Catheter ultrasound devices and methods for assessing targeted tissue

A method for use with a tissue of a subject, the method comprising:

• via a catheter, transluminally advancing an implant to the tissue, the catheter having a distal part that includes a distal opening;
• steering the distal part to place a portion of a wall of the implant against a site of the tissue, the site disposed distally from the portion;
• and
• transluminally advancing an ultrasound tool to the site via the catheter, the ultrasound tool comprising an ultrasound transceiver at a distal end thereof,
• positioning the ultrasound transceiver in a position that is within an interior of the implant and facing the portion,
• imaging the site by transmitting ultrasound energy through the portion and into the site;
• subsequently vacating the interior of the implant;
• and
• subsequently anchoring the implant to the tissue by advancing an anchor driver through the catheter and into the vacated interior of the implant, and anchoring a tissue anchor to the site.

A method for implanting an implant at tissue of a heart, the method comprising:

• transluminally advancing the implant or a portion thereof to the tissue using a delivery tool that includes a catheter, the catheter having a distal part that includes a distal opening, the implant including a wall that circumscribes a lumen;
• using a control assembly that is operably coupled to the distal part of the catheter to steer the distal part of the catheter, such that the distal opening is disposed at or near a site of the tissue;
• and
• positioning an ultrasound transceiver of an ultrasound tool within the lumen defined by the implant, against the wall;
• assessing the site of the tissue, by using the ultrasound tool to:
• transmit ultrasound energy to the site, through the wall, and
• detect reflected ultrasound energy reflected from the site;
• subsequently vacating the lumen;
• and
• subsequently, using an anchor driver, anchoring the implant to the tissue by driving the tissue anchor to the site of the tissue.