Off-axis visualization systems
AssigneeIntuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
InventorsVahid Saadat, Chris A. Rothe, Ruey-Feng Peh, Edmund A. Tam
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Abstract
Off-axis visualization systems are described herein which facilitate the deployment, visualization, and retraction of an imaging element from a catheter. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration as well as an imaging element, such as a CCD or CMOS imager, which may be deployed from a low profile configuration into a position which is off-axis relative to a longitudinal axis of the deployment catheter and/or imaging hood.
Claims20
A system for visualizing a tissue region of interest, comprising:
- a deployment catheter defining at least one lumen therethrough;
- a barrier or membrane projecting distally from the deployment catheter and defining an open area therein, wherein the open area is in fluid communication with the at least one lumen;
- an imaging element for visualizing tissue adjacent to the open area;
- and
- a flexible section positioned proximally or adjacent to the barrier or membrane and which forms a channel for receiving the imaging element upon deployment of the barrier or membrane such that the imaging element is positioned off-axis relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter.
A method of visualizing a tissue region of interest, comprising:
- placing an open area of a barrier or membrane extending from a deployment catheter against or adjacent to a tissue region;
- positioning an imaging element from a low-profile configuration wherein the imaging element is positioned axially with respect to a collapsed barrier or membrane and into an off-axis position within or along a deployed barrier or membrane relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter;
- displacing an opaque fluid with a transparent fluid from the open area defined by the barrier or membrane and the tissue region;
- and
- visualizing the tissue region through the transparent fluid via the off-axis imaging element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.