# US 10,765,410 B2 · Systems and methods for real-time biopsy needle and target tissue visualization > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,765,410 B2 - Document ID: US10765410B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/833,381 - Filed: 2017-12-06 - Published: 2018-06-07 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-07 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Applicants: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Inventors: Austin G. Johnson; Sean Fleury - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765410B2 ## CPC - A61B 10/0275: {with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet} - A61B 8/0841: {for locating instruments} - A61B 8/12: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters - A61B 8/483: {involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data} - A61B 10/0283: {with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe (A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence)} - A61B 10/04: Endoscopic instruments, e.g. catheter-type instruments - A61B 8/085: {for locating body or organic structures, e.g. tumours, calculi, blood vessels, nodules} - A61B 2010/0208: {Biopsy devices with actuators, e.g. with triggered spring mechanisms} - A61B 2017/3413: {guided by ultrasound} - A61B 2090/378: {using ultrasound} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to the field of endoscopy. In particular, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for real-time visualization of a target tissue, and which allows the location/orientation of the biopsy needle to be determined prior to its first actuation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system, comprising: a first component, comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; and a lumen extending therebetween; a second component, comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; and a lumen extending therebetween; wherein the proximal end of the first component is removably attached to the distal end of the second component to form a contiguous lumen; an ultrasound catheter extending through the contiguous lumen of the first and second components; and an exterior tube slidably disposed about the first component, second component and ultrasound catheter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound catheter comprises an ultrasound probe slidably disposed within a sheath, and wherein the sheath forms an interference fit with the lumen of the second component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein a portion of the sheath extends distally beyond the ultrasound probe. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the portion of the sheath that extends distally beyond the ultrasound probe includes an unbraided material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein a portion of the sheath includes a braided material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the braided material extends along a proximal portion of the ultrasound probe. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the sheath includes a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the lumen of the sheath includes a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a tissue sampling element attached to the distal end of the first component. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the first component includes a recessed portion configured to receive a post extending from the distal end of the second component. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the post of the second component forms an interference fit with the recessed portion of the first component. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the lumen of the first component aligns with the lumen of the second component to form the contiguous lumen when the post is disposed within the recessed portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a delivery device comprising a working channel configured to slidably receive the exterior tube. ### Claim 14 An apparatus, comprising: a contiguous lumen comprising a lumen of a first component and a lumen of a second component, wherein a proximal end of the first component is removably attached to a distal end of the second component; an ultrasound catheter extending through the contiguous lumen; and an exterior tube slidably disposed about the contiguous lumen and the ultrasound catheter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the ultrasound catheter comprises an ultrasound probe slidably disposed within a sheath, and wherein the sheath forms an interference fit with the lumen of the second component. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a tissue sampling element attached to a distal end of the first component. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the proximal end of the first component includes a recessed portion configured to receive a post extending from the distal end of the second component. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the post of the second component forms an interference fit with the recessed portion of the first component. ### Claim 19 A method, comprising: forming a contiguous lumen with a lumen of a first component and a lumen of a second component by removably attaching a proximal end of the first component to a distal end of the second component; extending an ultrasound catheter through the contiguous lumen; and slidably disposing an exterior tube about the first component, second component, and the ultrasound catheter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, comprising attaching a tissue sampling element to a distal end of the first component.