Intra vascular imaging apparatus

• US 6,692,430 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2001
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: C2Cure Inc.
• Inventors: Adler, Doron
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US09/973,181
• Publication Number:
  US 20020068853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 600/104, 600/108, 600/109, 600/111, 600/116, 600/129, 600/130, 600/153, 600/156, 600/166, 600/178, 600/179, 600/180, 348/65
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00091 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00193 adapted for stereoscopic vision
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3137 for examination of the interior of blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02007 Evaluating blood vessel condition, e.g. elasticity, compliance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0275 using tracers, e.g. dye dilution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/869 Optical microscope
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/876 Nanotube tip

Abstract

An invasive imaging apparatus comprising: a flexible catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being shaped for insertion into a blood vessel along a guide wire thereby to reach remote places in the vasculature or other organs, an optical assembly positioned at the distal end of the catheter comprising an image sensor positioned non-perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the catheter and an illumination sensor, at least one illumination source for illuminating an immediate region beyond the distal end of the catheter, and at least one working channel running from the proximal to the distal end of the catheter.

Claims

1. An invasive imaging apparatus comprising:

a. a flexible catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being shaped for insertion into a blood vessel along a guide wire thereby to reach remote places in the vasculature or other organs;

b. an optical assembly comprising optical components and an imaging assembly positioned at the distal end of said catheter comprising an image sensor positioned non-perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said catheter wherein said imaging assembly comprises an image sensor and an illumination sensor;

c. at least one illumination source for illuminating an immediate region beyond the distal end of said catheter; and

d. at least one working channel running from the proximal to the distal end of said catheter.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said illumination source utilizes at least one wavelength taken from within a range comprising visible light, near infra-red, and infra-red light.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 comprising a plurality of illumination sources and wherein said illumination sources are controlled together.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising a plurality of illumination sources and wherein said illumination sources are controlled separately.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said illumination source uses at least one wavelength preselected to improve visibility through blood.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said illumination source is comprised of an infra-red illumination source positionable outside of said patient'"'"'s body.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said illumination source is controllable to be directed in a general viewing direction.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said optical components comprise a lens with two optical planes, a shutter, and a light deflector.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said light deflector is one of a prism and a mirror with a reflecting surface.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein a polarized filter is positionable before at least one of a member of a group comprising said illumination sensor, said image sensor, said illumination sources, and said lens, and wherein said polarized filter polarization direction is controllable to enhance image quality.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image sensor and said illumination sensor are operable to sense at least one wavelength taken from within a range from visible light to infra-red light to correspond to said illumination source.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a central control and display unit connectable to the proximal end of said catheter from outside of the patient'"'"'s body.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said working channel comprises a guide wire.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said working channel is usable for controllably passing through fluid to said distal end of catheter.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said display and control unit is operable to control the timing and amount of injection of said fluid.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image sensor is positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said catheter.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image sensor is shaped to fit within restricted dimensions of said catheter.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image sensor is a CMOS or CCD-based pixel sensor.

19. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image sensor comprises an imaging area shaped in a rectangular pixel array.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said rectangular pixel array measures 128×

256 pixels.

21. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a local controller located at the distal end of said catheter to coordinate data flow to and from said optical assembly and to perform commands received from said central control and display unit.

22. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a transparent balloon-like structure is positioned at said distal end of said catheter to displace blood from around the optical assembly, allowing clear visibility.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said balloon-like structure is rigid.

24. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said balloon-like structure is flexible.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said balloon-like structure is inflated and deflated by means of using a liquid or a gas passed through said working channel.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said balloon-like structure is pressure-sensed to provide real-time feedback when said balloon-like structure impinges upon an obstacle, such as a blood vessel wall.

27. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said optical assembly comprises an additional image sensor, wherein the optical assembly forms a stereoscopic image.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27 further comprising a heart rate sensor connectable to a patient'"'"'s body from outside of said patient'"'"'s body or insertable into said blood vessel through said catheter.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said heart rate sensor comprises a plethysmograph.

30. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein information from said heart rate sensor is transferred to said central control unit.

31. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said working channel is usable for passage of therapeutic instruments to a site of operation.

32. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said optical assembly is used in conjunction with a laser cutting device to enable laser operated surgery.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said laser cutting device is used to obtain biopsy biological samples by cutting and transferring through said working channel to the proximal end of said catheter.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said optical assembly and said laser cutting device are used in conjunction with one of a suction and nano-gripper mechanisms to enable visual inspection of a desired location for biological sample retrieval.