Integrated imaging and device deployment platform
AssigneeEvalve, Inc.
InventorsSaurabh Datta, Chad J. Abunassar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An integrated imaging and device deployment platform and method may include a catheter, at least one imaging unit, at least one deployment unit, and at least one device configured to be deployed by the at least one deployment unit. The integrated imaging and device deployment platform facilitates improved navigation and deployment of a therapeutic or medical device by providing the at least one imaging unit proximate the deployment unit. Information generated from the at least one imaging unit may be utilized with additional imaging modalities to provide improved imaging and delivery of devices while reducing use of X-ray radiation and contrast injection.
Claims20
An integrated imaging and device deployment platform comprising:
- at least one catheter;
- at least one delivery unit connected to the at least one catheter, the at least one delivery unit having a longitudinal axis and being configured to deploy a device, wherein the at least one delivery unit comprises a catheter and a tether that is detachably coupled to a portion of the device, wherein the catheter of the at least one delivery unit extends coaxially with the at least one catheter;
- and
- at least one imaging unit connected to the at least one catheter, the at least one imaging unit having a steerable distal end portion that is selectively moveable between a first position in which the imaging unit is generally aligned with the axis of the at least one delivery unit and a second position in which the imaging unit extends radially outward at an angle relative to the axis of the at least one delivery unit, wherein, in the second position the delivery unit extends through one portion of a connecting portion and the imaging unit extends through another portion of the connecting portion.
A method for deploying a device, comprising:
- providing an integrated imaging and device deployment platform comprising at least one catheter, at least one imaging unit connected to the at least one catheter, and at least one delivery unit connected to the at least one catheter, wherein the delivery unit comprises a catheter and a tether that is detachably coupled to a portion of a device to be deployed and the deployment platform is configured to be in a first position or a second position, wherein the first position includes the imaging unit generally aligned with the axis of the at least one delivery unit and the second position includes the imaging unit extending radially outward at an angle relative to the axis of the at least one delivery unit, wherein in the second position the delivery unit goes through one portion of a connecting portion and the imaging unit goes through another portion of the connecting portion;
- navigating the platform to a desired location;
- utilizing an imaging unit to ascertain a desired configuration and/or location of the platform;
- adjusting the at least one imaging unit relative to a delivery unit in each of three degrees of movement, wherein the three degrees of movement comprise rotating about a main axis of the at least one catheter, tilting and angling the at least one imaging unit;
- and
- deploying the device from the delivery unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.