US6149599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for manufacturing an end portion surrounding a catheter-mounted phased-array ultrasound transducer
Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
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Filing: 1998-12-07
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Granted: 2000-11-21
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Expires: 2018-12-07
Abstract
Abstract The preferred embodiments include a method for manufacturing an end portion surrounding a catheter-mounted phased-array ultrasound transducer. The material used for the end portion can be altered to give the end portion focusing, defocusing, or non-focusing characteristics. In one preferred embodiment, a thermoplastic material is injection molded or insert molded around a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried at a distal end of a catheter. In another preferred embodiment, a thermoset material is used to form the end portion using a casting or transfer molding technique. In yet another preferred embodiment, the phased-array ultrasound transducer is placed into a pre-formed end portion. The pre-formed end portion can be adhesively-attached to the phased-array transducer and catheter. If the pre-formed end portion is made from a thermoplastic material, the end portion can be thermally melted to attach the end portion to the phased-array transducer and catheter.
Inventors
- 👤 Randall L. Schlesinger
- 👤 Michael G. Curley
- 👤 John W. Eaton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; A61B1/0052; A61B8/44; A61B8/4483; A61B8/4488; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0136; A61B18/00; A61B2018/0091; A61B2018/00916; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for manufacturing an end portion surrounding a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter, the method comprising: (a) positioning a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter into a cavity of a mold; (b) introducing a polymer in a fluid form into the cavity, the polymer forming an end portion surrounding the phased-array ultrasound transducer when reaching in a hardened state; and (c) removing the phased-array ultrasound transducer from the cavity after the polymer reaches said hardened state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for manufacturing an end portion surrounding a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter, the method comprising: (a) positioning a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter into a cavity of a mold; (b) introducing a polymer in a fluid form into the cavity, the polymer forming an end portion surrounding the phased-array ultrasound transducer when reaching in a hardened state; and (c) removing the phased-array ultrasound transducer from the cavity after the polymer reaches said hardened state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises injecting a molten thermoplastic material into the cavity, and wherein (c) comprises removing the phased-array ultrasound transducer from the cavity after the molten thermoplastic material solidifies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises Pebax.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2, wherein (a) comprises positioning a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter into a cavity of a mold comprising at least one insert.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising retracting said at least one insert when the molten thermoplastic material begins to solidify.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said retracting creates at least one void, and wherein the method further comprises filling the at least one void with an advancing material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said at least one insert creates at least one void in the end portion, and wherein the method further comprises filling the at least one void after the end portion is removed from the cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said at least one insert creates at least one void in the end portion, and wherein the method further comprises melting a section of the end portion near the at least one void after the end portion is removed from the cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises introducing a thermoset material in a fluid form into the cavity, the polymer forming an end portion surrounding the phased-array ultrasound transducer when the thermoset material cures into a solidified state, and wherein (c) comprises removing the phased-array ultrasound transducer from the cavity after the thermoset material cures into a solidified state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the thermoset material comprises urethane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the thermoset material comprises a liquid resin mixed with a hardener.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising heating a dry resin/hardener pellet to form a thermoset material in a fluid form.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises positioning a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter into a cavity of a cylindrical mold characterized by a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than about 8 mm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises positioning a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter into a cavity of a cylindrical mold characterized by a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than about 3.3 mm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises positioning a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter into a cavity of a cylindrical mold characterized by a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than about 2 mm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises introducing a polymer in a fluid form into the cavity, the polymer forming an end portion surrounding the phased-array ultrasound transducer when reaching in a hardened state, the end portion being substantially non-focusing to ultrasound waves.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises introducing a polymer in a fluid form into the cavity, the polymer forming an end portion surrounding the phased-array ultrasound transducer when reaching in a hardened state, the end portion operative to conduct ultrasound waves to and from an active surface of the phased-array ultrasound transducer with a speed of 1570 m/sec + or -20%.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises introducing a polymer in a fluid form into the cavity, the polymer forming an end portion surrounding the phased-array ultrasound transducer when reaching in a hardened state, the end portion operative to conduct ultrasound waves to and from an active surface of the phased-array ultrasound transducer with a speed of 1570 m/sec + or -10%.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises introducing a polymer in a fluid form into the cavity, the polymer forming an end portion surrounding the phased-array ultrasound transducer when reaching in a hardened state, the end portion operative to conduct ultrasound waves to and from an active surface of the phased-array ultrasound transducer with a speed of 1570 m/sec + or -5%.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises introducing a polymer in a fluid form into the cavity, the polymer forming an end portion surrounding the phased-array ultrasound transducer when reaching in a hardened state, the end portion operative to conduct ultrasound waves to and from an active surface of the phased-array ultrasound transducer with a speed of about 1570 m/sec.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for manufacturing an end portion surrounding a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter, the method comprising: (a) pre-forming an end portion defining a longitudinally-extending cavity shaped to receive a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter; and (b) inserting the phased-array ultrasound transducer into the longitudinally-extending cavity of the end portion.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for manufacturing an end portion surrounding a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter, the method comprising: (a) pre-forming an end portion defining a longitudinally-extending cavity shaped to receive a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter; and (b) inserting the phased-array ultrasound transducer into the longitudinally-extending cavity of the end portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 21, further comprising applying an adhesive to the end portion before inserting the phased-array ultrasound transducer into the longitudinally-extending cavity of the end portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 21, wherein (a) comprises pre-forming, with a thermoplastic material, an end portion defining a longitudinally-extending cavity shaped to receive a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises Pebax.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising heating the end portion to thermally bond the end portion to the phased-array ultrasound transducer and catheter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 21, wherein (a) comprises pre-forming, with a thermoset material, an end portion defining a longitudinally-extending cavity shaped to receive a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the thermoset material comprises urethane.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 21, wherein (a) comprises pre-forming an end portion defining a longitudinally-extending cavity shaped to receive a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter and having a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than about 8 mm.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 21, wherein (a) comprises pre-forming an end portion defining a longitudinally-extending cavity shaped to receive a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter and having a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than about 3.3 mm.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 21, wherein (a) comprises pre-forming an end portion defining a longitudinally-extending cavity shaped to receive a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter and having a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than about 2 mm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 21, wherein (a) comprises pre-forming an end portion defining a longitudinally-extending cavity shaped to receive a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter and being substantially non-focusing to ultrasound waves.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 21, wherein (a) comprises pre-forming an end portion defining a longitudinally-extending cavity shaped to receive a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter and operative to conduct ultrasound waves to and from an active surface of the phased-array ultrasound transducer with a speed of 1570 m/sec + or -20%.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 21, wherein (a) comprises pre-forming an end portion defining a longitudinally-extending cavity shaped to receive a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter and operative to conduct ultrasound waves to and from an active surface of the phased-array ultrasound transducer with a speed of 1570 m/sec + or -10%.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 21, wherein (a) comprises pre-forming an end portion defining a longitudinally-extending cavity shaped to receive a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter and operative to conduct ultrasound waves to and from an active surface of the phased-array ultrasound transducer with a speed of 1570 m/sec + or -5%.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 21, wherein (a) comprises pre-forming an end portion defining a longitudinally-extending cavity shaped to receive a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried on a distal end of a catheter and operative to conduct ultrasound waves to and from an active surface of the phased-array ultrasound transducer with a speed of about 1570 m/sec.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-05-22 | 2004-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | 2008-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-21 | 2012-05-22 | 2012-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |