Visualization apparatus for transseptal access
First Claim
1. A tissue imaging and treatment system, comprising:
- a deployment catheter defining at least one lumen therethrough;
a hood projecting distally from the deployment catheter and defining an open area therein, wherein the open area is in fluid communication with the at least one lumen;
a transparent double-layered distal membrane disposed upon a distal end of the hood and at least partially over the open area, the double-layered distal membrane defining a plurality of apertures through the double-layered distal membrane with an inflatable space between layers of the double-layered membrane, the apertures being structured such that inflation of the inflatable space reduces a diameter of the apertures; and
a visualization element disposed within or adjacent to the hood for visualizing tissue adjacent to the open area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Visualization apparatus and methods for transseptal access are described herein where intravascular access across a septal wall is facilitated via devices which provide for direct visual viewing of tissue area. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to the tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. Any number of therapeutic tools or a guidewire can be passed through the catheter and into the imaging hood for crossing the septal wall and passing the guidewire or instruments therethrough.
632 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A tissue imaging and treatment system, comprising:
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a deployment catheter defining at least one lumen therethrough; a hood projecting distally from the deployment catheter and defining an open area therein, wherein the open area is in fluid communication with the at least one lumen; a transparent double-layered distal membrane disposed upon a distal end of the hood and at least partially over the open area, the double-layered distal membrane defining a plurality of apertures through the double-layered distal membrane with an inflatable space between layers of the double-layered membrane, the apertures being structured such that inflation of the inflatable space reduces a diameter of the apertures; and a visualization element disposed within or adjacent to the hood for visualizing tissue adjacent to the open area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification