Minimally Invasive Tissue Modification Systems With Integrated Visualization
First Claim
1. A minimally invasive tissue modification system, the system comprising:
- (a) a minimally invasive access device having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal passageway; and
(b) an elongated tissue modification device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the tissue modification device is dimensioned to be slidably moved through the internal passageway of the access device;
wherein the system includes an illumination element and a visualization element positioned among the distal ends of the access device and tissue modification device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the invention include minimally invasive tissue modification systems. Embodiments of the systems include a minimally invasive access device having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal passageway. Also part of the system is an elongated tissue modification device having a proximal end and a distal end. The tissue modification device is dimensioned to be slidably moved through the internal passageway of the access device. The tissue modification device includes a tissue modifier. Positioned among the distal ends of the devices are a visualization element and an illumination element. Also provided are methods of using the systems in tissue modification applications, as well as kits for practicing the methods of the invention.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A minimally invasive tissue modification system, the system comprising:
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(a) a minimally invasive access device having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal passageway; and (b) an elongated tissue modification device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the tissue modification device is dimensioned to be slidably moved through the internal passageway of the access device; wherein the system includes an illumination element and a visualization element positioned among the distal ends of the access device and tissue modification device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of modifying an internal target tissue of a patient, the method comprising:
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(a) positioning a minimally invasive access device having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal passageway so that the distal end is near the target tissue, wherein the distal end comprises an illumination element; and (b) slidably moving an elongated tissue modification device having a proximal and distal end through the internal passageway of the access device so that the distal end is operably positioned in relation to the target tissue, wherein the tissue modification device includes a tissue modifier and a visualization element integrated at the distal end; and (c) modifying the target tissue with the tissue modifier.
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12-21. -21. (canceled)
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22. A kit comprising:
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(a) a minimally invasive access device having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal passageway, wherein the distal end comprises an illumination element; and (b) an elongated tissue modification device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the tissue modification is dimensioned to be slidably moved through the internal passageway of the access device and includes a visualization element at the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27-31. -31. (canceled)
- 32. A minimally invasive access device having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal passageway, wherein the distal end comprises an illumination element.
Specification