Forward viewing ultrasonic imaging catheter
US5651366A · kind A · utility
185Cited by
2References
26Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/445
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A simple forward viewing ultrasound catheter includes one or more transducers and an ultrasound mirror supported by a bearing in a sealed end of a catheter with a drive cable imparting relative motion to the transducer and mirror. The mirror directs ultrasound waves forward of the catheter. An optical fiber can be provided to direct a laser beam for ablation of atheroma while under guidance of simultaneous intravascular ultrasound. A portion of a cavity can be simultaneously imaged while an interventional device operates on the imaged portion of the cavity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.