Patent ID: 6778846
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A pixel-based imaging system for guiding an elongated medical device extending between a device proximal end and a device distal end during advancement, distal end first, through the body of a patient to locate the device distal end at a target area within a region of the body, the system comprising:a movable element proximate to the device distal end that is selecively operable to deflect the device distal end; a sensor proximate the device distal end that acquires multi-spectral image data of a view region of the body, the multi-spectral image data comprising chemical image data pixel elements exhibiting a spectrum characteristic of the chemistries of body tissue or fluids within the view region; processing means coupled to the sensor for receiving and processing the pixel-based multispectral image data to detect chemical image data pixel elements exhibiting a particular spectral characteristic of a chemical of a target area distinguishable from spectral characteristics of other chemicals of body tissue or fluids within the view region that are not of interest; and motion control means coupled to the movable element for operating the movable element to move the device distal end toward the target area, whereby the elongated medical device can be advanced, distal end first, toward the target area, wherein: the processing means comprises display means for constructing and displaying the chemical image data pixel elements in a multi color visual image of the view region wherein the chemical image data pixel elements exhibiting the particular spectral characteristic of a chemical of a target area are displayed in an image color signifying the target area to a human operator; and the motion control means is operable by the human operator to deflect the device distal end toward the displayed image color to enable advancement of the elongated medical device through the body toward the target area.