Patent ID: 8758229
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An axially oriented imaging system for visualizing tissue, comprising: a deployment catheter defining at least one lumen therethrough, the catheter including a distal end; a non-inflatable barrier or membrane projecting distally from the deployment catheter and defining an open area therein, wherein the open area is in fluid communication with the at least one lumen and with an environmental external to the barrier or membrane such that a fluid introduced through the at least one lumen is temporarily contained within the open area by the barrier or membrane; and an imaging element positioned upon an extendable member slidably positioned through the catheter, wherein the imaging element is positioned distal to the barrier or membrane when in its collapsed low-profile configuration and within the barrier or membrane when in its deployed configuration while maintaining axial alignment with respect to a longitudinal axis of the catheter; and wherein the distal end of the catheter includes a surface shaped to contact the imaging element when the imaging element is translated proximally and to prevent further proximal translation of the imaging element.