US5724975A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic detection system for transmyocardial revascularization
Assignee: PLC Medical System Inc
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Filing: 1996-12-12
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Granted: 1998-03-10
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Expires: 2016-12-12
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic detection system for transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) is disclosed using a detector in the TMR handpiece for detecting concealed coronary blood vessels as well as verifying completion of transmural TMR channels by displaying the detector's output on a video monitor or analyzing the detector output electronically to identify those conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Christopher Negus
- 👤 Eileen A. Woodruff
- 👤 Robert I. Rudko
- 👤 Stephen J. Linhares
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/02; A61B8/12; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00247; A61B18/00; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00392; A61B8/44; A61B8/4405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An ultrasonic detection system for detecting a concealed coronary blood vessel in transmyocardial revascularization, comprising: laser means for creating a laser beam; laser handpiece means, responsive to said laser means, for contacting the wall of a heart and creating a channel therein with said laser beam; an ultrasonic detector in said handpiece means; and indicator means, responsive to said ultrasonic detector, for indicating the presence of a coronary vessel concealed in the heart wall so that it can be avoided by the laser beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
An ultrasonic detection system for detecting a concealed coronary blood vessel in transmyocardial revascularization, comprising: laser means for creating a laser beam; laser handpiece means, responsive to said laser means, for contacting the wall of a heart and creating a channel therein with said laser beam; an ultrasonic detector in said handpiece means; and indicator means, responsive to said ultrasonic detector, for indicating the presence of a coronary vessel concealed in the heart wall so that it can be avoided by the laser beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 1 in which said detector is mounted in the distal end of said handpiece means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 1 in which said indicator means includes a visual display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 3 in which said visual display includes a video monitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 1 in which said indicator means includes a signal processing circuit, responsive to said detector, for identifying the presence of a concealed coronary blood vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 5 in which said signal processing circuit includes a thresholding circuit to determine whether the output from said detector exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 5 in which said signal processing circuit includes comparator means for comparing the periodicity of the detector output with that of the patient's heartbeat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 7 in which said comparator means includes an EKG device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 1 in which said indicator means includes an audio device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
An ultrasonic detection system for detecting verification of a transmural laser cut transmyocardial revascularization channel, comprising: laser means for creating a laser beam; handpiece means responsive to said laser means, for contacting the wall of a heart to cut a transmyocardial revascularization channel therein with the laser beam; an ultrasonic detector in said handpiece means; and indicator means, responsive to said ultrasonic detector, for detecting the presence of a completed transmural channel created by the laser beam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
An ultrasonic detection system for detecting verification of a transmural laser cut transmyocardial revascularization channel, comprising: laser means for creating a laser beam; handpiece means responsive to said laser means, for contacting the wall of a heart to cut a transmyocardial revascularization channel therein with the laser beam; an ultrasonic detector in said handpiece means; and indicator means, responsive to said ultrasonic detector, for detecting the presence of a completed transmural channel created by the laser beam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 10 in which said detector is mounted in the distal end of said handpiece means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 10 in which said indicator means includes visual display.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 12 in which said visual display includes a video monitor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 10 in which said indicator means includes a signal processing circuit, responsive to said detector, for identifying the presence of steam bubbles in the blood volume of the heart after completion of a transmural channel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 14 in which said signal processing circuit includes a thresholding circuit to determine whether the output from said detector exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 14 in which said signal processing circuit includes a comparator circuit for comparing the time of the output of the detector with that of the laser firing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasonic detection system of claim 10 in which said indicator means includes an audio device.
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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) | 2001-03-09 | 2001-09-08 | 2002-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-09 | 2005-09-08 | 2006-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-09 | 2009-09-08 | 2010-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |