Patent US6074349A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6074349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic imaging and doppler catheters and guidewires
Assignee: Boston Scientific Corp
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Filing: 1997-08-11
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Granted: 2000-06-13
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Expires: 2017-08-11
Abstract
Abstract The invention features an acoustic medical device for making Doppler measurements and imaging within a body fluid conduit using a single-transducer. The device has an elongated device body, defining a device axis, constructed for positioning a distal end of the device body near a region of interest in the body fluid conduit. Disposed within the device body is an ultrasonic beam directing assembly that is constructed to direct a portion of ultrasonic energy from a single transducer in a direction for imaging within the body fluid conduit and to direct another portion of the ultrasonic energy in a direction for making Doppler measurements within the body fluid conduit.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Crowley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:25
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/28; A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/06; A61B8/12; A61B8/13; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61B8/4461; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/06; G01N29/0654; G01N29/0672; G01N29/22; G01N29/221; G01N29/26; G01N29/265; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8934; G01S15/8938; G01S15/894; G01S15/8943; G01S15/8979; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/01; G01N2291/017; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02836; G01N2291/26; G01N2291/263; G01N2291/2636; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52023; G01S7/52036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A medical device for making Doppler measurements and imaging within a body fluid conduit using a single transducer, comprising: an elongated device body defining a device axis and constructed for positioning a distal end of said device body near a region of interest in said body fluid conduit, and disposed within said device body, an ultrasonic beam-directing assembly constructed to direct a first portion of a given beam of ultrasonic energy from said single transducer in a direction for imaging within said body fluid conduit and to direct a second portion of said given beam of said ultrasonic energy in a different direction for making Doppler measurements within said body fluid conduit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A medical device for making Doppler measurements and imaging within a body fluid conduit using a single transducer, comprising: an elongated device body defining a device axis and constructed for positioning a distal end of said device body near a region of interest in said body fluid conduit, and disposed within said device body, an ultrasonic beam-directing assembly constructed to direct a first portion of a given beam of ultrasonic energy from said single transducer in a direction for imaging within said body fluid conduit and to direct a second portion of said given beam of said ultrasonic energy in a different direction for making Doppler measurements within said body fluid conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first portion of said ultrasonic energy is directed in a direction generally transverse to said device axis for imaging within said body fluid conduit and said second portion of said ultrasonic energy is directed in a direction generally along said device axis for making Doppler measurements within said body fluid conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said ultrasonic beam-directing assembly includes an ultrasonic beam splitter to spatially separate ultrasonic energy from said transducer into said first portion for providing an image of a wall of a body lumen and said second portion for making Doppler measurements of the flow of fluid in said body fluid conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said beam splitter is a partially sonolucent polymeric material spaced from said transducer in the path of said ultrasonic energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said partially sonolucent polymeric material is located transversely with respect to said device axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said partially sonolucent polymeric material forms at least a portion of the wall of said device body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the wall of said device body is shaped to efficiently direct said second portion of energy for making Doppler measurements generally along the axis of said device body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said device body has a flared distal end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said wall of said device body comprises angled ridges formed in a manner so as to gradually redirect said second portion of said ultrasonic energy generally along said device axis for making Doppler measurements within said body fluid conduit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said second portion of ultrasonic energy for making Doppler measurements is directed at an exit angle of 15° or less with respect to the device axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the distal end of said device body is open.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the distal end of said device body is closed and comprises sonolucent material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 12 constructed for varying the transmissivity and reflectivity of said beam-directing assembly by varying the acoustic impedance of said ultrasonic beam splitter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 13 constructed for varying the impedance of said ultrasonic beam splitter by flowing fluids of varying impedance behind said ultrasonic beam splitter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 13 constructed for varying impedance of said ultrasonic beam splitter by varying the thickness of a partially sonolucent beam directing material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
76 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising an analysis circuit that includes a timing circuit and a switch such that the ultrasonic imaging signal from said first portion of ultrasonic energy for imaging can be differentiated from the ultrasonic Doppler signal from said second portion of ultrasonic energy for making Doppler measurements by time delay between said signals, and said ultrasonic imaging signal and said Doppler signal can be separately analyzed by imaging and Doppler electronics.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said beam directing assembly is an acoustically reflective ring disposed within said device body, a portion of said device body being formed from a sonolucent material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said transducer is mounted on a hinge constructed to permit said transducer to rotate between at least two angles.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 wherein at least two facets are mounted on said transducer constructed to permit said transducer to emit ultrasonic energy in two spatially separate directions simultaneously.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first portion of ultrasonic energy and said second portion of ultrasonic energy are substantially perpendicular with respect to each other.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the beam directing assembly is rotatable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said ultrasonic beam directing assembly is coupled to said transducer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 22 wherein said ultrasonic beam directing assembly and said transducer are both simultaneously rotatable.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for making Doppler measurements and imaging within a body fluid conduit, said method comprising the steps of: introducing a medical device into a patient's body fluid conduit, said medical device including an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic beam-directing assembly near the distal end of said device; positioning said distal end near a region of interest within said body fluid conduit; directing ultrasonic energy from said transducer to said beam-directing assembly for directing a first portion of said energy in a first direction for imaging within said body fluid conduit and for simultaneously directing a second portion of said energy in a second, different direction for making Doppler measurements within said body fluid conduit; and receiving the reflected energy back containing the image and flow information.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for making Doppler measurements and imaging within a body fluid conduit, said method comprising the steps of: introducing a medical device into a patient's body fluid conduit, said medical device including an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic beam-directing assembly near the distal end of said device; positioning said distal end near a region of interest within said body fluid conduit; directing ultrasonic energy from said transducer to said beam-directing assembly for directing a first portion of said energy in a first direction for imaging within said body fluid conduit and for simultaneously directing a second portion of said energy in a second, different direction for making Doppler measurements within said body fluid conduit; and receiving the reflected energy back containing the image and flow information.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as in claim 24 wherein the ultrasonic beamdirecting assembly is an ultrasonic beam splitter which spatially separates said ultrasonic energy from said transducer into a first portion for providing an image of a wall of said body fluid conduit and a second portion for making Doppler measurements of the flow of fluid in said body fluid conduit.
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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) | 2003-06-13 | 2003-12-13 | 2004-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-13 | 2007-12-13 | 2008-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-13 | 2011-12-13 | 2012-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |