Method and apparatus for detecting Barrett's metaplasia of the esophagus
US6035229A · kind A · utility
92Cited by
18References
17Claims
0Family size
Assignee
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Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/0075
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for detecting Barrett's metaplasia utilizes an illumination and imaging probe at the end of a catheter. The probe illuminates the wall of the esophagus and returns reflected light to be processed to provide a visual indication of the color of the esophageal wall. The position of the probe along the length of the esophagus is also measured to allow a medical practitioner to determine the location of the transition from the pink stomach lining to the white esophageal lining.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.