TISSUE TREATMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

An apparatus and method employ first, second and third trocars (60) for introduction of equipment into, and removal of equipment from, a body region, an optical imaging system (optical fibers, 72, 76, 84), a source (88) of a relatively inert fluid for expanding the body region to facilitate the introduction of components of the apparatus into the body region to facilitate the introduction of components of apparatus, and an ultrasound apparatus (108, 112, 302, 304) for at least one of visualization and treatment of the body region. A first one of the trocars (60) facilitates passing of the component (optical fibers) of the optical imaging system (optical fibers, 72, 76, 84) into and out of the body region. A second one of the trocars (60) facilitates passing the fluid between the fluid source (88) and the body region. A third one of the trocars (60) facilitates passing the ultrasound visualization and/or treatment apparatus (108, 112, 302, 304) into and out of the body region.