METHODS FOR IMAGING THE ANATOMY WITH AN ANATOMICALLY SECURED SCANNER ASSEMBLY

• US 20080167546A1
• Filed: 05/16/2007
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: White, Bradley E., Long, Gary L., Cropper, Michael S., Sheetz, Jane A., Ritchie, Paul G., Youmans, David C., Brophy, Jere J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,273,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00172 with means for scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means

Abstract

A method for viewing a portion of a patient'"'"'s anatomy that comprises placing a scanner assembly including an oscillating reflector in the anatomy, securing the scanner assembly to an anatomical structure, scanning the anatomy with the scanner assembly secured to the anatomical structure, collecting radiation returned from the scanned anatomy, and generating a displayable image of the anatomy.

Claims

1. A method for viewing a portion of a patient'"'"'s anatomy comprising:

(a) placing a scanner assembly including an oscillating reflector in the anatomy;

(b) securing the scanner assembly to an anatomical structure using a connecting structure to secure the assembly to the anatomical structure;

(c) scanning the anatomy with the scanner assembly secured to the anatomical structure;

(d) collecting radiation returned from the scanned anatomy; and

(e) generating a displayable image of the anatomy.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the scanner assembly further includes a cable to link the scanner assembly to a component of a scanning beam device, the scanning beam device including a source assembly, a controller, a detector assembly, a collector, and a user interface.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of placing includes incorporating the scanner assembly onto or into an introducer and inserting the introducer into the anatomy.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of placing includes inserting the scanner assembly through the umbilicus using a trocar.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the introducer is a needle, a trocar, an endoscope, a grasper, or a surgical instrument.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the scanning beam device includes a zoom mechanism.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the scanner assembly includes an oscillating reflector and the zoom mechanism modifies the oscillation of the reflector.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein the scanner assembly is secured to the anatomical structure by at least one of the cable, an adhesive material, a counterweight, a suture loop, a hook, a magnet, a clamp, an anchor, and an introducer.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the scanner assembly and a collector are combined into a module and placed in the anatomy.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the collector includes a plurality of collecting fibers.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of inserting a first collector into the anatomy at a location removed from the insertion point of the scanner assembly.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of inserting the first collector includes inserting the first collector as part of the introducer.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the introducer is a needle, a trocar, an endoscope, a grasper or a surgical instrument.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the method additionally includes the step of coupling the scanner assembly to the first collector magnetically or mechanically after insertion into the body.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the scanning beam device further includes a second collector.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the connecting structure is expandable.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the expandable connecting structure includes a barb.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

20. A scanner assembly for use with a scanning beam device, the scanner assembly, comprising:

a housing;

an oscillating reflector to direct a beam of radiation onto a portion of a patient'"'"'s anatomy;

a cable extending from the housing to link the reflector to a component of a scanning beam device; and

a connecting structure to secure the housing to an anatomical structure.

21. The scanner assembly of claim 20 wherein the connecting structure is at least one of a suture loop, a hook, a magnet, a clamp, an anchor, an adhesive material, and a counterweight.

22. The scanner assembly of claim 20 wherein the connecting structure is expandable.

23. The scanner assembly of claim 22 wherein the expandable connecting structure is self-expandable.

24. The scanner assembly of claim 22 wherein the expandable connecting structure includes a barb.

25. The scanner assembly of claim 20 wherein the scanner assembly is combined with a collector in a module.

26. The scanner assembly of claim 20 wherein the scanner assembly is combined with an introducer.

27. The scanner assembly of claim 26 wherein the scanner assembly is combined with a collector in a module.

28. A scanner assembly and a collector that converts from a first conformation to facilitate insertion into the anatomy and a second conformation to facilitate imaging the anatomy comprising:

a scanner assembly with a plurality of fiber bundles arranged around its periphery, the bundles being longitudinally staggered in the first conformation such that the combination of the bundles and the assembly provides a pointed end for inserting into the anatomy and in the second conformation the plurality of collecting fiber bundles are aligned with the scanner assembly to provide an imaging end.

29. The combined scanner assembly and collector of claim 28 wherein the scanner assembly includes an oscillating reflector.

30. The combined scanner assembly and collector of claim 28 wherein the first conformation is inserted percutaneously into the anatomy.