Patent ID: 8936553
Filing Date: 2015-01-20
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of crossing a severe occlusion of a vessel of a patient, the method comprising: introducing a flexible, elongate imaging device into the vessel of the patient, the imaging device including an array of imaging elements fixedly secured in an annular configuration around a distal portion of the imaging device, the distal portion of the imaging device terminating at a tapered distal tip, and a coaxial lumen extending longitudinally along the length of the imaging device and through the tapered distal tip such that the coaxial lumen defines an opening in the tapered distal tip, the coaxial lumen receiving an occlusion crossing device such that the occlusion crossing device selectively and coaxially extends beyond a distal most end of the tapered distal tip through the opening in the tapered distal tip, wherein the array of imaging elements is positioned less than 5 mm from the distal most end of the tapered distal tip; advancing the imaging device within the vessel such that the tapered distal tip is in contact with the severe occlusion and such that the array of imaging elements is spaced longitudinally from the occlusion by a distance less than 5 mm; and obtaining images of the vessel, including the occlusion, with the imaging device positioned immediately adjacent the severe occlusion.