Echogenic surface for enhanced ultasonic visibility
US6860856B2 · kind B2 · utility
68Cited by
11References
41Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/3925
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved medical device, such as a needle, has a surface which enhances the “echogenicity” or ultrasound visibility of the medical device so that the medical device can be guided inside a human body using ultrasound imaging. In one embodiment, concave slots are formed on the surface of the improved medical device to enhance the ultrasound visibility of the improved medical device. The surface of each concave slot is substantially flat in a radial cross section of the needle and curved in an axial cross section of the improved medical device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.