Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A inflatable sheath for ultrasonic imaging, with a fiber optic endoscope, of a bodily passageway or cavity area of interest. The inflatable sheath, having an ultrasound transducer therein, is introduced into the distal end of an endoscope. Typically the endoscope comprises an elongated shaft that has at least a pair of fiber optic bundles and an open lumen extending therethrough. Fiber optic illumination of the area just distal to the distal end of the endoscope is provided through one of the fiber optic bundles, and observation of the lit area is provided through the other bundle. The open lumen is provided for introducing an inflatable sheath, guided by a pushing shaft, into the illuminated area. Once inserted, the sheath can be inflated with a fluid sonolucent ultrasound coupling medium, and the pushing shaft can then be removed, the distal portion of the inflated sheath holding the sheath in place (with respect to the lumen of the endoscope) as the pushing shaft is removed. An ultrasonic imaging device bearing one or more ultrasonic transducer elements is then introduced through the lumen of the inflatable sheath so that the transducer elements are positioned within the sheath. The inflatable sheath is fully inflated thereafter with a fluid sonolucent ultrasound coupling medium so that the walls of the sheath engage the walls of the bodily pasageway or cavity, thus permitting ultrasonic imaging of the adjacent body tissue. In certain applications, the ultrasound catheter may be preferably curved at its distal end so that the transducer elements are brought closer to or immediately adjacent to the interior surface of the inflated sheath and hence closer to the body tissue of interest. In other aspects of the disclosure, alternate apparatus and methods are provided for advancing the inflatable sheath, inflating the inflatable sheath and combining the ultrasound catheter with the pushing shaft and/or inflating catheter.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim