US20080058590A1
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 0.9 years remaining
Tissue visualization device having multi-segmented frame
Assignee: Nidus Medical LLC
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Filing: 2007-08-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2027-08-30
Abstract
Abstract Tissue visualization devices having multi-segmented frame are described herein where such devices may utilize multiple expanding frame members coupled to a flexible deployment catheter shaft or rigid shaft. The multiple frame members may extend distally to collapse into a low-profile configuration and may further expand or open radially to create a working field between the frame members. Moreover, the distal ends of each frame member may be tapered such that the frame members may close tightly relative to one another forming an atraumatic end. Additionally, any number of therapeutic tools can also be passed through the catheter or shaft for performing any number of procedures on the tissue for identifying, locating, and/or treating tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Vahid Saadat
- 👤 Ruey-Feng Peh
- 👤 Edmund Tam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/32; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00085; A61B1/005; A61B1/04; A61B1/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
1 . An apparatus for forming a working area within or upon a tissue region, comprising: a tubular shaft having a length; a plurality of frame members extending distally from the tubular shaft and having a low-profile collapsed configuration where the frame members close relative to one another and an expanded configuration where the frame members open radially relative to the tubular shaft such that an open area is formed between the frame members; and a membrane extending beneath or between each frame member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
1 . An apparatus for forming a working area within or upon a tissue region, comprising: a tubular shaft having a length; a plurality of frame members extending distally from the tubular shaft and having a low-profile collapsed configuration where the frame members close relative to one another and an expanded configuration where the frame members open radially relative to the tubular shaft such that an open area is formed between the frame members; and a membrane extending beneath or between each frame member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tubular shaft comprises a flexible catheter having at least one lumen defined therethrough and in communication with the open area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tubular shaft comprises a rigid shaft having an elongate length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a distal end of the rigid shaft defines a piercing tip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of frame members form an atraumatic or blunted end when in their collapsed configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an outer sheath to slide over the plurality of frame members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frame members comprise a rigid body comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of Titanium, stainless steel, thermoset plastics, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polysulfone, and transparent fiberglass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an instrument or guidewire extending through the tubular shaft and passing at least partially through the open area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the plurality of frame members in their collapsed configuration are sized to provide clearance of the instrument or guidewire to slide freely between the frame members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one pullwire to articulate the frame members between the collapsed and open configuration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one fluid lumen defined through the tubular shaft in communication with the open area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an imaging element positioned within the tubular shaft or along the frame members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the imaging element comprises an optical fiberscope, CMOS, or CCD camera.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the open area is enclosed by the frame members, membrane, and tissue region.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
15 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an inflatable balloon positioned within the open area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
16 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tubular shaft or a frame member defines an opening for passage of a guidewire through the apparatus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
87 words
17 . A method for treating a tissue region, comprising: introducing into the tissue region a tubular shaft having a plurality of frame members extending distally from the tubular shaft in a collapsed configuration where the frame members are closed relative to one another; expanding the frame members open radially relative to the tubular shaft such that an open area is formed within the tissue between the frame members and the tissue region to be treated; visualizing the tissue region to be treated within the open area.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
87 words
17 . A method for treating a tissue region, comprising: introducing into the tissue region a tubular shaft having a plurality of frame members extending distally from the tubular shaft in a collapsed configuration where the frame members are closed relative to one another; expanding the frame members open radially relative to the tubular shaft such that an open area is formed within the tissue between the frame members and the tissue region to be treated; visualizing the tissue region to be treated within the open area.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein introducing comprises advancing the tubular shaft percutaneously or intravascularly into a body lumen or cavity.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
19 . The method of claim 17 wherein introducing comprises advancing the tubular shaft along a guidewire passing through the frame members.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
20 . The method of claim 17 wherein expanding comprises retracting the tissue via the frame members.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
21 . The method of claim 17 wherein expanding further comprises infusing a transparent fluid into the open area such that an opaque fluid within the tissue region is displaced from the open area.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
22 . The method of claim 21 wherein visualizing comprises viewing the tissue region to be treated through transparent fluid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
23 . The method of claim 17 wherein visualizing comprises viewing the tissue region to be treated via an optical fiberscope, CMOS or CCD camera, disposed within or adjacent to the open area.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
24 . The method of claim 17 further comprising treating the tissue region within the open area via an instrument introduced through the tubular shaft and into the open area.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
25 . The method of claim 24 wherein treating comprises ablating the tissue region via an energized probe.
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