Image guided catheters and method of use

Inventors

Dykes, Christopher Allen • Zipparo, Michael J. • Abraham, Theodore P.

Assignees

Perceptive Navigation LLC

Abstract

An interventional medical device is provided that incorporates a forward-directed ultrasound or optical coherence tomography imaging system that is replaceable depending on how close the device is to the target site for a given medical procedure, the device and system integrated into a single minimally invasive device comprising a first probe housing, needle guide assembly and sheath, a sleeve lock for closing a normally open needle channel of a needle guide of the first distal assembly and a second probe and cable housing assembly locked to the first distal probe housing, needle guide assembly and sheath by a locking tab. The probe and cable housing assembly may comprise a linear phased ultrasound array and an accelerometer for orienting an image produced by the device with the gravitational field of the earth. The medical device can be in the form of an image guided catheter or probe, used in a body orifice, externally on skin tissue or subcutaneously. The device comprises a replaceable and reusable ultrasound imaging assembly (and or OCT assembly) and replaceable interventional devices such as a removable introducer needle, hollow biopsy needle, syringe or other medical instrument. The imaging system may comprise one or more small ultrasound or OCT imaging systems that can be replaceably integrated into the device by replacing the reusable second probe and cable housing assembly.

Core Innovation

The invention describes a sheath body comprising a first lumen configured to receive a forward looking imaging device, with a locking mechanism that locks the forward looking imaging device into the first lumen. The locking mechanism includes a tab that protrudes from a proximal portion of the first lumen and is configured so that a cable of the forward looking imaging device can extend out of the open proximal end of the first lumen. This structure maintains the forward looking imaging device within the first lumen during use while allowing the cable to extend outward.

The sheath body further includes a second lumen configured to receive a medical tool, with first and second movable guides that contact each other when the first lumen is in a closed configuration and do not contact each other when the first lumen is in an open configuration. In the closed configuration, the second lumen has open distal and proximal ends, enabling the second lumen to receive the medical tool. The second lumen is oriented with respect to the first lumen such that, when the medical tool is loaded into the second lumen, a portion of the medical tool that protrudes from the second lumen is within a forward imaging field of view of the forward looking imaging device.

The invention also describes performing an image guided medical procedure by providing the sheath body and loading a forward looking imaging device into the first lumen such that the imaging device is locked by the locking mechanism. A medical tool is loaded into the second lumen, and at least a portion of a medical procedure is performed using the medical tool while viewing the medical tool through the forward imaging field of view of the forward looking imaging device. The procedure is thus carried out with the medical tool visible in the forward imaging field of view through the forward looking imaging device.

Claims Coverage

The partial set includes two independent claims: a sheath body claim and a method claim. Across these claims, the main inventive features correspond to locking and routing of a forward looking imaging device in a first lumen and an oriented, switchable second lumen that positions a protruding medical tool portion within the forward imaging field of view during image guided medical procedures.

The independent claim coverage centers on a sheath body that locks a forward looking imaging device in a first lumen while permitting cable routing, and an oriented, switchable second lumen that positions a protruding medical tool portion inside the forward imaging field of view. The independent method claim uses these elements to perform an image guided medical procedure by viewing the medical tool through the forward imaging field of view.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications