Patent US6645145B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6645145B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Diagnostic medical ultrasound systems and transducers utilizing micro-mechanical components
Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
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Filing: 2001-09-24
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Granted: 2003-11-11
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Expires: 2021-09-24
Abstract
Abstract The use of any micro-mechanical component in an ultrasound system is disclosed. In particular, the use of micro-mechanical ultrasound transducers, micro-relays, micro-switches and inductors in the transducer probe head, in the transducer connector, coupled with the system transducer connector(s) or anywhere else in the system. In an ultrasound system, micro-mechanical components such as micro-mechanical ultrasound transducers, micro-fabricated switches, relays and inductors permit impressive size reduction, cost reduction, signal-integrity enhancement and improved operational flexibility.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Dreschel
- 👤 Terry Kling
- 👤 John W. Sliwa
- 👤 Stuart L. Carp
- 👤 Sevig Ayter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:16
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/44; A61B8/4483; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; H; H01; H01H; H01H59/00; H01H59/0009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A diagnostic medical ultrasound probe for use within a patient comprising: a housing, said housing being insertable into said patient; and at least one array comprising a plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements located in said housing, each of said plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements operative to transduce between an electrical signal and an acoustic energy, said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element being coupled with at least one micro-mechanical component, said at least one micro-mechanical component being operative to manipulate said electrical signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A diagnostic medical ultrasound probe for use within a patient comprising: a housing, said housing being insertable into said patient; and at least one array comprising a plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements located in said housing, each of said plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements operative to transduce between an electrical signal and an acoustic energy, said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element being coupled with at least one micro-mechanical component, said at least one micro-mechanical component being operative to manipulate said electrical signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein said probe is operative to be used in endoluminal applications.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein said probe is operative to be used in intracardiac applications.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a polymeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than 2 mm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein said at least one array comprises a maximum length less than 10 mm and a maximum width less than 4 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein said at least one array comprises a capacitive micro-mechanical ultrasound transducer array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements is a micro-mechanical ultrasound element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 8 , wherein each of said plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements comprises a flexible membrane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 9 , wherein each of said plurality of ultrasound acoustic elements further comprises an electrode on each side of said flexible membrane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein said at least one array comprises a one dimensional array.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein said at least one array comprises a two dimensional array.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , further comprising at least one second micro-mechanical component operative to multiplex at least one signal generated by said at least one array.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 13 , wherein said at least one second micro-mechanical component comprises a micro-mechanical switch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 13 , wherein said at least one second micro-mechanical component comprises a micro-mechanical relay.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , further comprising at least one second micro-mechanical component operative to amplify at least one signal generated by said at least one array.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein said at least one array comprises at least a first array for imaging and a second array for motion tracking.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
75 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein said housing further comprises a first end comprising a first working port and said at least one array and operative to be inserted into a subject, said first working port being located proximate to said at least one array, said housing further comprising a second end comprising a second working port coupled with said first working port through which an insertable device may be passed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , said probe operative to deliver a drug.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , said probe operative to deliver a contrast agent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 further comprising a tissue ablation device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , said probe operative to perform electrical surface mapping.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 further comprising a biopsy device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , said probe operative to deliver an implantable device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 further comprising a spatial positioning device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 further being autoclavable.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
11 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 further being disposable.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The diagnostic medical ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein said at least one micro-mechanical component is operative to manipulate the acoustic spectra of said at least one of said plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
66 words
A catheter mounted transducer for use in an ultrasound system for medical imaging or therapy, said catheter mounted transducer comprising: at least one ultrasonic acoustic element, said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element operative to transduce between an electrical signal and an acoustic energy; and at least one micro-mechanical component coupled with said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element and operative to manipulate said electrical signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
66 words
A catheter mounted transducer for use in an ultrasound system for medical imaging or therapy, said catheter mounted transducer comprising: at least one ultrasonic acoustic element, said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element operative to transduce between an electrical signal and an acoustic energy; and at least one micro-mechanical component coupled with said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element and operative to manipulate said electrical signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The transducer of claim 29 , wherein said catheter mounted transducer is disposable.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
68 words
A transducer for use in an ultrasound system for medical imaging or therapy, said transducer comprising: a catheter; at least one ultrasonic acoustic element mounted on said catheter, said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element operative to transduce between an electrical signal and an acoustic energy; and at least one micro-mechanical component coupled with said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element and operative to manipulate said electrical signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
68 words
A transducer for use in an ultrasound system for medical imaging or therapy, said transducer comprising: a catheter; at least one ultrasonic acoustic element mounted on said catheter, said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element operative to transduce between an electrical signal and an acoustic energy; and at least one micro-mechanical component coupled with said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element and operative to manipulate said electrical signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
11 words
The transducer of claim 31 , wherein said catheter is disposable.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transducer of claim 31 , wherein the at least one ultrasonic acoustic element comprises said at least one micro-mechanical component.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transducer of claim 33 , wherein said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element comprises a CMUT.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transducer of claim 31 , wherein said transducer supports at least one imaging modality.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer of claim 35 , wherein said at least one imaging modality comprises a harmonic imaging modality.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer of claim 31 , further comprising an array of said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The transducer of claim 37 wherein said array comprises a two dimensional array.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transducer of claim 31 , wherein emitted ultrasonic energy from said ultrasonic acoustic element is steerable in at least one plane.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
115 words
A diagnostic medical ultrasound probe for use within a patient comprising: a housing, said housing being insertable into said patient; and at least one array comprising a plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements located in said housing, said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element comprising at least one micro-mechanical component; wherein said housing further comprises a first end comprising a first working port and said at least one array and operative to be inserted into a subject, said first working port being located proximate to said at least one array, said housing further comprising a second end comprising a second working port coupled with said first working port through which an insertable device may be passed.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
115 words
A diagnostic medical ultrasound probe for use within a patient comprising: a housing, said housing being insertable into said patient; and at least one array comprising a plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements located in said housing, said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element comprising at least one micro-mechanical component; wherein said housing further comprises a first end comprising a first working port and said at least one array and operative to be inserted into a subject, said first working port being located proximate to said at least one array, said housing further comprising a second end comprising a second working port coupled with said first working port through which an insertable device may be passed.
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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) | 2006-11-10 | 2007-05-12 | 2007-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-11-10 | 2011-05-12 | 2011-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-11-10 | 2015-05-12 | 2015-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |