Patent ID: 9439570
Filing Date: 2016-09-13
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A multi-view imaging probe configured to image a tissue, the probe comprising: an elongated flexible body having a proximal end portion, an opposite distal end portion, a longitudinal axis, and an outer wall extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, the wall having at least a portion that is at least partially transparent to light used for imaging by the probe; an optical waveguide extended inside the flexible body to support optical communication between the proximal and distal ends; a first beam-directing element disposed at the distal end in optical communication with the optical waveguide; the first beam directing element configured to be continuously rotatable to scan the tissue through the at least a portion of the outer wall with the light emitted from the optical waveguide and redirected by the first directing element to define a rotating scanning beam that forms a side field-of-view (FOV) within a first angular range; at least one second beam-directing element configured to remain immovable with respect to the distal end during imaging of the tissue with the probe and disposed at the flexible body to intersect a portion of light emitted from the optical waveguide and transmitted through the first beam-directing element and redirect said portion to form a forward FOV of the imaging probe within a second angular range; wherein the first angular range is defined outside a range of −45 degrees to 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis; and wherein the second angular range is defined within the range of −45 degrees to 45 degrees with respect to the axis.