Tissue visualization device
First Claim
Patent Images
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 such that a channel within the open area is defined through the balloon.
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Abstract
Tissue visualization device having a fluid barrier is 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 field of view of the imaging element can be expanded and the blood can also be purged in part by inflating a balloon beyond the imaging hood where the balloon is integrally formed along an interior surface of the hood.
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Citations
18 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 such that a channel within the open area is defined through the balloon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification