Ultrasonic transducer assembly controller
US6464645B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 5, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 5, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/00916
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A controller for an ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a housing having a longitudinal axis that extends generally parallel to the proximal end of a conduit, such as a catheter. A steering actuator is mounted to the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis, and a steering hub is mounted for rotation in the housing and coupled to the steering actuator such that rotation of the steering ring with respect to the housing causes rotation of the steering hub. A steering line is secured adjacent the steering hub and extends to the distal end of the conduit such that rotation of the steering hub alters the effective length of the steering line to steer the distal end. The steering line is wrapped at least partially around a stator to avoid threading the steering line through multiple holes and slots prior to termination to the steering hub. The steering line is preferably formed of a liquid crystal polymer, and the housing of the steering mechanism preferably contains an extension portion to ensure that the portion of the housing that the user grips to manipulate the steering mechanism is sufficiently far away from the cable to ensure that the cable will remain sterile and thu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.