| abstract |
A device having an optical element with a conductive coating. The device may include an noptical element, a conductive material and at least one connector. The conductive material is ndisposed on at least a portion of the optical element. The optical element, for example, may be nan object lens of an endoscope or an optical coupler. The connectors (acting as terminals) are ncapable of providing energy (such as electrical energy) to the conductive material. In one naspect, the conductive material is an optically transparent material. Advantageously, the device nmay allow visualization of an object - such as body tissue or other matter - concurrent with the napplication of energy to the object via the conductive coating. This allows the user to observe nthe alteration of tissue and other matter in real time as the energy is delivered. |