MINIMALLY INVASIVE IMAGING SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A minimally invasive imaging system, the imaging system comprising:
- (a) an access device having a proximal end and distal end and an internal passageway extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and
(b) an elongated member dimensioned to be slidably moved through the internal passageway of the access device and having a proximal and distal end;
wherein at least one of multiple visualization elements and multiple illumination elements are positioned among the distal ends of the access device and the elongated member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the invention include minimally invasive imaging system. Systems according to embodiments of the invention include: an access device having a proximal end and distal end and an internal passageway extending from the proximal to distal end; and an elongated member dimensioned to be slidably moved through the internal passageway of the access device and having a proximal and distal end. In the systems of the invention, at least one of multiple visualization elements and multiple illumination elements are positioned among the distal ends of the access device and the elongated member. Also provided are methods of using the systems in imaging applications, as well as kits for performing the methods.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A minimally invasive imaging system, the imaging system comprising:
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(a) an access device having a proximal end and distal end and an internal passageway extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and (b) an elongated member dimensioned to be slidably moved through the internal passageway of the access device and having a proximal and distal end; wherein at least one of multiple visualization elements and multiple illumination elements are positioned among the distal ends of the access device and the elongated member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of imaging 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 and distal end and an internal passageway so that the distal end is near the target 30 tissue; and (b) slidably moving an elongated member having a proximal and distal end through the internal passageway of the access device so that the distal end of the elongated member is operably positioned relative to the target tissue; wherein at least one of multiple visualization elements and multiple illumination elements are positioned among the distal ends of the access port and the elongated member; (c) illuminating the target tissue with at least one of the multiple illumination elements; and (d) obtaining image data of the target tissue with at least one of the visualization elements. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A kit comprising:
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(a) a minimally invasive access device having a proximal end and distal end and an internal passageway extending from the proximal to distal end; and (b) elongated member dimensioned to be slidably moved through the internal passageway of the access device and having a proximal and distal end; wherein at least one of multiple visualization elements and multiple illumination elements are positioned among the distal ends of the access device and the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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- 43. A minimally invasive access device having a proximal end and distal end and an internal passageway extending from the proximal to distal end, wherein at least one of multiple visualization elements and multiple illumination elements are positioned at the distal end of the access device.
Specification