Direct visualization surgical probe
US5409483A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 14, 1993 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2005/061
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical probe for use in a hollow vessel or other region of the body which comprises a multi-lumen catheter having a transparent, non-compliant balloon coupled to the distal end, such that the balloon has a known shape when inflated. A direct visualization scope is provided in a first lumen of the multi-lumen catheter providing direct visualization into the hollow vessel through the non-compliant balloon. An adapter is coupled to a second lumen of the multi-lumen catheter near the proximal end to supply a transparent fluid through the second lumen to inflate the balloon to the predefined shape. In this aspect, the balloon operates to clear the scope tip by pressing tissue on the walls of the hollow vessel out of the way of the end of the scope. This provides the user of the device a consistent clear view of the tissue at the tip of the scope. A fiber optic is provided in a third lumen of the multi-lumen catheter to deliver light energy to the hollow vessel through the non-compliant balloon. A mechanism is provided for positioning the light emitting tip of the fiber optic within the balloon to establish a known propagation distance to the surface of the balloon for the light ener…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.