U.S. patent application number 16/557033 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-27 for imaging via blood vessels.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gearbox LLC. Invention is credited to Edward K. Y. Jung, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, JR., Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, JR..
Application Number | 20200060527 16/557033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38649176 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-27 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200060527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jung; Edward K. Y. ; et
al. |
February 27, 2020 |
Imaging via Blood Vessels
Abstract
A method and system are described for generating a signal
indicative of an intravascular image received at least partly via a
light transducer and invoking circuitry for passing the generated
signal out of a subject's body.
Inventors: |
Jung; Edward K. Y.;
(Bellevue, WA) ; Leuthardt; Eric C.; (St. Louis,
MO) ; Levien; Royce A.; (Cambridge, MA) ;
Lord; Robert W.; (Seattle, WA) ; Malamud; Mark
A.; (Seattle, WA) ; Rinaldo, JR.; John D.;
(Bellevue, WA) ; Tegreene; Clarence T.; (Mercer
Island, WA) ; Wood, JR.; Lowell L.; (Bellevue,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gearbox LLC |
Bellevue |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
38649176 |
Appl. No.: |
16/557033 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13464815 |
May 4, 2012 |
10448815 |
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16557033 |
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11414164 |
Apr 28, 2006 |
8187189 |
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13464815 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 8/08 20130101; A61B
8/4472 20130101; A61B 1/00082 20130101; A61B 8/4416 20130101; A61B
1/05 20130101; A61B 8/445 20130101; A61B 1/3137 20130101; A61B
5/0084 20130101; A61B 1/00009 20130101; A61B 5/02007 20130101; A61B
8/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 1/05 20060101
A61B001/05; A61B 1/00 20060101 A61B001/00; A61B 5/02 20060101
A61B005/02; A61B 5/00 20060101 A61B005/00; A61B 8/00 20060101
A61B008/00; A61B 1/313 20060101 A61B001/313 |
Claims
1-84. (canceled)
85. A method of obtaining in vivo images, comprising: positioning
at least an imaging portion of a device into an in vivo region
within a subject's body; emitting at least one of infrared or
near-infrared illuminating light from the imaging portion of the
device onto a tissue within the subject's body proximate the
imaging portion; receiving reflected light at the imaging portion
of the device that is reflected from the tissue; processing the
received reflected light to provide imaging data indicative of an
image of the tissue; and emitting the imaging data indicative of
the image of the tissue from the in vivo region to a display
external to the subject's body for display.
86. The method of claim 85 wherein emitting at least one of
infrared or near-infrared illuminating light from the imaging
portion of the device onto a tissue within the subject's body
proximate the imaging portion comprises: projecting ablation energy
onto a tissue as part of an ablation operation.
87. The method of claim 85 wherein positioning at least an imaging
portion of a device into an in vivo region within a subject's body
comprises: positioning at least an imaging portion of a device into
a blood vessel within a subject's body.
88. The method of claim 85, further comprising: removing a volume
of fluid from a field of view of the imaging portion of the
device.
89. The method of claim 85 wherein positioning at least an imaging
portion of a device into an in vivo region within a subject's body
comprises: positioning a light-conductive structure between a light
transducer and the tissue within the subject's body.
90. The method of claim 85 wherein processing the received
reflected light to provide imaging data indicative of an image of
the tissue comprises: processing the received reflected light to
provide shape information of one or more features of the
tissue.
91. The method of claim 85 wherein emitting the imaging data
indicative of the image of the tissue from the in vivo region to a
display external to the subject's body for display comprises:
emitting the imaging data indicative of the image of the tissue out
of the subject's body at least partly via an antenna.
92. The method of claim 85 wherein emitting the imaging data
indicative of the image of the tissue from the in vivo region to a
display external to the subject's body for display comprises:
deploying a transmitting device at least partly within a field of
view of the imaging portion of the device.
93. The method of claim 85 wherein the in vivo region comprises an
intravascular region, and wherein receiving reflected light at the
imaging portion of the device that is reflected from the tissue
comprises: receiving at least a portion of the reflected light that
is reflected from one or more tissues outside the intravascular
system.
94. The method of claim 85 wherein emitting the imaging data
indicative of the image of the tissue from the in vivo region to a
display external to the subject's body for display comprises:
emitting the imaging data indicative of the image of the tissue
from the in vivo region via a lens and the light transducer.
95. The method of claim 85 wherein processing the received
reflected light to provide imaging data indicative of an image of
the tissue comprises: processing the received reflected light to
provide imaging data including an anatomical reference structure
relative to the tissue.
96. The method of claim 85 wherein processing the received
reflected light to provide imaging data indicative of an image of
the tissue comprises: processing the received reflected light to
provide imaging data including optical-range frequency information
from the image of the tissue.
97. The method of claim 85, further comprising: displaying the
image of the tissue at the display external to the subject's
body.
98. The method of claim 85 wherein emitting the imaging data
indicative of the image of the tissue from the in vivo region to a
display external to the subject's body for display comprises:
passing the imaging data indicative of the image of the tissue out
of the subject's body via a portion of at least one of a vein or an
artery.
99. The method of claim 85 wherein the imaging portion of the
device includes a light transducer, and wherein positioning at
least the imaging portion of the device into the in vivo region
within the subject's body comprises: urging the light transducer
toward the tissue within a field of view of the light transducer
while emitting at least one of infrared or near-infrared
illuminating light from the light transducer of the device.
100. The method of claim 99 wherein receiving reflected light at
the imaging portion of the device that is reflected from the tissue
comprises: receiving at least a portion of the receiving reflected
light via the light transducer.
101. The method of claim 99 wherein receiving reflected light at
the imaging portion of the device that is reflected from the tissue
comprises: receiving at least a portion of the reflected light via
one or more other transducers arranged in a common grid with the
light transducer.
102. The method of claim 99 wherein emitting at least one of
infrared or near-infrared illuminating light from the imaging
portion of the device onto a tissue within the subject's body
proximate the imaging portion comprises: performing an ablation
operation using the at least one of infrared or near-infrared
illuminating light at least partly within a field of view of the
light transducer.
103. A system comprising: circuitry for positioning at least an
imaging portion of a device into an in vivo region within a
subject's body; circuitry for emitting at least one of infrared or
near-infrared illuminating light from the imaging portion of the
device onto a tissue within the subject's body proximate the
imaging portion; circuitry for receiving reflected light at the
imaging portion of the device that is reflected from the tissue;
circuitry for processing the received reflected light to provide
imaging data indicative of an image of the tissue; and circuitry
for emitting the imaging data indicative of the image of the tissue
from the in vivo region to a display external to the subject's body
for display.
104. A system comprising: means for positioning at least an imaging
portion of a device into an in vivo region within a subject's body;
means for emitting at least one of infrared or near-infrared
illuminating light from the imaging portion of the device onto a
tissue within the subject's body proximate the imaging portion;
means for receiving reflected light at the imaging portion of the
device that is reflected from the tissue; means for processing the
received reflected light to provide imaging data indicative of an
image of the tissue; and means for emitting the imaging data
indicative of the image of the tissue from the in vivo region to a
display external to the subject's body for display.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is related to and/or claims the
benefit of the earliest available effective filing date(s) from the
following listed application(s) (the "Priority Applications"), if
any, listed below (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates
for other than provisional patent applications or claims benefits
under 35 USC .sctn. 119(e) for provisional patent applications, for
any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc.
applications of the Priority Application(s)). In addition, the
present application is related to the "Related Applications," if
any, listed below.
PRIORITY APPLICATIONS
[0002] For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the
present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/464,815, entitled Imaging Via Blood
Vessels, naming Edward K Y. Jung, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A.
Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr.,
Keith D. Rosema, Casey T. Tegreene, and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as
inventors, filed May 4, 2012, which is currently co-pending, and
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/414,164, entitled Imaging Via Blood Vessels, naming Edward K. Y.
Jung, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A.
Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Keith D. Rosema, Casey T. Tegreene,
and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed Apr. 28, 2006, now
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,187,189 on May 29, 2012.
[0003] The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a
notice to the effect that the USPTO's computer programs require
that patent applicants reference both a serial number and indicate
whether an application is a continuation, continuation-in-part, or
divisional of a parent application. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit of
Prior-Filed Application, USPTO Official Gazette Mar. 18, 2003. The
USPTO further has provided forms for the Application Data Sheet
which allow automatic loading of bibliographic data but which
require identification of each application as a continuation,
continuation-in-part, or divisional of a parent application. The
present Applicant Entity (hereinafter "Applicant") has provided
above a specific reference to the application(s) from which
priority is being claimed as recited by statute. Applicant
understands that the statute is unambiguous in its specific
reference language and does not require either a serial number or
any characterization, such as "continuation" or
"continuation-in-part," for claiming priority to U.S. patent
applications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicant understands
that the USPTO's computer programs have certain data entry
requirements, and hence Applicant has provided designation(s) of a
relationship between the present application and its parent
application(s) as set forth above and in any ADS filed in this
application, but expressly points out that such designation(s) are
not to be construed in any way as any type of commentary and/or
admission as to whether or not the present application contains any
new matter in addition to the matter of its parent
application(s).
[0004] If the listings of applications provided above are
inconsistent with the listings provided via an ADS, it is the
intent of the Applicant to claim priority to each application that
appears in the Priority Applications section of the ADS and to each
application that appears in the Priority Applications section of
this application.
[0005] All subject matter of the Priority Applications and the
Related Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent,
great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Priority Applications
and the Related Applications, including any priority claims, is
incorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matter
is not inconsistent herewith.
SUMMARY
[0006] An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the
method includes but is not limited to generating a signal
indicative of an intravascular image received at least partly via a
light transducer and invoking circuitry for passing the generated
signal out of a subject's body. In addition to the foregoing, other
method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text
forming a part of the present disclosure.
[0007] In one or more various aspects, related systems include but
are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the
herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming
can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or
firmware configured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects
depending upon the design choices of the system designer.
[0008] An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the
system includes but is not limited to circuitry for generating a
signal indicative of an intravascular image received at least
partly via a light transducer and circuitry for passing the
generated signal out of a subject's body. In addition to the
foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims,
drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
[0009] In addition to the foregoing, various other embodiments are
set forth and described in the text (e.g., claims and/or detailed
description) and/or drawings of the present description.
[0010] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not
intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative
aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further
aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by
reference to the drawings and the following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary environment in which one or more
technologies may be implemented.
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational
process.
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts another exemplary environment in which one or
more technologies may be implemented.
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a type of image that can be generated by a
system like that of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts another exemplary environment in which one or
more technologies may be implemented.
[0016] FIGS. 6-10 each depict the environment of FIG. 5 in a
different circumstance.
[0017] FIG. 11 depicts another exemplary environment in which one
or more technologies may be implemented.
[0018] FIGS. 12-15 each depict several variants of the flow of FIG.
2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the
drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components,
unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments
described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not
meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other
changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of
the subject matter presented here.
[0020] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the
drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components,
unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments
described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not
meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other
changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of
the subject matter presented here.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary
environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented.
As shown system 100 comprises vascular probe 111 having at least an
intravascular portion 118 inside vascular system 180 of a subject's
body 170. In some embodiments as described below, "subject" refers
to a human being, living or otherwise, or a single mammal or other
animal in a population. Portion 118 extends within an artery,
capillary or other blood vessel 184 so as to occlude flow path only
partially. Portion 118 comprises imaging/control circuitry 120
including at least light transducer 122 having a field of view 135
at least partly including target 177. At least a portion of
imaging/control circuitry 120 invokes communication circuitry 150,
which can respond by transmitting at least image-indicative
signal(s) 130 along path 155 out of the subject's body 170. In some
embodiments, "circuitry" comprises amplifiers, logic, or other
active elements coupled by conduits.
[0022] System 100 can further include an external portion 160
comprising one or more of interface 160, transmitter 163, receiver
164, storage 165, or external imaging system 168. Interface 161 can
include display 162. Storage 165 can contain data 166 comprising
images 167. External imaging system 168 can emit energy 104 toward
tissue 172, a portion of which energy penetrates body 170 into
blood vessel 184 or a bone or other reference structure 175.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a high-level logic
flow 200 of an operational process. Operation 210 describes
generating a signal indicative of an intravascular image received
at least partly via a light transducer (e.g. imaging/control
circuitry 120 providing an image of a lesion captured through light
transducer 122). In some embodiments, the image can be
intravascular by virtue of a primary target or sensor extending
within a blood vessel, for example. In some embodiments, a probe
performs operation 210 by capturing an image of an easily
recognized structure intravascularly (e.g. vascular probe 111
capturing an image of a large bone, e.g.) as a navigational
reference. Operation 220 describes invoking circuitry for passing
the generated signal out of a subject's body (e.g. imaging control
circuitry 120 invoking communication circuitry 150 to pass
signal(s) 130 out of body 170). In some embodiments, this can
comprise transmitting or otherwise transferring the signal from
inside the body. Signal(s) 130 can pass through an antenna (not
shown) or otherwise along path 155, for example.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown another exemplary
environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented.
As shown system 300 comprises laparoscopic system 310 including
catheter 315 with at least a distal intravenous portion 317 inside
vein 384 of vascular system 380. Portion 317 occludes flow path 382
only partially. Portion 317 comprises one or more of
imaging/control circuitry 320 or communication circuitry 350.
Imaging/control circuitry 320 can optionally comprise one or more
of image receiving circuitry 321, light transducer(s) 322, camera
325, charge coupled device (CCD) array 327, element 328,
image-indicative signals 330, or imaging circuitry 333.
Image-indicative signals 330 can optionally comprise one or more of
shape data 331 or frequency data 332.
[0025] Communication circuitry 350 can optionally comprise one or
more of receiver 351, transmitter 352, antenna 356, or antenna
driver 357 able to communicate with hub 392 via conduit 355. One or
more elements of imaging/control circuitry 320 are configured to
receive (reflected or other) optical energy from a respective field
of view 335 for each of one or more lenses 316. The presence of
blood in vein 384 limits imaging effectiveness, though, especially
in the visible spectrum. To reduce an amount of blood immediately
around lenses 316, balloon 313 can be inflated and deflated
selectively by balloon control circuitry 343 through (air or other)
fluid line 353. One or more other deflectors 314 can likewise be
actuated and de-actuated selectively, for example, by deflection
control circuitry 344 via electrical or fluid line 354. By
actuating upper deflector 314 to bear against wall 385 as shown,
for example, the one or more lenses 316 closest to wall 386 are
moved closer, enabling a clearer view of wall 386 through balloon
313. In some embodiments, extension 389 can be steered, advanced,
retracted or otherwise manipulated via extension control circuitry
345.
[0026] In some embodiments, hub 392 can comprise one or more of a
fluid or other supply 394, a spool 393 (for use with extension 389,
e.g.), a laparoscopic controller 391, and an external portion 360.
External portion 360 can comprise one or more input device(s) 369,
a screen 362 configured to display intravascular/video images 334
and other image data 339 such as that from an ultrasound or other
external imaging system (not shown). External portion 360 can
likewise include one or more of image element(s) 336, image
attribute(s) 337, or storage 338 having the other image data
339.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an example of a type
of image that can be generated by a system like that of FIG. 3.
Imaging circuitry 333 of FIG. 3 can generate composite image 400,
in some embodiments including a view 358 for each of the one or
more lenses 316. Each of the several views shows that extension 389
bends toward the lens 316 nearest wall 386, against which balloon
313 is pressed. In the absence of blood, a portion of wall 386 is
clearly viewable. Composite image 400 can provide a clearer view of
extension 389 as it bends in any (lateral) direction.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown another exemplary
environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented.
As shown system 500 comprises vascular probe 511 having at least an
intravascular portion 517 inside blood vessel 584 of a subject's
vascular system. Intravascular portion 517 can include hub 592
comprising one or more of imaging/control circuitry 520 or
communication circuitry 550. Blood vessel 584 is shown in a
vicinity 573 of anomaly 574, with blood 583 flowing (downward) all
around between intravascular portion 517 and wall 585 of blood
vessel 584. Anomaly 574 protrudes somewhat radially from wall 585
into surrounding tissue 572. Imaging array 521 is arranged about
the circumference of intravascular portion 517, including many
elements 528 generally oriented radially.
[0029] With balloon 513 and other deflector 514 deflated,
intravascular portion 517 can easily advance upward using extension
589 comprising a guidewire until, for example, imaging/control
circuitry 520 can detect anomaly 574 (via element 528 and conduit
555, e.g.). Because of the presence of extension 589, also, port
599 is substantially closed to blood flow.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown system 500 of FIG. 5
in another circumstance. Element 528 has detected anomaly 574
within its field of view 635, and can stop for a better image,
optionally automatically. Roughly at the same time, extension 589
can be at least partly withdrawn so that blood 583 can enter the
large conduit from which extension 589 is being withdrawn.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown system 500 of FIG. 5
in yet another circumstance. Here, element 589 is withdrawn
substantially without inflating balloon 513 or deflector 514. In
this position, blood flow 782 is enhanced, relative to the position
of FIG. 6, by flow 782 passing through port 599.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown system 500 of FIG. 5
in yet another circumstance. Here, element 589 is still withdrawn,
and balloon 513 and deflector 514 are partly inflated via line 853
and line 854, respectively.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown system 500 of FIG. 5
in yet another circumstance. Here, element 589 is still withdrawn,
and balloon 513 and deflector 514 are substantially inflated. To
remove a volume of the blood from volume 929 around imaging array
521, line 998 is used for suction (drawing blood out, e.g.).
Optionally, line 997 is similarly used for injecting a fluid
(saline or water, e.g.) to further clarify volume 929.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown system 500 of FIG.
5 in yet another circumstance (e.g. a better circumstance for
imaging in visible light, for example). Here, element 589 is still
withdrawn so that flow 782 remains open. Balloon 513 and deflector
514 remain substantially inflated so that a tube-shaped interior of
blood vessel 584 is not filled with blood. Substantially all of the
blood from volume 929 around imaging array 521 has been replaced or
otherwise removed, and imaging array 521 can capture a much better
set of images at or above visible frequencies. In some embodiments,
a light source such as emitter 1096 provides ablation, for example,
to treatment field 1095, substantially adjacent field of view
1035.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown system 1100 that
can essentially function as described above with reference to
system 500 of FIGS. 5-10. Vascular probe 1111 comprises at least a
distal intravascular portion 1117 inside artery 1184 of a subject's
vascular system. Portion 1117 can include hub 1192 comprising one
or more of imaging/control circuitry 1120 or communication
circuitry 1150.
[0036] For example, extension 1189 can be at least partly withdrawn
so that blood 1183 can enter the large conduit from which extension
1189 is withdrawn. Element 1189 can be withdrawn with or without
inflating balloon 1113 or deflector 1114. Blood flow can be
enhanced or preserved by blood flow passing through port 1199. In
some embodiments, port 1199 comprises a tricuspid valve for
substantially reducing oppositely-directed flow. Balloon 1113 can
be inflated or deflated via lines 1183, and deflector 1114 can be
inflated or deflated via line 1184. A volume of the blood around
imaging circuitry 1121 can be drawn out via line 998, and a fluid
can be injected into the same volume as line 997, optionally until
substantially all of the blood from that volume has been removed or
replaced. Imaging circuitry 1121 can then capture a clearer set of
images. In some embodiments, a light source such as emitter 1196
provides ablation, for example, substantially adjacent a field of
view of element 1128.
[0037] Imaging/control circuitry 1120 can include imaging circuitry
1121, optionally with one or more of light transducer(s) 1122,
camera 1125, charge coupled device (CCD) array 1127, element 1128,
and emitter 1196. Alternatively or additionally, imaging/control
circuitry 1120 comprises image-indicative signals 1130 or
intravascular images 1133. Image-indicative signals 1130 can
optionally comprise one or more of shape data 1131 or frequency
data 1132.
[0038] Communication circuitry 1150 can optionally comprise one or
more of receiver 1151, transmitter 1152, antenna 1156, or antenna
driver 1157 able to communicate the image-indicative signal 1130
outside the subject's body 1170.
[0039] Finally, hub 1192 can include one or more of image
element(s) 1136, image attribute(s) 1137, storage 1138 containing
data 1139, balloon control circuitry 1143, deflection control
circuitry 1144, catheter positioning circuitry 1145, and extension
positioning circuitry 1149.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 12, there are shown several variants
of the flow 200 of FIG. 2. Operation 210--generating a signal
indicative of an intravascular image received at least partly via a
light transducer--may include one or more of the following
operations: 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1217, or 1218. Operation
220--for passing the generated signal out of a subject's body--may
include one or more of the following operations: 1223 or 1224.
[0041] Operation 1212 describes projecting energy into tissue in an
ablation operation (e.g. emitter 1096 of FIG. 10 projecting a laser
treatment to treatment field 1095 of anomaly 574). In some
embodiments, the energy can be emitted from a source outside a
subject's body, such as a portion of external imaging system
1068.
[0042] Operation 1213 describes sensing at least a reflected
portion of the energy projected into the tissue (e.g. element 528
receiving a portion of the energy projected by emitter 1095 into
anomaly 574). The reflected portion can be reflected once or more
within anomaly 574, for example, if anomaly 574 a typically
translucent biological material.
[0043] Operation 1214 describes positioning the light transducer
inside a blood vessel (e.g. deflection control circuitry 344 or
laterally moving imaging/control circuitry 320, including
transducer 322). This can occur, for example, in embodiments in
which at least imaging/control circuitry 320 performs operation 210
and in which at least communication circuitry 350 can be invoked in
performing operation 220. In some embodiments, catheter positioning
circuitry (not shown) can axially advance and retract intravenous
portion 317 automatically by any of several techniques such as
pushing, magnetic navigation, steering, or the like. See U.S. Pat.
No. 6,610,007 issued to Belson et al., "Steerable Segmented
Endoscope and Method of Insertion." See also U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/062,074 by Leeflang et al., "Variable
Steerable Catheters and Methods for Using Them." In other
embodiments, the image is intravascular irrespective of the
positioning of light transducer 322, by virtue of an imaging target
being situated inside a blood vessel.
[0044] Operation 1215 describes at least partly removing a volume
of blood from a field of view of the light transducer (e.g. hub 592
drawing a volume of blood 583 from volume 929 through line 998). In
some embodiments, a replacement fluid such as saline or water is
introduced roughly contemporaneously with the removing (e.g. via
line 997).
[0045] Operation 1217 describes positioning a light-conductive
structure between the light transducer and a target before at least
a portion of the intravascular image is received (e.g. catheter
positioning circuitry 345 positioning catheter 315, before image
capture, so that one or more lenses 316 pass light between camera
325 and a field of view 335 around extension 389). The
light-conductive structure can include an optical fiber or other
solid or free space medium, for example, as an alternative to or in
addition to the substantially transparent fluid exemplified in FIG.
10.
[0046] Operation 1218 describes including shape information from
the received intravascular image (e.g. image receiving circuitry
321 recording a non-uniformity of intensity or hue among elements
of CCD array 327 within video images 334 from camera 325).
[0047] Operation 1223 describes passing the generated signal out of
the subject's body at least partly via an antenna (e.g. antenna
driver 357 transmitting at least a binary indication of the
above-referenced non-uniformity via antenna 356).
[0048] Operation 1224 describes deploying a device at least partly
within a field of view of the received intravascular image (e.g.
hub 392 unwinding spool 393 to drive extension 389 further in a
distal direction). Extension 389 can include a conduit for
injecting fluid or light into the body, for example, or for drawing
out materials. Alternatively or additionally, extension 389 can
comprise a needle, a Guglielmi Detachable Coil (GDC) wire, a clip,
a valve, a guide wire, a stent, or the like.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 13, there are shown several variants
of the flow 200 of FIG. 2 or 12. Operation 210--generating a signal
indicative of an intravascular image received at least partly via a
light transducer--may include one or more of the following
operations: 1311, 1312, 1314, 1316, 1317 or 1318. Operation
220--for passing the generated signal out of a subject's body--may
include one or more of the following operations: 1321 or 1328.
[0050] Operation 1311 describes transmitting optical energy outside
a vascular system (e.g. external imaging system 168 emitting energy
104 into body 170). In some environments such as blood vessels near
the skin, ambient fluorescent light or an external synchronized
pulse like a camera flash can be used to provide the energy. For
other environments, low frequency light (at or below that of near
infrared, e.g.) and/or an internal source (emitter 1196, e.g.) of
the energy can transmit the energy outside the vascular system (to
tissue 172 or 1172, e.g.).
[0051] Operation 1312 describes receiving at least a portion of the
intravascular image as a portion of the optical energy transmitted
outside the vascular system (e.g. optical inlet of light transducer
122 receiving a portion of emitted energy 104 not absorbed by
tissue 172). Alternatively or additionally, camera 1125 or CCD
array 1127 can receive a portion of the optical energy transmitted
outside the vascular system via line 1153 and emitter 1196.
[0052] Operation 1314 describes at least partly entering an artery
(e.g. vascular probe 1112 partly entering artery 1184). In some
embodiments positioning and imaging circuitry described herein can
be used in concert with one or more sampling or treatment
operations performed via extension 1189 such as placing a stent or
GDC wire, a biopsy, or the like.
[0053] Operation 1316 describes receiving the intravascular image
at least partly via a lens and the light transducer (e.g. a memory
or other imaging circuitry 333 receiving and stitching together
respective images from lenses 316 via light transducer(s) 322). The
stitching operation combines data from different fields of view
into at least image data 339 that can be viewed in a common window
of screen 362. See FIG. 4. These can occur, for example, in
embodiments in which at least imaging/control circuitry 320
performs operation 210 and in which at least communication
circuitry 350 can be invoked in performing operation 220.
[0054] Operation 1317 describes displaying at least an anatomical
reference structure relative to a catheter large enough to contain
the light transducer (e.g. display 162 and/or external imaging
system 168 showing a probe portion 118 relative to structure 175).
In some embodiments, an external image indicating a probe and an
image obtained via the probe are shown in a common screen (screen
362, e.g.) or otherwise at least roughly simultaneously.
[0055] Operation 1318 describes including optical-range frequency
information from the received intravascular image (e.g. image
attribute(s) containing a number indicating a light frequency or
wavelength describing the intravascular image). In some
embodiments, the frequency information comprises a prevalent
wavelength or other description of a solid or other detected
material. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,816,743 issued to Moreno et al.,
"Methods and Apparatus for In Vivo Identification and
Characterization of Atherosclerotic Plaques."
[0056] Operation 1321 describes displaying data passed as the
generated signal out of the subject's body (e.g. screen 362
displaying intravascular/video images 334 as one or more
image-indicative signals 330). The one or more image-indicative
signals can each include shape data 331, frequency data 332, an
error signal such as a binary indication of a detected anomaly, or
the like.
[0057] Operation 1328 describes passing the generated signal out of
the subject's body via a portion of a vein (e.g. transmitter 352
transmitting an output of imaging circuitry 333 via a portion of
conduit 355 within intravenous portion 317 of catheter 315). In
some embodiments, substantially the entire intravascular signal
path is intravenous.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 14, there are shown several variants
of the flow 200 of FIG. 2, 12 or 13. Operation 210--generating a
signal indicative of an intravascular image received at least
partly via a light transducer--may include one or more of the
following operations: 1412, 1414, 1415, 1417 or 1418. Operation
220--for passing the generated signal out of a subject's body--may
include one or more of the following operations: 1421 or 1427.
[0059] Operation 1412 describes urging the light transducer toward
a target within a field of view of the light transducer while
receiving at least a portion of the intravascular image (e.g.
deflection control circuitry and deflector 314 jointly urging one
of the light transducer(s) 322 substantially toward wall 386 to
which it is closest). In some embodiments, substantially all liquid
blood between a light transducer and at least a target portion of
its field of view can be removed before the image is received and
captured.
[0060] Operation 1414 describes receiving a first portion of the
intravascular image via the light transducer (e.g. at least
imaging/control circuitry 1120 receiving a first of intravascular
images 1133 at least partly via an element of CCD array 1127). This
can occur, for example, in embodiments in which imaging/control
circuitry 1120 and CCD array 1127 jointly perform operation 210, in
which the received portions and images are stored as data 1139 of
storage 1138 and in which at least communication circuitry 1150
performs operation 220. In some embodiments, operation 220
comprises physically removing storage 1138 from body 1170. In other
embodiments, operation 220 comprises transmitting storage 1138
keeping a copy of image-indicative signals 1130 at least throughout
operation 220, such as for archiving or possible later use.
[0061] Operation 1415 describes receiving a second portion of the
intravascular image via one or more other transducers arranged in a
common grid with the light transducer (e.g. at least
imaging/control circuitry 1120 receiving a second of intravascular
images 1133 at least partly via another element of CCD array 1127).
This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which each of the
intravascular images 1133 is a serially transmitted pixel having
several bits of color information that are later stored as data
1139. In some embodiments, data 1139 includes the entire
intravascular image indicated by the generated signal recited in
operation 210. In some embodiments, data 1139 includes a
multiple-pixel portion of a very large intravascular image and does
not simultaneously include the entire image.
[0062] Operation 1417 describes performing an ablation operation at
least partly within a field of view of the light transducer (e.g.
at least extension control circuitry 345 and extension 389
projecting optical ablation energy within a field of view 335 of
each of one or more lenses 316). This can occur, for example, in
embodiments in which at least imaging/control circuitry 320
performs operation 210 and in which at least communication
circuitry 350 can be invoked in performing operation 220.
[0063] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments extension
control circuitry 345 can fully retract extension 389 (by winding
spool 393, e.g.). It can then be replaced (by replacing spool 393,
for example) by an extension having another function (GDC wire or
stent installation or generating laparoscopic ultrasound images,
e.g.).
[0064] Operation 1418 describes enhancing a blood flow by at least
partly withdrawing a first intravenous or intra-arterial portion of
a laparoscopic system (e.g.
[0065] extension positioning circuitry 1149 withdrawing extension
1189 to open a flow path through port 1199). In some embodiments,
operation 1418 can likewise be performed primarily by withdrawing a
fluid as the first intravenous or intra-arterial portion (by
drawing fluid out through line 853 or 854, deflating deflector 514
or balloon 513 respectively). The fluid may be a liquid, air or
some other gas, a combination of more than one type of fluid, or
the like.
[0066] Operation 1421 describes (e.g. communication circuitry 150
transmitting the generated signal via path 155 implemented as an
antenna to receiver 164 and from transmitter 163). In some
embodiments, for example, vascular probe 111 can be implemented for
remote operation and configured for short range radio frequency
communication.
[0067] Operation 1427 describes receiving a user preference
indication after generating a portion of the signal (e.g. receiver
351 receiving a "capture image" signal via input device(s) 369
after detecting a presence of sufficient light for imaging in at
least one of the fields of view 335). In some embodiments,
operation 1427 is performed by an element partly inside a subject's
body. In some embodiments, the user preference indication is
received as a wireless signal.
[0068] Referring now to FIG. 15, there are shown several variants
of the flow 200 of FIG. 2, 12, 13, or 14. Operation 210--generating
a signal indicative of an intravascular image received at least
partly via a light transducer--may include one or more of the
following operations: 1511, 1514, 1516 or 1518. Operation 220--for
passing the generated signal out of a subject's body--may include
one or more of the following operations: 1522 or 1525.
[0069] Operation 1511 describes generating the signal while only
partly occluding a blood flow path through a vessel containing the
light transducer (e.g. imaging circuitry 1121 and balloon control
circuitry 1143 jointly generating a best available image with
balloon 1113 inflated enough to stabilize portion 1117 while only
partly blocking artery 1184). This can occur, for example, in
embodiments in which at least imaging/control circuitry 1120
performs operation 210 and in which at least communication
circuitry 1150 is invoked in performing operation 220. In some
embodiments, element 1128 is configured for imaging with ultrasound
or infrared radiation through blood. Further analysis can be
performed by removing part or all of the blood from the field of
view of CCD array 1127 and then by imaging with CCD array 1127.
[0070] Operation 1514 describes projecting at least near-infrared
energy generally into tissue and toward the light transducer (e.g.
at least external imaging system 168 emitting energy 104 generally
rightward as shown, so that light transducer 122 can absorb a
portion of the energy not absorbed or reflected back by tissue
172). In some embodiments emitted energy 104 also comprises a
substantial component of infrared and lower-frequency light as
well.
[0071] Operation 1516 describes positioning the light transducer in
a vicinity of an ultrasonically detected target (e.g. deflection
control circuitry 344 moving at least light transducer(s) 322
toward wall 386 responsive to detecting wall 386 ultrasonically).
In some embodiments, for example, the ultrasonic detection can be
performed extracorporeally or via extension 389 (implemented as an
ultrasonic detector, e.g.).
[0072] Operation 1518 describes generating an intravascular video
signal as the signal indicative of the received intravascular image
(e.g. at least imaging circuitry 333 and image receiving circuitry
321 jointly generating an intra-coronary video signal). In some
embodiments, a substantially live signal can thus be passed to
screen 362 (in operation 220, e.g.).
[0073] Operation 1522 describes transmitting the generated signal
responsive to an indication of a user action (e.g. communication
circuitry and hub 392 displaying the above-described live video
signal to screen responsive to an indication of a menu selection
event). In some embodiments, the user action modifies a default or
other configuration that has no effect upon the transmission until
triggered by a later event (e.g. changing a default imaging mode to
"video" responsive to a user action, even with no imaging data yet
available).
[0074] Operation 1525 describes deploying a stent at least partly
within a field of view of the received intravascular image (e.g. at
least extension control circuitry 345 deploying a stent via
extension 389 responsive to detecting a lesion in blood vessel 384
treatable by the stent).
[0075] Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state
of the art has progressed to the point where there is little
distinction left between hardware and software implementations of
aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is generally
(but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between
hardware and software can become significant) a design choice
representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in
the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which
processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein
can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and
that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the
processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed.
For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy
are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or
firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the
implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet
again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination
of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several
possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or
other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which
is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be
utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the
vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed,
flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which
may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical
aspects of implementations will typically employ optically-oriented
hardware, software, and or firmware.
[0076] The foregoing detailed description has set forth various
embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block
diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block
diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions
and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art
that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams,
flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or
collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or
virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, several
portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented
via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field
Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs),
or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will
recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in
whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated
circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more
computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more
computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more
processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more
microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination
thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code
for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of
one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition,
those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the
subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as
a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative
embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies
regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to
actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing
medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable
type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact
Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer
memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital
and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a
waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication
link, etc.).
[0077] While particular aspects of the present subject matter
described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein,
changes and modifications may be made without departing from this
subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and,
therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope
all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit
and scope of this subject matter described herein.
[0078] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed
herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those
skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed
herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be
limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the
following claims.
[0079] It will be understood by those within the art that, in
general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims
(e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as
"open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as
"including but not limited to," the term "having" should be
interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be
interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an
intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence
of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an
aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain
usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more"
to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases
should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim
recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to
inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same
claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least
one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or
"an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one
or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles
used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a
specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly
recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such
recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the
recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations,"
without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations,
or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where
a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is
used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one
having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a
system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be
limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B
together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C
together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to
"at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a
construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art
would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least
one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that
have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together,
B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that any disjunctive
word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms,
whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be
understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the
terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase
"A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or
"B" or "A and B." Moreover, "can" and "optionally" and other
permissive terms are used herein for describing optional features
of various embodiments. These terms likewise describe selectable or
configurable features generally, unless the context dictates
otherwise.
[0080] The herein described aspects depict different components
contained within, or connected with, different other components. It
is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely
exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be
implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual
sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same
functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired
functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein
combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as
"associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is
achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.
Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as
being "operably connected," or "operably coupled," to each other to
achieve the desired functionality. Any two components capable of
being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably
couplable" to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited
to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components
and/or wirelessly.
* * * * *