Tissue visualization device and method variations
First Claim
1. A tissue imaging system, comprising:
- a deployment catheter defining at least one lumen therethrough;
a barrier or membrane which forms a fluid barrier projecting distally from the deployment catheter and adapted to self-expand from a low-profile delivery configuration into an expanded deployed configuration defining an open area therein, wherein the open area is in fluid communication with the at least one lumen and with an environment external to the barrier or membrane through an opening defined by the barrier or membrane;
a visualization element disposed within or adjacent to the barrier or membrane for visualizing tissue adjacent to the open area; and
at least one balloon integrally formed along an interior surface of the barrier or membrane, wherein the balloon is configured to lie flat against the interior surface when deflated and is further configured to extend through the opening and distally beyond the barrier or membrane and occupy the open area when inflated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Tissue visualization device and method variations are described herein where an imaging hood is temporarily sealed against a region of tissue to be treated while under direct visualization. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. The imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to the tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid is pumped into the hood until the fluid displaces any blood leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element. Temporary sealing against the tissue can be achieved in a number of ways such as circumferential balloons inflatable within the hood or other sealing techniques. A field of view of the imaging element can be expanded by inflating the balloon beyond the imaging hood.
528 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A tissue imaging system, comprising:
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a deployment catheter defining at least one lumen therethrough; a barrier or membrane which forms a fluid barrier projecting distally from the deployment catheter and adapted to self-expand from a low-profile delivery configuration into an expanded deployed configuration defining an open area therein, wherein the open area is in fluid communication with the at least one lumen and with an environment external to the barrier or membrane through an opening defined by the barrier or membrane; a visualization element disposed within or adjacent to the barrier or membrane for visualizing tissue adjacent to the open area; and at least one balloon integrally formed along an interior surface of the barrier or membrane, wherein the balloon is configured to lie flat against the interior surface when deflated and is further configured to extend through the opening and distally beyond the barrier or membrane and occupy the open area when inflated. - 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)
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24. A method for intravascularly imaging a tissue region within a body lumen, comprising:
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positioning a barrier or membrane projecting distally from a deployment catheter in proximity to a region of tissue to be imaged wherein the barrier or membrane self-expands from a low-profile delivery configuration into an expanded deployed configuration, wherein the barrier or membrane defines an open area therein which is in fluid communication with a lumen defined through the catheter and also with an environment external to the barrier or membrane through an opening defined by the barrier or membrane; inflating a balloon integrally formed along an interior surface of the barrier or membrane such that the balloon lies flat against the interior surface when deflated and extends through the opening and distally beyond the barrier or membrane and occupies the open area when inflated; positioning a portion of the balloon projecting distally of the barrier or membrane against or adjacent to the tissue region to be imaged; and visualizing the tissue region through the inflated balloon. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification