US5908445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Systems for visualizing interior tissue regions including an actuator to move imaging element
Assignee: EP Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1996-10-28
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Granted: 1999-06-01
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Expires: 2016-10-28
Abstract
Abstract An imaging element characterizes tissue morphology by analyzing perfusion patterns of a contrast media in tissue visualized by the imaging element, to identify infarcted tissue. In a preferred implementation, a catheter tube introduced into a heart region carries the imaging element, as well as a support structure spaced from the imaging element, which contacts endocardial tissue. The imaging element is moved as the imaging element visualizes tissue. A selected electrical event is sensed in surrounding myocardial tissue, which regulates movement of the imaging element. The support element stabilizes the moving imaging element as it visualizes tissue, providing resistance to dislodgment or disorientation despite the presence of dynamic forces.
Inventors
- 👤 James G. Whayne
- 👤 David K. Swanson
- 👤 Dorin Panescu
- 👤 David McGee
- 👤 Harm Tenhoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/54; A61B8/543; A61B1/00; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00082; A61B1/00085; A61B1/00147; A61B1/0016; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00174; A61B1/00183; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; A61B5/283; A61B5/287; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6852; A61B5/6853; A61B5/6858; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00184; A61B2018/00202; A61B2018/00208; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/00267; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00839; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B2018/1861; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/04; A61B2562/043; A61B5/316; A61B5/318; A61B5/346; A61B5/349; A61B5/352; A61B5/72; A61B5/7271; A61B5/7285; A61B6/00; A61B6/54; A61B6/541
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue, a support body carried by the distal region of the catheter tube beyond the imaging element to contact endocardial tissue away from the imaging element, a sensing element to sense a selected electrical event in surrounding myocardial tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, and a controller coupled to the sensing element and the actuator to regulate movement of the imaging element to the selected electrical event.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue, a support body carried by the distal region of the catheter tube beyond the imaging element to contact endocardial tissue away from the imaging element, a sensing element to sense a selected electrical event in surrounding myocardial tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, and a controller coupled to the sensing element and the actuator to regulate movement of the imaging element to the selected electrical event.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
127 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue, a support body carried by the distal region of the catheter tube beyond the imaging element to contact endocardial tissue away from the imaging element, a sensing element to sense a selected electrical event in surrounding myocardial tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, and a controller coupled to the sensing element and the actuator to regulate movement of the imaging element in response to the selected electrical event, wherein the sensing element senses an electrogram having a QRS, and wherein the controller regulates movement of the imaging element to the QRS of the electrogram.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
127 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue, a support body carried by the distal region of the catheter tube beyond the imaging element to contact endocardial tissue away from the imaging element, a sensing element to sense a selected electrical event in surrounding myocardial tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, and a controller coupled to the sensing element and the actuator to regulate movement of the imaging element in response to the selected electrical event, wherein the sensing element senses an electrogram having a QRS, and wherein the controller regulates movement of the imaging element to the QRS of the electrogram.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue, a support body carried by the distal region of the catheter tube beyond the imaging element to contact endocardial tissue away from the imaging element, a sensing element to sense a selected electrical event in surrounding myocardial tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, and a controller coupled to the sensing element and the actuator to regulate movement of the imaging element in response to the selected electrical event, wherein the controller regulates movement of the imaging element to timing of electrogram activation.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart, an imaging element on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue, a support body carried by the distal region of the catheter tube beyond the imaging element to contact endocardial tissue away from the imaging element, a sensing element to sense a selected electrical event in surrounding myocardial tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, and a controller coupled to the sensing element and the actuator to regulate movement of the imaging element in response to the selected electrical event, wherein the controller regulates movement of the imaging element to timing of electrogram activation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the actuator moves the imaging element without moving the support body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the imaging element comprises an ultrasound transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the imaging element comprises a fiber optic assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the imaging element includes a phased array ultrasound transducer assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1 and further including a diagnostic or therapeutic component carried by the support body for contact with surrounding endocardial tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein the component comprises an electrode element capable of transmitting energy to myocardial tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein the component comprises an electrode element capable of sensing electrical signals in tissue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1 and further including an electrode element carried by the imaging element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the support body has an axis, and wherein the actuator moves the imaging element along the axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the support body has an axis, and wherein the actuator moves the imaging element transverse to the axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the support body has an axis, and wherein the actuator rotates the imaging element about the axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the support body comprises at least two spaced apart support members.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein the support members are made from metal material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 16 wherein the metal material includes nickel titanium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 16 wherein the metal material includes stainless steel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly according to claim 15 wherein the support members are made from plastic material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein the support members comprise elongated spline elements assembled in a circumferentially spaced relationship.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein the support body is adapted to assume a collapsed geometry in response to external force, the structure being urged by the support members toward a normally expanded geometry in the absence of the force.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 21 and further including a sheath slidable relative to the support body in a first direction to apply external force to urge the support elements into the collapsed geometry and in a second direction to release the external force, thereby allowing the support body to assume an expanded geometry.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the support body forms a three-dimensional structure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 23 wherein the three-dimensional structure includes an open interior area peripherally surrounding the imaging element.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 23 wherein the three-dimensional structure keeps tissue from contacting the imaging element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 23 wherein the three-dimensional structure comprises an expandable body.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 26 wherein the expandable body expands to an expanded geometry in response to fluid pressure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 26 wherein the body collapses in the absence of the fluid pressure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 26 wherein the expandable body is adapted to normally assume an expanded geometry.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system according to claim 26 wherein the expandable body is porous.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 1 and further including an element coupled to the imaging element for displaying the surrounding endocardial tissue visualized by the imaging element.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising an imaging element comprising an ultrasound transducer for visualizing tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, a component connectable to a source of media including echoluscient contrast material to inject the media into blood conveyed to heart tissue, and an element coupled to the imaging element enabling analysis of perfusion patterns of the media in myocardial tissue visualized by the imaging element to identify infarcted tissue.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising an imaging element comprising an ultrasound transducer for visualizing tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, a component connectable to a source of media including echoluscient contrast material to inject the media into blood conveyed to heart tissue, and an element coupled to the imaging element enabling analysis of perfusion patterns of the media in myocardial tissue visualized by the imaging element to identify infarcted tissue.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart, an imaging element comprising an ultrasound transducer on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, a component connectable to a source of media including echoluscient contrast material to inject the media into blood conveyed to heart tissue, and an element enabling analysis of perfusion patterns of the media in myocardial tissue visualized by the imaging element to identify infarcted tissue.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart, an imaging element comprising an ultrasound transducer on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, a component connectable to a source of media including echoluscient contrast material to inject the media into blood conveyed to heart tissue, and an element enabling analysis of perfusion patterns of the media in myocardial tissue visualized by the imaging element to identify infarcted tissue.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 33 and further including a support body carried by the distal region of the catheter tube beyond the imaging element to contact endocardial tissue away from the imaging element.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 34 and further including an actuator to move the imaging element without moving the support body.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 33 and further including an actuator to move the imaging element.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 36 and further including a controller coupled to the actuator to regulate movement of the imaging element.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 37 and further including a sensing element to sense a selected electrical event in surrounding myocardial tissue, and where the controller is coupled to the sensing element to regulate movement of the imaging element to the selected electrical event.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 32, wherein the analysis enabling element comprises a processor for interpreting perfusion pattern data received from the imaging element.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 39, further comprising an axial translation system for moving the imaging element, wherein the processor creates three-dimensional data in synchrony with the axial translation system.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 32, further comprising a support structure deployable beyond the imaging element for contacting surrounding tissue to stabilize the imaging element near a target tissue region.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
160 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart, an imaging element comprising an ultrasound transducer on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue, a component connectable to a source of media including echoluscient contrast material to inject the media into blood conveyed to heart tissue, an element enabling analysis of perfusion patterns of the media in myocardial tissue visualized by the imaging element to identify infarcted tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, a controller coupled to the actuator to regulate movement of the imagine element, a sensing element to sense a selected electrical event in surrounding myocardial tissue, and where the controller is coupled to the sensing element to regulate movement of the imaging element to the selected electrical event, wherein the sensing element sense an electrogram having a QRS, and wherein the controller regulates movement of the imaging element to the QRS of the electrogram.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
160 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart, an imaging element comprising an ultrasound transducer on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue, a component connectable to a source of media including echoluscient contrast material to inject the media into blood conveyed to heart tissue, an element enabling analysis of perfusion patterns of the media in myocardial tissue visualized by the imaging element to identify infarcted tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, a controller coupled to the actuator to regulate movement of the imagine element, a sensing element to sense a selected electrical event in surrounding myocardial tissue, and where the controller is coupled to the sensing element to regulate movement of the imaging element to the selected electrical event, wherein the sensing element sense an electrogram having a QRS, and wherein the controller regulates movement of the imaging element to the QRS of the electrogram.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart, an imaging element comprising an ultrasound transducer on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue, a component connectable to a source of media including echoluscient contrast material to inject the media into blood conveyed to heart tissue, an element enabling analysis of perfusion patterns of the media in myocardial tissue visualized by the imaging element to identify infarcted tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, a controller coupled to the actuator to regulate movement of the imaging element, a sensing element to sense a selected electrical event in surrounding myocardial tissue, and where the controller is coupled to the sensing element to regulate movement of the imaging element to the selected electrical event, wherein the controller regulates movement of the imaging element to timing of electrogram activation.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for visualizing heart tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a heart, an imaging element comprising an ultrasound transducer on the distal region for visualizing surrounding endocardial tissue, a component connectable to a source of media including echoluscient contrast material to inject the media into blood conveyed to heart tissue, an element enabling analysis of perfusion patterns of the media in myocardial tissue visualized by the imaging element to identify infarcted tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element, a controller coupled to the actuator to regulate movement of the imaging element, a sensing element to sense a selected electrical event in surrounding myocardial tissue, and where the controller is coupled to the sensing element to regulate movement of the imaging element to the selected electrical event, wherein the controller regulates movement of the imaging element to timing of electrogram activation.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 32 or 33 wherein the imaging element includes a phased array ultrasound transducer assembly.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 32 or 33 wherein the analysis enabling element enables analysis of a frequency domain.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 45 wherein the frequency domain includes a second harmonic.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for visualizing tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a tissue region, an imaging element comprising an ultrasound transducer on the distal region for visualizing surrounding tissue, a support body carried by the distal region of the catheter tube beyond the imaging element to contact surrounding tissue away from the imaging element, a component connectable to a source of media including echoluscient contrast material to inject the media into blood conveyed to surrounding tissue, and an element enabling analysis of perfusion patterns of the media in tissue visualized by the imaging element to characterize tissue morphology.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for visualizing tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal region for deployment within a tissue region, an imaging element comprising an ultrasound transducer on the distal region for visualizing surrounding tissue, a support body carried by the distal region of the catheter tube beyond the imaging element to contact surrounding tissue away from the imaging element, a component connectable to a source of media including echoluscient contrast material to inject the media into blood conveyed to surrounding tissue, and an element enabling analysis of perfusion patterns of the media in tissue visualized by the imaging element to characterize tissue morphology.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 47 and further including an actuator to move the imaging element.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 48 and further including an actuator to move the imaging element without moving the support body.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 47 wherein the analysis enabling element enables analysis of a frequency domain.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 50 wherein the frequency domain includes a second harmonic.
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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) | 2002-05-31 | 2002-11-30 | 2003-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-31 | 2006-11-30 | 2007-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-31 | 2010-11-30 | 2011-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |