Tissue Visualization And Manipulation System

Abstract

Tissue visualization and manipulation systems are described herein. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. Additionally, any number of therapeutic tools can also be passed through the deployment catheter and into the imaging hood for treating the tissue region of interest.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A tissue imaging and manipulation system, 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 visualization element disposed within or along the hood for visualizing tissue adjacent to the open area.