the alignment of the light energy relative to the at least one of the guide proximal ends, the optical alignment system including an imaging system including an imaging sensor that is configured to capture images of a focal point of the light source and the at least one of the guide proximal ends;
wherein the optical alignment system further includes one of a stepper motor and a piezo actuator that is configured to adjusts a yaw, pitch, and roll of at least one of the light guides.