Patent · US Expired

Miniature ultrasonic transducer for removal of intravascular plaque and clots

US5431663A · kind A · utility

181Cited by
5References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 8, 1993
Grant dateJul 11, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 8, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/22021
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Ultrasonic apparatus for clot dissolution and plaque ablation includes a radiator for coupling ultrasonic waves into plaque and a piezoelectric crystal, connected with said radiator, for the intravascular generation of ultrasonic waves; said ultrasonic waves being propagated along a longitudinal axis of said piezoelectric crystal and having an inertial node position within said piezoelectric crystal. The piezoelectric crystal is constructed in order to prevent significant power loss caused by a shifting of the inertial node of the generated ultrasonic waves to a position exterior to said piezoelectric crystal due to loading of the radiator-means caused by the coupling of ultrasonic waves into the clot or plaque.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.