Acousting imaging catheters and the like
US5372138A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/104
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Acoustic imaging balloon catheters formed by a disposable liquid-confining sheath supporting a high fidelity, flexible drive shaft which carries on its end an ultrasound transducer and includes an inflatable dilatation balloon. The shaft and transducer rotate with sufficient speed and fidelity to produce real time images on a T.V. screen. In preferred embodiments, special features that contribute to the high fidelity of the drive shaft include the particular multi-filar construction of concentric, oppositely wound, interfering coils, a pre-loaded torque condition on the coils enhancing their interfering contact, and dynamic loading of the distal end of the probe, preferably with viscous drag. The coil rotating in the presence of liquid in the sheath is used to produce a desirable pressure in the region of the transducer. Numerous selectable catheter sheaths are shown including a sheath with an integral acoustically-transparent window, sheaths with end extensions that aid in positioning, a liquid injection-producing sheath, a sheath having its window section under tension employing an axially loaded bearing, a sheath carrying a dilatation or positioning balloon over the transducer, …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.