Apparatus and method for devices for imaging structures in or at one or more luminal organs
First Claim
1. An apparatus for obtaining data from at least one portion within at least one luminal or hollow biological sample, comprising:
- a flexible tether comprising an optical wave-guide,the tether having a first diameter, andthe optical waveguide configured to transceive at least one electromagnetic radiation to and from the at least one portion; and
an expandable structure having disposed therein a pair of opposing rigid end caps with an inflatable membrane therebetween,the rigid end caps each having a constant second diameter that is larger than the first diameter,the rigid end caps and a portion of the expandable structure between the rigid end caps defining a pill-shaped structure when the expandable structure is in its unexpanded state,the expandable structure enclosing part of the optical wave-guide,the expandable structure being actuatable so as to position the enclosed part of the optical wave-guide at a predetermined location within the at least one luminal or hollow sample,wherein the actuation of the expandable structure causes the portion of the expandable structure between the rigid end caps to be expanded by inflation of the inflatable membrane, and causes the portion of the expandable structure between the rigid end caps to expand to a third diameter larger than the constant second diameter, andthe portion of the expandable structure between the rigid end caps extending over a tip of the optical waveguide at a distal-most end of the apparatus in a direction of a longitudinal extension of the optical wave-guide.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, device and method can be provided which can facilitate imaging of biological tissues, e.g., luminal organs in vivo, using optical techniques. The exemplary device can include different designs an features of one or more catheters, which can illuminate the tissues, and collect signals from the inside of the lumen. In another exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, a balloon-catheter can be provided with the flexible neck, which can absorb most of the bending. According to still another exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a balloon-catheter tethered capsule can be provided, and according a yet further exemplary embodiment, a structured balloon design can be provided with one or more protuberances, thus enabling imaging of the structures in close contact, e.g., without compressing of the tissue.
571 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An apparatus for obtaining data from at least one portion within at least one luminal or hollow biological sample, comprising:
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a flexible tether comprising an optical wave-guide, the tether having a first diameter, and the optical waveguide configured to transceive at least one electromagnetic radiation to and from the at least one portion; and an expandable structure having disposed therein a pair of opposing rigid end caps with an inflatable membrane therebetween, the rigid end caps each having a constant second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, the rigid end caps and a portion of the expandable structure between the rigid end caps defining a pill-shaped structure when the expandable structure is in its unexpanded state, the expandable structure enclosing part of the optical wave-guide, the expandable structure being actuatable so as to position the enclosed part of the optical wave-guide at a predetermined location within the at least one luminal or hollow sample, wherein the actuation of the expandable structure causes the portion of the expandable structure between the rigid end caps to be expanded by inflation of the inflatable membrane, and causes the portion of the expandable structure between the rigid end caps to expand to a third diameter larger than the constant second diameter, and the portion of the expandable structure between the rigid end caps extending over a tip of the optical waveguide at a distal-most end of the apparatus in a direction of a longitudinal extension of the optical wave-guide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for obtaining data from at least one portion within at least one luminal or hollow sample in an unsedated patient, comprising:
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inserting an apparatus into the at least one luminal or hollow sample, the apparatus including a flexible tether comprising an optical wave-guide, the tether having a first diameter, and the apparatus further including an expandable structure having disposed therein a pair of opposing rigid end caps with an inflatable membrane therebetween, the rigid end caps each having a constant second diameter larger than the first diameter, the rigid end caps and a portion of the expandable structure between the rigid end caps defining a pill-shaped structure when the expandable structure is in its unexpanded state, the expandable structure enclosing part of the optical wave-guide; actuating the expandable structure of the apparatus so as to position the enclosed part of the optical wave-guide at a predetermined location within the at least one luminal or hollow sample, wherein the actuation of the expandable structure causes the portion of the expandable structure between the rigid end caps to be expanded by inflation of the inflatable membrane, and causes the portion of the expandable structure between the rigid end caps to expand to a third diameter larger than the constant second diameter, the portion of the expandable structure between the rigid end caps extending over a tip of the optical waveguide at a distal-most end of the apparatus in a direction of a longitudinal extension of the optical wave-guide; and transceiving at least one electromagnetic radiation to and from the at least one portion using the optical wave-guide of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification