US Patent 7544166 Systems and methods for imaging with deployable imaging devices

The systems and methods described herein provide for a medical device insertable into the body of a living being having an imaging device with a layout that is adjustable from an undeployed layout, where the imaging device is insertable into the inner lumen of a medical device, to a larger deployed layout, where the imaging device preferably has a larger imaging aperture. The medical device can also include a flexible membrane coupled with or located on the distal end of the medical device. The flexible membrane can be expanded or inflated to create a spatial operating region for the deployed imaging device.