Patent EP0600568A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0600568A1
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EP
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Catheter apparatus
Assignee: Cardiovascular Imaging Systems Inc
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Filing: 1987-02-27
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-02-27
Abstract
Abstract Catheter apparatus provides for high resolution intravascular imaging to assist indovascular lesions and to monitor the results of interventional therapy. An ultrasonic transducer (52) is carried by the distal end of a catheter adapted for insertion into a vessel, and either the transducer or another element is rotated and/or moved longitudinally relative to the catheter to image different portions of the vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul G. Yock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320783; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/4461; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00902; A61B2017/00924; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22038; A61B2017/22045; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22052; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/22074; A61B2017/22078; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/376; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B2090/3784
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 1
Claim 1
Independent Claim
307 words
A vascular catheter apparatus for obtaining an image from the interior of a blood vessel in the vascular system of a patient, the apparatus having: a tubular element (13, 153, 186) suitable for insertion into the lumen of the blood vessel and having distal and proximal extremities; a housing (27, 181)) carried by the distal extremity of the tubular member, the housing (27, 181) having at least a portion thereof which is substantially transparent to ultrasonic energy; means including an ultrasonic transducer (52, 157, 168; 182, 204) disposed within the housing for generating ultrasonic energy and for directing the energy outwardly and receiving reflected energy; and electrical circuit means connected to the transducer and carried by the tubular element whereby the transducer can be connected to a receiver for creating a visual display; characterised in that: the apparatus further comprises guide wire means for providing a flexible guide wire (36) extending beyond the distal extremity of the tubular element to facilitate guiding of the catheter within the blood vessel; the tubular element (13, 153, 186) is flexible; and said means including an ultrasonic transducer (52; 157, 158; 182, 204) is arranged for directing the energy outwardly to impinge upon the wall of the blood vessel and for receiving energy reflected from the interior wall of the blood vessel and further comprises: a movable member (29, 32; 166, 167; 192, 203) which is rotatable with respect to the housing (27, 181) and the tubular element (13, 153, 186) and arranged to scan the direction of transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic energy about the axis of rotation; and means (99) for causing continuous rotation of said movable member so that said direction can be continuously swept to direct ultrasonic energy against and receive reflected ultrasonic energy from the interior wall of the blood vessel to image the blood vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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