Safety mechanism and methods to prevent rotating imaging device from exiting a catheter
US6398737B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2021 |
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.