Intraluminal imaging system
AssigneeVolcano Corporation
InventorBret Millett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention generally relates to devices and methods that allow an operator to obtain real-time images of a luminal surface prior to, during, and after an intraluminal procedure, including while a tool is engaged with the luminal surface. An imaging system of the invention may include a first elongate member that includes a first imaging element and a catheter that includes a second imaging element. The first imaging element is an optical-to-acoustic transducer, and the second imaging element is an optical-to-acoustic transducer. The catheter also defines a lumen and includes an implant delivery mechanism. The catheter is configured to receive at least a portion of the elongate member within the lumen and is configured to move along a path of the elongate member.
Claims28
An imaging and implant delivery system comprising
- an elongate member comprising at least one first imaging element;
- wherein the first imaging element includes a first acoustic-to-optical transducer;
- and
- a catheter defining a lumen and comprising at least one second imaging element and an implant delivery mechanism, wherein the catheter is configured to receive at least a portion of the elongate member within the lumen and is configured to move along a length of the elongate member, and the second imaging element includes a second acoustic-to-optical transducer.
A method for intraluminal imaging, the method including the steps of
- introducing an elongate member into a lumen, wherein the elongate member comprises at least one first imaging element and the imaging element includes a first acoustic-to-optical transducer;
- imaging a surface of the lumen with the elongate member to determine a position to place an implant;
- guiding a catheter over at least a portion of the elongate member towards the position, wherein the catheter comprises at least one second imaging element and an implant delivery mechanism, and the second imaging element includes a second acoustic-to-optical transducer;
- imaging the surface, as the catheter is guided towards the position, to place the catheter for implant delivery;
- and
- delivering the implant into the position with the implant delivery mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.