Ultrasonic imaging probe
US5085221A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 1990 |
| Grant date | Feb 4, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10K11/355
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A transesophageal echo cardiography probe includes a cylindrical housing (1) and end cap (2), a rotatable axle (10) extending longitudinally along the housing, a motor (7) operable for rotating the axle (10), and a multielement ultrasonic transducer array (5) carried on and for rotation with said axle (10) for emitting an ultrasonic imaging beam. The array elements (5A) are connected to a flexible, first flat cable (11) that extends, preferably in an S-like undulating manner, radially-outwardly toward the end cap wall. The radially-outward end of the first cable (11) is connected to a second flat cable (12) which extends longitudinally along the housing (1) to the rearward end of the housing. The second cable (12) has an arcuate cross-sectional shape for facilitating its receipt in and extension through an arcuate passageway defined between the motor (7) and the inner periphery of the housing (1).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.