Diagnosis and treatment of tissue with instruments
First Claim
1. A device comprisinga first member and a second member each of which is configured to be pressed against tissue,a first plurality of sensors and a second plurality of sensors respectively disposed on said first member and said second member for generating signals in response to pressure imposed thereon by underlying tissue when said the respective member is pressed against the tissue for detection of an underlying tissue structure in the tissue, anda locating device, coupled to said first member and said second member at a selected position with respect to said first plurality of sensors and said plurality of sensors, for indicating a location of the structure based on the signals generated by said first plurality of sensors and said second plurality of sensors, said locating device being an instrument guide for use with an instrument for diagnosing or treating the underlying tissue structure.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device is provided for diagnosis and treatment of tissue with instruments, specifically locating a tissue structure and positioning an instrument relative to that tissue structure. The device which includes a plurality of sensors for generating signals in response to pressure imposed on the sensors as the sensors are pressed against the tissue. The device which includes a member which is configured to be pressed against tissue and the sensors are disposed on the member, for detection of an underlying tissue structure in the tissue. The device also includes a locating device, arranged at a selected position with respect to the sensors, for indicating a location of the underlying tissue structure. An image based on the sensors may be displayed. The method of using the device includes positioning the locating device, which may be an instrument guide, over an underlying tissue structure based on the image. The method further includes using the locating device to direct an instrument for treating or diagnosing a tissue structure towards that tissue structure.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A device comprising
a first member and a second member each of which is configured to be pressed against tissue, a first plurality of sensors and a second plurality of sensors respectively disposed on said first member and said second member for generating signals in response to pressure imposed thereon by underlying tissue when said the respective member is pressed against the tissue for detection of an underlying tissue structure in the tissue, and a locating device, coupled to said first member and said second member at a selected position with respect to said first plurality of sensors and said plurality of sensors, for indicating a location of the structure based on the signals generated by said first plurality of sensors and said second plurality of sensors, said locating device being an instrument guide for use with an instrument for diagnosing or treating the underlying tissue structure.
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18. A method comprising
providing a device that includes: - (1) a first member and a second member having a first plurality of sensors and a second plurality of sensors respectively disposed thereon for generating signals in response to pressure imposed thereon by underlying tissue when said first member and said second member are pressed against the tissue for detection of an underlying tissue structure in the tissue, and (2) a locating device, coupled to said first member and said second member at a selected position with respect to said first plurality of sensors and said second plurality of sensors, for indicating a location of the structure based on the signals generated by said first plurality of sensors and said second plurality of sensors, said locating device being an instrument guide for use with an instrument for diagnosing or treating the underlying tissue structure,
pressing said first member and said second member against the tissue, and positioning said locating device relative to an underlying tissue structure based on the signals generated by said first plurality of sensors and said second plurality of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
- (1) a first member and a second member having a first plurality of sensors and a second plurality of sensors respectively disposed thereon for generating signals in response to pressure imposed thereon by underlying tissue when said first member and said second member are pressed against the tissue for detection of an underlying tissue structure in the tissue, and (2) a locating device, coupled to said first member and said second member at a selected position with respect to said first plurality of sensors and said second plurality of sensors, for indicating a location of the structure based on the signals generated by said first plurality of sensors and said second plurality of sensors, said locating device being an instrument guide for use with an instrument for diagnosing or treating the underlying tissue structure,
Specification