CA3107032A1 - Imaging catheter using tissue electrical properties - Google Patents
Imaging catheter using tissue electrical properties Download PDFInfo
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- CA3107032A1 CA3107032A1 CA3107032A CA3107032A CA3107032A1 CA 3107032 A1 CA3107032 A1 CA 3107032A1 CA 3107032 A CA3107032 A CA 3107032A CA 3107032 A CA3107032 A CA 3107032A CA 3107032 A1 CA3107032 A1 CA 3107032A1
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- catheter device
- imaging catheter
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- electrically conductive
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Abstract
A catheter device for use in creating , including, but not limited to, forward-looking images of tissues, cells and organs inside the living body by measuring at least one electrical property thereof. The device comprising at least one elongated and hollow body extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, at least one electrically conductive elongated bodies secured to the elongated and hollow body and extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the elongated and hollow body, with the electrically conductive elongated bodies capable of sending or receiving electrical current into or from the targeted tissues, cells and organs.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of medical catheters, and more particularly to catheters adopted for intracorporeal imaging of body cells, tissues or organs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Endovascular procedures usually use x-ray fluoroscopy to help navigate through the body and deliver endovascular devices and drugs to the designated sites in the body. This technique, however, poses the risk of exposure to the x-ray to the patient and the physician and the risk of contrast agents administration to the patient. In addition, physicians desire to have an intracorporeal mean to have a detailed picture of different tissues presented in the sites of intervention in the body. There are intracorporeal devices incorporating optical coherence tomography (OCT) or acoustic energy to generate images form within the body.
[0005] Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an imaging technique that is being used in medical and industrial application. In medical application this imaging method usually uses electrodes placed externally around a part of body to measure the electrical impedances and reconstruct an impedance image thereof. Prior arts have been disclosed about the use of EIT as an intracorporeal imaging tool therein, to the knowledge of the inventor, there is no capacity for generating forward-looking images.
[0006] Therefor there is need for a simple,inexpensive, and efficient forward-looking imaging tool that can better help navigating through tortuous passages in the body and having a forward-looking image of the site.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to a first broad aspect, there is provided an imaging catheter device comprising: an elongated and hollow body extending between a proximal end and a distal end along longitudinal axis, at least one electrically conductive elongated bodies secured to at least the distal end of the elongated and hollow body and extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the elongated and hollow body, with the electrically conductive elongated bodies capable of sending or receiving electrical current into or from the targeted tissues, cells and organs.
[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the distal end of of the electrically conductive bodies in the imaging catheter device may be used as electrodes to create images of a portion of tissues inside a living body by electrical impedance tomography (EIT).
[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention the electrically conductive bodies may be extended to the distal end of the imaging catheter device allowing for creating what is known by those skilled in the art as forward-looking images.
[0010] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter device can be used as a forward-looking guiding catheter therein guide wire or other medical devices can pass therethrough.
[0011] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter device may be used to help better target a crossing or atherectomy device.
[0012] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter device may be used to help better deliver a balloon catheter or a stent.
[0013] in one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies may be arranged in a, including, but not limited to, circular pattern therein any subset thereof may be used to apply or measure current or voltages or measure electrical properties of the tissues, cells or Organs.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 [0014] In one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies may be on a distal surface of the imaging catheter device perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies may be on a distal surface of the imaging catheter device parallel to the longitudinal axis.
[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies may be on a distal surface of the imaging catheter device with any angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.
[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies may be on more than one distal surfaces of the imaging catheter device having different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis.
[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention the measurements of the electrical properties of the tissues, cells, or organs at the distal end of the imaging catheter device may be further processed to reconstruct a two-dimensional image of the tissues at the distal end of the imaging catheter device.
[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention the measurements of the electrical properties of the tissues, cells or organs at the distal end of the imaging catheter device may be further processed to reconstruct a three-dimensional image of the tissues at the distal end of the imaging catheter device.
[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention the materials or the construction of the imaging catheter device allows the whole or a portion thereof to be flexible to bending.
[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention at least one of the electrically conductive bodies can be pulled form the proximal end to impose a bend in at least a portion of the imaging catheter device.
[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention the angular arrangement of electrically conductive bodies can be changed in at least one selected region of the imaging catheter device to nullify the bending therein.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 [0023] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter system may comprise disposable components and reusable components.
[0024] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter system may comprise components designated to be used in sterile field and components designated to be used in non-sterile field.
[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention the disposable components may comprise, including, but not limited to, the imaging catheter device, a proximal port, intermediate electronics and distal end bending and manipulation means, and at least one communication mean with reusable components.
[0026] In one embodiment of the invention the access to the hollow body of the imaging catheter device, known by those skilled in the art as lumen, may be from a port at the proximal end thereof.
[0027] In one embodiment of the invention the access to the hollow body of the imaging catheter device, known by those skilled in the art as lumen, may be from a port anywhere on the circumferential surface thereof. This type of access is known by those skilled the art as the rapid exchange.
[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention the reusable components may comprise, including, but not limited to, a console that comprises at least the electronics to further process the measurements and reconstruct images and a display to view them.
[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention the three-dimensional images generated by the system may be viewed using virtual reality equipment.
[0030]
In one embodiment of the present invention artificial intelligence algorithm or machine learning algorithms may be used to reconstruct the image from the measurements.
[0031] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art from the drawings and detailed descriptions. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the following drawings, in which:
[0033] FIG. FIG. 1 illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end comprising elongated circular tube and ten electrically conductor bodies integrated longitudinally in the tube's wall, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0034] FIG. FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a catheter distal end comprising ten conductor body ends, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0035] FIG. FIG. 3a illustrates front view of imaging catheter device distal end inducing three-dimensional current field into the tissues, cells or organs inside a body.
[0036] FIG. FIG. 3b illustrates side view of imaging catheter device distal end inducing three-dimensional current field into the tissues, cells or organs inside a body.
[0037] FIG. FIG. 4a illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end therein the distal ends of conductors are located on the front surface thereof, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0038] FIG. FIG. 4b illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end therein the distal ends of conductors are located on the circumferential surface thereof, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0039] FIG. FIG. 4c illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end therein the distal ends of conductors are located on angled or round circumferential surface thereof, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0040] FIG. FIG. 4d illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end therein the distal ends of conductors are located on multiple surfaces thereof, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0041] FIG. FIG. 5 illustrates an imaging catheter device therein the distal ends thereof can be bent by applying pull force to the proximal ends of the electrically conductive bodies, in Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 accordance with an embodiment.
[0042] FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates a catheter device therein bending and non-bending regions are created by arranging the electrically conductive bodies in radially asymmetric or symmetric configurations, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0043] FIG. FIG. 7 is diagram illustrating an imaging catheter system architecture comprising disposable and reusable components, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0044] FIG. FIG. 8 illustrates an imaging catheter device therein the access port to the lumen is located on the circumferential surfaces thereof, in accordance with an embodiment.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the imaging catheter device comprising an elongated hollow body 101 having at least one lumen 104 and a distal end 103.
At least one elongated electrically conductive body 102 extending to, including, but not limited, the distal end 103 of elongated hollow body 101 between inner surface 106 and outer surface 107.
[0046]
The elongated electrically conductive bodies 102 have exposed surface 105 at the distal end 103 therein the electrically conductive body is in contact with the tissues, cells, fluids, or organs in the body.
[0047] In one embodiment the exposed surface 105 may be covered with an additional layer of electrically conductive material to enhance, including, but not limited, its electrical performance, durability, or corrosion resistance.
[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates the view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of one embodiment of the imaging catheter device. In this embodiment at least one electrically conductive body 201 distributed in, including, but not limited to, a circular pattern 202 between inner surface 207 and the outer surface 208 of the distal end of the imaging catheter device.
[0049] In one embodiment of the imaging catheter device two elongated conductive bodies 204 and 203 may be used to pass AC or DC electrical current through the tissue in contact with imaging catheter distal end and two elongated conductive bodies 206 and 205, including the same used to pass electrical current 204 and 203 may be used to measure voltage.
[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention the electrical current can be passed at least between two electrically conductive bodies 204 and 203 and at most between all the possible combinations thereof and the voltage may be measured at least between two electrically conductive bodies 206 and 205 and at most between all the possible combinations thereof.
[0051] in one embodiment of the present invention the current and voltages measurements Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 may be used to map, including, but not limited, the electrical impedance of the tissue in contact with the distal end of the imaging catheter device.
[0052] FIG. 3 qualitatively illustrates the three-dimensional current field 306 in proximity of the distal end 309 of an embodiment of the imaging catheter device 301. FIG.
3a is the view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the distal end of the imaging catheter device 301 and FIG. 3b is the view parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distal end of the imaging catheter device 301.
[0053] In one embodiment the current field may be induced in the tissues in proximity of the distal end 309 of the imaging catheter device 301 using distal ends 302 and 303 of the elongated electrically conductive bodies 302 and 303 and voltages are measured across different paths 307 and 310. The path 310 passes through an area therein the tissue 308 has different electrical properties thus the voltage measurement through this path would be different from what is expected from an electrically homogeneous tissues. These variations in the voltages may be used to calculate the location of the tissue with different electrical properties 308.
[0054] In one embodiment the measured voltages may be processed to reconstruct two-dimensional image of the tissues at the distal face 309 of the imaging catheter device 301.
[0055] In one embodiment the measured voltages may be processed to reconstruct three-dimensional image of the tissues at the distal face 309 of the imaging catheter device 301.
[0056] FIG. 4 illustrates embodiments of the imaging catheter device distal end, including, but not limited to four exemplary configurations of the distal face of the elongated hollow body and the distal ends of the elongated electrically conductive bodies.
[0057] FIG. 4a illustrates one embodiment therein the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies 401 are exposed at the distal surface 402 of the elongated hollow body perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body.
[0058] FIG. 4b illustrates one embodiment therein the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies 408 are exposed at the distal circumferential surface 403 of the elongated hollow body parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 [0059] FIG. 4c illustrates one embodiment therein the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies 409 are exposed at the distal tapered or round surface 404 of the elongated hollow body.
[0060] FIG. 4d illustrates one embodiment therein the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies 410 are exposed at the distal surface 405 of the elongated hollow body perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body, the distal circumferential surface 407 of the elongated hollow body parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body, and the distal tapered or round surface 406 of the elongated hollow body.
[0061] While FIG. 4 represents four possible examples of the distal end configurations, it is to be understood that these examples are not to be regarded as restrictive.
[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment therein the imaging catheter device is flexible to bending at least in its distal region 501. In this embodiment the distal ends 504 and 505 of the elongated electrically conductive bodies 502 and 503 are secured to the distal surface 506 of the imaging catheter device distal end 501 and are free to be pulled from the proximal end. In this embodiment pulling the proximal end of the elongated conductive bodies 502 and 503 with different forces 508 and 507 causes the flexible region 501 of the imaging catheter device to be bent.
[0063] In the embodiment illustrated in the FIG. 5 the electrically conductive bodies 502 and 503 are additionally used as tendons to manipulate the distal region of the imaging catheter.
Those skilled in the art understand that this is a feature that may help in navigating the catheter through the tortuous passages inside the body.
[0064] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment therein the bending of the imaging catheter device can be limited to a selected region 603 when the elongated conductive bodies 604 and 605 are pulled by force 607 and 608 from the proximal end.
[0065] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 the imaging catheter device may have regions of bending 603, non-bending 601 and transition 602. In the bending region 603 the elongated conductive bodies 604 and 605 are located on one side of lumen 606 thus puling them cause the imaging catheter device to bend in this region. In the non-bending region 601 the elongated Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 conductive bodies 604 and 605 are located on opposite sides of each other with respect to the lumen 606 thus puling them does not cause the imaging catheter device to bend in this region.
The transition region 602 is where the elongated conductive bodies 604 and 605 are reconfigured and the transition from bending region 603 non-bending region 601 takes place.
[0066] FIG. 7 illustrates the one exemplary architecture of the imaging catheter system. It should be understood that this example is not to be regarded as restrictive to other possible architectures of the system that serve the same purpose.
[0067] In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 the system may be divided into disposable components and reusable components. The disposable components may include, but not limited to: the imaging catheter device distal section 710, the imaging catheter device proximal section 711, the imaging catheter device intermediate electronics and their housing 701, and the communication cables 704. The reusable components may include, but not limited to: console 707 that process the measurements and display the reconstructed image on a display 708 or a three-dimensional visualization goggle 709 through a proper communication mean 711.
[0068] In one embodiment the imaging catheter device represented in FIG. 7 may have at least one proximal port 703 to be used to insert a guide wire, balloon catheter or stent 705 in the imaging catheter device lumen extending from the port 703 to the distal end 702 of the imaging catheter device.
[0069] In one embodiment the imaging catheter device represented in FIG. 7 may have at least one proximal mean 706 to manipulate and bend the distal of end of the imaging catheter device.
[0070] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the imaging catheter device therein the access to the lumen of the catheter is through what is know to those skilled in the art as a rapid exchange port 804. This embodiment comprises an imaging catheter device distal section 803 and intermediate electronics and their housing 801. The access to the lumen of the catheter is through a rapid exchange port 804 located on the circumferential surface of the distal section of the imaging catheter device. A guide wire, balloon catheter or stent 805 can be delivered to the distal end of the catheter 802 through the rapid exchange port 804.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of medical catheters, and more particularly to catheters adopted for intracorporeal imaging of body cells, tissues or organs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Endovascular procedures usually use x-ray fluoroscopy to help navigate through the body and deliver endovascular devices and drugs to the designated sites in the body. This technique, however, poses the risk of exposure to the x-ray to the patient and the physician and the risk of contrast agents administration to the patient. In addition, physicians desire to have an intracorporeal mean to have a detailed picture of different tissues presented in the sites of intervention in the body. There are intracorporeal devices incorporating optical coherence tomography (OCT) or acoustic energy to generate images form within the body.
[0005] Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an imaging technique that is being used in medical and industrial application. In medical application this imaging method usually uses electrodes placed externally around a part of body to measure the electrical impedances and reconstruct an impedance image thereof. Prior arts have been disclosed about the use of EIT as an intracorporeal imaging tool therein, to the knowledge of the inventor, there is no capacity for generating forward-looking images.
[0006] Therefor there is need for a simple,inexpensive, and efficient forward-looking imaging tool that can better help navigating through tortuous passages in the body and having a forward-looking image of the site.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to a first broad aspect, there is provided an imaging catheter device comprising: an elongated and hollow body extending between a proximal end and a distal end along longitudinal axis, at least one electrically conductive elongated bodies secured to at least the distal end of the elongated and hollow body and extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the elongated and hollow body, with the electrically conductive elongated bodies capable of sending or receiving electrical current into or from the targeted tissues, cells and organs.
[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the distal end of of the electrically conductive bodies in the imaging catheter device may be used as electrodes to create images of a portion of tissues inside a living body by electrical impedance tomography (EIT).
[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention the electrically conductive bodies may be extended to the distal end of the imaging catheter device allowing for creating what is known by those skilled in the art as forward-looking images.
[0010] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter device can be used as a forward-looking guiding catheter therein guide wire or other medical devices can pass therethrough.
[0011] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter device may be used to help better target a crossing or atherectomy device.
[0012] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter device may be used to help better deliver a balloon catheter or a stent.
[0013] in one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies may be arranged in a, including, but not limited to, circular pattern therein any subset thereof may be used to apply or measure current or voltages or measure electrical properties of the tissues, cells or Organs.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 [0014] In one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies may be on a distal surface of the imaging catheter device perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies may be on a distal surface of the imaging catheter device parallel to the longitudinal axis.
[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies may be on a distal surface of the imaging catheter device with any angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.
[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies may be on more than one distal surfaces of the imaging catheter device having different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis.
[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention the measurements of the electrical properties of the tissues, cells, or organs at the distal end of the imaging catheter device may be further processed to reconstruct a two-dimensional image of the tissues at the distal end of the imaging catheter device.
[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention the measurements of the electrical properties of the tissues, cells or organs at the distal end of the imaging catheter device may be further processed to reconstruct a three-dimensional image of the tissues at the distal end of the imaging catheter device.
[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention the materials or the construction of the imaging catheter device allows the whole or a portion thereof to be flexible to bending.
[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention at least one of the electrically conductive bodies can be pulled form the proximal end to impose a bend in at least a portion of the imaging catheter device.
[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention the angular arrangement of electrically conductive bodies can be changed in at least one selected region of the imaging catheter device to nullify the bending therein.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 [0023] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter system may comprise disposable components and reusable components.
[0024] In one application of the present invention the imaging catheter system may comprise components designated to be used in sterile field and components designated to be used in non-sterile field.
[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention the disposable components may comprise, including, but not limited to, the imaging catheter device, a proximal port, intermediate electronics and distal end bending and manipulation means, and at least one communication mean with reusable components.
[0026] In one embodiment of the invention the access to the hollow body of the imaging catheter device, known by those skilled in the art as lumen, may be from a port at the proximal end thereof.
[0027] In one embodiment of the invention the access to the hollow body of the imaging catheter device, known by those skilled in the art as lumen, may be from a port anywhere on the circumferential surface thereof. This type of access is known by those skilled the art as the rapid exchange.
[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention the reusable components may comprise, including, but not limited to, a console that comprises at least the electronics to further process the measurements and reconstruct images and a display to view them.
[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention the three-dimensional images generated by the system may be viewed using virtual reality equipment.
[0030]
In one embodiment of the present invention artificial intelligence algorithm or machine learning algorithms may be used to reconstruct the image from the measurements.
[0031] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art from the drawings and detailed descriptions. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the following drawings, in which:
[0033] FIG. FIG. 1 illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end comprising elongated circular tube and ten electrically conductor bodies integrated longitudinally in the tube's wall, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0034] FIG. FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a catheter distal end comprising ten conductor body ends, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0035] FIG. FIG. 3a illustrates front view of imaging catheter device distal end inducing three-dimensional current field into the tissues, cells or organs inside a body.
[0036] FIG. FIG. 3b illustrates side view of imaging catheter device distal end inducing three-dimensional current field into the tissues, cells or organs inside a body.
[0037] FIG. FIG. 4a illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end therein the distal ends of conductors are located on the front surface thereof, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0038] FIG. FIG. 4b illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end therein the distal ends of conductors are located on the circumferential surface thereof, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0039] FIG. FIG. 4c illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end therein the distal ends of conductors are located on angled or round circumferential surface thereof, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0040] FIG. FIG. 4d illustrates an imaging catheter device distal end therein the distal ends of conductors are located on multiple surfaces thereof, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0041] FIG. FIG. 5 illustrates an imaging catheter device therein the distal ends thereof can be bent by applying pull force to the proximal ends of the electrically conductive bodies, in Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 accordance with an embodiment.
[0042] FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates a catheter device therein bending and non-bending regions are created by arranging the electrically conductive bodies in radially asymmetric or symmetric configurations, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0043] FIG. FIG. 7 is diagram illustrating an imaging catheter system architecture comprising disposable and reusable components, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0044] FIG. FIG. 8 illustrates an imaging catheter device therein the access port to the lumen is located on the circumferential surfaces thereof, in accordance with an embodiment.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the imaging catheter device comprising an elongated hollow body 101 having at least one lumen 104 and a distal end 103.
At least one elongated electrically conductive body 102 extending to, including, but not limited, the distal end 103 of elongated hollow body 101 between inner surface 106 and outer surface 107.
[0046]
The elongated electrically conductive bodies 102 have exposed surface 105 at the distal end 103 therein the electrically conductive body is in contact with the tissues, cells, fluids, or organs in the body.
[0047] In one embodiment the exposed surface 105 may be covered with an additional layer of electrically conductive material to enhance, including, but not limited, its electrical performance, durability, or corrosion resistance.
[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates the view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of one embodiment of the imaging catheter device. In this embodiment at least one electrically conductive body 201 distributed in, including, but not limited to, a circular pattern 202 between inner surface 207 and the outer surface 208 of the distal end of the imaging catheter device.
[0049] In one embodiment of the imaging catheter device two elongated conductive bodies 204 and 203 may be used to pass AC or DC electrical current through the tissue in contact with imaging catheter distal end and two elongated conductive bodies 206 and 205, including the same used to pass electrical current 204 and 203 may be used to measure voltage.
[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention the electrical current can be passed at least between two electrically conductive bodies 204 and 203 and at most between all the possible combinations thereof and the voltage may be measured at least between two electrically conductive bodies 206 and 205 and at most between all the possible combinations thereof.
[0051] in one embodiment of the present invention the current and voltages measurements Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 may be used to map, including, but not limited, the electrical impedance of the tissue in contact with the distal end of the imaging catheter device.
[0052] FIG. 3 qualitatively illustrates the three-dimensional current field 306 in proximity of the distal end 309 of an embodiment of the imaging catheter device 301. FIG.
3a is the view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the distal end of the imaging catheter device 301 and FIG. 3b is the view parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distal end of the imaging catheter device 301.
[0053] In one embodiment the current field may be induced in the tissues in proximity of the distal end 309 of the imaging catheter device 301 using distal ends 302 and 303 of the elongated electrically conductive bodies 302 and 303 and voltages are measured across different paths 307 and 310. The path 310 passes through an area therein the tissue 308 has different electrical properties thus the voltage measurement through this path would be different from what is expected from an electrically homogeneous tissues. These variations in the voltages may be used to calculate the location of the tissue with different electrical properties 308.
[0054] In one embodiment the measured voltages may be processed to reconstruct two-dimensional image of the tissues at the distal face 309 of the imaging catheter device 301.
[0055] In one embodiment the measured voltages may be processed to reconstruct three-dimensional image of the tissues at the distal face 309 of the imaging catheter device 301.
[0056] FIG. 4 illustrates embodiments of the imaging catheter device distal end, including, but not limited to four exemplary configurations of the distal face of the elongated hollow body and the distal ends of the elongated electrically conductive bodies.
[0057] FIG. 4a illustrates one embodiment therein the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies 401 are exposed at the distal surface 402 of the elongated hollow body perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body.
[0058] FIG. 4b illustrates one embodiment therein the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies 408 are exposed at the distal circumferential surface 403 of the elongated hollow body parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 [0059] FIG. 4c illustrates one embodiment therein the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies 409 are exposed at the distal tapered or round surface 404 of the elongated hollow body.
[0060] FIG. 4d illustrates one embodiment therein the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies 410 are exposed at the distal surface 405 of the elongated hollow body perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body, the distal circumferential surface 407 of the elongated hollow body parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body, and the distal tapered or round surface 406 of the elongated hollow body.
[0061] While FIG. 4 represents four possible examples of the distal end configurations, it is to be understood that these examples are not to be regarded as restrictive.
[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment therein the imaging catheter device is flexible to bending at least in its distal region 501. In this embodiment the distal ends 504 and 505 of the elongated electrically conductive bodies 502 and 503 are secured to the distal surface 506 of the imaging catheter device distal end 501 and are free to be pulled from the proximal end. In this embodiment pulling the proximal end of the elongated conductive bodies 502 and 503 with different forces 508 and 507 causes the flexible region 501 of the imaging catheter device to be bent.
[0063] In the embodiment illustrated in the FIG. 5 the electrically conductive bodies 502 and 503 are additionally used as tendons to manipulate the distal region of the imaging catheter.
Those skilled in the art understand that this is a feature that may help in navigating the catheter through the tortuous passages inside the body.
[0064] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment therein the bending of the imaging catheter device can be limited to a selected region 603 when the elongated conductive bodies 604 and 605 are pulled by force 607 and 608 from the proximal end.
[0065] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 the imaging catheter device may have regions of bending 603, non-bending 601 and transition 602. In the bending region 603 the elongated conductive bodies 604 and 605 are located on one side of lumen 606 thus puling them cause the imaging catheter device to bend in this region. In the non-bending region 601 the elongated Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 conductive bodies 604 and 605 are located on opposite sides of each other with respect to the lumen 606 thus puling them does not cause the imaging catheter device to bend in this region.
The transition region 602 is where the elongated conductive bodies 604 and 605 are reconfigured and the transition from bending region 603 non-bending region 601 takes place.
[0066] FIG. 7 illustrates the one exemplary architecture of the imaging catheter system. It should be understood that this example is not to be regarded as restrictive to other possible architectures of the system that serve the same purpose.
[0067] In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 the system may be divided into disposable components and reusable components. The disposable components may include, but not limited to: the imaging catheter device distal section 710, the imaging catheter device proximal section 711, the imaging catheter device intermediate electronics and their housing 701, and the communication cables 704. The reusable components may include, but not limited to: console 707 that process the measurements and display the reconstructed image on a display 708 or a three-dimensional visualization goggle 709 through a proper communication mean 711.
[0068] In one embodiment the imaging catheter device represented in FIG. 7 may have at least one proximal port 703 to be used to insert a guide wire, balloon catheter or stent 705 in the imaging catheter device lumen extending from the port 703 to the distal end 702 of the imaging catheter device.
[0069] In one embodiment the imaging catheter device represented in FIG. 7 may have at least one proximal mean 706 to manipulate and bend the distal of end of the imaging catheter device.
[0070] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the imaging catheter device therein the access to the lumen of the catheter is through what is know to those skilled in the art as a rapid exchange port 804. This embodiment comprises an imaging catheter device distal section 803 and intermediate electronics and their housing 801. The access to the lumen of the catheter is through a rapid exchange port 804 located on the circumferential surface of the distal section of the imaging catheter device. A guide wire, balloon catheter or stent 805 can be delivered to the distal end of the catheter 802 through the rapid exchange port 804.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25
Claims (24)
1. Imaging catheter device comprising at least one elongated and hollow body extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, at least one electrically conductive elongated bodies secured to the elongated and hollow body and extending longitudinally along at least distal portion of the elongated and hollow body, with the electrically conductive elongated bodies capable of sending or receiving electrical current into or from the tissues, cells and organs inside the body.
2. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies are used as electrodes to measure at least one electrical property such as, including, but not limited to, electrical impedance of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body.
3. Imaging catheter device of claim 2 wherein the measured electrical impedances used to reconstruct electrical impedance map of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body using technique known to those skilled in the art as electrical impedance tomography (EIT).
4. Imaging catheter device of claim 3 wherein images known to those skilled in the art as forward-looking images are created by extending the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies to the distal end of the elongated and hollow body.
5. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive path between proximal end of the electrically conductive bodies and the tissues, cells or organs are composed of one or several electrically conductive bodies.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25
6. Imaging catheter device of claim 2 wherein the electrodes or the whole distal end is processed or covered with materials for electrical contact enhancement, corrosion resistance, prevention of air bubbles or other desired feature.
7. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 further comprising at least one proximal port allowing, including, but not limited to, guide wire, balloon catheter, stent or any other endovascular device to be inserted into the lumen of the imaging catheter device.
8. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 further comprising at least one port on circumferential surface of the elongated hollow body allowing, including, but not limited to, guide wire, balloon catheter, stent or any other endovascular device to be inserted into the lumen of the imaging catheter device. This port is known to those skilled in the art as rapid exchange port.
9. Imaging catheter device of claim 3 further comprising a console to process the measured electrical properties and reconstruct and display images of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body.
10. Imaging catheter device of claim 9 wherein any sophisticated EIT algorithm and, including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence or machine learning algorithms is used to process the measured electrical properties, reconstruct, and display images of the tissues, cells and organs inside the body.
11. Imaging catheter device of claim 3 further comprising additional electrically conductive bodies that do not participate in measurements and serve other purposes such as, including, but not limited, electromagnetic noise shielding, structural strength and durability and ease of assembly.
12. Imaging catheter device of claim 3 wherein measurement of any electrical property of the tissues, cells, and organs are done by measuring any characteristics such as,including, but not limited to, peak-to-peak amplitude, R1VIS amplitude, phase shift of any signal such Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25 as,including, but not limited to, AC, DC, or any other form of signals at any range of frequencies and amplitudes.
13. Imaging catheter device of claim 9 further comprises intermediate electronics integrated with catheter and communicate with console using at least one communication cable or a wireless mean.
14. Imaging catheter device of claim 13 further comprises means for manipulating the distal end of the imaging catheter device from console or intermediate electronics housing.
15. Imaging catheter device of claim 10 wherein the algorithm can distinguish irrelevant objects such as, including, but not limited to, conductive guide wire at the distal end of the catheter and remove or minimize its impact on the measurement.
16. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 used in, including, but not limited to, endovascular procedure to help better, including, but not limited to, navigate through arteries, deliver other devices, diagnose and treat tissues, cells and organs.
17. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein measurements from three-dimensional current field in the tissues, cells, and organs are used to create three-dimensional or two-dimensional images and displayed on three-dimensional virtual reality means or two dimensional displays.
18. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein at least distal end of the catheter is flexible to bending by, including, but not limited to, use of flexible material or vertebral construction therein the flexible portion of the catheter composed of plurality of vertebrae.
19. Imaging catheter device of claim 18 wherein the same electrically conductive bodies or other bodies are used as tendons to manipulate at least the distal end of the catheter.
20. Imaging catheter device of claim 19 wherein the angular arrangement of the tendons in at least one region of the catheter is changed to nullify the bending in that region.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25
21. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein the inside or outside diameters of the catheter at distal end is larger or smaller than the rest of the catheter.
22. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein the exposed surface of the distal end of the electrically conductive bodies in contact with tissues, cells or organs are located at least on, including, but not limited, distal surface perpendicular, or parallel or at angle with longitudinal axis of the catheter.
23. Imaging catheter device of claim 1 wherein the distal surface of the electrically conductive bodies in contact with tissues, cells or organs have any shape such as, including, but not limited to, circular or rectangular shape.
24. Imaging catheter device of claim 9 wherein, the console or the catheter or both of them are disposable. However, those skilled in art understand that usually the console is reusable and the catheter is disposable.
make sure all claims are appeared in the descriptions. make sure all descriptions are appeared in the claims. bending etc fig 5 and 6 * * * * *
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25
make sure all claims are appeared in the descriptions. make sure all descriptions are appeared in the claims. bending etc fig 5 and 6 * * * * *
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-25
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CA2021/051692 WO2022120462A1 (en) | 2020-12-10 | 2021-11-25 | Imaging catheter using electrical properties of tissues |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US202063124038P | 2020-12-10 | 2020-12-10 | |
| US63/124,038 | 2020-12-10 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA3107032A1 true CA3107032A1 (en) | 2022-06-14 |
Family
ID=82019647
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3107032A Abandoned CA3107032A1 (en) | 2020-12-10 | 2021-01-25 | Imaging catheter using tissue electrical properties |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA3107032A1 (en) |
-
2021
- 2021-01-25 CA CA3107032A patent/CA3107032A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20230606 |