US6047218A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Systems and methods for visualizing interior tissue regions
Assignee: EP Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1999-04-23
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Granted: 2000-04-04
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Expires: 2019-04-23
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
2026-11-05 06:51
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: 22
Claim 1
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 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, an actuator to move the imaging element, and a controller coupled to the imaging element and the actuator to synchronize an imaging rate and a movement rate of the imaging element.
Claim 2
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 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, an actuator to move the imaging element, and a controller coupled to the imaging element and the actuator to synchronize an imaging rate and a movement rate of the imaging element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator moves the imaging element independently of movement of the support structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging element comprises an ultrasound transducer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 3, wherein the imaging transducer comprises a rotating ultrasound transducer crystal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 4, wherein the controller synchronizes a rotation rate of the ultrasound transducer crystal to the imaging rate thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a diagnostic or therapeutic element carried by the support body for contact with the surrounding endocardial tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising an electrode element carried by the imaging element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the support body comprises at least two spaced apart support members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the support body comprises an expandable three-dimensional structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the support body is expandable in response to fluid pressure.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
105 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 extending beyond the imaging element to contact endocardial tissue away from the imaging element and stabilize the imaging element with respect to the endocardial tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element at a predetermined translation rate, and a controller coupled to the imaging element and the actuator to synchronize an imaging rate of the imaging element to the predetermined translation rate.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
105 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 extending beyond the imaging element to contact endocardial tissue away from the imaging element and stabilize the imaging element with respect to the endocardial tissue, an actuator to move the imaging element at a predetermined translation rate, and a controller coupled to the imaging element and the actuator to synchronize an imaging rate of the imaging element to the predetermined translation rate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the actuator moves the imaging element independently of movement of the support structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the imaging element comprises an ultrasound transducer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13, wherein the imaging transducer comprises a rotating ultrasound transducer crystal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14, wherein the controller synchronizes a rotation rate of the ultrasound transducer crystal to the imaging rate thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 11, further comprising a diagnostic or therapeutic element carried by the support body for contact with the surrounding endocardial tissue.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 11, further comprising an electrode element carried by the imaging element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the support body comprises at least two spaced apart support members.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the support body comprises an expandable three-dimensional structure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the support body is expandable in response to fluid pressure.
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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) | 2003-04-04 | 2003-10-04 | 2004-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-04 | 2007-10-04 | 2008-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-04 | 2011-10-04 | 2012-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |