Patent ID: 9138148
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for performing elastographic deformation mapping of tissues and plaques, the method comprising: introducing a distal portion of a catheter to an interior of an interior body of a patient, the catheter including an elongated catheter body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the catheter body including the distal portion at the distal end and a catheter lumen from the proximal end to the distal end, the distal portion including a supporting member; applying, from a palpator in the distal portion, a mechanical indenter pin, to move the mechanical indenter pin axially along a longitudinal axis of the mechanical indenter pin relative to the distal portion, to contact the target area of the interior body, to produce a surface-applied palpation force to the target area of the interior body to mechanically displace the interior body and cause elastographic deformation of the target area of one or more surface or subsurface tissues or plaques; and directing and delivering an OCT (optical coherence tomography) beam, from an OCT imaging sensor in the distal portion, for OCT deformation detection including elastographic deformation measurement to provide elastographic mapping of the target area; wherein the mechanical indenter pin is moved axially along the longitudinal axis of the mechanical indenter pin, relative to the distal portion, by the supporting member in the distal portion.