US6423002B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intra-operative diagnostic ultrasound multiple-array transducer probe and optional surgical tool
Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
•
Filing: 1999-06-24
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Granted: 2002-07-23
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Expires: 2019-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A system, method and probe for diagnostic ultrasound imaging with at least two, and preferably three transducer arrays. The first transducer array provides a primary image. The second transducer array comprises an array of transducer elements positioned near one end of the first transducer array for providing an image in a different plane. An optional third transducer array comprises an array of transducer elements positioned near the other end of the first transducer array for providing an additional image in a different plane. One application of the invention is to collect tissue for medical procedures, wherein at least one surgical tool is attached to the probe near the imaging arrays and moves together with at least one imaging array. As the primary imaging array is drawn across tissue for collection, the operator observes a cross-section of the tissue prior to actually cutting the tissue. Another application of the invention allows an operator to selectively display pseudo 3-D images or 3-D images, using the same probe. Another application of the invention allows an operator to determine the 3-D position of a foreign object in body tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Hossack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0833; A61B8/0841; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4483; A61B8/4488; A61B8/48; A61B8/483; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8909; G01S15/8929; G01S15/8993; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B2017/320052; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B5/00; A61B5/48; A61B5/4887; A61B5/489; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 75
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An ultrasound imaging probe, comprising: a support element; a first imaging transducer array disposed on the support element; a second imaging transducer array disposed on the support element, wherein the first and second imaging transducer array image planes are non-parallel as a function of non-parallel positions of the first imaging transducer array relative to the second imaging transducer array; and a therapeutic tool attached adjacent to an imaging transducer array such that the therapeutic tool is substantially within a plane defined by one of the first and second imaging transducer arrays and respective first and second imaging transducer array image planes, wherein the therapeutic tool moves together with the first and second imaging transducer arrays.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An ultrasound imaging probe, comprising: a support element; a first imaging transducer array disposed on the support element; a second imaging transducer array disposed on the support element, wherein the first and second imaging transducer array image planes are non-parallel as a function of non-parallel positions of the first imaging transducer array relative to the second imaging transducer array; and a therapeutic tool attached adjacent to an imaging transducer array such that the therapeutic tool is substantially within a plane defined by one of the first and second imaging transducer arrays and respective first and second imaging transducer array image planes, wherein the therapeutic tool moves together with the first and second imaging transducer arrays.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasound imaging probe of claim 1 , wherein the second imaging transducer array is spaced from the first imaging transducer array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ultrasound imaging probe of claim 1 , wherein the second imaging transducer array is substantially orthogonal to the first imaging transducer array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasound imaging probe of claim 1 , further comprising a display guide representative of the current position of the therapeutic tool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ultrasound imaging probe of claim 1 , further comprising a third imaging transducer array disposed on the support element, wherein the first and third imaging transducer array image planes are non-parallel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasound imaging probe of claim 5 , wherein the third imaging transducer array is spaced from the first imaging transducer array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ultrasound imaging probe of claim 5 , wherein the third imaging transducer array is substantially orthogonal to the first imaging transducer array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ultrasound imaging probe of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic tool is a tissue-cutting or tissue-burning tool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasound imaging probe of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic tool is an electrocautery device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ultrasound imaging probe of claim 1 , further comprising a control wire connected with the therapeutic tool wherein the therapeutic tool is retractable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The ultrasound imaging probe of claim 10 , further comprising a finger hoop connected with the control wire wherein the therapeutic tool is retractable under the guidance of a user's fingers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasound imaging probe of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic tool is a surgical blade.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasound imaging probe of claim 1 , wherein the support element is semi-rigid and user-reformable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
An ultrasound imaging display method comprising generating a format comprising: display of a first image associated with a first image plane; display of a second image associated with a second image plane, wherein the first image plane and the second image plane are non-parallel and displayed simultaneously; and wherein at least one of the first or second images is distorted, producing a pseudo 3-D image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
An ultrasound imaging display method comprising generating a format comprising: display of a first image associated with a first image plane; display of a second image associated with a second image plane, wherein the first image plane and the second image plane are non-parallel and displayed simultaneously; and wherein at least one of the first or second images is distorted, producing a pseudo 3-D image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 14 , further comprising an icon, symbol, alphanumeric character, or graphical display representing a therapeutic tool.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 15 further comprising a display guide representative of the current position or deployment of the therapeutic tool.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 14 , wherein the second image is distorted by a geometric transformation from an originally rectangular image into a trapezoidal image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 14 , wherein the first image plane is spaced from the second image plane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 14 , wherein the first image plane is substantially orthogonal to the second image plane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 14 further comprising display of a third image in a third plane, spaced from the first image plane.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 20 , wherein the third image plane and the first image plane are non-parallel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 20 , wherein the third image plane is substantially orthogonal to the first image plane.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 22 , wherein the second and third image planes are substantially parallel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 23 , wherein both the second and third images are distorted to produce a pseudo 3-D image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 24 , further including an icon, symbol, alphanumeric character, or graphical display representing a therapeutic tool.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 25 , wherein the therapeutic tool representation includes an indication of the position and/or state of operation of the tool.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 23 , wherein the second and third images are distorted such that the second and third secondary imaging array data plane image lines are made to appear gradually shorter and hence further away.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 14 , wherein the first and second image planes are angled in a symmetrical chevron and the first image is distorted substantially the same as the second image.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
The ultrasound imaging display format of claim 14 , wherein the second image is distorted such that the secondary imaging array data plane image lines are made to appear gradually shorter and hence further away.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
117 words
A medical ultrasound imaging system comprising: an imaging probe including a support element; a first imaging transducer array disposed on the support element; a second imaging transducer array disposed on the support element, wherein the first imaging transducer array and the second imaging transducer array are non-parallel; a therapeutic tool attached to the support element, substantially adjacent to at least one of the imaging transducer arrays; a display for showing a displayed image resulting from imaging with the first and second imaging transducer arrays, wherein the imaging transducer arrays are maintained in a fixed relationship with respect to the moving therapeutic tool; and a display guide representative of the current position or deployment of the therapeutic tool.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
117 words
A medical ultrasound imaging system comprising: an imaging probe including a support element; a first imaging transducer array disposed on the support element; a second imaging transducer array disposed on the support element, wherein the first imaging transducer array and the second imaging transducer array are non-parallel; a therapeutic tool attached to the support element, substantially adjacent to at least one of the imaging transducer arrays; a display for showing a displayed image resulting from imaging with the first and second imaging transducer arrays, wherein the imaging transducer arrays are maintained in a fixed relationship with respect to the moving therapeutic tool; and a display guide representative of the current position or deployment of the therapeutic tool.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , wherein part of the displayed image comprises a geometric transformation of a 2-D image data set corresponding to the first imaging transducer array.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , wherein the part of the displayed image comprises a trapezoidal image.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , wherein the second imaging transducer array is spaced from the first imaging transducer array.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , wherein the second imaging transducer array is substantially orthogonal to the first imaging transducer array.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , further comprising a third imaging transducer array disposed on the support element, wherein the first imaging transducer array and the third imaging transducer array are non-parallel.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 35 , wherein the third imaging transducer array is spaced from the first imaging transducer array.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 35 , wherein the third imaging transducer array is substantially orthogonal to the first imaging transducer array.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , wherein the therapeutic tool is a tissue-cutting or tissue-burning tool.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , wherein the therapeutic tool is an electrocautery device.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , wherein the therapeutic tool is retractable.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 40 , wherein the therapeutic tool is retractable under the guidance of a user's fingers.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , wherein the therapeutic tool is a surgical blade.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , wherein the support element is semi-rigid and user-reformable.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , wherein the medical ultrasound imaging system is used in combination with an intra-vascular ultrasound catheter.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
43 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , further comprising an ultrasound imaging probe, with a unique identification number assigned to the ultrasound imaging probe, readable by software to determine the number of times that the ultrasound imaging probe has been used.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , further comprising an ultrasound imaging probe using a plano-concave type array.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , further comprising an ultrasound imaging probe using a 1.5-D or 2-D type array.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
24 words
The medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 30 , further comprising permanent aperture limits incorporated at the array boundaries to eliminate array cross-talk interference.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for isolating a tissue structure, comprising the steps of: observing the tissue structure with a plurality of imaging transducer arrays where at least two of the imaging transducer arrays are spaced apart; moving a therapeutic tool together with the plurality of imaging transducer arrays; and activating the therapeutic tool under guidance of the plurality of imaging transducer arrays.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for isolating a tissue structure, comprising the steps of: observing the tissue structure with a plurality of imaging transducer arrays where at least two of the imaging transducer arrays are spaced apart; moving a therapeutic tool together with the plurality of imaging transducer arrays; and activating the therapeutic tool under guidance of the plurality of imaging transducer arrays.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 50 , wherein the step of observing the tissue structure further comprises observing the tissue structure with a plurality of substantially orthogonal imaging transducer arrays.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 49 , wherein the step for moving a therapeutic tool further comprises moving a therapeutic tool under the guidance of a plurality of substantially orthogonal imaging transducer arrays.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 49 , wherein the step of activating the therapeutic tool further comprises activating the therapeutic tool under the guidance of a plurality of substantially orthogonal imaging transducer arrays.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 49 , wherein the therapeutic tool is a tissue-cutting or tissue-burning tool.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 49 , wherein the tissue structure is a blood vessel.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 49 , wherein the plurality of imaging transducer arrays is used in combination with an intra-vascular ultrasound catheter.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for an intra-operative procedure, comprising the steps of: surgically forming a cavity; inserting into the cavity a probe containing a plurality of imaging transducer arrays, and a retracted tissue cutting tool fixedly mounted with the probe adjacent the imaging transducer arrays; observing tissue with the plurality of imaging transducer arrays; moving the probe under guidance of the plurality of transducer arrays; extending the tissue cutting tool from the probe; and retracting the tissue cutting tool from the extended position.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for an intra-operative procedure, comprising the steps of: surgically forming a cavity; inserting into the cavity a probe containing a plurality of imaging transducer arrays, and a retracted tissue cutting tool fixedly mounted with the probe adjacent the imaging transducer arrays; observing tissue with the plurality of imaging transducer arrays; moving the probe under guidance of the plurality of transducer arrays; extending the tissue cutting tool from the probe; and retracting the tissue cutting tool from the extended position.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for switching between pseudo 3-D imaging of body tissue and 3-D imaging of body tissue with an multiple array imaging probe, comprising the steps of: positioning a multiple array imaging probe near a body tissue; selecting pseudo 3-D imaging of body tissue or 3-D imaging of the body tissue based on a voice command, foot pedal, keyboard, graphical user interface or an equivalent interface with an operator; and displaying pseudo 3-D images or 3-D images of the body tissue based on the selection of the operator.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for switching between pseudo 3-D imaging of body tissue and 3-D imaging of body tissue with an multiple array imaging probe, comprising the steps of: positioning a multiple array imaging probe near a body tissue; selecting pseudo 3-D imaging of body tissue or 3-D imaging of the body tissue based on a voice command, foot pedal, keyboard, graphical user interface or an equivalent interface with an operator; and displaying pseudo 3-D images or 3-D images of the body tissue based on the selection of the operator.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
91 words
A medical ultrasound imaging system, comprising: a multiple array imaging probe, including a principal array used for imaging, and a secondary array which can selectively function as an imaging array to provide imaging data for pseudo 3-D imaging, or function as a tracking array to provide motion estimation data regarding the principal array for 3-D imaging; selection means for an operator to select pseudo 3-D imaging or 3-D imaging; and a display to display pseudo 3-D images or 3-D images from data obtained from the principal array and the secondary array.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
91 words
A medical ultrasound imaging system, comprising: a multiple array imaging probe, including a principal array used for imaging, and a secondary array which can selectively function as an imaging array to provide imaging data for pseudo 3-D imaging, or function as a tracking array to provide motion estimation data regarding the principal array for 3-D imaging; selection means for an operator to select pseudo 3-D imaging or 3-D imaging; and a display to display pseudo 3-D images or 3-D images from data obtained from the principal array and the secondary array.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 58 wherein the multiple array imaging probe includes a third transducer array which can selectively function as an imaging array for pseudo 3-D imaging, or function as a tracking array to provide motion estimation data regarding the principal array.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for determining the position of a foreign object in body tissue, comprising the steps of: imaging the body tissue with an ultrasound imaging probe having a first transducer array and a second transducer array; obtaining motion estimates regarding the first transducer array from the second transducer array of the ultrasound imaging probe to construct 3-D images of the body tissue and the foreign object; and displaying 3-D images or other information concerning the body tissue and foreign object from data obtained from the first and second transducer arrays.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for determining the position of a foreign object in body tissue, comprising the steps of: imaging the body tissue with an ultrasound imaging probe having a first transducer array and a second transducer array; obtaining motion estimates regarding the first transducer array from the second transducer array of the ultrasound imaging probe to construct 3-D images of the body tissue and the foreign object; and displaying 3-D images or other information concerning the body tissue and foreign object from data obtained from the first and second transducer arrays.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 60 wherein the ultrasound imaging probe is positioned in a surgically formed cavity.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 60 wherein the foreign object is a surgical tool.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 60 wherein the foreign object is a catheter.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 60 wherein the foreign object is an IVUS catheter.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 60 wherein the foreign object is a gallstone.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 60 wherein the foreign object is a bullet, pellet, piece of shrapnel, or other projectile material.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 60 wherein the steps of imaging the body tissue and obtaining motion estimates of the first transducer array include a third transducer array.
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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) | 2005-07-22 | 2006-01-21 | 2006-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-22 | 2010-01-21 | 2010-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-22 | 2014-01-21 | 2014-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |