Ultrasound imaging catheter having an independently-controllable treatment structure
US5853368A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 29, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2034/2063
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A catheter apparatus having a main catheter body with an ultrasound transducer mounted into a side of the catheter body proximate to its distal end providing a field of view from the side of the catheter. Mounted axially on the same side of the catheter body is a independently-controllable treatment structure having a deployable segment with a therapeutic segment proximate with its distal end and having a range of movement along a predetermined path including locations only within the imaging field. The location of the treatment structure's therapeutic segment is determinable relative to the ultrasound transducer, enabling accurate and repeated positioning of the therapeutic segment at a desired location within the imaging field where it can be imaged clearly. The treatment structure bends only at the deployable segment, which includes deflection bands connected to an articulation mechanism in a handle. The deflection bands restrict the deployable segment deflections to cause the therapeutic segment of the treatment structure to travel along a predetermined path to locations that necessarily include locations within the imaging field.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.