Patent ID: 9662466
Date: 2017-05-30
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61M

Claim:
1. An imaging stylet, comprising: a deformable outer housing having a proximal end and a distal end with a longitudinal axis, and an opening provided at the distal end; an imaging device disposed at the distal end of said outer housing; a deformable support member disposed in said outer housing and coupled to said imaging device, wherein said support member retains a deformed shape independent of any external force after being deformed; and an actuator disposed in said outer housing and coupled to said imaging device; wherein said imaging device is movable by said actuator from an inactivated position, in which said imaging device is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said distal end of the outer housing, to an activated position, in which said imaging device extends out of the opening at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said distal end without extending beyond the distal end of the outer housing.