Miniscope
First Claim
1. A miniscope catheter comprising:
- a cylindrical body formed with a distal and proximal end and at least a first lumen traversing through said body;
at least a first optical filament positioned in one of said lumens and eccentrically secured to said body at a region to be deflected;
viewing means associated with the proximal end of said cylindrical body for viewing images through said first lumen of said body; and
means associated with said body which can be operated to apply a force against said optical filament to longitudinally drive said optical filament in at least a first direction within said lumen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A miniscope catheter which is constructed to allow the operator to control the deflection of the catheter tip. The catheter miniscope of the invention includes a catheter body having at least one lumen. An optical filament is positioned through this lumen and is secured to the catheter at a location proximate the catheter distal end. In order to provide for the deflection of the catheter tip portion the catheter miniscope further includes a means which can be operated to apply a force against said optical filament to longitudinally drive the optical filament in at least a first direction within the lumen. This longitudinal movement of the optical filament causes a bending moment in the catheter tip to deflect the tip. By providing that the optical filament can be longitudinal moved in opposite longitudinal directions the catheter distal tip can be made to deflect in two opposing directions.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A miniscope catheter comprising:
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a cylindrical body formed with a distal and proximal end and at least a first lumen traversing through said body; at least a first optical filament positioned in one of said lumens and eccentrically secured to said body at a region to be deflected; viewing means associated with the proximal end of said cylindrical body for viewing images through said first lumen of said body; and means associated with said body which can be operated to apply a force against said optical filament to longitudinally drive said optical filament in at least a first direction within said lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A catheter miniscope comprising:
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a catheter body having a distal and proximal end and an outer diameter of no greater than 2.8 millimeters, said body being formed with at least three eccentrically positioned lumens; a first optical filament formed from a fused bundle of individual glass filaments positioned in one of said lumens and secured in said lumen at a location proximate said catheter body distal end; a second optical filament positioned through another of said lumens; a handle means which is formed with a cavity for receiving a portion of said catheter body proximal end; said first and second optical filaments being formed with exposed ends positioned in said handle cavity, said second optical filament exposed and being positioned to receive light; an eyepiece means coupled to said exposed end of said first optical filament, said eyepiece means being formed with lens to allow visual observation through said first optical filament, said eyepiece means being secured to said handle means; and a means located in said housing which is formed to engage said first optical filament surface and apply a force for driving said filament in two opposing longitudinal directions whereby the distal end of said catheter is deflected.
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31. A catheter miniscope comprising:
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a catheter body having a distal and proximal end and an outer diameter of no greater than 2.8 millimeters, said body being formed with at least three eccentrically positioned lumens; a first optical filament formed from a fused bundle of individual glass filaments positioned in one of said lumens; a second optical filament positioned through another of said lumens and secured thereto at a region proximate the distal end of the catheter body; handle means which is formed with a cavity for receiving a portion of said catheter body proximal end; said first and second optical filaments being formed with exposed ends positioned in said handle cavity, said second optical filament exposed end being positioned to receive light; an eyepiece means coupled to said exposed end of said first optical filament, said eyepiece means being formed with lens to allow visual observation through said first optical filament, said eyepiece means being secured to said handle means; and means for engaging said second optical filament surface and applying a force for driving said filament in two opposing longitudinal directions whereby the distal end of the catheter is deflected.
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Specification