ROTATE-TO-ADVANCE CATHETERIZATON SYSTEM

摘要

A method for visualizing the interior of a bodily passageway at a remote location, the method comprising the steps of: providing a visualization system for deployment in the bodily passageway, the visualization system comprising: a tube; visualization apparatus disposed within the lumen of the tube; and a helical thread disposed on the exterior surface of the tube, the helical thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in the bodily passageway so that the helical thread engages the interior side wall of the bodily passageway, rotation of the tube will induce a relative movement between the tube and the side wall of the bodily passageway; inserting the visualization system into the bodily passageway at a location remote from the site which is to be visualized; rotating the tube so as to draw the bodily passageway onto the tube in a pleating fashion, whereby to bring the site which is to be visualized toward the visualization apparatus; and using the visualization apparatus to visualize the interior of the bodily passageway. Apparatus for visualizing tissue, the apparatus comprising: a tube sized to receive visualization apparatus disposed within the lumen of the tube; and a helical thread disposed on the exterior surface of the tube, the helical thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in the bodily passageway so that the helical thread engages the interior side wall of the bodily passageway, rotation of the tube will induce a relative movement between the tube and the side wall of the bodily passageway; wherein the helical thread is configured so as to be partially deformable, whereby to provide a more compliant and less traumatic engagement with the tissue.