Apparatus and Methods for Coronary Sinus Access
First Claim
1. An apparatus for imaging a body structure within a body cavity, comprising:
- a flexible tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a body cavity, and a central longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends;
an optical imaging element carried by the distal end of the tubular member for imaging beyond the distal end; and
an extension attached eccentrically to the distal end and extending distally from the distal end for contacting a surface of a body cavity within which the distal end of the tubular member is introduced, the extension having a predetermined length to maintain the optical imaging element away from the surface by the predetermined length, thereby at least partially defining a field of view of the optical imaging element.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for imaging a body structure within a body cavity includes a catheter including proximal and distal ends, an imaging element on the distal end, and an extension extending distally from the distal end for contacting a surface of a body cavity into which the catheter is introduced. The extension has a length to maintain the optical imaging element away from the surface. Optionally, a transparent member, e.g., an expandable balloon, may be attached to the distal end of the tubular member and the extension to isolate the imaging element from contact with fluid within the body cavity. During use, the catheter is inserted into a chamber of a beating heart, and the extension and/or balloon is placed against the wall of the chamber. Sufficient force is applied to stabilize the imaging element relative to the wall while the heart is beating.
307 Citations
26 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for imaging a body structure within a body cavity, comprising:
-
a flexible tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a body cavity, and a central longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends;
an optical imaging element carried by the distal end of the tubular member for imaging beyond the distal end; and
an extension attached eccentrically to the distal end and extending distally from the distal end for contacting a surface of a body cavity within which the distal end of the tubular member is introduced, the extension having a predetermined length to maintain the optical imaging element away from the surface by the predetermined length, thereby at least partially defining a field of view of the optical imaging element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for imaging structures within a body cavity, comprising:
-
inserting a distal end of a tubular member into a body cavity, the tubular member comprising an optical imaging element on the distal end and an extension extending distally beyond the distal end and having a predetermined length;
advancing the tubular member until the extension contacts a surface of the body cavity, thereby disposing the optical imaging element away from the surface by a distance corresponding to the predetermined length; and
imaging the surface using the optical imaging element. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method for imaging a wall of a body cavity of a patient, comprising:
-
inserting a distal end of a tubular member into the body cavity, the tubular member comprising a substantially transparent member extending from the distal end;
placing a distal surface of the substantially transparent member against a surface of the body cavity in order to image the surface through the substantially transparent member using an optical imaging element on the distal end; and
applying sufficient force to maintain the distal surface in substantially continuous contact with the surface of the body cavity for substantially stabilizing the optical imaging element relative to the surface. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification