Access catheter and method for maintaining separation between a falloposcope and a tubal wall

US6196966A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Conceptus, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John Kerin · Paddy Lane, US
• Charles Milo · Union City, US
• Julian Nikolchev · Portola Valley, US
• James Doty · Larkspur, US
• Dai Ton · San Jose, US
• Richard E. Hill · Nashville, US
• Marc Schraner · Pacifica, US
• Tom Kramer · Redwood City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 30, 1998
• Grant date: Mar 6, 2001
• Expiry date: Dec 30, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/0815
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

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 beneficial during either retrograde imaging of the fallopian tube, and also allows antigrade imaging and advancing the access catheter and scope under the direction of the image provided, as it prevents the tubal wall from coming into such close proximity to a falloposcope as to produce "white-out" on the imaging monitor.