US5000185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for intravascular two-dimensional ultrasonography and recanalization
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 1988-12-23
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Granted: 1991-03-19
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Expires: 2008-12-23
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 06:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320783; A61B17/22; A61B17/22004; A61B17/22012; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/02007; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61B8/4461; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00902; A61B2017/00924; 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: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for imaging the interior wall of a blood vessel, said method comprising: generating an ultrasonic signal using a transducer located within the blood vessel; sweeping the signal continuously in a predetermined pattern about the interior wall of the blood vessel, wherein said sweeping is accomplished by rotating the transducer or a reflective surface which deflects the signal from the transducer within a catheter which remains substantially stationary while the signal is being swept; receiving ultrasonic signal reflected from the interior wall of the blood vessel; and producing an image from the reflected signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for imaging the interior wall of a blood vessel, said method comprising: generating an ultrasonic signal using a transducer located within the blood vessel; sweeping the signal continuously in a predetermined pattern about the interior wall of the blood vessel, wherein said sweeping is accomplished by rotating the transducer or a reflective surface which deflects the signal from the transducer within a catheter which remains substantially stationary while the signal is being swept; receiving ultrasonic signal reflected from the interior wall of the blood vessel; and producing an image from the reflected signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic signal has a frequency in the range from about 5 to 50 megahertz.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the generated ultrasonic signal is directed generally axially relative to the blood vessel and deflected transversely by the rotating reflective surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the generated signal is directed generally transversely by a rotating transducer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic signal is directed at a forward angle of from about 10° to 85° relative to the axis of the blood vessel, whereby a conical scan is performed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 1, further comprising axially advancing the ultrasonic signal within the blood vessel to provide a series of successive cross-sectional images of the blood vessel.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for imaging the interior of a blood vessel, said method comprising: positioning a distal end of a flexible tubular member within the blood vessel proximate a preselected region; sweeping a transducer element through a preselected pattern within said distal end while the flexible tubular member remains substantially stationary; generating an ultrasonic signal from the transducer, which signal impinges against the interior wall of the blood vessel; receiving ultrasonic energy reflected from the blood vessel wall with the transducer; and producing an image of the blood vessel based on the reflected ultrasonic energy.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for imaging the interior of a blood vessel, said method comprising: positioning a distal end of a flexible tubular member within the blood vessel proximate a preselected region; sweeping a transducer element through a preselected pattern within said distal end while the flexible tubular member remains substantially stationary; generating an ultrasonic signal from the transducer, which signal impinges against the interior wall of the blood vessel; receiving ultrasonic energy reflected from the blood vessel wall with the transducer; and producing an image of the blood vessel based on the reflected ultrasonic energy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 7, wherein the transducer is oriented to direct the ultrasonic signal substantially transversely to the axis of the tubular member, whereby a transverse planar scan is performed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as in claim 7, wherein the transducer is oriented to direct the ultrasonic signal at a forward angle in the range from about 10° to 85° relative to the axis of the tubular member, whereby a conical scan is performed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 7, further comprising axially advancing the distal end of the flexible tubular member within the blood vessel to produce successive cross-sectional images.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for imaging the interior of a blood vessel, said method comprising: positioning a distal end of a flexible tubular member within the blood vessel proximate a preselected region; directing an ultrasonic signal against a reflective surface within the distal end of the flexible tubular member; manipulating the reflective surface to reflect the ultrasonic signal in a preselected pattern within the blood vessel while the flexible tubular member remains substantially stationary; receiving ultrasonic energy reflected from within the blood vessel; and producing an image of the interior of the blood vessel based on the reflected ultrasonic energy.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for imaging the interior of a blood vessel, said method comprising: positioning a distal end of a flexible tubular member within the blood vessel proximate a preselected region; directing an ultrasonic signal against a reflective surface within the distal end of the flexible tubular member; manipulating the reflective surface to reflect the ultrasonic signal in a preselected pattern within the blood vessel while the flexible tubular member remains substantially stationary; receiving ultrasonic energy reflected from within the blood vessel; and producing an image of the interior of the blood vessel based on the reflected ultrasonic energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 11, wherein the reflective surface is inclined at a fixed angle relative to the tubular axis and wherein manipulating the reflective surface comprises rotating said surface about said axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 12, wherein the ultrasonic signal is directed substantially axially and said mirror is inclined at about 45°, whereby a transverse cross-sectional image is produced.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 12, wherein the ultrasonic signal is directed substantially axially and said mirror is inclined at an angle between about 5° and 45°, whereby the ultrasonic signal is swept about a conical pattern.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for recanalization of a blood vessel, said method comprising: positioning a distal end of a flexible tubular member within the blood vessel proximate a region of stenosis; generating an ultrasonic signal with an ultrasonic transducer disposed in the distal end of the flexible tubular member while the flexible tubular member remains substantially stationary; sweeping the ultrasonic signal through a preselected pattern about the interior wall of the blood vessel, including the region of stenosis, wherein said sweeping is accomplished by rotating the ultrasonic transducer or a reflective surface disposed within the tubular member to deflect said signal in a predetermined pattern; receiving ultrasonic signal reflected back from the interior wall; producing an image of the region of stenosis; and reanalyzing the region of stenosis using interventional means located on the distal end of the flexible tubular member, wherein the location of intervention is based at least partly on the image.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for recanalization of a blood vessel, said method comprising: positioning a distal end of a flexible tubular member within the blood vessel proximate a region of stenosis; generating an ultrasonic signal with an ultrasonic transducer disposed in the distal end of the flexible tubular member while the flexible tubular member remains substantially stationary; sweeping the ultrasonic signal through a preselected pattern about the interior wall of the blood vessel, including the region of stenosis, wherein said sweeping is accomplished by rotating the ultrasonic transducer or a reflective surface disposed within the tubular member to deflect said signal in a predetermined pattern; receiving ultrasonic signal reflected back from the interior wall; producing an image of the region of stenosis; and reanalyzing the region of stenosis using interventional means located on the distal end of the flexible tubular member, wherein the location of intervention is based at least partly on the image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 15, wherein the ultrasonic signal is swept about the preselected pattern by physically rotating the transducer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 15, wherein the ultrasonic signal is swept about the preselected pattern by directing the signal against a reflective surface and manipulating the reflective surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 17, wherein the reflective surface is rotated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 15, wherein the interventional means is a rotating blade used to severe stenotic material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 15, wherein the interventional means is an abrasive surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 15, wherein the interventional means is a drill.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 15, wherein the interventional means is a perfusion port for delivery drugs.
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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) | 1994-03-18 | 1994-09-17 | 1995-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-18 | 1998-09-17 | 1999-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-18 | 2002-09-17 | 2003-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |