| WO2020007991A1 | 2020-01-09 |
| US20110306867A1 | 2011-12-15 | |||
| US5109870A | 1992-05-05 |
| CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. Imaging catheter device comprising at least one elongated hollow body extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, at least two electrically conductive elongated bodies secured to the elongated body and extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the elongated body, with the electrically conductive elongated bodies capable of sending or receiving electrical current into or from tissues, cells and organs inside a body. 2. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies are used to measure at least one electrical property such as, including, but not limited to, electrical impedance of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body. 3. Imaging catheter device of claim 2 wherein the measured electrical properties are used to reconstruct tomographic images of electrical properties of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body. 4. Imaging catheter device of claim 3 wherein forward-looking images are reconstructed by extending the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies to the distal end of the elongated and hollow body. 5. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein an electrically conductive path between the proximal end of the electrically conductive bodies and the tissues, cells or organs are composed of one electrically conductive body or multitude of electrically conductive bodies in series. 6. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein a portion or all of the elongated electrically conductive bodies is processed or covered with a materials for electrical contact enhancement, corrosion resistance, prevention of formation of bubbles or any other desired characteristics. 7. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 further comprising at least one proximal port allowing for, including, but not limited to, a guide wire, balloon catheter, stent or any other intracorporeal medical device to be inserted inside the elongated hollow body. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 further comprising at least one port on a circumferential surface of the elongated hollow body allowing for, including, but not limited to, a guide wire, balloon catheter, stent or any other intracorporeal medical device to be inserted inside the elongated hollow body. Imaging catheter device of claim 3 further comprising a console for the processing of the measured electrical properties, reconstructing and displaying the tomographic images of electrical properties of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body. Imaging catheter device of claim 9 wherein any computer-implemented process is used to process the measured electrical properties and reconstruct and display the tomographic images of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body. Such computer-implemented processes may implement, including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence, deep learning or machine learning techniques. Imaging catheter device of claim 3 further comprising additional electrically conductive bodies that may not be used for the measurements but serve other purposes such as, including, but not limited to, electromagnetic noise shielding, structural strength and durability and ease of assembly. Imaging catheter device of claim 3 wherein the measurement of any electrical property of the tissues, cells and organs are done by measuring any values such as, including, but not limited to, peak amplitude, peak-to-peak amplitude, mean amplitude or phase shift of the measured signal. Imaging catheter device of claim 9 further comprising intermediate electronics integrated with the Imaging catheter device and communicate with the console using at least a communication cable or a wireless mean. Imaging catheter device of claim 13 further comprising means for articulating the distal end of the imaging catheter device from the console or the intermediate electronics. Imaging catheter device of claim 10 wherein the computer-implemented process can distinguish objects such as, including, but not limited to, conductive guide wire at the distal end of the catheter and remove them or minimize their impact on the measurement. The use of imaging catheter device of claim 3 in, including, but not limited to, endovascular procedure to help better, including, but not limited to, navigate through an artery, deliver another endovascular device, and diagnose and treat tissues, cells or organs. Imaging catheter device of claim 10 further comprising computer-implemented process to reconstruct a display three-dimensional tomographic image of the tissues, cells and organs. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein at least the distal portion of the imaging catheter is flexible to bending by, including, but not limited to, the use of a flexible material or a vertebral construction therein the flexible portion of the catheter composed of plurality of vertebrae. Imaging catheter device of claim 18 wherein the electrically conductive bodies can be used additionally as tendons to articulate at least the distal end of the catheter. Imaging catheter device of claim 19 wherein a reconfiguration of the tendons in at least one region of the catheter can nullify the bending in that region. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein the exposed distal surfaces of some or all of the electrically conductive bodies in contact with tissues, cells or organs are located at least on, including, but not limited to, distal surfaces of elongated hollow body that can be perpendicular, parallel or at an angle with longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein the distal surface of the electrically conductive bodies in contact with tissues, cells or organs have any shape such as, including, but not limited to, circular or rectangular shape. Imaging catheter device of claim 2 wherein the distal surface of the electrically conductive bodies is electrically isolated from tissues, cells or organs with a dielectric material to provide a capacitive coupling between electrically conductive bodies and the tissues, cells or organs. Imaging catheter device of claim 9 wherein any electrically conductive body is connected to its own individual analog-to-digital converter and the voltage form all of the electrically conductive bodies can be measured simultaneously. Imaging catheter device of claim 24 further comprising digital-to-analog converters and analog switches allowing electrically conductive bodies to be selected to be used for current injection . Imaging catheter device of claim 25 wherein the injection current can be a direct, periodic or a finite duration (pulsed) waveform of any shape in any range of frequencies and amplitudes. Imaging catheter device of claim 25 wherein multitude of different injection signals can be simultaneously injected to the selected electrically conductive bodies. Imaging catheter device of claim 9 wherein an additional elongated conductive body introduced in the elongated hollow body is free to move along a longitudinal axis beyond the distal end of the elongated hollow body and can be used to inject current or to measure electrical properties of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body. Imaging catheter device of claim 9 wherein a conductive medical wires or any other conductive medical devices introduced inside the elongated hollow body are used as additional electrically conductive bodies for current injection or measurement of electrical properties of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body . Imaging catheter device of claim 1 having multitude of internal channels known as lumens extending along longitudinal axis. Imaging catheter device of claim 9 wherein the distal ends of the electrically conductive bodies are arranged in, including but not limited to, a plurality of concentric arrays. Imaging catheter device of claim 3 wherein the electrically conductive bodies are twisted along the elongated and hollow body to serve an additional purpose such as braiding. The application of imaging catheter device of claim 3 wherein a hydrophilic liquid is introduced at the distal end of the imaging catheter to enhance the electrical contact with tissues, cells and organs or to prevent the formation of bubbles. The application of imaging catheter device of claim 3 wherein a mechanical vibration is introduced at the distal end of the imaging catheter to enhance the electrical contact with tissues, cells and organs or to prevent the formation of bubbles. The use of imaging device of claim 3 in any other form and application other than said catheter, such as, including but not limited to, extracorporal imaging devices, endoscopic imaging devices and laparoscopic imaging devices. Imaging device of claim 1 wherein the elongated body extending between the proximal end and the distal end may not be hollow at least in a portion thereof. |
| AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 24 April 2022 (24.04.2022) [Claim 1] Imaging catheter device comprising at least one elongated hollow body extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, at least two electrically conductive elongated bodies secured to the elongated body and extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the elongated body, with the electrically conductive elongated bodies capable of sending or receiving electrical current into or from tissues, cells and organs inside a body. [Claim 2] [Amended] Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies are used to measure at least, including, but not limited to, electrical impedance of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body. [Claim 3] Imaging catheter device of claim 2 wherein the measured electrical properties are used to reconstruct tomographic images of electrical properties of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body. [Claim 4] Imaging catheter device of claim 3 wherein forward-looking images are reconstructed by extending the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies to the distal end of the elongated and hollow body. [Claim 5] [Amended] Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein each electrically conductive body can be composed of multitude of electrically conductive bodies in series. [Claim 6] [Amended] Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein a portion or all of the elongated electrically conductive bodies is processed or covered with a materials for electrical contact enhancement, corrosion resistance, prevention of formation of bubbles or any other desired characteristic. [Claim 7] Imaging catheter device of claim 1 further comprising at least one proximal port allowing for, including, but not limited to, a guide wire, balloon catheter, stent or any other intracorporeal medical device to be inserted inside the elongated hollow body. [Claim 8] Imaging catheter device of claim 1 further comprising at least one port on a circumferential surface of the elongated hollow body allowing for, including, but not limited to, a guide wire, balloon catheter, stent or any other intracorporeal medical device to be inserted inside the elongated hollow body. [Claim 9] [Amended] Imaging catheter device of claim 3 further comprising a console for reconstructing and displaying the tomographic images of 15 AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) electrical properties of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body. [Claim 10] [Amended] Imaging catheter device of claim 9 wherein any computer- implemented process is used to reconstruct and display the tomographic images of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body. Such computer- implemented processes may implement, including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence, deep learning or machine learning techniques. [Claim 11] [Amended ] Imaging catheter device of claim 3 further comprising additional electrically conductive bodies that may not be used for the measurements but serve as, including, but not limited to, electromagnetic noise shielding, structural strength and durability, and ease of assembly. [Claim 12] [Amended] Imaging catheter device of claim 3 wherein the measurement of any electrical property of the tissues, cells and organs are done by measuring, including, but not limited to, peak amplitude, peak- to-peak amplitude, mean amplitude or phase shift of the measured signal. [Claim 13] Imaging catheter device of claim 9 further comprising intermediate electronics integrated with the Imaging catheter device and communicate with the console using at least a communication cable or a wireless mean. [Claim 14] Imaging catheter device of claim 13 further comprising means for articulating the distal end of the imaging catheter device from the console or the intermediate electronics. [Claim 15] [Amended] Imaging catheter device of claim 10 wherein the computer- implemented process can distinguish, including, but not limited to, conductive guide wire at the distal end of the imaging catheter device and remove them or minimize their impact on the measurement. [Claim 16] The use of imaging catheter device of claim 3 in, including, but not limited to, endovascular procedure to help better, including, but not limited to, navigate through an artery, deliver another endovascular device, and diagnose and treat tissues, cells or organs. [Claim 17] Imaging catheter device of claim 10 further comprising computer- implemented process to reconstruct a display three-dimensional tomographic image of the tissues, cells and organs. [Claim 18] [Amended] Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein at least the distal portion of the imaging catheter is flexible to bending by, including, but not limited to, the use of a flexible material or a vertebral construction therein the flexible portion of the imaging catheter device 16 AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) composed of plurality of vertebrae. [Claim 19] [Amended ] Imaging catheter device of claim 18 wherein the electrically conductive bodies can be used additionally as tendons to articulate at least the distal end of the imaging catheter device. [Claim 20] [Amended] Imaging catheter device of claim 19 wherein a reconfiguration of the tendons in at least one region of the imaging catheter device can nullify the bending in that region. [Claim 21] Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein the exposed distal surfaces of some or all of the electrically conductive bodies in contact with tissues, cells or organs are located at least on, including, but not limited to, distal surfaces of elongated hollow body that can be perpendicular, parallel or at an angle with longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body. [Claim 22] [Amended] Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies in contact with tissues, cells or organs have any shape of, including, but not limited to, flat circular, flat rectangular or semi-spherical shape. [Claim 23] Imaging catheter device of claim 2 wherein the distal surface of the electrically conductive bodies is electrically isolated from tissues, cells or organs with a dielectric material to provide a capacitive coupling between electrically conductive bodies and the tissues, cells or organs. [Claim 24] Imaging catheter device of claim 9 wherein any electrically conductive body is connected to its own individual analog-to-digital converter and the voltage form all of the electrically conductive bodies can be measured simultaneously. [Claim 25] Imaging catheter device of claim 24 further comprising digital- to-analog converters and analog switches allowing electrically conductive bodies to be selected to be used for current injection. [Claim 26] Imaging catheter device of claim 25 wherein the injection current can be a direct, periodic or a finite duration (pulsed) waveform of any shape in any range of frequencies and amplitudes. [Claim 27] Imaging catheter device of claim 25 wherein multitude of different injection signals can be simultaneously injected to the selected electrically conductive bodies. [Claim 28] Imaging catheter device of claim 9 wherein an additional elongated conductive body introduced in the elongated hollow body is free to move along a longitudinal axis beyond the distal end of the elongated hollow body and can be used to inject current or to measure electrical 17 AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) properties of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body. [Claim 29] Imaging catheter device of claim 9 wherein a conductive medical wires or any other conductive medical devices introduced inside the elongated hollow body are used as additional electrically conductive bodies for current injection or measurement of electrical properties of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body. [Claim 30] Imaging catheter device of claim 1 having multitude of internal channels known as lumens extending along longitudinal axis. [Claim 31] Imaging catheter device of claim 9 wherein the distal ends of the electrically conductive bodies are arranged in, including but not limited to, a plurality of concentric arrays. [Claim 32] [Amended] Imaging catheter device of claim 3 wherein the electrically conductive bodies are twisted along the elongated and hollow body to serve additional purpose of braiding. [Claim 33] The application of imaging catheter device of claim 3 wherein a hydrophilic liquid is introduced at the distal end of the imaging catheter to enhance the electrical contact with tissues, cells and organs or to prevent the formation of bubbles. [Claim 34] The application of imaging catheter device of claim 3 wherein a mechanical vibration is introduced at the distal end of the imaging catheter to enhance the electrical contact with tissues, cells and organs or to prevent the formation of bubbles. [Claim 35] [Amended ] The construction of the imaging catheter device of claim 3 used for any other function and application other than said catheter, including but not limited to, extracorporal imaging devices, endoscopic imaging devices and laparoscopic imaging devices. [Claim 36] Imaging device of claim 1 wherein the elongated body extending between the proximal end and the distal end may not be hollow at least in a portion thereof. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) |
IMAGING CATHETER USING ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF TISSUES
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of medical imaging and more particularly to catheters adopted for intracorporeal imaging of body cells, tissues or organs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Endovascular procedures usually use x-ray fluoroscopy to help navigate through the body and deliver endovascular devices and drugs to designated sites in the body. This technique, however, poses the risk of exposure to x-ray to the patient and the physician and the risk of contrast agents administration to the patient. In addition, physicians desire to have an intracorporeal mean to have a detailed picture of different tissues presented in the sites of intervention in the body. There are intracorporeal devices incorporating optical coherence tomography (OCT) or acoustic energy to generate images form within the body.
[0003] Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an imaging technique that is being used in medical and industrial applications. In medical applications this imaging method usually uses multitude of electrodes placed externally around a part of a body to measure the electrical impedances and reconstruct an impedance image thereof. Prior arts have been disclosed about the use of EIT as an intracorporeal imaging tool therein, to the knowledge of the inventor, there is no capacity for generating forward-looking images.
[0004] Therefor there is need for a simple, inexpensive and efficient forward-looking imaging tool that can better help navigate through the body and produce a forward-looking image.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to a first broad aspect, there is provided an imaging catheter device comprising: an elongated and hollow body extending between a proximal end and a distal end along longitudinal axis, at least two electrically conductive elongated bodies secured to at least the distal end of the elongated and hollow body and extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the elongated and hollow body, with the electrically conductive elongated bodies capable of sending or receiving electrical current into or from targeted tissues, cells and organs in contact with the distal end of the electrically conductive elongated bodies.
[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies in the imaging catheter device may be used as electrodes to create an impedance map of at least a portion of tissues, cells and organs inside a living body by electrical impedance tomography (EIT).
[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention the electrically conductive bodies extended to the distal end of the imaging catheter device allow for creating what is known by those skilled in the art as forward-looking electrical impedance tomography images.
[0008] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter device can be used as a forward-looking guiding catheter therein guide wire or other medical devices can pass therethrough.
[0009] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter device may be used to help better target a crossing, or atherectomy device.
[0010] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter device may be used to help better deliver a balloon catheter or a stent.
[0011] in one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies may be arranged in a, including, but not limited to, a circular pattern therein any subset thereof may be used to inject current or apply voltages, or measure current, voltage, or any other electrical properties of the tissues, cells or organs.
[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of some or all of the electrically conductive bodies may be on a distal surface of the imaging catheter device perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of some or all of the electrically conductive bodies may be on a distal surface of the imaging catheter device parallel to the longitudinal axis.
[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of some or all of the electrically conductive bodies may be on a distal surface of the imaging catheter device having any arbitrary angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.
[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of some or all of the electrically conductive bodies may be on more than one distal surfaces of the imaging catheter device having different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis.
[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention the measurements of the electrical properties of the tissues, cells, or organs at the distal end of the imaging catheter device may be processed to reconstruct a two-dimensional image of the tissues, cells, or organs at the distal end of the imaging catheter device.
[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention the measurements of the electrical properties of the tissues, cells or organs at the distal end of the imaging catheter device may be processed to reconstruct a three-dimensional tomographic image of the tissues, cells, or organs at the distal end of the imaging catheter device.
[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention the materials or the construction of the imaging catheter device allows the whole or a portion thereof to be flexible to bending.
[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention at least one of the electrically conductive bodies secured at distal end can be pulled from the proximal end to impose a bend in at least a portion of the imaging catheter device.
[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention the angular arrangement of electrically conductive bodies can be changed in at least one selected region of the imaging catheter device to nullify the bending therein.
[0021] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter system may comprise disposable components or reusable components.
[0022] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter system may comprise components designated to be used in sterile held or components designated to be used in non-sterile held.
[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention the disposable components may comprise, including, but not limited to, the imaging catheter device, proximal access ports, intermediate electronics, distal end bending and manipulation mechanisms and means of communication with reusable components.
[0024] In one embodiment of the invention the access to the hollow body of the imaging catheter device, known by those skilled in the art as lumen, may be from a port at the proximal end thereof.
[0025] In one embodiment of the invention the access to the hollow body of the imaging catheter device may be from a port anywhere on the circumferential surface thereof. This later type of access is known by those skilled the art as the rapid exchange.
[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention the reusable components may comprise, including, but not limited to, a console that comprises at least electronics to process the measurements and reconstruct images and a display to view the images.
[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention the three-dimensional images generated by the system may be viewed using any three-dimensional visualization methods and equipment.
[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention arti ti ci al intelligence and machine learning algorithms may be implemented to reconstruct the image from the electrical measurements.
[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention additional electrically conductive bodies that are not secured to the distal end of the elongated hollow body may also be used to inject current or apply voltages, or measure current, voltage, or any other electrical properties of the tissues, cells, or organs.
[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies may not be in direct contact with tissues, cells, or organs and a dielectric layer between them provides a capacitive coupling.
[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention multitude of parallel electronics circuits may perform parallel measurements and computations.
[0032] It should be understood that the title of this invention is not to be regarded as restrictive to other potential applications of the claimed forward-looking impedance tomography. Applications such as, including but not limited to, extracorporal imaging devices, endoscopic imaging devices and laparoscopic imaging devices are within the scope of this invention.
[0033] While multiple applications are disclosed, still other applications of present invention may become apparent. Accordingly, the applications described herein are not to be regarded as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the following drawings, in which:
[0035] Fig. 1 illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end comprising elongated hollow body and multitude of electrically conductive bodies integrated longitudinally in the elongated hollow body’s wall, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0036] Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the imaging catheter device distal end comprising multitude of conductor bodies distal ends, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0037] Fig. 3a illustrates front view of the imaging catheter device distal end injecting a three-dimensional current held into the tissues, cells or organs inside a body.
[0038] Fig. 3b illustrates side view of imaging catheter device distal end injecting a three-dimensional current held into the tissues, cells or organs inside a body.
[0039] Fig. 4a illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end therein some or all of the distal ends of the conductor bodies are located on the front surface thereof, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0040] Fig. 4b illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end therein some or all of the distal ends of the conductor bodies are located on the circumferential surface thereof, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0041] Fig. 4c illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end therein some or all of the distal ends of the conductor bodies are located on angled or round surface thereof, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0042] Fig. 4d illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end therein some or all of the distal ends of the conductor bodies are extended on multiple distal surfaces thereof, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0043] Fig. 5 illustrates an imaging catheter device therein all or distal region thereof can be bent by applying pull forces to the proximal ends of the electrically conductive bodies, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0044] Fig. 6 illustrates a catheter device therein bending and non-bending regions are created by arranging the electrically conductive bodies in radially asymmetric or symmetric configurations, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0045] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an imaging catheter system architecture comprising disposable and reusable components, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0046] Fig. 8 illustrates an imaging catheter device therein the access port to the lumen is located on the circumferential surfaces thereof, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0047] Fig. 9 illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end having multiple lumens, multiple concentric array of conductive bodies and an additional electrically conductive body free to move along a lumen.
[0048] Fig. 10 illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end therein dielectric layer provides capacitive coupling between conductive bodies and the tissues, cells, or organs, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0049] Fig. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an electronics architecture that could be used to inject current and measure electrical voltages in an electrical impedance tomography system, in accordance with one embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0050] Fig. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the imaging catheter device comprising an elongated body 101 that can have at least one lumen 104 and a distal end 103. At least two elongated electrically conductive bodies 102 extending to, including, but not limited to, the distal end 103 of elongated hollow body 101 between inner surface 106 and outer surface 107. [0051] The elongated electrically conductive bodies 102 have exposed surface 105 at the distal end 103 therein the electrically conductive body can be in contact with the tissues, cells, fluids, or organs in the body.
[0052] In one embodiment the exposed surface 105 may include an additional layer or segment of electrically conductive material to enhance, including, but not limited to, its electrical performance, durability, or corrosion resistance.
[0053] In one application of the present invention hydrophilic liquids or mechanical vibration can be introduced to the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies to enhance the electrical contact with tissue, cells, fluids, or organs in the body and dislodge air bubbles. [0054] Fig. 2 illustrates the view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of one embodiment of the imaging catheter device. In this embodiment electrically conductive bodies 201 are distributed in a known pattern 202 between inner surface 207 and the outer surface 208 of the distal end of the imaging catheter device.
[0055] In one embodiment of the imaging catheter device any two elongated conductive bodies 204 and 203 may be selected to inject AC or DC electrical current through the tissue, cells, or organs in contact with imaging catheter distal end and any two elongated conductive bodies 206 and 205, including the same elongated conductive bodies selected to inject electrical current 204 and 203, may be selected to measure voltage.
[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention the current or voltages measurements may be used to map, including, but not limited to, the electrical impedance of the tissue, cells, or organs in contact with the distal end of the imaging catheter device.
[0057] Fig. 3 illustrates the injected three-dimensional current field 306 in proximity of the distal end 309 of an embodiment of the imaging catheter device 301. Fig. 3a is the view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the distal end of the imaging catheter device 301 and Fig. 3b is the view parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distal end of the imaging catheter device 301.
[0058] In one embodiment the periodic or non-periodic electric current or potential field 306 of any temporal form may be injected in the tissues, cells, or organs in proximity of the distal end 309 of the imaging catheter device 301 using selected distal ends 304 and 305 of the elongated electrically conductive bodies 302 and 303 and voltages or currents are measured across same path 306 or different selected paths 307 and 310. The path 307 passes through area 308 with different electrical properties, thus the voltage or current measurement through this path would be different from what is expected from an electrically homogeneous medium. These variations in voltages or currents may be used to calculate the location of the tissue with different electrical properties 308.
[0059] In one embodiment the measured voltages or currents may be processed to reconstruct two-dimensional image or three-dimensional tomographic image of the tissues, cells, or organs at the distal face 309 of the imaging catheter device 301.
[0060] Fig. 4 illustrates embodiments of the imaging catheter device distal end, including, but not limited to four exemplary configurations of the distal face of the elongated hollow body and the distal ends of the elongated electrically conductive bodies.
[0061] Fig. 4a illustrates one embodiment therein the distal ends of some or all of the electrically conductive bodies 401 are exposed at the distal surface 402 of the elongated hollow body perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body.
[0062] Fig. 4b illustrates one embodiment therein the distal ends of some or all of the electrically conductive bodies 408 are exposed at the distal circumferential surface 403 of the elongated hollow body parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body.
[0063] Fig. 4c illustrates one embodiment therein the distal ends of some or all of the electrically conductive bodies 409 are exposed at the distal tapered or curved surface 404 of the elongated hollow body.
[0064] Fig. 4d illustrates one embodiment therein the distal ends of some or all of the electrically conductive bodies 410 are exposed at some or all of: the distal surface 405 of the elongated hollow body perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body, the distal circumferential surface 407 of the elongated hollow body parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body and the distal tapered or curved surface 406 of the elongated hollow body.
[0065] While Fig. 4 represents four possible examples of the distal end configurations, it is to be understood that these examples are not to be regarded as restrictive.
[0066] Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment therein the imaging catheter device is flexible to bending at least in its distal region 501. In this embodiment the distal ends 504 and 505 of the selected elongated electrically conductive bodies 502 and 503 are secured to the distal end 506 of the imaging catheter device and are free to be pulled from the proximal end. In this embodiment pulling the proximal ends of the elongated conductive bodies 502 and 503 with different forces 508 and 507 causes the flexible region 501 of the imaging catheter device to flex. This feature is known to those skilled in that art as articulation-by-tendons of the distal end where herein some or all of the the electrically conductive bodies may additionally serve as tendons.
[0067] Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment therein the articulation of the imaging catheter device can be limited to a selected region 603 when the elongated conductive bodies 604 and 605 are pulled by force 607 and 608 from the proximal end.
[0068] In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6a the imaging catheter device may have regions of articulating 603, non-articulating 601 and transition 602. In the articulating region 603, as shown in Fig. 6c, the selected elongated conductive bodies 604 and 605 are located on one side of lumen 606 thus puling them causes the imaging catheter device to bend in this region. In the non-articulating region 601, as shown in Fig. 6b, the selected elongated conductive bodies 604 and 605 are located on the opposite sides of each other with respect to the lumen 606, thus pulling them does not cause the imaging catheter device to bend in this region. The transition region 602 is where the selected elongated conductive bodies 604 and 605 are reconfigured from the articulating 603 to the non-articulating 601 configuration.
[0069] in one embodiment of the present invention Some or all of the electrically conductive bodies may serve additional purpose of braiding along the imaging catheter device for mechanical reinforcement.
[0070] Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary architecture of the imaging catheter system. It should be understood that this example is not to be regarded as restrictive to other possible architectures of the system.
[0071] In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7 the system may be divided into disposable components and reusable components. The disposable components may include, but not limited to: the imaging catheter device distal section 710, the imaging catheter device proximal section 711, the imaging catheter device intermediate electronics and their housing 701 and the communication cables 704. The reusable components may include, but not limited to: console 707 that process the measurements and display the reconstructed image on a display 708 or a three-dimensional visualization system 709 through a communication mean 711.
[0072] In one embodiment, the imaging catheter device represented in Fig. 7 may have at least one proximal port 703 that can be used to insert a guide wire, balloon catheter, stent or any other medical device 705 in the imaging catheter device lumen extending from the port 703 to the distal end 702 of the imaging catheter device.
[0073] In one embodiment, the imaging catheter device represented in Fig. 7 may have at least one proximal mean 706 to articulate the distal end of the imaging catheter device.
[0074] Fig. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the imaging catheter device therein the access to the lumen of the catheter is through what is known to those skilled in the art as a rapid exchange port 804. This embodiment comprises an imaging catheter device distal section 803 and intermediate electronics and their housing 801. The access to the lumen of the catheter is through a rapid exchange port 804 located on the circumferential surface of the distal section of the imaging catheter device. A guide wire, balloon catheter, stent or any other medical device 805 can be delivered to the distal end of the catheter 802 through the rapid exchange port 804.
[0075] Fig. 9 illustrates one embodiment of the imaging catheter device distal end 901 therein the distal end of additional electrically conductive bodies 906, that are free to move, used to inject current or voltages, or measure current, voltage or other electrical properties of the tissues, cells or organs. The additional free-to-move electrically conductive bodies can be a medical wire, or an integrated, or accessory part of the imaging catheter device.
[0076] In one embodiment, the imaging catheter device represented in Fig. 9 may have multiple lumens 904 and 905.
[0077] In one embodiment of the imaging catheter device represented in Fig. 9 the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies can be arranged in multiple concentric or non-concentric configurations 902 and 903.
[0078] Fig. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the imaging catheter device therein dielectric layers 1003 and 1004 is integrated at the distal ends of the electrically conductive bodies 1002 to electrically isolate the distal ends of the electrically conductive bodies form the surrounding tissues, cells and organs inside the body and provide capacitive coupling between the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies and tissues, cells and organs inside the body.
[0079] Fig. 11 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of the electronics architecture to inject voltage or current to and measure voltage or current from multitude of electrically conductive bodies 1106. In this parallel architecture any individual electrically conductive body 1106 is connected to its own analog-to-digital converter 1101 through the discretionary patient protection circuits 1105. Any electrically conductive body 1106 can selectively be connected to the digital-to-analog converters 1102 or the return line 1103 through analog switches 1104.
[0080] The digital-to-analog converters 1102 in the embodiment of Fig. 11 can inject a DC, periodic or finite duration (pulse) waveforms of any shape. Multitude of digital-to-analog converters can inject different waveforms selectively to some or all of the electrically conductive bodies.
[0081] While multiple embodiments are disclosed herein, still other embodiments of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art from the drawings and detailed descriptions. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.