US5474075A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Brush-tipped catheter for ultrasound imaging
Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
•
Filing: 1993-11-24
•
Granted: 1995-12-12
•
Expires: 2013-11-24
Abstract
Abstract Miniature catheter-based ultrasound transducers are used to image peritracheal or bronchial structures including masses, lymph nodes, and vessels. Most preferably, a 6.2 French catheter containing either a 12.5 or 20 MHz ultrasound transducer coupled with an ultrasound unit is passed through the working channel of a flexible bronchoscope and directed to the region of interest. Patients with pulmonary masses detected by X-ray or computed tomography were studied and it was found that characteristic ultrasound patterns of masses, lymph nodes and blood vessels could be distinguished. Thus, catheter-based ultrasound transducers are useful to evaluate a variety of bronchopulmonary abnormalities. This approach was found to be valuable in the selection of the appropriate site for biopsy. In accordance with the present invention, an improved ultrasound catheter that incorporates a biopsy brush is therefore disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry B. Goldberg
- 👤 Ji-Bin Liu
- 👤 Robert M. Steiner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61B8/4461; A61B2010/0216; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320004; A61B2017/320012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
An ultrasonic catheter assembly comprising a catheter sheath and an ultrasound transducer disposed within the catheter sheath, wherein a non-inflatable tool is affixed to and extends radially beyond an exterior surface of the catheter sheath near a distal end of the catheter sheath at a point proximal of the distal end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
An ultrasonic catheter assembly comprising a catheter sheath and an ultrasound transducer disposed within the catheter sheath, wherein a non-inflatable tool is affixed to and extends radially beyond an exterior surface of the catheter sheath near a distal end of the catheter sheath at a point proximal of the distal end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ultrasonic catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein the tool comprises a plurality of bristles extending radially from a distal end of the catheter sheath.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ultrasonic catheter assembly of claim 2 wherein the bristles extend radially for a distance of about 1 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ultrasonic catheter assembly of claim 2, wherein the bristles extend along an axial length of the catheter sheath for about 8 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ultrasonic catheter assembly of claim 2 wherein the distal end of the catheter sheath is tapered.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasonic catheter assembly of claim 2, wherein the bristles are all of substantially equal length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasonic catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the catheter has a diameter between 3.5-6.2 French.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of determining the location of a lesion in a subject's tracheobronchial tree and obtaining sample tissue from the lesion in a single procedure comprising the steps of: introducing a catheter sheath containing an ultrasound transducer into the tracheobronchial tree; activating the ultrasound transducer to produce an ultrasound image; reviewing the ultrasound image to determine if a lesion exists; determining the position of the lesion; extending a biopsy tool for obtaining a tissue sample from within the sheath; and performing a biopsy while simultaneously imaging the lesion.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of determining the location of a lesion in a subject's tracheobronchial tree and obtaining sample tissue from the lesion in a single procedure comprising the steps of: introducing a catheter sheath containing an ultrasound transducer into the tracheobronchial tree; activating the ultrasound transducer to produce an ultrasound image; reviewing the ultrasound image to determine if a lesion exists; determining the position of the lesion; extending a biopsy tool for obtaining a tissue sample from within the sheath; and performing a biopsy while simultaneously imaging the lesion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of analyzing the ultrasound image to characterize the lesion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of performing a biopsy comprises the step of manipulating a brush attached to the end of the catheter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of introducing the catheter comprises passing the catheter through biopsy port of a fiberoptic bronchoscope.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of performing a biopsy comprises inserting a biopsy needle into the catheter sheath.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4722347A
Cited
US4671295A
Cited
US4742829A
Cited
US4763670A
Cited
US4850957A
Cited
US4951677A
Cited
US4886059A
Cited
US5090414A
Cited
US4946440A
Cited
US5190045A
Cited
US5203338A
Cited
US5201323A
Cited
US5325860A
Cited
US5345940A
Cited
US5331947A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-11 | 1999-06-12 | 1999-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-11 | 2003-06-12 | 2003-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-11 | 2007-06-12 | 2007-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |