Capacitative microfabricated ultrasound transducer-based intravascular ultrasound probes

US8231535B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE VOLCANO CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Norman Hugh Hossack · Folsom, US
• Blair D. Walker · Mission Viejo, US
• Stephen Charles Davies · Cameron Park, US
• Donald S. Mamayek · Mountain View, US
• John F. Sheridan · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 28, 2011
• Grant date: Jul 31, 2012
• Expiry date: Mar 28, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B8/54
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An ultrasound catheter is described herein for insertion into a cavity such as a blood vessel to facilitate imaging within a vasculature. The catheter comprises an elongate flexible shaft, a capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer, and a sonic reflector. The elongate flexible shaft has a proximate end and a distal end. A capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) is mounted to the shaft near the distal end. The reflector is positioned such that a reflective surface redirects ultrasonic waves to and from the transducer. In other embodiments, the catheter comprises a plurality of cMUT elements and operates without the use of reflectors. In further embodiments, integrated circuitry is incorporated into the design.