Interchangeable disposable acoustic for use with an ultrasonic flowmeter, particularly during extracorporeal measurement of blood flow
US5463906A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 24, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M1/3663
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An inexpensive disposable plastic flow body interchangeably flow connects in line a conduit flowing fluid, and also, concurrently, acoustically connects to one or more ultrasonic transducers, so as to serve as an acoustic chamber for use with an ultrasonic flowmeter in the measurement of fluid flow velocity and/or volume. The flow connection is preferably accomplished by plugging, preferably by inserting nozzles into surgical tubing. The external ultrasonic transducer(s) is (are) normally connected under pressured contact, typically under spring forces which are preferably of external origin. Acoustic-coupling elements in the walls of the acoustic chamber serve to match the acoustic impedance of the flow body to acoustic impedance of blood. The disposable plug-connected flow body is particularly safe, sterile and convenient for extracorporeal ultrasonic blood flow measurement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.