Catheter systems with imaging assemblies

Abstract

A steerable catheter system comprises an elongate catheter body including a distal end and a proximal end. The system also comprises a control mechanism coupled to the proximal end of the elongate catheter body. The control mechanism includes a rotatable steering control element configured to articulate the distal end of the elongate catheter body. The system also includes a lumen extending through the elongate catheter body and the control mechanism and terminating at the distal end of the elongate catheter body. The system also includes a valve coupled to the lumen. The valve is configured to couple a fluid delivery system to the lumen and to enable delivery of an instrument into the lumen.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A steerable catheter system comprising:
 an elongate catheter body including a distal end and a proximal end;   a control mechanism coupled to the proximal end of the elongate catheter body, the control mechanism including a rotatable steering control element configured to articulate the distal end of the elongate catheter body;   a lumen extending through the elongate catheter body and the control mechanism and terminating at the distal end of the elongate catheter body; and   a valve coupled to the lumen, the valve configured to couple a fluid delivery system to the lumen and to enable delivery of an instrument into the lumen.   
     
     
         22 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 21  further comprising:
 a light source coupled to the control mechanism. 
 
     
     
         23 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 22  further comprising:
 a light guide coupled to the light source and extending from the proximal to the distal ends of the elongate catheter body. 
 
     
     
         24 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 23 , wherein the light guide extends through the control mechanism. 
     
     
         25 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 22 , wherein the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode (“LED”). 
     
     
         26 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 21  wherein the control mechanism includes a handle. 
     
     
         27 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 21  wherein the valve is configured to couple a vacuum system to the lumen. 
     
     
         28 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 21  wherein a pull wire extends from the rotatable steering control element to the distal end of the elongate catheter body. 
     
     
         29 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 28  wherein the pull wire is configured to deflect the distal end transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate catheter body. 
     
     
         30 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 21  further comprising:
 an imaging element secured to a distal end portion of the elongate catheter body and configured to obtain optical images of an area located distally of the distal end of the elongate catheter body. 
 
     
     
         31 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 30 , further comprising an imaging lumen extending at least partially through the elongate catheter body and terminating at the distal end of the elongate catheter body, wherein the imaging element is configured to extend within the imaging lumen. 
     
     
         32 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 30 , wherein the imaging element comprises a lens. 
     
     
         33 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 32 , wherein the imaging element further comprises a fiber optic bundle, wherein the lens is coupled to the fiber optic bundle. 
     
     
         34 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 21 , further comprising the fluid delivery system adapted to deliver a fluid into the elongate catheter body. 
     
     
         35 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 34 , wherein the lumen is configured to channel the fluid to the distal end of the elongate catheter body. 
     
     
         36 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 21  further comprising a flexible tube coupled to the control mechanism, wherein the flexible tube is configured to direct the instrument toward the proximal end of the elongate catheter body. 
     
     
         37 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 21 , wherein the elongate catheter body includes a distal portion and a proximal portion attached together at a joint. 
     
     
         38 . The steerable catheter system of  claim 37 , wherein the joint is a lap or butt joint.