Apparatus, systems and methods for proper transesophageal echocardiography probe positioning by using camera for ultrasound imaging

Abstract

In some embodiments, a method includes releasably attaching an image capture assembly to a distal portion of a TEE device. Next, the TEE device coupled to the image capture assembly is inserted into an oral cavity of the patient. With the image capture assembly releasably attached to the distal portion of the TEE device, image data of an esophagus of the patient captured by the image capture assembly is displayed. While viewing the display of image data, the TEE device coupled to the image capture assembly can be moved within the esophagus. With both the TEE device and the image capture assembly disposed within the esophagus, the image capture assembly is detached from the TEE device. With the image capture assembly detached from the TEE device, and with the TEE device disposed at least in part within the esophagus, the image capture assembly is removed from the patient.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an image capture device configured to be removably coupled to an imager head of a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) ultrasound probe device, and inserted into an esophagus of a patient when removably coupled to the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device; and   a retrieval tension member coupled to and extending from the image capture device and configured to extend from the image capture device through the esophagus and out the patient when (1) the image capture device is removably coupled to the TEE ultrasound probe device, and (2) the TEE ultrasound probe device is disposed within a target imaging location of the esophagus in which the TEE ultrasound probe device can capture ultrasound images of the heart of the patient,   
       the image capture device configured to be longitudinally withdrawn relative to the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device in response to a proximal force applied by the retrieval tension member. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the image capture device is communicatively coupled to an image data processing device configured to process image data captured by the image capture device when the image capture device is disposed within the esophagus, the image processing device being located outside the patient when both the image capture device and TEE ultrasound probe device are disposed within the target imaging location of the esophagus. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a communication line, the image capture device being communicatively coupled to the image data processing device via the communication line. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein a portion of the image capture device is configured to be transparent to energy transmitted from and received by an imaging array of the TEE ultrasound probe device to allow the energy to pass through the portion of the image capture device when the image capture device is removably coupled to the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the image capture device includes a seal configured to withstand bodily fluid of at least one of the esophagus or a stomach of the patient. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the retrieval tension member defines a lumen therethrough, the apparatus further comprising a communication line extending from the image capture device through the lumen of the retrieval tension member to outside the patient when both the image capture device and the TEE ultrasound probe device are disposed within the target imaging location of the esophagus. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the proximal force is less than about 15 Newtons. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the retrieval tension member is configured such that an exterior surface of the retrieval tension member extends from the image capture device, at least partially abutting an exterior surface of the TEE ultrasound probe device, and through the esophagus and out the patient when (1) the image capture device is removably coupled to the TEE ultrasound probe device, and (2) the TEE ultrasound probe device is disposed within a target imaging location of the esophagus in which the TEE ultrasound probe device can capture ultrasound images of the heart of the patient. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an image capture device configured to be removably coupled to an imager head of a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) ultrasound probe device via a coupling member, and inserted into an esophagus of a patient when removably coupled to the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device, the image capture device including a distal-facing camera lens configured to capture image data within the esophagus and distal to the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device when removably coupled to the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device;   the coupling member configured to releasably attach the image capture device to the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device, the coupling member configured to detach from the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device to allow longitudinal relative movement between the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device and the image capture device; and   a retrieval tension member coupled to the image capture device and configured to extend from the image capture device through the esophagus and out the patient when (1) the image capture device is removably coupled to the TEE ultrasound probe device via the coupling member, and (2) the TEE ultrasound probe device is disposed within a target imaging location of the esophagus in which the TEE ultrasound probe device can capture ultrasound images of the heart of the patient.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the image capture device is communicatively coupled to an image data processing device configured to process image data captured by the image capture device when the image capture device is disposed within the esophagus, the image processing device being located outside the patient when both the image capture device and TEE ultrasound probe device are disposed within the target imaging location of the esophagus. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising a communication line, the image capture device being communicatively coupled to the image data processing device via the communication line. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the image capture device includes a seal configured to withstand bodily fluid of at least one of the esophagus or a stomach of the patient. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the retrieval tension member defines a lumen therethrough, the apparatus further comprising a communication line extending from the image capture device through the lumen of the retrieval tension member to outside the patient when both the image capture device and the TEE ultrasound probe device are disposed within the target imaging location of the esophagus. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the retrieval tension member is configured such that a central axis of the retrieval tension member is offset from a central axis of the TEE probe device when the image capture device is removably coupled to the TEE ultrasound probe device. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the coupling member includes a seam configured to allow longitudinal relative movement between the imager head and the image capture device. 
     
     
         32 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an image capture device configured to be removably coupled to an imager head of a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) ultrasound probe device via a coupling member, and inserted into an esophagus of a patient when removably coupled to the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device, the image capture device configured to capture image data within the esophagus and distal to the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device when removably coupled to the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device and to transfer the image data via a communication line from the image capture device to outside the patient;   a retrieval tension member coupled to the image capture device, the retrieval tension member configured to extend from the image capture device through the esophagus and out the patient such that the retrieval tension member extends proximally from the image capture device and entirely external to an exterior surface of a body portion of the TEE ultrasound probe device when (1) the image capture device is removably coupled to the TEE ultrasound probe device via the coupling member, and (2) the TEE ultrasound probe device is disposed within a target imaging location of the esophagus in which the TEE ultrasound probe device can capture ultrasound images of the heart of the patient to enable the ultrasound images to be received outside of body.   
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the coupling member is made from a flexible material and configured to releasably attach the image capture device to the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device, the coupling member configured to detach from the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device in response to a proximal force applied by the retrieval tension member to allow longitudinal relative movement between the imager head of the TEE ultrasound probe device and the image capture device. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein a proximal portion of the retrieval tension member is coupled to a handle, the handle being removably couplable to the TEE ultrasound probe device outside the patient when the image capture device is removably coupled to the TEE ultrasound probe device via the coupling member, and the TEE ultrasound probe device is disposed within the target imaging location of the esophagus.