Patent · US Expired

Intravascular imaging apparatus and methods for use and manufacture

US5438997A · kind A · utility

1,232Cited by
53References
19Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 8, 1992
Grant dateAug 8, 1995
Priority date—
Expiry dateJun 8, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S128/925
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A device for ultrasonic imaging, and methods for the use an manufacture thereof, particularly of small coronary vessels. The device comprises an elongate member with a distal end that can be positioned within a small vessel of a patient's body while a proximal end is located outside the body, a transducer located at a distal end of the elongate member and operable to scan the distal coronary vessels with ultrasonic pulses, and a signal processor connected to a proximal end of the elongate member and to the transducer for generating and receiving pulses to and from the transducer. A motor may be also connected to the proximal end of the elongate member for rotating the transducer.

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