Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

Aseem K Thakur

Vahid Saadat

Ruey-Feng Peh

Zachary John Malchano

Edmund A Tam

David John Miller

Christopher A Rothe

Chris A Rothe

A tissue visualization system comprises a flexible elongate shaft through which a lumen extends. The system also comprises a pliable visualization device coupled to a distal portion of the flexible elongate shaft. The pliable visualization device includes a chamber configured to receive a fluid. The system also comprises a piercing instrument configured to extend through the lumen and to penetrate a surface of the pliable visualization device.

Methods and apparatus for efficient purging

A method of inhibiting flow of a purging fluid from a device comprises positioning an imaging hood in proximity to a tissue region to be visualized. The imaging hood includes a distal membrane which defines a main aperture. The imaging hood and the distal membrane define an open area. The method also comprises introducing the purging fluid into a proximal portion of the open area. The proximal portion is bounded by a proximal membrane including a plurality of apertures. The method also comprises pressurizing the proximal membrane with the purging fluid to a partially extended state in which the purging fluid flows through the plurality of apertures and through the main aperture. The method also comprises pressurizing the proximal membrane with the purging fluid to a blocking extended state in which the proximal membrane obstructs the main aperture to block the flow of the purging fluid through the main aperture.

A method of inhibiting a flow of a purging fluid from a tissue visualization device comprises positioning an imaging hood attached to a distal end of a flexible elongate shaft in proximity to a tissue region to be visualized The method also comprises introducing the purging fluid into an inflation member suspended within an open area of the imaging hood. The inflation member includes at least one aperture on a proximal portion of the inflation member. The method also comprises inflating the inflation member to a partially inflated state in which the inflation member is circumferentially separated from an inner surface of the hood to form an annular flow path for the purging fluid from the at least one aperture, between the inner surface of the hood and the inflation member, and into fluid communication with an environment external to the hood. The method also comprising inflating the inflation member to a blocking inflated state in which the inflation member expands into contact with the imaging hood to block the flow from the at least one aperture to the annular flow path.

Methods and apparatus for efficient purging from an imaging hood are described which facilitate the visualization of tissue regions through a clear fluid. Such a system may include an imaging hood having one or more layers covering the distal opening and defines one or more apertures which control the infusion and controlled retention of the clearing fluid into the hood. In this manner, the amount of clearing fluid may be limited and the clarity of the imaging of the underlying tissue through the fluid within the hood may be maintained for relatively longer periods of time by inhibiting, delaying, or preventing the infusion of surrounding blood into the viewing field. The aperture size may be controlled to decrease or increase through selective inflation of the membrane or other mechanisms.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Aseem K Thakur