Tissue imaging and extraction systems
First Claim
1. A tissue removal system, comprising:
- a deployment catheter defining at least one lumen therethrough;
a hood comprising a non-inflatable membrane which forms a fluid barrier projecting distally from the deployment catheter and adapted to self-expand 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 hood through an opening defined by the hood;
a visualization element disposed within or along adjacent to the open area of the hood for visualizing tissue adjacent to the open area; and
a tissue extraction instrument which defines an opening for receiving tissue therein and which is deployable from the deployment catheter such that the tissue may be extracted via the instrument while imaged via the visualization element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Tissue imaging and extraction systems are described herein. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of 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, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. Additionally, the extraction system can include features or instruments for procedures such as clearing blood clots, emboli, and other debris which may be present in a body lumen. Other variations may also be used for facilitating trans-septal access across tissue regions as well as for balancing body fluids during a procedure.
489 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A tissue removal system, comprising:
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a deployment catheter defining at least one lumen therethrough; a hood comprising a non-inflatable membrane which forms a fluid barrier projecting distally from the deployment catheter and adapted to self-expand 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 hood through an opening defined by the hood; a visualization element disposed within or along adjacent to the open area of the hood for visualizing tissue adjacent to the open area; and a tissue extraction instrument which defines an opening for receiving tissue therein and which is deployable from the deployment catheter such that the tissue may be extracted via the instrument while imaged via the visualization element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for removing a portion of tissue under direct visualization, comprising:
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positioning a hood projecting distally from a deployment catheter against or adjacent to the portion of tissue to be removed wherein the hood self-expands into an expanded deployed configuration, and where the hood comprises a non-inflatable membrane which 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 hood through an opening defined by the hood; urging a translucent fluid into the hood via the lumen defined through the deployment catheter such that an opaque fluid is displaced from within the open area of the hood and through the opening into the environment external to the hood; visualizing the portion of tissue through the translucent fluid via a visualization element within or adjacent to the open area; deploying a tissue extraction instrument into or against the portion of tissue to be removed; and removing the portion of tissue via the tissue extraction instrument while under visualization through the hood. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A tissue removal system, comprising:
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a deployment catheter defining at least one lumen therethrough; a hood comprising a non-inflatable membrane which forms a fluid barrier projecting distally from the deployment catheter and adapted to self-expand from a low-profile delivery configuration to 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 hood through an opening defined by the hood; a visualization element disposed within or adjacent to the open area of the hood for visualizing tissue adjacent to the open area; and a tissue extraction instrument which defines an opening for receiving tissue therein and which is deployable from the deployment catheter such that the tissue may be extracted via the instrument while imaged via the visualization element. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for removing a portion of tissue under direct visualization, comprising:
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positioning a hood projecting distally from a deployment catheter against or adjacent to the portion of tissue to be removed, where the hood comprises a non-inflatable membrane which 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 hood through an opening defined by the hood; transitioning the hood to self-expand from a low-profile delivery configuration into a deployed configuration which defines an open area within; urging a translucent fluid into the hood via the lumen defined through the deployment catheter such that an opaque fluid is displaced from within the open area of the hood and through the opening into the environment external to the hood; visualizing the portion of tissue through the translucent fluid via a visualization element; deploying a tissue extraction instrument into or against the portion of tissue to be removed; and removing the portion of tissue via the tissue extraction instrument while under visualization through the hood. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification