Scanning catheter with position encoder

• US 20040247164A1
• Filed: 06/09/2003
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Infraredx Incorporated (Nipro Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Infraredx Incorporated (Nipro Corporation)
• Inventors: Furnish, Simon
• Granted Patent: US 7,292,715 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/128
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances

Abstract

A system includes a catheter having an associated active portion, and an actuator for manually moving the active portion. A position encoder coupled to the active portion provides position data indicative of a position of the active portion.

Claims

1. A method for generating a diagnostic map indicative of diagnostic data collected by a catheter from a target region, the method comprising:

manually moving the catheter to scan the target region, thereby collecting diagnostic data;

while moving the catheter, acquiring position data indicative of movement of the catheter; and

associating the diagnostic data with the position data to form a diagnostic map.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein manually moving the catheter comprises manually moving the catheter in two dimensions.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein manually moving the catheter comprises translating and rotating the catheter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein acquiring position data comprises acquiring rotation data and translation data.

5. A system for displaying diagnostic data, the system having a display on which is displayed an image comprising:

an anatomic map; and

a diagnostic map showing a spatial distribution of the diagnostic data, the diagnostic map being disposed on the anatomic map at a location indicative of the spatial distribution of the diagnostic data.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the image further comprises a detail portion spatially removed from the anatomic map, the detail portion showing a detailed view of a diagnostic map disposed on a portion of the anatomic map.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising selection means for selecting the portion of the anatomic map on which is disposed the diagnostic map to be displayed in the detail portion.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the system is configured to display the diagnostic map concurrently with acquisition of the diagnostic data.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the image further comprises a cursor configured to move relative to the diagnostic map, the position of the cursor relative the diagnostic map being indicative of a spatial location at which diagnostic data is currently being acquired.

10. A computer-readable medium having encoded thereon software for causing a computer to display a spatial distribution of diagnostic data, the software comprising instructions for causing a computer to:

display an anatomic map; and

to

overlay, at a location indicative of a spatial distribution of the diagnostic data on the anatomic map, a diagnostic map.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the software further comprises instructions for causing the computer to display a detail portion spatially removed from the anatomic map, the detail portion showing a detailed view of a diagnostic map disposed on a portion of the anatomic map.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the software further comprises instructions for causing the computer to select the portion of the anatomic map on which is disposed the diagnostic map to be displayed in the detail portion.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the software further comprises instructions for causing the computer to display the diagnostic map concurrently with acquisition of the diagnostic data.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the software further comprises instructions for causing a cursor to move relative to the diagnostic map, the position of the cursor relative the diagnostic map being indicative of a spatial location at which diagnostic data is currently being acquired.