Real time angioscopy imaging system
AssigneeThomas J. Fogarty
InventorsAlbert K. Chin, Anthony A. Nobles, Kwok Y. Lai
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Abstract
An angioscopy imaging system which operates under the control of a computer system includes an optical scanning system which is inserted into a vessel, such as an artery, for generation of an image. An irrigation system provides pulsatile introduction of flush solution to the vessel to create clear a viewing field within the vessel for the optical scanning system. The computer system controls both the optical scanning system and the irrigation system such that the generation of the image is synchronized with the pulsatile introduction of the flush solution.
Claims26
An angioscopy imaging system for visualizing the interior of a vessel, such as an artery, the system comprising:
- (a) a central processing unit;
- (b) optical scanning means for insertion into the interior of the vessel for generating an image of the interior of the vessel, the optical scanning means being connected to the central processing unit for control thereby;
- and
- (c) irrigation means for introducing pulses of flush solution into the interior of the vessel to provide a clear viewing field within the vessel for the optical scanning means, the irrigation means being connected to the central processing unit for control thereby such that the generation of the image is synchronized with the pulsed introduction of flush solution.
An angioscopy imaging system for visualizing the interior of a vessel, such as an artery, the system comprising:
- (a) a central processing unit;
- (b) optical scanning means for insertion into the interior of the vessel for capturing a live image of the interior of the vessel;
- (c) a camera for receiving the live image captured by the optical scanning means and generating an electrical output signal representing the live image;
- (d) digitizer means for converting the electrical output signal to corresponding digital data, the digitizer means being connected to the central processing unit for receiving digitization control signals therefrom;
- (e) irrigation means for introducing flush solution into the interior of the vessel to provide a viewing field for the optical scanning means, the irrigation means being connected to the central processing unit for receiving irrigation control signals therefrom such that the conversion to digital data is synchronized with the introduction of flush solution;
- and
- (f) a monitor responsive to the digital data for displaying a digitized image representing the live image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.