US5752518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Systems and methods for visualizing interior regions of the body
Assignee: EP Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1996-10-28
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Granted: 1998-05-19
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Expires: 2016-10-28
Abstract
Abstract An imaging system for visualizing an interior body region comprises a catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end adapted for introduction into the interior body region. The distal end carries an element that forms a three-dimensional support structure for contacting peripheral tissue in the interior body region. The three-dimensional support structure has an open interior. The distal end also carries an imaging element for visualizing the interior body region. The three-dimensional support structure peripherally surrounds the imaging element, thereby keeping peripheral tissue from contacting the imaging element. A steering mechanism on the proximal end of the catheter tube moves the imaging element within the open interior of the three-dimensional support structure. The system provides a stable platform through which accurate displays of interior body images can be created for viewing and analysis by the physician, so the appropriate treatment or therapy can be prescribed.
Inventors
- 👤 David McGee
- 👤 David K. Swanson
- 👤 Harm Tenhoff
- 👤 Dorin Panescu
- 👤 James G. Whayne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/4461; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00184; A61B2018/00202; A61B2018/00208; A61B2018/00214; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B2018/1861; A61B5/00; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0062; A61B5/0066; A61B5/0082; A61B5/0084; A61B5/72; A61B5/7271; A61B5/7285; A61B6/00; A61B6/54; A61B6/541; A61B8/4483; A61B8/4488; A61B8/54; A61B8/543
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An imaging system for visualizing an interior body region comprising a catheter tube having a distal region adapted for introduction into the interior body region, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing the interior body region, a support element on the distal region forming a support structure extending beyond the imaging element to contact tissue in the interior body region away from the imaging element the support element forming a three dimensional structure comprising an expandable body that expands to an expanded geometry in response to fluid pressure, and a steering element coupled to the imaging element to move the imaging element without moving the support structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
An imaging system for visualizing an interior body region comprising a catheter tube having a distal region adapted for introduction into the interior body region, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing the interior body region, a support element on the distal region forming a support structure extending beyond the imaging element to contact tissue in the interior body region away from the imaging element the support element forming a three dimensional structure comprising an expandable body that expands to an expanded geometry in response to fluid pressure, and a steering element coupled to the imaging element to move the imaging element without moving the support structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
118 words
An imaging system for visualizing an interior body region comprising a catheter tube having a distal region adapted for introduction into the interior body region, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing the interior body region, a support element on the distal region forming a support structure extending beyond the imaging element to contact tissue in the interior body region away from the imaging element, the support element forming a three dimensional structure comprising an expandable body that expands to an expanded geometry in response to fluid pressure and collapses in the absence of the fluid pressure, and a steering element coupled to the imaging element to move the imaging element without moving the support structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
118 words
An imaging system for visualizing an interior body region comprising a catheter tube having a distal region adapted for introduction into the interior body region, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing the interior body region, a support element on the distal region forming a support structure extending beyond the imaging element to contact tissue in the interior body region away from the imaging element, the support element forming a three dimensional structure comprising an expandable body that expands to an expanded geometry in response to fluid pressure and collapses in the absence of the fluid pressure, and a steering element coupled to the imaging element to move the imaging element without moving the support structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
141 words
An imaging system for visualizing an interior body region comprising a catheter tube having a distal region adapted for introduction into the interior body region, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing the interior body region, a support element on the distal region comprising at least two spaced apart support members forming a support structure extending beyond the imaging element to contact tissue in the interior body region away from the imaging element, the support structure being free of markers for enhancing visibility to the imaging element and further being adapted to assume a collapsed geometry in response to external force and to be urged by the support members toward a normally expanded geometry in the absence of the force, and a steering element coupled to the imaging element to move the imaging element without moving the support structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
141 words
An imaging system for visualizing an interior body region comprising a catheter tube having a distal region adapted for introduction into the interior body region, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing the interior body region, a support element on the distal region comprising at least two spaced apart support members forming a support structure extending beyond the imaging element to contact tissue in the interior body region away from the imaging element, the support structure being free of markers for enhancing visibility to the imaging element and further being adapted to assume a collapsed geometry in response to external force and to be urged by the support members toward a normally expanded geometry in the absence of the force, and a steering element coupled to the imaging element to move the imaging element without moving the support structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An imaging system according to claim 3 wherein the imaging element comprises an ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An imaging system according to claim 3 wherein the imaging element comprises an optical transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An imaging system according to claim 3 wherein the imaging element comprises an apparatus for obtaining an image through optical coherence tomography.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An imaging system according to claim 3 wherein the interior body region is the heart and wherein the system is configured for introduction into a chamber of the heart.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An imaging system according to claim 7 wherein the imaging system is operable to provide images of the internal structure of the heart.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
116 words
An imaging system for visualizing an interior body region comprising a catheter tube having a distal region adapted for introduction into the interior body region, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing the interior body region, a support element on the distal region forming a support structure extending beyond the imaging element to contact tissue in the interior body region away from the imaging element, the support element being free of markers enhancing visibility to the imaging element and forming a three dimensional structure comprising an expandable body adapted to normally assume an expanded geometry, and a steering element coupled to the imaging element to move the imaging element without moving the support structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
116 words
An imaging system for visualizing an interior body region comprising a catheter tube having a distal region adapted for introduction into the interior body region, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing the interior body region, a support element on the distal region forming a support structure extending beyond the imaging element to contact tissue in the interior body region away from the imaging element, the support element being free of markers enhancing visibility to the imaging element and forming a three dimensional structure comprising an expandable body adapted to normally assume an expanded geometry, and a steering element coupled to the imaging element to move the imaging element without moving the support structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
An imaging system according to claim 9 wherein the imaging element comprises an ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
An imaging system according to claim 9 wherein the imaging element comprises an optical transducer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An imaging system according to claim 9 wherein the imaging element comprises an apparatus for obtaining an image through optical coherence tomography.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An imaging system according to claim 9 wherein the interior body region is the heart and wherein the system is configured for introduction into a chamber of the heart.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
An imaging system according to claim 13 wherein the imaging system is operable to provide images of the internal structure of the heart.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
107 words
An imaging system for visualizing an interior body region comprising a catheter tube having a distal region adapted for introduction into the interior body region, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing the interior body region, a support element on the distal region forming a support structure extending beyond the imaging element to contact tissue in the interior body region away from the imaging element, the support element forming a three dimensional structure comprising a porous body free of markers enhancing visibility to the imaging element, and a steering element coupled to the imaging element to move the imaging element without moving the support structure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
107 words
An imaging system for visualizing an interior body region comprising a catheter tube having a distal region adapted for introduction into the interior body region, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing the interior body region, a support element on the distal region forming a support structure extending beyond the imaging element to contact tissue in the interior body region away from the imaging element, the support element forming a three dimensional structure comprising a porous body free of markers enhancing visibility to the imaging element, and a steering element coupled to the imaging element to move the imaging element without moving the support structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
An imaging system according to claim 15 wherein the imaging element comprises an ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
An imaging system according to claim 15 wherein the imaging element comprises an optical transducer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
An imaging system according to claim 15 wherein the imaging element comprises an apparatus for obtaining an image through optical coherence tomography.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
An imaging system according to claim 15 wherein the interior body region is the heart and wherein the system is configured for introduction into a chamber of the heart.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
An imaging system according to claim 19 wherein the imaging system is operable to provide images of the internal structure of the heart.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-18 | 2001-11-17 | 2002-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-18 | 2005-11-17 | 2006-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-18 | 2009-11-17 | 2010-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |