Apparatus and method for forward looking volume imaging
US5373845A · kind A · utility
155Cited by
6References
31Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 22, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/4461
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A scanning system that is forward looking that uses ultrasound for intraluminal imaging. A transducer that emits ultrasonic signals is nutatably mounted on the tip of a probe. The front mounted transducer enables intraluminal scanning of an oncoming area or volume as the probe moves to a selected position in a lumen or body cavity. Cables are used to nutate the transducer so as to provide spiral or raster scanning patterns. The cables are driven by programmable electromagnetic drives. Three dimensional images are then obtained from the reflected ultrasonic signals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.