SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMAGING AND THERAPY SUITABLE FOR USE IN THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

摘要

Probes, catheters, systems, methods, and ferrofluids are provides for acquiring direct visualization medical images of internal structures. The probes can include a channel, an optical waveguide, and a ferrofluid attractor. The ferrofluid attractor can be configured to magnetically attract the ferrofluid when exiting a distal port of the channel. The medical image can be acquired through the ferrofluid, which is excluding blood from the area that the ferrofluid is occupying. The ferrofluid has a lower optical absorbance than blood, so the acquiring the image through the ferrofluid rather than through blood provides improved images.