Direct endoluminal- and/or endovascular-illumination systems and methods of use thereof
AssigneeEnlightenvue, Inc.
InventorsGiacomo Basadonna, Alan Lucas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In some embodiments, endoscopy systems and/or methods of using endoscopy systems are described. In some embodiments, an endoscopy system comprises a shaft having an image sensor within a distal tip of the shaft. The shaft can have an expandable cuff disposed on an outer surface of the shaft. The expandable cuff can be moved from a contracted configuration to a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, an outer surface of the expandable cuff can inhibit, reduce, or prevent fluid (e.g., blood) flow in the vessel. Inhibiting or preventing the fluid flow can permit direct visualization of the interior of the vessel by the image sensor without interference from the fluid.
Claims24
An microendoscope comprising
- a shaft extending from a hub and comprising a distal tip having an expandable portion;
- an image sensor within the distal tip, the image sensor having a field of view external from the microendoscope;
- an illuminating element within the distal tip, the illuminating element configured to emit light within the field of view of the image sensor;
- an expandable cuff disposed on at least a portion of the shaft, the expandable cuff being movable between a contracted configuration and a deployed configuration;
- and
- a working channel disposed within the shaft and extending from the hub to the distal tip, at least a dispensable portion of the working channel being nested within the distal tip and extending between the image sensor and the expandable portion of the distal tip, the dispensable portion being expandable from a low-profile configuration to an expanded configuration to accommodate passage of a tool therethrough and collapsible from the expanded configuration to the low-profile configuration after retraction of the tool therefrom.
An endoscope comprising:
- a shaft having an elongate axis and comprising an expandable distal tip;
- within the distal tip, an image sensor having a field of view external from the endoscope;
- an expandable cuff disposed on at least a portion of the shaft, the expandable cuff being movable between a contracted configuration and a deployed configuration such that an outer surface of the expandable cuff extends farther from the elongate axis when deployed than when contracted;
- and
- a working channel extending through the shaft and having a distensible portion configured to accommodate passage of a tool by distending while the expandable cuff is deployed, thereby causing the distal tip to expand, while an outer surface of the expandable cuff maintains consistent contact with a vessel wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.