Off-axis visualization systems

Abstract

A system for visualizing a tissue region of interest comprises a deployment catheter defining at least one lumen therethrough and a hood projecting distally from the deployment catheter. The hood defines an open area that is in fluid communication with the at least one lumen. The system also comprises a delivery catheter sized to extend through the lumen. The delivery catheter includes a distal portion extendable distally from the deployment catheter and into the open area defined by the hood. The distal portion extends distally from the deployment catheter is articulatable within the open area.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for visualizing a tissue region of interest, comprising:
 a deployment catheter defining at least one lumen therethrough;   a hood projecting distally from the deployment catheter and defining an open area therein, wherein the open area is in fluid communication with the at least one lumen; and   a delivery catheter sized to extend through the lumen, the delivery catheter including a distal portion extendable distally from the deployment catheter and into the open area defined by the hood, wherein the distal portion extended distally from the deployment catheter is articulatable within the open area.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  further comprising a control mechanism including a control wire, the control mechanism actuatable to control articulation of the distal portion. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the control mechanism is controlled by a computer. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the control mechanism is responsive to manual control. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the deployment catheter is separately articulatable from the delivery catheter. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25  further comprising a control mechanism including a control wire, the control mechanism actuatable to control articulation of the deployment catheter. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the control mechanism is controlled by a computer. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the control mechanism is responsive to manual control. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the delivery catheter includes an instrument lumen sized for passage of a bendable instrument therethrough. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29  further comprising the bendable instrument. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30  wherein the bendable instrument includes an imaging element. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the imaging element comprises at least one optical fiber, CCD imager, or CMOS imager. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30  wherein the bendable instrument includes an ablation probe. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 30  wherein the bendable instrument includes a needle. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 30  wherein the delivery catheter includes a fluid delivery lumen to direct fluid into the open area. 
     
     
         36 . A method for visualizing a tissue region of interest, comprising:
 introducing a deployment catheter defining at least one lumen therethrough into an anatomic area;   projecting a hood distally from the deployment catheter, the hood defining an open area, wherein the open area is in fluid communication with the at least one lumen;   introducing a delivery catheter through the lumen, wherein a distal portion of the delivery catheter extends distally from the deployment catheter and into the open area defined by the hood; and   articulating the distal portion within the open area.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  further comprising introducing a fluid into the open area to clear the open area. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the articulating of the distal portion is within the cleared open area. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36  wherein articulating the distal portion comprises articulating an imaging element disposed in the distal portion of the delivery catheter. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  further comprising imaging the tissue region with the imaging element through the open area.