Apparatus for in vivo imaging of the respiratory tract and other internal organs
US6546272B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B18/12
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus for acquiring in vivo images of a site of interest within the internal organs of a body. The apparatus includes an elongate, flexible catheter. The catheter is introducible into the body and has a first end that remains external to the body and a second and positionable adjacent the site of interest. A movable scanning unit having at least one sensor for acquiring images is housed adjacent the second end of the catheter. There is a drive mechanism to control movement of the movable scanning unit from the first external end of the catheter to acquire multiple images of the site of interest. The drive mechanism has a control element extending the length of the catheter lumen adapted for linear movement within the lumen to generate linear or rotational movement of the scanning unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.