In-vivo visualization systems

摘要

In vivo visualization systems are described which facilitate tissue treatment by a user in utilizing real time visualized tissue images with generated three-dimensional models of the tissue region of interest, such as the left atrial chamber of a subject's heart. Directional indicators on the visualized tissue as well as the imaging systems may be utilized while other variations may utilize image rotation or manipulation of visualized tissue regions to facilitate catheter control. Moreover, visualized tissue regions may be combined with imaged tissue regions as well as navigational information to further facilitate tissue treatments.

主权项

1. A method for assessing a tissue region of interest within a blood-filled environment, comprising:
advancing a deployment catheter within a body towards the tissue region of interest, the deployment catheter having a reconfigurable barrier or membrane attached to a distal end of the catheter, wherein the barrier or membrane is reconfigurable from a low-profile delivery configuration to an expanded deployment configuration which defines an open area; introducing a purging fluid through the catheter and into the open area when the barrier or membrane is positioned in proximity to the tissue region of interest, where the open area is in fluid communication with an environment external to the barrier or membrane; visualizing the tissue region of interest through the purging fluid restrained temporarily within the open area; projecting a computer generated model representative of the barrier or membrane onto a model representative of the tissue region of interest where the model of the barrier or membrane includes at least one directional indicator; flashing the at least one directional indicator in response to at least one sensor being contacted on a handle assembly attached to a proximal end of the catheter where the at least one sensor is coordinated with the at least one directional indicator.