Intravascular, ultrasonic imaging catheters and methods for making same
US5240004A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 1992 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/42
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Novel intravascular, ultrasonic imaging catheters are provided which utilize thin layers of a flexible plastic material, such as PVDF, which can be spot polarized in active regions which are to serve as piezoelectric transducers. Thin layer metallic electrodes are deposited on opposing surfaces of these active regions. Strips of the appropriately configured material also having shielding and backing and/or core forming portions are spiral wound into a completed catheter. Alternatively, the catheters are fabricated from extruded PVDF tubing which may be formed around a central core which carries those electrodes which are to contact the inner surface of the extruded tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.