US6129672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Volumetric image ultrasound transducer underfluid catheter system
Assignee: Mayo Clinic in Florida
•
Filing: 1998-01-06
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Granted: 2000-10-10
•
Expires: 2018-01-06
Abstract
Abstract An underfluid ultrasound imaging catheter system includes a catheter having a distal end inserted into an underfluid structure, an ultrasonic transducer array mounted proximate the distal end of the catheter wherein the array has a row of individual transducer crystals, a lens mounted on the array for defocusing ultrasound beams in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the array so as to provide a volumetric field of view within which the underfluid features are imaged. Alternatively, the single row of transducer crystals is replaced by multiple rows of transducer crystals so as to provide a volumetric field of view. This imaging catheter system helps an operator see 3-dimensional images of an underfluid environment, such as the 3-dimensional images of fluid-filled cavities of heart, blood vessel, urinary bladder, etc. Features in such wide volumetric field of view can be imaged, measured, or intervened by an underfluid therapeutic device with an aid of the real-time image.
Inventors
- 👤 James Bernard Seward
- 👤 Abdul Jamil Tajik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B8/06; A61B8/44; A61B8/4483; A61B8/4488; A61B8/48; A61B8/483; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/04; A61B17/22004; A61B17/22012; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320758; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1477; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00778; A61B2017/00783; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00392; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B2090/3784; A61B2217/00; A61B2217/002; A61B2217/005; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0082; A61M2025/0096; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A catheter apparatus, comprising: an elongated body having a longitudinal axis; an ultrasonic transducer array having at least one row of ultrasonic transducer elements mounted on the body, each of the ultrasonic transducer elements of the array being operated together as a part of the array for transmitting ultrasonic signals to form a three-dimensional image; and an electrical conductor disposed in the body for electrically connecting the array to a control circuitry.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A catheter apparatus, comprising: an elongated body having a longitudinal axis; an ultrasonic transducer array having at least one row of ultrasonic transducer elements mounted on the body, each of the ultrasonic transducer elements of the array being operated together as a part of the array for transmitting ultrasonic signals to form a three-dimensional image; and an electrical conductor disposed in the body for electrically connecting the array to a control circuitry.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated body includes at least one internal channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the elongated body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one internal channel is a port for delivering a therapeutic device to the distal end of the elongated body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one internal channel is a guide wire port.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer array is an offset stereoscopic imaging ultrasound transducer array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer array includes a piezoelectric polymer material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer array includes a polyvinylidenedifloride (PVDF) material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is external of the elongated body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer array is a phased array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one row of ultrasonic transducer elements are longitudinally mounted on the body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lens mounted on the ultrasonic transducer array for defocusing ultrasound beams, at least some of the beams being directed laterally outward which are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body, providing a real time three-dimensional image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer array includes a plurality of rows of ultrasonic transducer elements, the ultrasonic transducer elements being phased in both an elevation direction of the array as well as an azimuthal direction of the array, providing a real time three-dimensional image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer array includes equal numbers of rows and columns of ultrasonic transducer elements, the ultrasonic transducer elements being phased in both an elevation direction of the array as well as an azimuthal direction of the array, providing a real time three-dimensional image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a therapeutic device delivered via the body for operation within a field of view of the imaging so as to allow visualization of therapeutic device during the operation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer array has a frequency of 5 to 30 MHz.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer array has a frequency of 7 to 15 MHz.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter body has a diameter of 4 to 24 French.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter body has a diameter of 6 to 12 French.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter body has a diameter of 7 to 8 French.
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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) | 2003-10-10 | 2004-04-10 | 2004-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-10 | 2008-04-10 | 2008-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-10 | 2012-04-10 | 2012-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |