Ultrasound imaging catheter with a cutting element
US5967984A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 27, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/104
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention features a catheter having a catheter body of extended length for insertion within a body of a living being. The catheter also includes an ultrasound imaging device disposed within a distal portion of the catheter body. The ultrasound imaging device generates electrical signals used by an ultrasound imaging system to display a real-time image of tissue surrounding the distal portion of the catheter. The catheter further includes a cutting element, e.g., an electrode wire or a laser fiber, having a proximal portion disposed within the catheter body. The catheter also includes a mechanism connected to the catheter body that causes the distal portion of the cutting element to extend from the catheter body. The distal portion of the cutting element generates energy in tissue with which it is brought in proximity to form a cut in the tissue. The ultrasound imaging device is positioned relative to the cutting element such that the real-time image produced by the ultrasound imaging system can include the cutting element in relation to the tissue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.