Method of in vivo monitoring using an imaging system including scanned beam imaging unit
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring a condition within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:
- locating a scanned beam imaging unit at an imaging location by connecting structure between the scanned beam imaging unit and an anatomical structure for a period of time to observe and characterize a portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy over at least a portion of the period of time, the connecting structure selected from the group consisting of a suture loop, an expandable stent, a barbed anchor, or a clamp, the scanned beam imaging unit being located at the imaging location using a locating instrument;
removing the locating instrument from the patient'"'"'s body with the scanned beam imaging unit remaining at the imaging location;
providing a control unit including a detector, a memory, and a light source for creating a beam of light, the control unit driving the scanned beam imaging unit from outside of the patient'"'"'s body via a line connecting the control unit to the scanned beam imaging unit; and
with the scanned beam imaging unit at the imaging location;
scanning the beam of light across the portion of the anatomy; and
receiving light from the portion of the anatomy;
and with the control unit outside of the patient'"'"'s body;
detecting the received light using the detector;
producing imaging data from the detected received light; and
saving the imaging data in the memory;
then, after saving the imaging data in the memory, connecting the control unit to an image processor for processing the imaging data, the image processor producing a video image of the portion of the anatomy from the imaging data.
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Abstract
A method of monitoring a condition within a patient'"'"'s body includes locating a scanned beam imaging unit at an imaging location for a period of time to observe and characterize a portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy over at least a portion of the period of time. The scanned beam imaging unit is located at the imaging location using a locating instrument. The locating instrument is removed from the patient'"'"'s body with the scanned beam imaging unit remaining at the imaging location. With the scanned beam imaging unit at the imaging location, a beam of light is scanned across the portion of the anatomy and light is received from the portion of the anatomy. A video image of the portion of the anatomy is produced from imaging data generated using detected light received from the portion of the anatomy.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring a condition within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:
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locating a scanned beam imaging unit at an imaging location by connecting structure between the scanned beam imaging unit and an anatomical structure for a period of time to observe and characterize a portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy over at least a portion of the period of time, the connecting structure selected from the group consisting of a suture loop, an expandable stent, a barbed anchor, or a clamp, the scanned beam imaging unit being located at the imaging location using a locating instrument; removing the locating instrument from the patient'"'"'s body with the scanned beam imaging unit remaining at the imaging location; providing a control unit including a detector, a memory, and a light source for creating a beam of light, the control unit driving the scanned beam imaging unit from outside of the patient'"'"'s body via a line connecting the control unit to the scanned beam imaging unit; and with the scanned beam imaging unit at the imaging location; scanning the beam of light across the portion of the anatomy; and receiving light from the portion of the anatomy; and with the control unit outside of the patient'"'"'s body; detecting the received light using the detector; producing imaging data from the detected received light; and saving the imaging data in the memory; then, after saving the imaging data in the memory, connecting the control unit to an image processor for processing the imaging data, the image processor producing a video image of the portion of the anatomy from the imaging data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An imaging system for monitoring a condition within a patient'"'"'s body, the imaging system comprising:
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a scanned beam imaging unit comprising a reflector that directs a beam of light across a portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy; a portable control unit driving the scanned beam imaging unit, the portable control unit comprising a power source, a light source that generates the beam of light a memory for saving imaging data generated using the scanned beam imaging unit, and a data processor configured to transmit the imaging data from the memory to an image processor; and connecting structure that attaches the scanned beam imaging unit to an anatomical structure at an imaging location within the patient'"'"'s body; wherein the scanned beam imaging unit is configured to be placed in the patient'"'"'s body with said connecting structure selected from the group consisting of a suture loop, an expandable stent, a barbed anchor; and
a clamp, and wherein the portable control unit is configured to be located outside the patient'"'"'s body and, after the imaging data is saved in the memory, subsequently connected to the image processor to generate a video image of the portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of monitoring a condition within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:
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connecting a scanned beam imaging unit by a connecting structure to an anatomical structure within the patient'"'"'s body at an imaging location for a period of time to observe and characterize a portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy over at least a portion of the period of time; providing a portable control unit in communication with the scanned beam imaging unit with the scanned beam imaging unit located at the imaging location, the portable control unit driving the scanned beam imaging unit and including a recording medium for saving imaging data generated using the scanned beam imaging unit for producing a video image of the portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy; saving imaging data generated using the scanned beam imaging unit on the recording medium; and after saving the imaging data, connecting the portable control unit to an image processor for processing the imaging data and producing the video image of the portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy; wherein said connecting structure is selected from the group consisting of a suture loop, an expandable stent, a barbed anchor, and a clamp. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification