Medical imaging device having a forward looking flow detector
US8303510B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/0084
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to an improved medical imaging device. In one embodiment, an imaging device includes a drive shaft having proximal and distal ends received within the lumen; an imaging transducer coupled to the distal end of the drive shaft and positioned at the distal portion of the elongate member; and a flow detector coupled to the imaging transducer. The flow detector may include a forward facing ultrasound transducer configured to emit energy in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the imaging device and detect a Doppler shift in the received echoes. In the case where the imaging device is located in a vessel having blood flow, such information may be used to calculate the velocity of the blood flow. The imaging device may be configured to be located in a catheter or guidewire.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.