Ultrasonic endoscope having elongated array mounted in manner allowing it to remain flexible
US4462408A · kind A · utility
102Cited by
4References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 1982 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/445
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention is a fiber-optic endoscope which has an elongated ultrasonic array, such as a linear array or a phased array. The array is mounted on either the distal portion of the bending section (not under operator control) portion of the endoscopic tube or on the proximal portion of bendable portion of the tube. Thus, the present invention includes both a fiber-optic endoscope and an ultrasonic transducer. Yet, the presence of the ultrasonic transducer does not interfere with the operation of the placement of the fiber-optic probe.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.