Access catheter and method for maintaining separation between a falloposcope and a tubal wall
US5935056A · kind A · utility
60Cited by
31References
9Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 8, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 8, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/0815
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for imaging a narrow body lumen, the method comprising maintaining separation between a distal end of an optical viewing scope and a lumen wall with a spacing structure which extends distally from the distal end of an access catheter. Optional spacing structures include distal cages and a guidewire which is fixed to and extends distally from the access catheter body. The invention is particularly beneficial during retrograde imaging of the fallopian tube, as it prevents the tubal wall from coming into such close proximity to a falloposcope as to produce "white-out" on the imaging monitor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.