Devices and methods for three-dimensional internal ultrasound usage
US9649092B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 11, 2013 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S15/8918
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
There are disclosed embodiments of devices and methods for imaging the inside of a body part, particularly a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a tip chamber, within which is an ultrasound transducer mounted on a pivot mechanism, a motor for turning the transducer, and an implement for pivoting the transducer. Examples of such an implement are a linear motor, a shaft or filament, and the pivot mechanism may be biased to return to a base position when the implement is not pivoting the transducer. In other embodiments, a mirror reflecting ultrasound signals from the transducer may be rotated and/or pivoted, using similar mechanisms.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.