Imaging via Blood Vessels
`
`Inventor(s):
`
`Edward K.Y. Jung
`Eric C. Leuthardt
`Royce A. Levien
`Robert W. Lord
`Mark A. Malamud
`John D. Rinaldo, Jr.
`Clarence T. Tegreene
`Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
`
`

`

`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`[0001] The present application is related to and/or claims the benefit of the
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`earliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the
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`“Priority Applications”), if any, listed below (e.g., claims earliest available priority
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`dates for other than provisional patent applications or claims benefits under 35 USC §
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`119(e) for provisional patent applications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-
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`grandparent, etc. applications of the Priority Application(s)).
`
`In addition, the present
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`application is related to the “Related Applications,”if any, listed below.
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`[0002] Priority Applications:
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`[0003] For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present
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`application constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States
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`Patent Application No. 13/464,815, entitled Imaging Via Blood
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`Vessels, naming Edward K.Y. Jung, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce
`
`A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D.
`
`Rinaldo, Jr., Keith D. Rosema, Casey T. Tegreene, and Lowell
`L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed May 4", 2012, whichis currently
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`co-pending, and which is a continuation of United States Patent
`
`Application No. 11/414,164, entitled Imaging Via Blood Vessels,
`
`naming Edward K.Y. Jung, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A.
`
`Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo,
`
`Jr., Keith D. Rosema, Casey T. Tegreene, and Lowell L.
`Wood,Jr. as inventors, filed April 28", 2006, now issued as U.S.
`Patent No. 8,187,189 on May 29", 2012.
`
`[0004] The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to
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`the effect
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`that
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`the USPTO’s computer programs require that patent applicants
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`reference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is a continuation,
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`continuation-in-part, or divisional of a parent application. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit
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`of Prior-Filed Application, USPTO Official Gazette March 18, 2003. The USPTO
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`-2-
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`

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`further has provided forms for the Application Data Sheet which allow automatic
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`loading of bibliographic data but which require identification of each application as a
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`continuation, continuation-in-part, or divisional of a parent application. The present
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`Applicant Entity (hereinafter “Applicant’”) has provided above a specific reference to
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`the application(s)
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`from which priority is being claimed as recited by statute.
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`Applicant understands that
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`the statute is unambiguous in its specific reference
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`language and does not require either a serial numberor any characterization, such as
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`“continuation” or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S. patent
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`applications.
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`Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicant understands
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`that
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`the
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`USPTO’s computer programs have certain data entry requirements, and hence
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`Applicant has provided designation(s) of a relationship between the present
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`application and its parent application(s) as set forth above and in any ADS filed in
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`this application, but expressly points out that such designation(s) are not to be
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`construed in any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether or
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`not the present application contains any new matter in addition to the matter ofits
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`parent application(s).
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`[0005]
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`If the listings of applications provided above are inconsistent with
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`the listings provided via an ADS, it is the intent of the Applicant to claim priority to
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`each application that appears in the Priority Applications section of the ADS andto
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`each application that appears in the Priority Applications section of this application.
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`[0006] All subject matter of the Priority Applications and the Related
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`Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,
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`etc.
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`applications of the Priority Applications and the Related Applications, including any
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`priority claims, is incorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matteris
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`not inconsistent herewith.
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`

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`SUMMARY
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`[0007] An embodiment provides a method.
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`In one implementation,
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`the
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`method includes but is not limited to generating a signal indicative of an intravascular
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`image receivedat least partly via a light transducer and invoking circuitry for passing
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`the generated signal out of a subject’s body.
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`In addition to the foregoing, other
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`method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the
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`present disclosure.
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`[0008]
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`In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are not
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`limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced method
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`10
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`aspects;
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`the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of
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`hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect
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`the herein-referenced
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`method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer.
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`[0009] An embodiment provides a system.
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`In one implementation,
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`the
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`system includes but is not limited to circuitry for generating a signal indicative of an
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`15
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`intravascular image received at least partly via a light transducer and circuitry for
`
`passing the generated signal out of a subject’s body.
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`In addition to the foregoing,
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`other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of
`
`the present disclosure.
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`[0010]
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`In addition to the foregoing, various other embodiments are set forth
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`20
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`and described in the text (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawings of
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`the present description.
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`[0011] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be
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`in any way limiting.
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`In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features
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`described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by
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`25
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`reference to the drawingsand the following detailed description.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
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`[0012] FIG.1 depicts an exemplary environment in which one or more
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`technologies may be implemented.
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`[0013] FIG. 2 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational process.
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`

`

`[0014] FIG. 3 depicts another exemplary environment in which one or more
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`technologies may be implemented.
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`[0015] FIG. 4 depicts a type of image that can be generated by a system like
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`that of FIG.3.
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`[0016] FIG. 5 depicts another exemplary environment in which one or more
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`technologies may be implemented.
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`[0017] FIGS. 6-10 each depict the environment of FIG. 5 in a different
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`circumstance.
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`[0018] FIG. 11 depicts another exemplary environment in which one or
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`10
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`more technologies may be implemented.
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`[0019] FIGS. 12-15 each depict several variants of the flow of FIG.2.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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`[0020]
`
`In the following detailed description,
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`reference is made to the
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`15
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`accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof.
`
`In the drawings, similar symbols
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`typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise.
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`The
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`illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims
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`are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes
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`may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter
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`20
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`presented here.
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`[0021]
`
`In the following detailed description,
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`reference is made to the
`
`accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof.
`
`In the drawings, similar symbols
`
`typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise.
`
`The
`
`illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims
`
`25
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`are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes
`
`may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter
`
`presented here.
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`[0022] Referring now to FIG.1, there is shown an exemplary environment
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`in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown system 100
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`30
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`comprises vascular probe 111 having at least an intravascular portion 118 inside
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`

`

`vascular system 180 of a subject’s body 170.
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`In some embodiments as described
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`below, “subject” refers to a human being,living or otherwise, or a single mammalor
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`other animal in a population. Portion 118 extends within an artery, capillary or other
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`blood vessel 184 so as to occlude flow path only partially. Portion 118 comprises
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`imaging/control circuitry 120 including at least light transducer 122 havingafield of
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`view 135 at least partly including target 177. At least a portion of imaging/control
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`circuitry 120 invokes
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`communication circuitry 150, which can respond by
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`transmitting at least image-indicative signal(s) 130 along path 155 out of the subject’s
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`body 170.
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`In some embodiments, “circuitry” comprises amplifiers, logic, or other
`
`10
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`active elements coupled by conduits.
`
`[0023]
`
`System 100 can further include an external portion 160 comprising
`
`one or more of interface 160, transmitter 163, receiver 164, storage 165, or external
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`imaging system 168.
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`Interface 161 can include display 162. Storage 165 can contain
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`data 166 comprising images 167. External imaging system 168 can emit energy 104
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`15
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`toward tissue 172, a portion of which energy penetrates body 170 into blood vessel
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`184 or a bone orother reference structure 175.
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`[0024] Referring now to FIG.2, there is shown a high-level logic flow 200
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`of an operational process. Operation 210 describes generating a signal indicative of
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`an intravascular
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`image received at
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`least partly via a light
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`transducer
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`(e.g.
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`20
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`imaging/control circuitry 120 providing an image of a lesion captured through light
`
`transducer 122).
`
`In some embodiments, the image can be intravascular by virtue of a
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`primary target or sensor extending within a blood vessel, for example.
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`In some
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`embodiments, a probe performs operation 210 by capturing an image of an easily
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`recognized structure intravascularly (e.g. vascular probe 111 capturing an imageof a
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`25
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`large bone, e.g.) as a navigational reference. Operation 220 describes invoking
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`circuitry for passing the generated signal out of a subject’s body (e.g. imaging control
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`circuitry 120 invoking communication circuitry 150 to pass signal(s) 130 out of body
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`170).
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`In some embodiments, this can comprise transmitting or otherwise transferring
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`the signal from inside the body. Signal(s) 130 can pass through an antenna (not
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`30
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`shown) or otherwise along path 155, for example.
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`

`

`[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3,
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`there is
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`shown another exemplary
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`environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown
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`system 300 comprises laparoscopic system 310 including catheter 315 with at least a
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`distal intravenous portion 317 inside vein 384 of vascular system 380. Portion 317
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`occludes flow path 382 only partially.
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`Portion 317 comprises one or more of
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`imaging/control circuitry 320 or communication circuitry 350.
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`Imaging/control
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`circuitry 320 can optionally comprise one or more of image receiving circuitry 321,
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`light transducer(s) 322, camera 325, charge coupled device (CCD) array 327, element
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`328, image-indicative signals 330, or imaging circuitry 333. Image-indicative signals
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`10
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`330 can optionally comprise one or more of shape data 331 or frequency data 332.
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`[0026] Communication circuitry 350 can optionally comprise one or more
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`of receiver 351,
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`transmitter 352, antenna 356, or antenna driver 357 able to
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`communicate with hub 392 via conduit 355.
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`One or more elements of
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`imaging/control circuitry 320 are configured to receive (reflected or other) optical
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`15
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`energy from a respective field of view 335 for each of one or more lenses 316. The
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`presence of blood in vein 384 limits imaging effectiveness, though, especially in the
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`visible spectrum. To reduce an amount of blood immediately around lenses 316,
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`balloon 313 can be inflated and deflated selectively by balloon control circuitry 343
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`through (air or other) fluid line 353. One or more other deflectors 314 can likewise
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`20
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`be actuated and de-actuated selectively, for example, by deflection control circuitry
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`344 via electrical or fluid line 354. By actuating upper deflector 314 to bear against
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`wall 385 as shown, for example, the one or more lenses 316 closest to wall 386 are
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`moved closer, enabling a clearer view of wall 386 through balloon 313.
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`In some
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`embodiments, extension 389 can be steered, advanced,
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`retracted or otherwise
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`25
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`manipulated via extension control circuitry 345.
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`[0027]
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`In some embodiments, hub 392 can comprise one or more ofa fluid
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`or other supply 394, a spool 393 (for use with extension 389, e.g.), a laparoscopic
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`controller 391, and an external portion 360. External portion 360 can comprise one or
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`more input device(s) 369, a screen 362 configured to display intravascular/video
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`30
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`images 334 and other image data 339 such as that from an ultrasound or other
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`external imaging system (not shown). External portion 360 can likewise include one
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`-7-
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`

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`or more of image element(s) 336, image attribute(s) 337, or storage 338 having the
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`other image data 339.
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`[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an example of a type of
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`image that can be generated by a system like that of Fig. 3.
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`Imaging circuitry 333 of
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`FIG. 3 can generate composite image 400, in some embodiments including a view
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`358 for each of the one or more lenses 316. Each of the several views showsthat
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`extension 389 bends toward the lens 316 nearest wall 386, against which balloon 313
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`is pressed.
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`In the absence of blood, a portion of wall 386 is clearly viewable.
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`Composite image 400 can provide a clearer view of extension 389 as it bends in any
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`10
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`(lateral) direction.
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`[0029] Referring now to FIG. 5,
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`there is
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`shown another exemplary
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`environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown
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`system 500 comprises vascular probe 511 having at least an intravascular portion 517
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`inside blood vessel 584 of a subject’s vascular system.
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`Intravascular portion 517 can
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`15
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`include hub 592 comprising one or more of imaging/control circuitry 520 or
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`communication circuitry 550. Blood vessel 584 is shown in a vicinity 573 of
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`anomaly 574, with blood 583 flowing (downward) all around between intravascular
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`portion 517 and wall 585 of blood vessel 584. Anomaly 574 protrudes somewhat
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`radially from wall 585 into surrounding tissue 572.
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`Imaging array 521 is arranged
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`20
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`about the circumference of intravascular portion 517, including many elements 528
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`generally oriented radially.
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`[0030] With balloon 513 and other deflector 514 deflated,
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`intravascular
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`portion 517 can easily advance upward using extension 589 comprising a guidewire
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`until, for example, imaging/control circuitry 520 can detect anomaly 574 (via element
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`25
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`528 and conduit 555, e.g.). Because of the presence of extension 589, also, port 599
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`is substantially closed to blood flow.
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`[0031] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown system 500 of FIG. 5 in
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`another circumstance. Element 528 has detected anomaly 574 withinits field of view
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`635, and can stop for a better image, optionally automatically. Roughly at the same
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`30
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`time, extension 589 can be at least partly withdrawn so that blood 583 can enter the
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`large conduit from which extension 589 is being withdrawn.
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`-8-
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`

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`[0032] Referring now to FIG.7, there is shown system 500 of FIG. 5 in yet
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`another circumstance. Here, element 589 is withdrawn substantially without inflating
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`balloon 513 or deflector 514.
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`In this position, blood flow 782 is enhanced,relative to
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`the position of FIG. 6, by flow 782 passing through port 599.
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`[0033] Referring now to FIG.8, there is shown system 500 of FIG. 5 in yet
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`another circumstance. Here, element 589 is still withdrawn, and balloon 513 and
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`deflector 514 are partly inflated via line 853 andline 854, respectively.
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`[0034] Referring now to FIG.9, there is shown system 500 of FIG. 5 in yet
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`another circumstance. Here, element 589 is still withdrawn, and balloon 513 and
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`10
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`deflector 514 are substantially inflated. To remove a volume of the blood from
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`volume 929 around imaging array 521, line 998 is used for suction (drawing blood
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`out, e.g.). Optionally, line 997 is similarly used for injecting a fluid (saline or water,
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`e.g.) to further clarify volume 929.
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`[0035] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown system 500 of FIG. 5 in
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`15
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`yet another circumstance (e.g. a better circumstance for imaging in visible light, for
`
`example). Here, element 589 is still withdrawn so that flow 782 remains open.
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`Balloon 513 and deflector 514 remain substantially inflated so that a tube-shaped
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`interior of blood vessel 584 is not filled with blood. Substantially all of the blood
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`from volume 929 around imaging array 521 has been replaced or otherwise removed,
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`20
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`and imaging array 521 can capture a much better set of images at or above visible
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`frequencies.
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`In some embodiments, a light source such as emitter 1096 provides
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`ablation, for example, to treatment field 1095, substantially adjacent field of view
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`1035.
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`[0036] Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown system 1100 that can
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`25
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`essentially function as described above with reference to system 500 of FIGS. 5-10.
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`Vascular probe 1111 comprises at least a distal intravascular portion 1117 inside
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`artery 1184 of a subject’s vascular system. Portion 1117 can include hub 1192
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`comprising one or more of imaging/control circuitry 1120 or communication circuitry
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`1150.
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`30
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`[0037] For example, extension 1189 can be at least partly withdrawn so that
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`blood 1183 can enter the large conduit from which extension 1189 is withdrawn.
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`-9-
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`

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`Element 1189 can be withdrawn with or without inflating balloon 1113 or deflector
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`1114. Blood flow can be enhanced or preserved by blood flow passing through port
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`1199.
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`In some embodiments, port 1199 comprises a tricuspid valve for substantially
`
`reducing oppositely-directed flow. Balloon 1113 can be inflated or deflated via lines
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`1183, and deflector 1114 can be inflated or deflated via line 1184. A volume of the
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`blood around imaging circuitry 1121 can be drawn outvia line 998, and a fluid can be
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`injected into the same volumeas line 997, optionally until substantially all of the
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`blood from that volume has been removed or replaced.
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`Imaging circuitry 1121 can
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`then capture a clearer set of images.
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`In some embodiments, a light source such as
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`10
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`emitter 1196 provides ablation, for example, substantially adjacent a field of view of
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`element 1128.
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`[0038]
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`Imaging/control circuitry 1120 can include imaging circuitry 1121,
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`optionally with one or more of light transducer(s) 1122, camera 1125, charge coupled
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`device (CCD) array 1127, element 1128, and emitter 1196. Alternatively or
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`15
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`additionally, imaging/control circuitry 1120 comprises image-indicative signals 1130
`
`or intravascular images 1133.
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`Image-indicative signals 1130 can optionally comprise
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`one or more of shape data 1131 or frequency data 1132.
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`[0039] Communication circuitry 1150 can optionally comprise one or more
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`of receiver 1151, transmitter 1152, antenna 1156, or antenna driver 1157 able to
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`20
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`communicate the image-indicative signal 1130 outside the subject’s body 1170.
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`[0040] Finally, hub 1192 can include one or more of image element(s) 1136,
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`image attribute(s) 1137, storage 1138 containing data 1139, balloon control circuitry
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`1143, deflection control circuitry 1144, catheter positioning circuitry 1145, and
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`extension positioning circuitry 1149.
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`25
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`[0041] Referring now to FIG. 12, there are shown several variants of the
`
`flow 200 of FIG.2.
`
`Operation 210—generating a
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`signal
`
`indicative of an
`
`intravascular imagereceivedat least partly via a light transducer—mayinclude one or
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`more of the following operations: 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1217, or 1218. Operation
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`220—for passing the generated signal out of a subject’s body—mayinclude one or
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`30
`
`more of the following operations: 1223 or 1224.
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`-10-
`
`

`

`[0042] Operation 1212 describes projecting energy into tissue in an ablation
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`operation (e.g. emitter 1096 of FIG. 10 projecting a laser treatment to treatmentfield
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`1095 of anomaly 574).
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`In some embodiments, the energy can be emitted from a
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`source outside a subject’s body, such as a portion of external imaging system 1068.
`
`[0043] Operation 1213 describes sensing at least a reflected portion of the
`
`energy projected into the tissue (e.g. element 528 receiving a portion of the energy
`
`projected by emitter 1095 into anomaly 574). The reflected portion can be reflected
`
`once or more within anomaly 574, for example, if anomaly 574 a typically translucent
`
`biological material.
`
`10
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`[0044] Operation 1214 describes positioning the light transducer inside a
`
`blood vessel (e.g. deflection control circuitry 344 or laterally moving imaging/control
`
`circuitry 320,
`
`including transducer 322).
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`This can occur,
`
`for example,
`
`in
`
`embodiments in which at least imaging/control circuitry 320 performs operation 210
`
`and in which at least communication circuitry 350 can be invoked in performing
`
`15
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`operation 220.
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`In some embodiments, catheter positioning circuitry (not shown) can
`
`axially advance and retract intravenous portion 317 automatically by any of several
`
`techniques such as pushing, magnetic navigation, steering, or the like.
`
`See US.
`
`Patent 6,610,007 issued to Belson et al., “Steerable Segmented Endoscope and
`
`Method of Insertion.” See also U.S. Patent App. No. 11/062,074 by Leeflangetal.,
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`20
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`“Variable Steerable Catheters and Methods for Using Them.” In other embodiments,
`
`the image is intravascular irrespective of the positioning of light transducer 322, by
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`virtue of an imaging target being situated inside a blood vessel.
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`[0045] Operation 1215 describes at least partly removing a volume of blood
`
`from a field of view of the light transducer (e.g. hub 592 drawing a volumeof blood
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`25
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`583 from volume 929 through line 998).
`
`In some embodiments, a replacementfluid
`
`such as saline or water is introduced roughly contemporaneously with the removing
`
`(e.g. via line 997).
`
`[0046] Operation 1217 describes positioning a light-conductive structure
`
`betweenthe light transducer and a target before at least a portion of the intravascular
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`30
`
`image is received (e.g. catheter positioning circuitry 345 positioning catheter 315,
`
`before image capture, so that one or more lenses 316 pass light between camera 325
`
`-ll-
`
`

`

`and a field of view 335 around extension 389). The light-conductive structure can
`
`include an optical fiber or other solid or free space medium, for example, as an
`
`alternative to or in addition to the substantially transparent fluid exemplified in FIG.
`
`10.
`
`[0047] Operation 1218 describes including shape information from the
`
`received intravascular image (e.g.
`
`image receiving circuitry 321 recording a non-
`
`uniformity of intensity or hue among elements of CCD array 327 within video images
`
`334 from camera 325).
`
`[0048] Operation 1223 describes passing the generated signal out of the
`
`10
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`subject's body at least partly via an antenna (e.g. antenna driver 357 transmitting at
`
`least a binary indication of the above-referenced non-uniformity via antenna 356).
`
`[0049] Operation 1224 describes deploying a device at least partly within a
`
`field of view of the received intravascular image (e.g. hub 392 unwinding spool 393
`
`to drive extension 389 further in a distal direction). Extension 389 can include a
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`15
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`conduit for injecting fluid or light into the body, for example, or for drawing out
`
`materials. Alternatively or additionally, extension 389 can comprise a needle, a
`
`Guglielmi Detachable Coil (GDC) wire, a clip, a valve, a guide wire, a stent, or the
`
`like.
`
`[0050] Referring now to FIG.13, there are shown several variants of the
`
`20
`
`flow 200 of FIG.2 or 12. Operation 210—generating a signal
`
`indicative of an
`
`intravascular imagereceivedat least partly via a light transducer—mayinclude one or
`
`more of the following operations: 1311, 1312, 1314, 1316, 1317 or 1318. Operation
`
`220—for passing the generated signal out of a subject’s body—mayinclude one or
`
`moreof the following operations: 1321 or 1328.
`
`25
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`[0051] Operation 1311 describes transmitting optical energy outside a
`
`vascular system (e.g. external imaging system 168 emitting energy 104 into body
`
`170).
`
`In some environments such as blood vessels near the skin, ambient fluorescent
`
`light or an external synchronized pulse like a camera flash can be used to provide the
`
`energy. For other environments,
`
`low frequency light (at or below that of near
`
`30
`
`infrared, e.g.) and/or an internal source (emitter 1196, e.g.) of the energy can transmit
`
`the energy outside the vascular system (to tissue 172 or 1172, e.g.).
`
`-12-
`
`

`

`[0052] Operation 1312 describes receiving at
`
`least a portion of the
`
`intravascular image as a portion of the optical energy transmitted outside the vascular
`
`system (e.g. optical inlet of light transducer 122 receiving a portion of emitted energy
`
`104 not absorbed bytissue 172). Alternatively or additionally, camera 1125 or CCD
`
`array 1127 can receive a portion of the optical energy transmitted outside the vascular
`
`system via line 1153 and emitter 1196.
`
`[0053] Operation 1314 describes at
`
`least partly entering an artery (e.g.
`
`vascular probe 1112 partly entering artery 1184).
`
`In some embodiments positioning
`
`and imaging circuitry described herein can be used in concert with one or more
`
`10
`
`sampling or treatment operations performed via extension 1189 such as placing a
`
`stent or GDC wire, a biopsy,orthe like.
`
`[0054] Operation 1316 describes receiving the intravascular image at least
`
`partly via a lens and the light transducer (e.g. a memory or other imaging circuitry
`
`333 receiving and stitching together respective images from lenses 316 via light
`
`15
`
`transducer(s) 322). The stitching operation combines data from different fields of
`
`view into at least image data 339 that can be viewed in a common window ofscreen
`
`362. See FIG. 4. These can occur, for example, in embodiments in which at least
`
`imaging/control circuitry 320 performs operation 210 and in which at
`
`least
`
`communication circuitry 350 can be invoked in performing operation 220.
`
`20
`
`[0055] Operation 1317 describes displaying at least an anatomical reference
`
`structure relative to a catheter large enough to contain the light transducer (e.g.
`
`display 162 and/or external imaging system 168 showing a probe portion 118 relative
`
`to structure 175).
`
`In some embodiments, an external image indicating a probe and an
`
`image obtained via the probe are shown in a commonscreen (screen 362, e.g.) or
`
`25
`
`otherwise at least roughly simultaneously.
`
`[0056] Operation
`
`1318
`
`describes
`
`including
`
`optical-range
`
`frequency
`
`information from the received intravascular image (e.g. image attribute(s) containing
`
`a numberindicating a light frequency or wavelength describing the intravascular
`
`image).
`
`In some embodiments, the frequency information comprises a prevalent
`
`30
`
`wavelength or other description of a solid or other detected material. See U.S. Patent
`
`-13-
`
`

`

`No. 6,816,743 issued to Moreno et al., “Methods and Apparatus for In Vivo
`
`Identification and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Plaques.”
`
`[0057] Operation 1321 describes displaying data passed as the generated
`
`signal out of the subject’s body (e.g. screen 362 displaying intravascular/video
`
`images 334 as one or more image-indicative signals 330). The one or more image-
`
`indicative signals can each include shape data 331, frequency data 332, an error
`
`signal such as a binary indication of a detected anomaly,or thelike.
`
`[0058] Operation 1328 describes passing the generated signal out of the
`
`subject’s body via a portion of a vein (e.g. transmitter 352 transmitting an output of
`
`10
`
`imaging circuitry 333 via a portion of conduit 355 within intravenousportion 317 of
`
`catheter 315).
`
`In some embodiments, substantially the entire intravascular signal path
`
`is intravenous.
`
`[0059] Referring now to FIG. 14, there are shown several variants of the
`
`flow 200 of FIG. 2, 12 or 13. Operation 210—generating a signal indicative of an
`
`15
`
`intravascular imagereceivedat least partly via a light transducer—mayinclude one or
`
`more of the following operations: 1412, 1414, 1415, 1417 or 1418. Operation 220—
`
`for passing the generated signal out of a subject’s body—mayinclude one or more of
`
`the following operations: 1421 or 1427.
`
`[0060] Operation 1412 describes urging the light transducer toward a target
`
`20
`
`within a field of view of the light transducer while receiving at least a portion of the
`
`intravascular image (e.g. deflection control circuitry and deflector 314 jointly urging
`
`one ofthe light transducer(s) 322 substantially toward wall 386 to which it is closest).
`
`In some embodiments, substantially all liquid blood between a light transducer and at
`
`least a target portion ofits field of view can be removedbefore the image is received
`
`25
`
`and captured.
`
`[0061] Operation
`
`1414
`
`describes
`
`receiving a
`
`first portion of
`
`the
`
`intravascular image via the light transducer (e.g. at least imaging/control circuitry
`
`1120 receiving a first of intravascular images 1133 at least partly via an element of
`
`CCD array 1127).
`
`This can occur,
`
`for example,
`
`in embodiments in which
`
`30
`
`imaging/control circuitry 1120 and CCD array 1127 jointly perform operation 210, in
`
`which the received portions and imagesare stored as data 1139 of storage 1138 and in
`
`-14-
`
`

`

`which at
`
`least communication circuitry 1150 performs operation 220.
`
`In some
`
`embodiments, operation 220 comprises physically removing storage 1138 from body
`
`1170.
`
`In other embodiments, operation 220 comprises transmitting storage 1138
`
`keeping a copy of image-indicative signals 1130 at least throughout operation 220,
`
`such as for archiving or possible later use.
`
`[0062] Operation 1415 describes
`
`receiving a
`
`second portion of the
`
`intravascular image via one or more other transducers arranged in a common grid
`
`with the light transducer (e.g. at least imaging/control circuitry 1120 receiving a
`
`second of intravascular images 1133 at least partly via another element of CCD array
`
`10
`
`1127).
`
`This can occur,
`
`for example,
`
`in embodiments in which each of the
`
`intravascular images 1133 is a serially transmitted pixel having several bits of color
`
`information that are later stored as data 1139.
`
`In some embodiments, data 1139
`
`includes the entire intravascular image indicated by the generated signal recited in
`
`operation 210.
`
`In some embodiments, data 1139 includes a multiple-pixel portion of
`
`15
`
`a very large intravascular image and does not simultaneously include the entire
`
`image.
`
`[0063] Operation 1417 describes performing an ablation operation at least
`
`partly within a field of view of the light transducer (e.g. at least extension control
`
`circuitry 345 and extension 389 projecting optical ablation energy within a field of
`
`20
`
`view 335 of each of one or more lenses 316). This can occur, for example,
`
`in
`
`embodiments in which at least imaging/control circuitry 320 performs operation 210
`
`and in which at least communication circuitry 350 can be invoked in performing
`
`operation 220.
`
`[0064] Alternatively or additionally,
`
`in some embodiments extension
`
`25
`
`control circuitry 345 can fully retract extension 389 (by winding spool 393, e.g.).
`
`It
`
`can then be replaced (by replacing spool 393, for example) by an extension having
`
`another
`
`function (GDC wire or
`
`stent
`
`installation or generating laparoscopic
`
`ultrasound images,e.g.).
`
`[0065] Operation 1418 describes enhancing a blood flow byat least partly
`
`30
`
`withdrawing a first intravenousor intra-arterial portion of a laparoscopic system (e.g.
`
`extension positioning circuitry 1149 withdrawing extension 1189 to open a flow path
`
`-15-
`
`

`

`through port 1199).
`
`In some embodiments, operation 1418 can likewise be performed
`
`primarily by withdrawinga fluid as the first intravenousor intra-arterial portion (by
`
`drawing fluid out through line 853 or 854, deflating deflector 514 or balloon 513
`
`respectively). The fluid may be a liquid, air or some other gas, a combination of
`
`more than one type of fluid, or thelike.
`
`[0066] Operation 1421 describes
`
`(e.g. communication circuitry 150
`
`transmitting the generated signal via path 155 implemented as an antenna to receiver
`
`164 and from transmitter 163).
`
`In some embodiments, for example, vascular probe
`
`111 can be implemented for remote operation and configured for short range radio
`
`10
`
`frequency communication.
`
`[0067] Operation 1427 describes receiving a user preference indication after
`
`generating a portion of the signal (e.g. receiver 351 receiving a “capture image”
`
`signal via input device(s) 369 after detecting a presence of sufficient light for imaging
`
`in at least one of the fields of view 335).
`
`In some