Systems and methods for visualizing interior tissue regions

• US 6,047,218 A
• Filed: 04/23/1999
• Issued: 04/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EP Technologies Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EP Technologies Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: McGee, David, Panescu, Dorin, Swanson, David K., TenHoff, Harm, Whayne, James G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Imam, Ali M.
• Application Number:
  US09/298,198
• Time in Patent Office: 347 Days
• Field of Search: 600/439, 600/447, 600/462, 600/470, 607/122
• US Class Current: 607/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00085 Baskets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0016 using motor drive units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00208 actively driven, e.g. by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/352 Detecting R peaks, e.g. for synchronising diagnostic apparatus; Estimating R-R interval
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6853 with a balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6858 with a distal basket, e.g. expandable basket
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7285 for synchronising or triggering a physiological measurement or image acquisition with a physiological event or waveform, e.g. an ECG signal A61B6/5205, A61B6/541, A61B8/5207, A61B8/543 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/541 involving acquisition triggered by a physiological signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/543 : involving acquisition triggered by a physiological signal

Abstract

An imaging element characterizes tissue morphology by analyzing perfusion patterns of a contrast media in tissue visualized by the imaging element, to identify infarcted tissue. In a preferred implementation, a catheter tube introduced into a heart region carries the imaging element, as well as a support structure spaced from the imaging element, which contacts endocardial tissue. The imaging element is moved as the imaging element visualizes tissue. A selected electrical event is sensed in surrounding myocardial tissue, which regulates movement of the imaging element. The support element stabilizes the moving imaging element as it visualizes tissue, providing resistance to dislodgment or disorientation despite the presence of dynamic forces.

Claims

1. A system for visualizing heart tissue, comprising:

a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart,

an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue,

a support body carried by the distal region of the catheter tube beyond the imaging element to contact endocardial tissue away from the imaging element,

an actuator to move the imaging element, and

a controller coupled to the imaging element and the actuator to synchronize an imaging rate and a movement rate of the imaging element.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator moves the imaging element independently of movement of the support structure.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging element comprises an ultrasound transducer.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the imaging transducer comprises a rotating ultrasound transducer crystal.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the controller synchronizes a rotation rate of the ultrasound transducer crystal to the imaging rate thereof.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a diagnostic or therapeutic element carried by the support body for contact with the surrounding endocardial tissue.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising an electrode element carried by the imaging element.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the support body comprises at least two spaced apart support members.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the support body comprises an expandable three-dimensional structure.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the support body is expandable in response to fluid pressure.

11. A system for visualizing heart tissue, comprising:

a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart,

an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue,

a support body carried by the distal region of the catheter tube extending beyond the imaging element to contact endocardial tissue away from the imaging element and stabilize the imaging element with respect to the endocardial tissue,

an actuator to move the imaging element at a predetermined translation rate, and

a controller coupled to the imaging element and the actuator to synchronize an imaging rate of the imaging element to the predetermined translation rate.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the actuator moves the imaging element independently of movement of the support structure.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the imaging element comprises an ultrasound transducer.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the imaging transducer comprises a rotating ultrasound transducer crystal.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller synchronizes a rotation rate of the ultrasound transducer crystal to the imaging rate thereof.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising a diagnostic or therapeutic element carried by the support body for contact with the surrounding endocardial tissue.

17. The system of claim 11, further comprising an electrode element carried by the imaging element.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the support body comprises at least two spaced apart support members.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the support body comprises an expandable three-dimensional structure.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the support body is expandable in response to fluid pressure.