US5509418A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasound diagnostic probe having acoustically driven turbin
Assignee: PHONE TEL COMMUNICATIONS Inc
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Filing: 1995-01-17
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Granted: 1996-04-23
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Expires: 2015-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of internal surface characteristics of a vascular vessel is provided. The catheter apparatus comprises an tubular element adapted for insertion into the vascular vessel, a non-rotating acoustic waveguide disposed within the tubular element and coupled to a source of an ultrasonic signal located external to the vascular vessel, and an acoustically driven turbine. The turbine is responsive to the ultrasonic signal for directing the ultrasonic signal in a rotating pattern from a distal end of the acoustic waveguide through the tubular element at an angle relative to an axis of the vascular vessel. The ultrasonic signal includes a low frequency ultrasonic signal and a high frequency ultrasonic signal. The low frequency ultrasonic signal drives the acoustically driven turbine to direct the high frequency ultrasonic signal in the rotating pattern. The acoustically driven turbine comprises a plurality of turbine blades, and either an acoustic reflecting surface or an acoustic refracting lens. At least one transducer disposed external to the vascular vessel provides the source of the high and the low frequency ultrasonic signals. The tubular element may further be provided with a lumen for carrying a guidewire.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Lum
- 👤 Michael Greenstein
- 👤 Edward Verdonk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61B8/4461
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of internal surface characteristics of a vascular vessel, comprising: a tubular element adapted for insertion into the vascular vessel; a non-rotating acoustic waveguide disposed within said tubular element and coupled to a source of an ultrasonic signal located external to the vascular vessel; and means responsive to said ultrasonic signal for directing said ultrasonic signal in a rotating pattern from a distal end of said acoustic waveguide through a distal end of said tubular element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of internal surface characteristics of a vascular vessel, comprising: a tubular element adapted for insertion into the vascular vessel; a non-rotating acoustic waveguide disposed within said tubular element and coupled to a source of an ultrasonic signal located external to the vascular vessel; and means responsive to said ultrasonic signal for directing said ultrasonic signal in a rotating pattern from a distal end of said acoustic waveguide through a distal end of said tubular element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein said directing means further comprises an acoustically driven turbine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter apparatus of claim 2, wherein said acoustically driven turbine comprises a plurality of turbine blades.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein said directing means further comprises an acoustic reflecting surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein said directing means further comprises an acoustic refracting layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein ultrasonic signal further comprises a low frequency ultrasonic signal and a high frequency ultrasonic signal, said low frequency ultrasonic signal cooperating with said directing means to direct said high frequency ultrasonic signal in said rotating pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein said source of said ultrasonic signal further comprises at least one transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The catheter apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lumen provided in an inner portion of said tubular element capable of carrying a flexible guidewire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The catheter apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a port disposed in said tubular element and coupled to said lumen, said port capable of carrying a monorail guidewire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
100 words
A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vascular vessel comprising: a tubular element adapted for insertion into the vascular vessel; a non-rotating acoustic waveguide disposed within said tubular element coupled to a source of a high frequency ultrasonic signal and a low frequency ultrasonic signal located external to the vascular vessel; and a turbine responsive to said low frequency ultrasonic signal and disposed at a distal end of said acoustic waveguide, wherein rotation of said turbine directs said high frequency ultrasonic signal in a rotating pattern from said distal end of said acoustic waveguide through said tubular element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vascular vessel comprising: a tubular element adapted for insertion into the vascular vessel; a non-rotating acoustic waveguide disposed within said tubular element coupled to a source of a high frequency ultrasonic signal and a low frequency ultrasonic signal located external to the vascular vessel; and a turbine responsive to said low frequency ultrasonic signal and disposed at a distal end of said acoustic waveguide, wherein rotation of said turbine directs said high frequency ultrasonic signal in a rotating pattern from said distal end of said acoustic waveguide through said tubular element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The catheter apparatus of claim 10, wherein said high frequency ultrasonic signal is directed through said tubular element at an angle relative to an axis of said vascular vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter apparatus of claim 10, wherein said turbine comprises a plurality of turbine blades.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter apparatus of claim 10, wherein said turbine further comprises an acoustic reflecting surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter apparatus of claim 10, wherein said turbine further comprises an acoustic refracting layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The catheter apparatus of claim 10, wherein said source of said high frequency and said low frequency ultrasonic signals further comprises at least one transducer.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for imaging an interior surface of a vascular vessel comprising the steps of: generating an ultrasonic signal using a transducer located external to the vascular vessel, said ultrasonic signal including a high frequency signal and a low frequency signal; directing the ultrasonic signal into the vascular vessel through a non-rotating waveguide disposed within a catheter inserted into the vascular vessel; driving a turbine by said low frequency signal to sweep the high frequency signal continuously in a predetermined pattern about the interior surface of the vascular vessel; receiving the high frequency signal after reflection from the interior surface of the vascular vessel; and producing an image from the reflected signal.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for imaging an interior surface of a vascular vessel comprising the steps of: generating an ultrasonic signal using a transducer located external to the vascular vessel, said ultrasonic signal including a high frequency signal and a low frequency signal; directing the ultrasonic signal into the vascular vessel through a non-rotating waveguide disposed within a catheter inserted into the vascular vessel; driving a turbine by said low frequency signal to sweep the high frequency signal continuously in a predetermined pattern about the interior surface of the vascular vessel; receiving the high frequency signal after reflection from the interior surface of the vascular vessel; and producing an image from the reflected signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as in claim 16, wherein the ultrasonic signal is directed through the non-rotating waveguide in a direction generally axial relative to the vascular vessel and is directed by said turbine in a transverse direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as in claim 17, wherein said turbine comprises a reflective surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as in claim 16, wherein the high frequency ultrasonic signal is directed at a forward angle from 10° to 90° relative to an axis of the vascular vessel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as in claim 19, wherein said turbine comprises a refractive layer.
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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) | 1999-04-23 | 1999-10-23 | 2000-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-23 | 2003-10-23 | 2004-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-23 | 2007-10-23 | 2008-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |