Patent · US Expired

Safety mechanism and method to prevent rotating imaging guide device from exiting a catheter

US6231515A · kind A · utility

52Cited by
5References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 13, 1999
Grant dateMay 15, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 13, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B8/4461
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention provides exemplary systems and methods to prevent rotation of an imaging device if the imaging device is advanced beyond a distal end of a catheter. In one exemplary embodiment, a catheter is provided which comprises a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen which terminates in an exit port at the distal end. The lumen is configured to receive a rotatable imaging device having an ultrasonic imaging element. An ultrasonically recognizable pattern is disposed proximally to or at the exit port. The pattern is adapted to reflect a signal from the imaging element to produce a unique detectable image which in turn is employed to stop rotation of the imaging device.

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