Fully integrated, disposable tissue visualization device
AssigneeTrice Medical, Inc.
InventorsRichard A. Kienzle, Richard H. Washburn, II, Richard T. Briganti, Carl Deirmengian
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a fully integrated sterilizable one time use disposable tissue visualization device and methods for using such devices. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate the visualization of an internal tissue site while causing a minimum of damage to the surrounding tissue. Further preferred embodiments may allow for the delivery of fluids and other treatment to an internal tissue site.
Claims37
A minimally invasive method of accessing and visualizing an internal target site of a patient, comprising the steps of:
- percutaneously accessing target tissue with a tubular needle having a sharpened distal tip and a visualization element therein, the accessing step accomplished with the sharpened distal tip positioned distally of the visualization element;
- blunting the sharpened distal tip;
- visualizing the target tissue;
- and
- wherein a distal end of the visualization element is biased against an inner diameter of the tubular needle.
A method of visualizing an internal tissue site, comprising:
- providing a visualization needle, the visualization needle comprising:
- an elongate tubular needle, extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end comprising a handpiece and a distal end comprising a sharpened tip,
- an elongate optical element extending through the needle,
- wherein the elongate optical element is biased against an inner diameter of the elongate tubular needle;
- and
- guiding the visualization needle through tissue to reach an internal tissue site.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.