INTERNAL TISSUE VISUALIZATION SYSTEM COMPRISING A RF-SHIELDED VISUALIZATION SENSOR MODULE

• US 20100286477A1
• Filed: 05/08/2009
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Trice Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Trice Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Shultz, Eric, OuYang, Xiaolong, Cybulski, James S., Seddiqui, Fred R.
• Application Number:
  US12/437,865
• Publication Number:
  US 20100286477A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/126 provided with means for cleaning in-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3135 for examination of the epidural or the spinal space
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/144 Wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2476 Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports

Abstract

Internal tissue visualization devices having RF-shielded visualization sensor modules are provided. Also provided are systems that include the devices, as well as methods of visualizing internal tissue of a subject using the tissue visualization devices and systems.

Claims

1. An internal tissue visualization system, the system comprising:

(a) an internal tissue visualization device comprising;

(i) an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end; and

(ii) an RF-shielded visualization sensor module; and

(b) an extra-corporeal control unit operatively coupled to the proximal end of the elongated member.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the RF-shielded visualization sensor module comprises a:

a visualization sensor comprising a lens and an integrated circuit, wherein the visualization sensor is integrated at the distal end of the elongated member; and

a grounded conductive enclosure that shields the integrated circuit from an RF field.

3. The tissue modification device according to claim 2, wherein the visualization sensor is a CMOS device.

4. The tissue modification device according to claim 2, wherein the visualization sensor is a CCD device.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the grounded conductive enclosure comprises a housing comprising an outer grounded conductive layer.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the outer grounded conductive layer is a metallic layer.

7. The system according to claim 2, wherein the RF-shielded visualization sensor module further comprises an RF-shielded conductive member that connects the visualization sensor to a proximal end location of the elongated member.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the elongated member further comprises an integrated illuminator.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the illuminator is a light emitting diode.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the RF-shielded visualization sensor module comprises the light emitting diode.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a tissue modifier at the distal end of the elongated member.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the tissue modifier is integrated at the distal end.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the tissue modifier comprises an electrode.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises an image displayer for displaying to a user images obtained by the visualization sensor.

15. An internal tissue visualization device comprising:

an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end; and

an RF-shielded visualization sensor module.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the RF-shielded visualization sensor module comprises:

a visualization sensor comprising a lens and an integrated circuit, wherein the visualization sensor is integrated at the distal end of the elongated member; and

a grounded conductive enclosure that shields the integrated circuit from an RF field.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the visualization sensor is a CMOS device.

18. The device according to claim 16, wherein the visualization sensor is a CCD device.

19. The device according to claim 16, wherein the grounded conductive enclosure comprises a housing comprising an outer grounded conductive layer.

20. The device according to claim 16, wherein the RF-shielded visualization sensor module further comprises an RF-shielded conductive member that connects the visualization sensor to a proximal end location of the elongated member.

21. The device according to claim 15, wherein the distal end of the elongated member further comprises an integrated illuminator.

22. The device according to claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a tissue modifier at the distal end of the elongated member.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the tissue modifier comprises an electrode.

24. A method of imaging an internal target tissue site of a subject, the method comprising:

(a) positioning the distal end of an internal tissue visualization device comprising;

(i) an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end; and

(ii) an RF-shielded visualization sensor module;

in operable relation to the internal target tissue site; and

(b) visualizing the internal target tissue site with the RF-shielded visualization sensor module.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the internal target tissue site comprises spinal tissue.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the device further comprises a distal end tissue modifier and the method further comprises modifying tissue with the tissue modifier.