Cardiac visualization devices and methods
US7534204B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 27, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 19, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/00243
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Devices and methods for facilitating transvascular, minimally invasive and other “less invasive” surgical procedures generally include a sheath with an expandable balloon at the distal end, an inflation lumen for expanding the balloon, and a device passage lumen for allowing passage of one or more surgical instruments. The sheath is configured to house at least one visualization device such that an optical element of the device is positioned to view the surgical site. In some embodiments, instruments may be passed through the sheath, with the distal balloon partially or fully circumscribing or encircling the instruments. Any suitable instrument(s) may be passed through sheaths of the invention, such as a surgical clip applier for repairing a heart valve, an ablation member for treating atrial fibrillation, one or more pacemaker leads, a coronary sinus access device or the like.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.