US6692430B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Intra vascular imaging apparatus
Assignee: Given Imaging Ltd
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Filing: 2001-10-10
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Granted: 2004-02-17
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Expires: 2021-10-10
Abstract
Abstract An invasive imaging apparatus comprising: a flexible catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being shaped for insertion into a blood vessel along a guide wire thereby to reach remote places in the vasculature or other organs, an optical assembly positioned at the distal end of the catheter comprising an image sensor positioned non-perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the catheter and an illumination sensor, at least one illumination source for illuminating an immediate region beyond the distal end of the catheter, and at least one working channel running from the proximal to the distal end of the catheter.
Inventors
- 👤 Doron Adler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/313; A61B1/3137; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00082; A61B1/00091; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00193; A61B1/012; A61B1/015; A61B1/06; A61B1/0655; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/02007; A61B1/04; A61B1/05; A61B1/0638; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0082; A61B5/0084; A61B5/026; A61B5/0275; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/84; Y10S977/849; Y10S977/86; Y10S977/868; Y10S977/869; Y10S977/875; Y10S977/876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An invasive imaging apparatus comprising: a. a flexible catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being shaped for insertion into a blood vessel along a guide wire thereby to reach remote places in the vasculature or other organs; b. an optical assembly comprising optical components and an imaging assembly positioned at the distal end of said catheter comprising an image sensor positioned non-perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said catheter wherein said imaging assembly comprises an image sensor and an illumination sensor; c. at least one illumination source for illuminating an immediate region beyond the distal end of said catheter; and d. at least one working channel running from the proximal to the distal end of said catheter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An invasive imaging apparatus comprising: a. a flexible catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being shaped for insertion into a blood vessel along a guide wire thereby to reach remote places in the vasculature or other organs; b. an optical assembly comprising optical components and an imaging assembly positioned at the distal end of said catheter comprising an image sensor positioned non-perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said catheter wherein said imaging assembly comprises an image sensor and an illumination sensor; c. at least one illumination source for illuminating an immediate region beyond the distal end of said catheter; and d. at least one working channel running from the proximal to the distal end of said catheter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said illumination source utilizes at least one wavelength taken from within a range comprising visible light, near infra-red, and infra-red light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 comprising a plurality of illumination sources and wherein said illumination sources are controlled together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 , comprising a plurality of illumination sources and wherein said illumination sources are controlled separately.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said illumination source uses at least one wavelength preselected to improve visibility through blood.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said illumination source is comprised of an infra-red illumination source positionable outside of said patient's body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said illumination source is controllable to be directed in a general viewing direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said optical components comprise a lens with two optical planes, a shutter, and a light deflector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said light deflector is one of a prism and a mirror with a reflecting surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein a polarized filter is positionable before at least one of a member of a group comprising said illumination sensor, said image sensor, said illumination sources, and said lens, and wherein said polarized filter polarization direction is controllable to enhance image quality.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image sensor and said illumination sensor are operable to sense at least one wavelength taken from within a range from visible light to infra-red light to correspond to said illumination source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a central control and display unit connectable to the proximal end of said catheter from outside of the patient's body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said working channel comprises a guide wire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said working channel is usable for controllably passing through fluid to said distal end of catheter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said display and control unit is operable to control the timing and amount of injection of said fluid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image sensor is positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said catheter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image sensor is shaped to fit within restricted dimensions of said catheter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image sensor is a CMOS or CCD-based pixel sensor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image sensor comprises an imaging area shaped in a rectangular pixel array.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said rectangular pixel array measures 128×256 pixels.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a local controller located at the distal end of said catheter to coordinate data flow to and from said optical assembly and to perform commands received from said central control and display unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a transparent balloon-like structure is positioned at said distal end of said catheter to displace blood from around the optical assembly, allowing clear visibility.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said balloon-like structure is rigid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said balloon-like structure is flexible.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said balloon-like structure is inflated and deflated by means of using a liquid or a gas passed through said working channel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said balloon-like structure is pressure-sensed to provide real-time feedback when said balloon-like structure impinges upon an obstacle, such as a blood vessel wall.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said optical assembly comprises an additional image sensor, wherein the optical assembly forms a stereoscopic image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 27 further comprising a heart rate sensor connectable to a patient's body from outside of said patient's body or insertable into said blood vessel through said catheter.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 28 , wherein said heart rate sensor comprises a plethysmograph.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein information from said heart rate sensor is transferred to said central control unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said working channel is usable for passage of therapeutic instruments to a site of operation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said optical assembly is used in conjunction with a laser cutting device to enable laser operated surgery.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said laser cutting device is used to obtain biopsy biological samples by cutting and transferring through said working channel to the proximal end of said catheter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said optical assembly and said laser cutting device are used in conjunction with one of a suction and nano-gripper mechanisms to enable visual inspection of a desired location for biological sample retrieval.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-02-16 | 2007-08-18 | 2008-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-02-16 | 2011-08-18 | 2012-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-02-16 | 2015-08-18 | 2016-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |