Claims
- 1. A method of analyzing tissue within the body of a patient comprising:
inserting a catheter into the body of a patient,
the catheter having a sensor at a distal end and an orifice through and flush with an external peripheral surface of the catheter,
the orifice being proximate to the sensor, applying a vacuum force through the orifice to secure a portion of tissue to be analyzed flush with an external peripheral surface of the catheter and adjacent to the sensor; and analyzing the tissue with the sensor.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the catheter inserted into the body is carried within an endoscope having a distal end.
- 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the distal end of the endoscope contains at least a light or an optical sensor.
- 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:
manipulating the catheter to move the tissue towards the distal end of the endoscope, and viewing the tissue utilizing the optical sensor.
- 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
reducing the vacuum force applied through the orifice while maintaining the tissue flush with the external peripheral surface of the catheter.
- 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensor is an ultrasound transducer.
- 7. The method of claim 3 wherein the optical sensor is an infrared sensor.
- 8. The method of claim 4 wherein the optical sensor is an infrared sensor.
- 9. A method of analyzing tissue within the body of a patient comprising:
extending a catheter having a sensor from the distal end of an endoscope to a position adjacent to a preselected tissue to be analyzed; positioning an orifice of the catheter adjacent to the preselected tissue to be analyzed, the orifice of the catheter flush with an external peripheral surface of the catheter; and, applying a force to the tissue via the catheter to secure the tissue into a predetermined sensing position relative to the sensor, wherein at least a portion of the tissue is positioned flush with the external peripheral surface of the catheter and adjacent the sensor; and analyzing the tissue with a sensor supported by the catheter.
- 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the force is applied to the tissue with a negative pressure created through the orifice of the catheter.
- 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:
illuminating the tissue secured to the catheter with a light located on the endoscope; and viewing the tissue with an optical sensor located on the endoscope.
- 12. A method of analyzing tissue within the body of a patient comprising:
positioning the distal end of an endoscope to a predetermined position adjacent to tissue to be tested; extending a catheter, located within the endoscope, out of the distal end of the endoscope and positioning the catheter in a predetermined position; applying suction through an orifice located through and flush with an external peripheral surface of the catheter and proximate to a sensor to secure a portion of the tissue flush with the external peripheral surface of the catheter and adjacent a sensor; and analyzing the tissue with the sensor located on the catheter.
- 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the sensor is an infrared sensor.
- 14. An apparatus for analyzing tissue within the body of a patient comprising
a catheter having a first end, a second end, and an outer surface,
the first end having an orifice through a side surface of the catheter, the first end also having a first sensor on a side surface,
the first sensor positioned on the catheter to sense tissue secured to the orifice, the orifice defining a recess into the catheter, the recess extending into the catheter, the recess having an outer edge, the outer edge of the recess being flush with the outer surface of the catheter; an endoscope surrounding the catheter; and, a vacuum channel in fluid communication with the orifice.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a suction adjustment valve in fluid communication with the vacuum channel.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:
a light located on a distal end of the endoscope.
- 17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first sensor is an electrical sensor.
- 18. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:
a second orifice through a side surface of the catheter,
the sensor positioned between the first orifice and the second orifice.
- 19. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising:
a second sensor,
the first sensor and the second sensor located on a side surface of the catheter, the first sensor and the second sensor having an orifice between them.
- 20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:
a sensor line in communication with either the first sensor or the second sensor,
the sensor line molded into the side of the catheter.
- 21. A device for analyzing tissue within the body comprising:
a catheter having a first end, a second end, an outer surface,/and a lumen,
the first end having an orifice through a side surface of the catheter, the first end also having a first sensor on a side surface, the first sensor positioned on the catheter to sense tissue secured to the orifice, the orifice defining a recess into the catheter,
the recess extending into the catheter, the recess having an outer edge,
the outer edge of the recess being flush with the outer surface of the catheter.
- 22. The device of claim 21 wherein the catheter contains a plurality of orifices and a plurality of sensors.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/513,076, which was filed on Feb. 25, 2000, and which is herein incorporated, in its entirety, by reference.
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09513076 |
Feb 2000 |
US |
Child |
10771345 |
Feb 2004 |
US |