Methods for imaging the anatomy with an anatomically secured scanner assembly
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorsDavid C. Youmans, Jane A. Sheetz, Gary L. Long, Paul G. Ritchie, Michael S. Cropper, Jere J. Brophy, Bradley E. White
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for viewing a portion of a patient's anatomy that comprises placing a scanner assembly including an oscillating reflector in the anatomy, securing the scanner assembly to an anatomical structure, scanning the anatomy with the scanner assembly secured to the anatomical structure, collecting radiation returned from the scanned anatomy, and generating a displayable image of the anatomy.
Claims30
A method for viewing a portion of a patient's anatomy comprising:
- (a) placing a scanner assembly including an oscillating reflector in the anatomy;
- (b) securing the scanner assembly to an anatomical structure using a connecting structure to secure the assembly to the anatomical structure;
- (c) scanning the anatomy with the scanner assembly secured to the anatomical structure;
- (d) collecting radiation returned from the scanned anatomy;
- and
- (e) generating a displayable image of the anatomy.
(canceled)
(canceled)
A scanner assembly for use with a scanning beam device, the scanner assembly, comprising:
- a housing;
- an oscillating reflector to direct a beam of radiation onto a portion of a patient's anatomy;
- a cable extending from the housing to link the reflector to a component of a scanning beam device;
- and
- a connecting structure to secure the housing to an anatomical structure.
A scanner assembly and a collector that converts from a first conformation to facilitate insertion into the anatomy and a second conformation to facilitate imaging the anatomy comprising:
- a scanner assembly with a plurality of fiber bundles arranged around its periphery, the bundles being longitudinally staggered in the first conformation such that the combination of the bundles and the assembly provides a pointed end for inserting into the anatomy and in the second conformation the plurality of collecting fiber bundles are aligned with the scanner assembly to provide an imaging end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.