US5651047A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Maneuverable and locateable catheters
Assignee: AIRDRIE PARTNERS I LP
•
Filing: 1995-02-10
•
Granted: 1997-07-22
•
Expires: 2015-02-10
Abstract
Abstract An x-ray imaging system according to the present invention comprising a stepped scanning-beam x-ray source and a multi-detector array. The output of the multi-detector array is input to an image reconstruction engine which combines the outputs of the multiple detectors over selected steps of the x-ray beam to generate an x-ray image of the object. A collimating element, preferably in the form of a perforated grid containing an array of apertures, interposed between the x-ray source and an object to be x-rayed. A maneuverable positioner incorporating an x-ray sensitive marker allowing the determination of the precise position coordinates of the maneuverable positioner.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack W. Moorman
- 👤 John W. Wilent, deceased
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/48; A61B6/482; A61B6/06; A61B6/12; A61B6/40; A61B6/4021; A61B6/4028; A61B6/44; A61B6/4488; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0108; G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/2018; G01T1/20182; G01T1/20183; G01T1/20185; G01T1/202; G01T1/29; G01T1/2914; G01T1/2964; G01T1/2971; G21; G21K; G21K1/00; G21K1/02; G21K1/025; H; H05; H05G; H05G1/00; H05G1/08; H05G1/10; H05G1/64; A61B6/4035; A61B6/4042; A61B6/42; A61B6/4208; A61B6/4241; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; H01; H01J; H01J35/00; H01J35/02; H01J35/14; H01J35/147; H01J35/153; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S378/00; Y10S378/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An x-ray sensor for determining the position of an associated object in a field of view covered by an x-ray source external to the object comprising an x-ray marker, said x-ray marker comprising an x-ray to optical scintillator, said scintillator optically coupled to a single optical fiber at a first end of said single optical fiber, said x-ray marker and said single optical fiber disposed within a lumen of a catheter, said single optical fiber comprising a display device coupler attached to a second end of said single optical fiber for attaching said optical fiber to a display device, including circuitry for displaying the position of said x-ray marker in relation to another object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
An x-ray sensor for determining the position of an associated object in a field of view covered by an x-ray source external to the object comprising an x-ray marker, said x-ray marker comprising an x-ray to optical scintillator, said scintillator optically coupled to a single optical fiber at a first end of said single optical fiber, said x-ray marker and said single optical fiber disposed within a lumen of a catheter, said single optical fiber comprising a display device coupler attached to a second end of said single optical fiber for attaching said optical fiber to a display device, including circuitry for displaying the position of said x-ray marker in relation to another object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The x-ray sensor of claim 1 wherein said display device coupler comprises a photodetector, said photodetector capable of converting said optical signals to corresponding electrical signals, said photodetector comprising an output end, said output end is electrically coupleable to said display device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An x-ray sensor for determining the position of an associated object in a field of view covered by a scanning x-ray beam comprising: an x-ray marker optically coupled to an optical fiber; an x-ray shield, said x-ray shield partially shielding said x-ray marker and allowing x-ray radiation to reach said x-ray marker only from selected directions, said x-ray marker, said optical fiber, and said x-ray shield disposed within a catheter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
An x-ray sensor for determining the position of an associated object in a field of view covered by a scanning x-ray beam comprising: an x-ray marker optically coupled to an optical fiber; an x-ray shield, said x-ray shield partially shielding said x-ray marker and allowing x-ray radiation to reach said x-ray marker only from selected directions, said x-ray marker, said optical fiber, and said x-ray shield disposed within a catheter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The x-ray sensor of claim 3 wherein said x-ray shield is in the shape of a cross.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The x-ray sensor of claim 3 wherein said x-ray shield selectively shields said x-ray marker from said x-ray radiation on three sides.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated body formed from a pliant material, said elongated body having a distal end, a proximate end and at least one lumen axially disposed therein; an optical fiber disposed in said at least one lumen, said optical fiber having a distal end disposed at a selected location with respect to said distal end of said elongated body and having a proximate end associated with said proximate end of said elongated body; an x-ray marker affixed to said distal end of said optical fiber; an x-ray shield, said x-ray marker located in close proximity to said x-ray shield such that said x-ray shield selectively prevents x-ray radiation from exciting said x-ray marker from selected directions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated body formed from a pliant material, said elongated body having a distal end, a proximate end and at least one lumen axially disposed therein; an optical fiber disposed in said at least one lumen, said optical fiber having a distal end disposed at a selected location with respect to said distal end of said elongated body and having a proximate end associated with said proximate end of said elongated body; an x-ray marker affixed to said distal end of said optical fiber; an x-ray shield, said x-ray marker located in close proximity to said x-ray shield such that said x-ray shield selectively prevents x-ray radiation from exciting said x-ray marker from selected directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The catheter of claim 6 wherein said selected directions are defined by a conic section having an apex at said x-ray marker and having an axis perpendicular to said elongated body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
144 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated body formed from a pliant material having a distal end, a proximate end and a plurality of lumens axially disposed therein; a plurality of x-ray markers, each of said x-ray markers disposed in one of said lumens at selected positions along said elongated body; a plurality of optical fibers, each of said optical fibers disposed in one of said lumens and having a distal end optically coupled to a different one of said x-ray markers and a proximate end associated with said proximate end of said elongated body; an x-ray shield having planar portions associated with each of said x-ray markers, each of said planar portions arranged in close proximity to said x-ray marker with which it is associated such that said planar portions selectively allow x-ray radiation to reach each of said x-ray markers only from selected directions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
144 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated body formed from a pliant material having a distal end, a proximate end and a plurality of lumens axially disposed therein; a plurality of x-ray markers, each of said x-ray markers disposed in one of said lumens at selected positions along said elongated body; a plurality of optical fibers, each of said optical fibers disposed in one of said lumens and having a distal end optically coupled to a different one of said x-ray markers and a proximate end associated with said proximate end of said elongated body; an x-ray shield having planar portions associated with each of said x-ray markers, each of said planar portions arranged in close proximity to said x-ray marker with which it is associated such that said planar portions selectively allow x-ray radiation to reach each of said x-ray markers only from selected directions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The catheter of claim 8 wherein two adjacent planar portions define an x-ray shielded corner, each of said x-ray markers disposed in one of said x-ray shielded corners.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The catheter of claim 8 wherein said x-ray shield has the general shape of an elongated cross, said elongated cross having an axis, said axis parallel to said elongated body, each of said planar portions extending from said axis at a right angle to its adjacent planar section, each of said x-ray markers disposed between adjacent planar portions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
155 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated body formed from a pliant material, said elongated body having a distal end, a proximate end and a plurality of lumens axially disposed therein; a plurality of x-ray markers, each of said x-ray markers disposed in one of said lumens at selected positions along said elongated body; a plurality of optical fibers, each of said plurality of optical fiber disposed in one of said lumens and having a distal end optically coupled to a different one of said x-ray markers and a proximate end associated with said proximate end of said elongated body; at least one conductive electrode disposed on an outer surface of said elongated body near said distal end thereof; and a conductor electrically connected to said at least one electrode, said conductor running through said at least one lumen of said elongated body and accessible at said proximate end of said elongated body for electrical connection thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
155 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated body formed from a pliant material, said elongated body having a distal end, a proximate end and a plurality of lumens axially disposed therein; a plurality of x-ray markers, each of said x-ray markers disposed in one of said lumens at selected positions along said elongated body; a plurality of optical fibers, each of said plurality of optical fiber disposed in one of said lumens and having a distal end optically coupled to a different one of said x-ray markers and a proximate end associated with said proximate end of said elongated body; at least one conductive electrode disposed on an outer surface of said elongated body near said distal end thereof; and a conductor electrically connected to said at least one electrode, said conductor running through said at least one lumen of said elongated body and accessible at said proximate end of said elongated body for electrical connection thereto.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
116 words
An x-ray sensing catheter comprising: an elongated body formed from a pliant material, said elongated body having a distal end, a proximate end and at least one lumen axially disposed therein; a single optical fiber disposed in said at least one lumen, said optical fiber having a distal end disposed at a selected location with respect to said distal end of said elongated body and having a proximate end associated with said proximate end of said elongated body; an x-ray marker affixed to said distal end of said optical fiber; and x-ray shielding partially arranged around said x-ray marker, said x-ray shielding selectively allowing projected x-ray radiation to reach said x-ray marker only from selected directions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
116 words
An x-ray sensing catheter comprising: an elongated body formed from a pliant material, said elongated body having a distal end, a proximate end and at least one lumen axially disposed therein; a single optical fiber disposed in said at least one lumen, said optical fiber having a distal end disposed at a selected location with respect to said distal end of said elongated body and having a proximate end associated with said proximate end of said elongated body; an x-ray marker affixed to said distal end of said optical fiber; and x-ray shielding partially arranged around said x-ray marker, said x-ray shielding selectively allowing projected x-ray radiation to reach said x-ray marker only from selected directions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
67 words
The x-ray sensing catheter according to claim 12 further comprising: at least one conductive electrode disposed on an outer surface of said elongated body near said distal end thereof; and a conductor electrically connected to said at least one electrode, said conductor running through said at least one lumen of said elongated body and accessible at said proximate end of said elongated body for electrical connection thereto.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
191 words
An x-ray sensor comprising: an x-ray marker, said x-ray marker comprising an x-ray to optical signal scintillator, said x-ray marker generating optical signals in response to x-ray radiation; a single optical fiber having a distal end and a proximate end, said distal end of said optical fiber affixed to said x-ray marker; a catheter comprising an elongated body formed from a pliant material, said x-ray marker and said optical fiber residing in a lumen of said catheter, said lumen extending axially through said elongated body, said elongated body having a distal end and a proximate end; said distal end of said optical fiber disposed at a selected location with respect to said distal end of said elongated body; said proximate end of said optical fiber associated with said proximate end of said elongated body; at least one conductive electrode disposed on an outer surface of said elongated body near said distal end thereof; and a conductor electrically connected to said at least one electrode, said conductor running through said at least one lumen of said elongated body and accessible at said proximate end of said elongated body for electrical connection thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
191 words
An x-ray sensor comprising: an x-ray marker, said x-ray marker comprising an x-ray to optical signal scintillator, said x-ray marker generating optical signals in response to x-ray radiation; a single optical fiber having a distal end and a proximate end, said distal end of said optical fiber affixed to said x-ray marker; a catheter comprising an elongated body formed from a pliant material, said x-ray marker and said optical fiber residing in a lumen of said catheter, said lumen extending axially through said elongated body, said elongated body having a distal end and a proximate end; said distal end of said optical fiber disposed at a selected location with respect to said distal end of said elongated body; said proximate end of said optical fiber associated with said proximate end of said elongated body; at least one conductive electrode disposed on an outer surface of said elongated body near said distal end thereof; and a conductor electrically connected to said at least one electrode, said conductor running through said at least one lumen of said elongated body and accessible at said proximate end of said elongated body for electrical connection thereto.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
The x-ray sensor of claim 14 further comprising: a photodetector comprising an input end and an output end, said input end is optically coupled to said proximate end of said optical fiber, said output end is electrically coupleable to a display device, wherein said display device comprises circuitry for displaying the position of said x-ray marker in relation to another object.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The x-ray sensor of claim 14 wherein said x-ray to optical signal scintillator comprises a crystalline material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The x-ray sensor of claim 16 wherein said x-ray to optical signal scintillator has a fast response and minimum afterglow time.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The x-ray sensor of claim 14 wherein said x-ray to optical signal scintillator comprises a phosphor material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The x-ray sensor of claim 14 further comprising at least a second x-ray marker and at least a second optical fiber, said second x-ray marker associated with said second optical fiber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2638554A
Cited
US2730566A
Cited
US2667585A
Cited
US2825817A
Cited
US2837657A
Cited
US3114832A
Cited
US3106640A
Cited
US3499146A
Cited
US3778614A
Cited
US3944833A
Cited
US3617740A
Cited
US3979594A
Cited
US3605750A
Cited
US3593243A
Cited
US3611032A
Cited
US3591806A
Cited
US3742236A
Cited
US3873834A
Cited
US3780291A
Cited
US3684991A
Cited
US3746872A
Cited
US3818220A
Cited
US3830128A
Cited
US3809886A
Cited
US3890521A
Cited
US4048496A
Cited
US3925660A
Cited
US3983397A
Cited
US3855471A
Cited
US4104526A
Cited
US3924129A
Cited
US3973128A
Cited
US3946234A
Cited
US4005311A
Cited
US4052619A
Cited
US3922552A
Cited
US4066902A
Cited
US4017730A
Cited
US3936639A
Cited
US3919556A
Cited
US4032787A
Cited
US4057745A
Cited
US3949229A
Cited
US4029948A
Cited
US4002917A
Cited
US4010370A
Cited
US4031395A
Cited
US3992631A
Cited
US4078177A
Cited
US4007375A
Cited
US4086492A
Cited
US4144457A
Cited
US4149076A
Cited
US4188640A
Cited
US4216526A
Cited
US4196351A
Cited
US4321473A
Cited
US4323779A
Cited
US4234794A
Cited
US4167672A
Cited
US4260885A
Cited
US4263916A
Cited
US4322808A
Cited
US4204226A
Cited
US4259583A
Cited
US4288697A
Cited
US4465540A
Cited
US4259582A
Cited
US4383327A
Cited
US4630296A
Cited
US4519092A
Cited
US4598369A
Cited
US4646338A
Cited
US4595014A
Cited
US4573183A
Cited
US4577637A
Cited
US5022066A
Cited
US4853540A
Cited
US4694480A
Cited
US4730350A
Cited
US4873708A
Cited
US4967121A
Cited
US4974929A
Cited
US4796937A
Cited
US5029338A
Cited
US4903204A
Cited
US4945894A
Cited
US5319749A
Cited
US5140162A
Cited
US5171232B1
Cited
US5171232A
Cited
US5259012A
Cited
US5153438A
Cited
US5187369A
Cited
US5331961A
Cited
US5185773A
Cited
US5276604A
Cited
US5132539A
Cited
US5304898A
Cited
US5231655A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-21 | 2001-01-20 | 2001-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-21 | 2005-01-20 | 2005-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-21 | 2009-01-20 | 2009-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |