US5938616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering mechanism and steering line for a catheter-mounted ultrasonic transducer
Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
•
Filing: 1997-10-28
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Granted: 1999-08-17
•
Expires: 2017-10-28
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic transducer includes an elongated catheter that carries a phased linear array of ultrasonic transducer elements at a distal end. This array is aligned with the azimuthal axis of the array oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter near the distal end. Two sets of steering lines are carried by the catheter and coupled to the catheter near the distal end. The first set of steering lines is effective to steer the distal end in a first plane, and the second set of steering lines is effective to steer the distal end in a second plane, transverse to the first plane.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Eaton
- 👤 David J. Rosa
- 👤 Vaughn Marian
- 👤 Jay Plugge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0147; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; A61B1/0052; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/4461; A61B8/4466; A61M25/0136; A61B18/00; A61B2018/0091; A61B2018/00916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
An ultrasonic transducer comprising: an elongated catheter adapted to be inserted into a blood vessel and comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion; a phased array of ultrasonic transducer elements carried by the catheter adjacent the distal end portion, said phased array firing asymmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the catheter adjacent the distal end portion; a first set of steering lines carried by the catheter and secured to the catheter near the distal end portion, said first set of steering lines effective to steer the distal end portion in a first plane; and a second set of steering lines carried by the catheter and secured to the catheter near the distal end portion, said second set of steering lines effective to steer the distal end in a second plane, different than the first plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
An ultrasonic transducer comprising: an elongated catheter adapted to be inserted into a blood vessel and comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion; a phased array of ultrasonic transducer elements carried by the catheter adjacent the distal end portion, said phased array firing asymmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the catheter adjacent the distal end portion; a first set of steering lines carried by the catheter and secured to the catheter near the distal end portion, said first set of steering lines effective to steer the distal end portion in a first plane; and a second set of steering lines carried by the catheter and secured to the catheter near the distal end portion, said second set of steering lines effective to steer the distal end in a second plane, different than the first plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said array comprises an azimuthal axis oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter adjacent the distal end portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the first plane is substantially transverse to the second plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the distal end portion is less than 8 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the distal end portion is less than 3.3 mm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the distal end portion is less than 2 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the array comprises a phased linear array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the array comprises a curved linear array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising: a housing defining a second longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to the proximal end portion of the catheter; an actuator mounted to the housing for rotation about the second longitudinal axis of the housing; a steering hub mounted for rotation in the housing and coupled to the actuator such that rotation of the actuator with respect to the housing about the second longitudinal axis causes rotation of the steering hub; said first set of steering lines secured adjacent the steering hub such that rotation of the steering hub alters effective length of the first set of steering lines to steer the distal end portion in the first plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
The invention of claim 9 further comprising: a second actuator mounted to the housing for rotation about the second longitudinal axis of the housing; a second steering hub mounted for rotation in the housing and coupled to the second actuator such that rotation of the second actuator with respect to the housing about the second longitudinal axis causes rotation of the second steering hub; said second set of steering lines secured adjacent the second steering hub such that rotation of the second steering hub alters effective length of the second set of steering lines to steer the distal end portion in the second plane.
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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) | 2002-08-16 | 2003-02-15 | 2003-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-16 | 2007-02-15 | 2007-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-16 | 2011-02-15 | 2011-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |