INTERNAL TISSUE VISUALIZATION SYSTEM COMPRISING A RF-SHIELDED VISUALIZATION SENSOR MODULE
Internal tissue visualization devices having RF-shielded visualization sensor modules are provided. Also provided are systems that include the devices, as well as methods of visualizing internal tissue of a subject using the tissue visualization devices and systems.
1 . An internal tissue visualization system, the system comprising:
(a) an internal tissue visualization device comprising:
(i) an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end; and
(ii) an RF-shielded visualization sensor module; and
(b) an extra-corporeal control unit operatively coupled to the proximal end of the elongated member.
2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the RF-shielded visualization sensor module comprises a:
a visualization sensor comprising a lens and an integrated circuit, wherein the visualization sensor is integrated at the distal end of the elongated member; and
a grounded conductive enclosure that shields the integrated circuit from an RF field.
3 . The tissue modification device according to claim 2 , wherein the visualization sensor is a CMOS device.
4 . The tissue modification device according to claim 2 , wherein the visualization sensor is a CCD device.
5 . The system according to claim 2 , wherein the grounded conductive enclosure comprises a housing comprising an outer grounded conductive layer.
6 . The system according to claim 5 , wherein the outer grounded conductive layer is a metallic layer.
7 . The system according to claim 2 , wherein the RF-shielded visualization sensor module further comprises an RF-shielded conductive member that connects the visualization sensor to a proximal end location of the elongated member.
8 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the elongated member further comprises an integrated illuminator.
9 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein the illuminator is a light emitting diode.
10 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the RF-shielded visualization sensor module comprises the light emitting diode.
11 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a tissue modifier at the distal end of the elongated member.
12 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the tissue modifier is integrated at the distal end.
13 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the tissue modifier comprises an electrode.
14 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises an image displayer for displaying to a user images obtained by the visualization sensor.
15 . An internal tissue visualization device comprising:
an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end; and
an RF-shielded visualization sensor module.
16 . The device according to claim 15 , wherein the RF-shielded visualization sensor module comprises:
a visualization sensor comprising a lens and an integrated circuit, wherein the visualization sensor is integrated at the distal end of the elongated member; and
a grounded conductive enclosure that shields the integrated circuit from an RF field.
17 . The device according to claim 16 , wherein the visualization sensor is a CMOS device.
18 . The device according to claim 16 , wherein the visualization sensor is a CCD device.
19 . The device according to claim 16 , wherein the grounded conductive enclosure comprises a housing comprising an outer grounded conductive layer.
20 . The device according to claim 16 , wherein the RF-shielded visualization sensor module further comprises an RF-shielded conductive member that connects the visualization sensor to a proximal end location of the elongated member.
21 . The device according to claim 15 , wherein the distal end of the elongated member further comprises an integrated illuminator.
22 . The device according to claim 15 , wherein the system further comprises a tissue modifier at the distal end of the elongated member.
23 . The device according to claim 22 , wherein the tissue modifier comprises an electrode.
24 . A method of imaging an internal target tissue site of a subject, the method comprising:
(a) positioning the distal end of an internal tissue visualization device comprising:
(i) an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end; and
(ii) an RF-shielded visualization sensor module;
in operable relation to the internal target tissue site; and
(b) visualizing the internal target tissue site with the RF-shielded visualization sensor module.
25 . The method according to claim 24 , wherein the internal target tissue site comprises spinal tissue.
26 . The method according to claim 25 , wherein the device further comprises a distal end tissue modifier and the method further comprises modifying tissue with the tissue modifier.