US4794931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catheter apparatus, system and method for intravascular two-dimensional ultrasonography
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 1986-02-28
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Granted: 1989-01-03
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Expires: 2006-02-28
Abstract
Abstract Ultrasonic apparatus, system and method for high resolution intravascular imaging to assist indovascular lesions and to monitor the results of interventional therapy. An ultrasonic transducer is carried by the distal end of a catheter adapted for insertion into a vessel, and either the transducer or another element is rotated and/or translated relative to the catheter to image different portions of the vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul G. Yock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320783; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/4461; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00902; A61B2017/00924; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22038; A61B2017/22045; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22052; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/22074; A61B2017/22078; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/376; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B2090/3784
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a patient's vessel having a wall comprising: a flexible tubular element adapted for insertion into the body lumen, the tubular element having distal and proximal extremities; a housing having distal and proximal ends and a longitudinal axis, the proximal end of the housing being secured to the distal extremity of the tubular element, the housing having a portion thereof that is substantially transparent to ultrasonic energy; ultrasonic means for generating ultrasonic signals and directing the ultrasonic signals in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing and for receiving reflections of the signals generated, the ultrasonic means including a rotatable member that is movable longitudinally and rotatably relative to the housing during scanning to permit scanning a discrete length of the vessel wall; drive means extending through the tubular element and connected to the rotatable member for causing both longitudinal and rotational movement of the rotatable member with respect to the housing about the longitudinal axis of the housing whereby the ultrasonic signals generated by the ultrasonic means are directed onto the vessel wall and the ultrasonic signals reflected by the vessel wall are received by the ultrasonic means; and a cutting element secured to said rotatable member for longitudinal movement relative to the housing, said cutting element having a circular cutting edge lying in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a patient's vessel having a wall comprising: a flexible tubular element adapted for insertion into the body lumen, the tubular element having distal and proximal extremities; a housing having distal and proximal ends and a longitudinal axis, the proximal end of the housing being secured to the distal extremity of the tubular element, the housing having a portion thereof that is substantially transparent to ultrasonic energy; ultrasonic means for generating ultrasonic signals and directing the ultrasonic signals in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing and for receiving reflections of the signals generated, the ultrasonic means including a rotatable member that is movable longitudinally and rotatably relative to the housing during scanning to permit scanning a discrete length of the vessel wall; drive means extending through the tubular element and connected to the rotatable member for causing both longitudinal and rotational movement of the rotatable member with respect to the housing about the longitudinal axis of the housing whereby the ultrasonic signals generated by the ultrasonic means are directed onto the vessel wall and the ultrasonic signals reflected by the vessel wall are received by the ultrasonic means; and a cutting element secured to said rotatable member for longitudinal movement relative to the housing, said cutting element having a circular cutting edge lying in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 together with means carried by the housing for collecting material which is removed by the cutting edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the cutting element includes a recess formed therein for receiving material removed by the cutting edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 together with flexible guide wire means associated with the housing for facilitating steering of the catheter apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the circular cutting edge faces in a direction towards the distal extremity of the housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the circular cutting edge faces in a direction toward the proximal extremity of the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
167 words
In a catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vessel in the vascular system of a patient, a flexible tubular element adapted to be inserted into the vessel and having a longitudinal axis, a flexible rotatable element disposed within the tubular element for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis relative to the tubular element, an ultrasonic transducer carried by the flexible tubular element for generating and receiving ultrasonic signals, electrical circuit means carried by the tubular element and connected to the transducer for supplying signals to and receiving signals from the transducer, and drive means for imparting longitudinal and rotational movement to the rotatable element and directing means mounted on the rotatable element for causing the ultrasonic signals to be directed outwardly and received inwardly relative to the axis of rotation of the rotatable element during rotational and longitudinal movement of the rotatable element so that the ultrasonic signals are rotated and moved longitudinally to provide an image of the portion of the vessel being veiwed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
167 words
In a catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vessel in the vascular system of a patient, a flexible tubular element adapted to be inserted into the vessel and having a longitudinal axis, a flexible rotatable element disposed within the tubular element for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis relative to the tubular element, an ultrasonic transducer carried by the flexible tubular element for generating and receiving ultrasonic signals, electrical circuit means carried by the tubular element and connected to the transducer for supplying signals to and receiving signals from the transducer, and drive means for imparting longitudinal and rotational movement to the rotatable element and directing means mounted on the rotatable element for causing the ultrasonic signals to be directed outwardly and received inwardly relative to the axis of rotation of the rotatable element during rotational and longitudinal movement of the rotatable element so that the ultrasonic signals are rotated and moved longitudinally to provide an image of the portion of the vessel being veiwed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A catheter apparatus as in claim 7 together with means for displaying an image from the signals received from the transducer during rotating of the rotatable element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A catheter apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said reducing means is a cutting device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A catheter apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said ultrasonic transducer includes a crystal together with a backing material carried by the crystal for inhibiting propagation of sonic waves from the crystal in the direction of the backing material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A catheter apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said circuit means is carried by the tubular element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vessel in the vascular system of a patient, a flexible tubular element adapted to be inserted into the vessel, a flexible rotatable element disposed within the tubular element for rotational movement relative to the tubular element, an ultrasonic transducer carried by the flexible tubular element for generating ultrasonic signals, electrical circuit means carried by the tubular element and connected to the transducer for supplying signals to and receiving signals from the transducer, and drive means for imparting rotational movement to the rotatable element and directing means mounted on the rotatable element for causing the ultrasonic signals to be directed outwardly and received inwardly relative to the axis of rotation of the rotatable element during rotation of the rotatable element to provide information with respect to an image of the portion of the vessel being viewed and reducing means secured to the rotatable element for reducing a stenosis within the vessel, the ultrasonic transducer being disposed in relatively close proximity to the reducing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vessel in the vascular system of a patient, a flexible tubular element adapted to be inserted into the vessel, a flexible rotatable element disposed within the tubular element for rotational movement relative to the tubular element, an ultrasonic transducer carried by the flexible tubular element for generating ultrasonic signals, electrical circuit means carried by the tubular element and connected to the transducer for supplying signals to and receiving signals from the transducer, and drive means for imparting rotational movement to the rotatable element and directing means mounted on the rotatable element for causing the ultrasonic signals to be directed outwardly and received inwardly relative to the axis of rotation of the rotatable element during rotation of the rotatable element to provide information with respect to an image of the portion of the vessel being viewed and reducing means secured to the rotatable element for reducing a stenosis within the vessel, the ultrasonic transducer being disposed in relatively close proximity to the reducing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A catheter apparatus as in claim 12 together with inflatable balloon carried by the reducing means and adapted to be inflated to stabilize the reducing means, and wherein said tubular element includes means for inflating and deflating the balloon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a catheter system for obtaining an image of a vessel in a vascular system, an elongate flexible element adapted to enter the vessel, a flexible rotatable elongate element disposed in the tubular element, an ultrasonic transducer carried by the flexible rotatable element and being rotatable therewith for scanning the vessel, motor means for rotating the flexible rotatable element, the flexible rotatable element and the transducer carried thereby being movable longitudinally with respect to the tubular element, transmitter means coupled to the ultrasonic transducer and producing electrical signals and supplying the same to the ultrasonic transducer to cause ultrasonic waves to be propagated therefrom and to be shifted longitudinally as the rotatable element is moved longitudinally and rotated as the rotatable element is rotated, receiver means coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transducer being capable of receiving reflected ultrasonic waves and supplying electrical signals to the receiver means, timing control means for causing operation of the transmitter means, the receiver means and the motor means and means connected to the receiver means for creating a visual display of the vessel being scanned by the ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a catheter system for obtaining an image of a vessel in a vascular system, an elongate flexible element adapted to enter the vessel, a flexible rotatable elongate element disposed in the tubular element, an ultrasonic transducer carried by the flexible rotatable element and being rotatable therewith for scanning the vessel, motor means for rotating the flexible rotatable element, the flexible rotatable element and the transducer carried thereby being movable longitudinally with respect to the tubular element, transmitter means coupled to the ultrasonic transducer and producing electrical signals and supplying the same to the ultrasonic transducer to cause ultrasonic waves to be propagated therefrom and to be shifted longitudinally as the rotatable element is moved longitudinally and rotated as the rotatable element is rotated, receiver means coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transducer being capable of receiving reflected ultrasonic waves and supplying electrical signals to the receiver means, timing control means for causing operation of the transmitter means, the receiver means and the motor means and means connected to the receiver means for creating a visual display of the vessel being scanned by the ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 14 together with a work performing device carried by the flexible rotatable element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a method for obtaining an image of a vessel in the vascular system of a patient using a vascularly interventional catheter having a cutting means for reducing a stenosis within the vessel, and a housing that carries an ultrasonic transducer, introducing the catheter into the vessel, scanning the vessel ultrasonically both rotationally and longitudinally while the cutting means is being operated and creating an image from the scan.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a method for obtaining an image of a vessel in the vascular system of a patient using a vascularly interventional catheter having a cutting means for reducing a stenosis within the vessel, and a housing that carries an ultrasonic transducer, introducing the catheter into the vessel, scanning the vessel ultrasonically both rotationally and longitudinally while the cutting means is being operated and creating an image from the scan.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
201 words
A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vascular vessel having a wall comprising: an elongate flexible tubular element having distal and proximal extremities; a housing having distal and proximal ends and a longitudinal axis, the proximal end of the housing being secured to the distal extremity of the tubular element, the housing having a portion thereof that is substantially transparent to ultrasonic energy; ultrasonic means for generating ultrasonic signals and directing the ultrasonic signals in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing and toward the wall of the vessel and for receiving reflections from the walls of the vessel of the ultrasonic signals generated, the ultrasonic means including a rotatable member that is movable longitudinally and rotatably relative to the housing during scanning to permit scanning a discrete length of the vessel; and motorized drive means extending through the tubular element and connected to the rotatable member and being movable longitudinally and for causing rotational movement of the rotatable member with respect to the housing about the longitudinal axis of the housing so that the ultrasonic signals generated are rotated and can be moved longitudinally with respect to the wall of the vessel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
201 words
A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vascular vessel having a wall comprising: an elongate flexible tubular element having distal and proximal extremities; a housing having distal and proximal ends and a longitudinal axis, the proximal end of the housing being secured to the distal extremity of the tubular element, the housing having a portion thereof that is substantially transparent to ultrasonic energy; ultrasonic means for generating ultrasonic signals and directing the ultrasonic signals in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing and toward the wall of the vessel and for receiving reflections from the walls of the vessel of the ultrasonic signals generated, the ultrasonic means including a rotatable member that is movable longitudinally and rotatably relative to the housing during scanning to permit scanning a discrete length of the vessel; and motorized drive means extending through the tubular element and connected to the rotatable member and being movable longitudinally and for causing rotational movement of the rotatable member with respect to the housing about the longitudinal axis of the housing so that the ultrasonic signals generated are rotated and can be moved longitudinally with respect to the wall of the vessel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said rotatable member carries the ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as in claim 17 wherein said rotatable member is a reflector inclined at an angle of approximately 45° and wherein the transducer is disposed in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing and is mounted in a fixed position in the housing, whereby ultrasonic energy from the transducer is directed onto the reflector and reflected ultrasonic energy is received by the reflector and directed onto the transducer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as in claim 17 wherein the housing is provided with a cutout on one side, together with an inflatable balloon carried by the housing and disposed on the exterior of the housing on the side of the housing opposite the cutout and means carried by the tubular element for inflating and deflating the inflatable balloon.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
223 words
A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vascular vessel having a stenosis therein comprising: a flexible tubular element adapted for insertion into the vascular vessel, the tubular element having distal and proximal extremities; a housing having distal and proximal ends and a longitudinal axis, the proximal end of the housing being secured to the distal extremity of the tubular element, the housing having a portion thereof that is substantially transparent to ultrasonic energy; ultrasonic means for generating ultrasonic signals and directing the ultrasonic signals in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing and for receiving reflections of the signals generated, the ultrasonic means including a rotatable member that is movable longitudinally and rotatably relative to the housing during scanning to permit scanning a discrete length of the vessel; drive means extending through the tubular element and connected to the rotatable member permitting longitudinal movement and for causing rotational movement of the rotatable member with respect to the housing about the longitudinal axis of the housing so that the ultrasonic signals generated by the ultrasonic means are directed onto the vessel and the ultrasonic signals reflected by the vessel are received by the ultrasonic means; and means coupled to said drive means for removing materials from the stenosis including a cutter having an annular cutting edge.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
223 words
A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vascular vessel having a stenosis therein comprising: a flexible tubular element adapted for insertion into the vascular vessel, the tubular element having distal and proximal extremities; a housing having distal and proximal ends and a longitudinal axis, the proximal end of the housing being secured to the distal extremity of the tubular element, the housing having a portion thereof that is substantially transparent to ultrasonic energy; ultrasonic means for generating ultrasonic signals and directing the ultrasonic signals in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing and for receiving reflections of the signals generated, the ultrasonic means including a rotatable member that is movable longitudinally and rotatably relative to the housing during scanning to permit scanning a discrete length of the vessel; drive means extending through the tubular element and connected to the rotatable member permitting longitudinal movement and for causing rotational movement of the rotatable member with respect to the housing about the longitudinal axis of the housing so that the ultrasonic signals generated by the ultrasonic means are directed onto the vessel and the ultrasonic signals reflected by the vessel are received by the ultrasonic means; and means coupled to said drive means for removing materials from the stenosis including a cutter having an annular cutting edge.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
166 words
A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vascular vessel having a wall comprising: a flexible tubular member adapted for insertion into the vascular vessel and having a longitudinal axis, ultrasonic means for generating ultrasonic signals and detecting reflections of the ultrasonic signals, the ultrasonic means including a rotatable element disposed within the tubular member and adapted for rotational and longitudinal movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, the rotatable element directing the ultrasonic signals outwardly from the catheter apparatus towards the wall of the vessel, drive means connected to the rotatable element and extending through the tubular member for rotating the rotational element relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, and permitting longitudinal movement of the rotatable element along the longitudinal axis and reducing means carried by the tubular member for reducing a stenosis within the vessel, the reducing means and the ultrasonic means being adapted so that imaging of the vessel can occur simultaneously while reducing the stenosis.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
166 words
A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vascular vessel having a wall comprising: a flexible tubular member adapted for insertion into the vascular vessel and having a longitudinal axis, ultrasonic means for generating ultrasonic signals and detecting reflections of the ultrasonic signals, the ultrasonic means including a rotatable element disposed within the tubular member and adapted for rotational and longitudinal movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, the rotatable element directing the ultrasonic signals outwardly from the catheter apparatus towards the wall of the vessel, drive means connected to the rotatable element and extending through the tubular member for rotating the rotational element relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, and permitting longitudinal movement of the rotatable element along the longitudinal axis and reducing means carried by the tubular member for reducing a stenosis within the vessel, the reducing means and the ultrasonic means being adapted so that imaging of the vessel can occur simultaneously while reducing the stenosis.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vessel in a body and reducing a stenosis within the vessel the vessel having a vessel wall, a flexible tubular element adapted for insertion into the vessel and having a longitudinal axis, a cutter rotatable relative to the tubular element with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tubular element for reducing the stenosis, ultrasonic means for generating ultrasonic signals and detecting reflections of the ultrasonic signals, the ultrasonic means including a rotatable element adapted for rotational movement with the cutter relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member for directing the ultrasonic signals outwardly from the catheter apparatus towards the vessel wall, and drive means connected to the cutter and rotatable element and extending through the tubular member for rotating the cutter and rotatable element relative to the tubular member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vessel in a body and reducing a stenosis within the vessel the vessel having a vessel wall, a flexible tubular element adapted for insertion into the vessel and having a longitudinal axis, a cutter rotatable relative to the tubular element with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tubular element for reducing the stenosis, ultrasonic means for generating ultrasonic signals and detecting reflections of the ultrasonic signals, the ultrasonic means including a rotatable element adapted for rotational movement with the cutter relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member for directing the ultrasonic signals outwardly from the catheter apparatus towards the vessel wall, and drive means connected to the cutter and rotatable element and extending through the tubular member for rotating the cutter and rotatable element relative to the tubular member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
A catheter apparatus as in claim 23, further comprising a motor means for rotating the drive means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
210 words
In a catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of the wall of a vessel in the vascular system of a patient, an elongate flexible tubular element having distal and proximal extremities, said distal extremity having a longitudinal axis, flexible guide wire means adapted to extend beyond the distal extremity of the tubular element longitudinally of the longitudinal axis of the distal extremity of the tubular element, the flexible guide wire means and the tubular element being of a size such that they can be readily introduced into the vessel, the tubular element and the flexible guide wire means having a flexibility so that the distal extremity of the tubular element can be advanced in the vessel and follow the path of the vessel, the distal extremity of the tubular element having a portion thereof which is substantially transparent to ultrasonic energy, means including an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the distal extremity of the tubular element for generating ultrasonic energy and for directing the same through said portion toward the wall of the vessel, electrical circuit means connected to the ultrasonic transducer and carried by the tubular element and motor-driven elongate flexible drive means extending through the flexible tubular element and connected to said means for generating and directing ultrasonic energy.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
210 words
In a catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of the wall of a vessel in the vascular system of a patient, an elongate flexible tubular element having distal and proximal extremities, said distal extremity having a longitudinal axis, flexible guide wire means adapted to extend beyond the distal extremity of the tubular element longitudinally of the longitudinal axis of the distal extremity of the tubular element, the flexible guide wire means and the tubular element being of a size such that they can be readily introduced into the vessel, the tubular element and the flexible guide wire means having a flexibility so that the distal extremity of the tubular element can be advanced in the vessel and follow the path of the vessel, the distal extremity of the tubular element having a portion thereof which is substantially transparent to ultrasonic energy, means including an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the distal extremity of the tubular element for generating ultrasonic energy and for directing the same through said portion toward the wall of the vessel, electrical circuit means connected to the ultrasonic transducer and carried by the tubular element and motor-driven elongate flexible drive means extending through the flexible tubular element and connected to said means for generating and directing ultrasonic energy.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cathether apparatus as in claim 25 wherein said distal extremity of the tubular element is in the form of a housing.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
A catheter apparatus as in claim 26 wherein the flexible guide wire means is secured to the housing.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
A catheter apparatus as in claim 25 wherein the means disposed within the tubular element for generating ultrasonic energy and for directing the same also includes a rotatable mirror connected to the flexible drive means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-01-03 | 1992-07-04 | 1993-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-03 | 1996-07-04 | 1997-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-03 | 2000-07-04 | 2001-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |