US5081997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Echogenic devices, material and method
Assignee: Cook Urological Inc
•
Filing: 1989-07-20
•
Granted: 1992-01-21
•
Expires: 2009-07-20
Abstract
Abstract An echogenic medical devices adapted to be inserted into a patient, comprises an elongated member (123, 901, 1003) including a material (127, 1002) having an acoustic impedance different from that of the surrounding medium. For enhancing an image produced in response to a sonic beam produced from imaging equipment, the medium includes biological tissue or fluids surrounding the member when inserted into a passageway of the patient. The elongated member (901) also provides an interface (903) including the outside surface of the member and a plurality of partially spherical indentations (905). Alternatively, generally spherical particles (1002) are attached to the surface of the member (1003) for producing the image in response to the sonic beam. Materials such as stainless steel, plastic, and glass are utilized in the manufacture of the medical device. The device may also include an echogenic body member including a composite material echogenically imageable in the patient. The composite material includes a matrix material with discrete sound reflective particles made from a material different from the matrix material and embedded therein. Several sound reflective particles are disclosed, one type of particle being a glass microsphere about 5 microns in diameter. The matrix material (125) may be a plastic, and may be formed or extruded into devices such as catheters or other medical devices. The composite material may include different quantities of sound reflective particles by percent volume. Furthermore, a radiopaque material may be included in the composite material so the medical device is both ultrasonically imageable and radiographically imageable.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney W. Bosley, Jr.
- 👤 Paul G. Thomson
- 👤 Thomas L. Foster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L31/00; A61L31/14; A01; A01K; A01K85/00; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0833; A61B8/0841; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61L31/18; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0009; A61B2090/3925
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 111
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A echogenic medical device insertable into a medium and imageable with sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an elongated member for insertion into a surrounding medium, said member including a first material having a first predetermined acoustic impedance different from a second predetermined acoustic impedance of said medium, said first and second acoustic impedances having at least a predetermined difference therebetween, said member also including an interface responsive to said sonic beam for producing said image, including a particulate-type, discontinuous curved surface having a dimension less than a wavelength of a sonic beam from said equipment, whereby said difference between said first and second acoustic impedances and said curved surface cooperate in response to said sonic beam to produce an image of said member about said interface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A echogenic medical device insertable into a medium and imageable with sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an elongated member for insertion into a surrounding medium, said member including a first material having a first predetermined acoustic impedance different from a second predetermined acoustic impedance of said medium, said first and second acoustic impedances having at least a predetermined difference therebetween, said member also including an interface responsive to said sonic beam for producing said image, including a particulate-type, discontinuous curved surface having a dimension less than a wavelength of a sonic beam from said equipment, whereby said difference between said first and second acoustic impedances and said curved surface cooperate in response to said sonic beam to produce an image of said member about said interface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said interface includes an outside surface of said member material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said curved surface includes at least a partially spherical indentation in said outside surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said interface includes a plurality of said indentations and wherein each of said indentations has a radius of approximately said dimension.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said member includes a substance having a predetermined contour for establishing said interface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said first material includes said substance therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 5 further comprising a second material for affixing said substance to an outside surface of said first material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 7 further comprising a material forming a relatively smooth outer surface layer over said substance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said substance has a third predetermined acoustic impedance different from at least one of said first and second acoustic impedances, a second predetermined difference between said third impedance and at least one of said first and second impedances for enhancing said image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said first material comprises a plastic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said substance comprises at least partially spherical particles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said particles comprise glass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first material comprises stainless steel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said member includes a substance embedded in a surface of said member, said substance having a predetermined contour for establishing said interface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 14 further comprising a material for forming a relatively smooth outer surface layer over said substance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
119 words
An echogenic material device insertable into biological tissue and imageable with sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an elongated member for insertion into said biological tissue having a second predetermined acoustic impedance, said member comprising a material having a first predetermined acoustic impedance different from said second impedance, said first and second acoustic impedances having at least a predetermined difference therebetween, said member including a surface having a plurality of discontinuous, at least partially spherical indentations, said indentations having a radius of curvature less than a wavelength of a sonic beam, whereby said difference between said first and second acoustic impedances and said indentation cooperate in response to said sonic beam to produce an image of said member about said interface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
An echogenic material device insertable into biological tissue and imageable with sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an elongated member for insertion into said biological tissue having a second predetermined acoustic impedance, said member comprising a material having a first predetermined acoustic impedance different from said second impedance, said first and second acoustic impedances having at least a predetermined difference therebetween, said member including a surface having a plurality of discontinuous, at least partially spherical indentations, said indentations having a radius of curvature less than a wavelength of a sonic beam, whereby said difference between said first and second acoustic impedances and said indentation cooperate in response to said sonic beam to produce an image of said member about said interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 16 wherein said material comprises stainless steel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 16 wherein said material comprises plastic.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for sonically imaging an echogenic medical device in biological tissue, comprising: selecting said device including a material having a first predetermined acoustic impedance different from a second predetermined acoustic impedance of said biological tissue, said first and second acoustic impedances having at least a predetermined difference therebetween; inserting into said tissue an elongated member of said device including an outer interface having a plurality of fixedly positioned, discontinuous, at least partially spherical surfaces, said surfaces having a dimension less than a wavelength of a sonic beam from sonic imaging equipment; directing said sonic beam toward said elongated member when inserted in said tissue; and receiving an image of said elongated member about said interface, whereby said difference between said first and second acoustic impedances and said surfaces cooperate in response to said sonic beam to produce said image of said member about said interface.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for sonically imaging an echogenic medical device in biological tissue, comprising: selecting said device including a material having a first predetermined acoustic impedance different from a second predetermined acoustic impedance of said biological tissue, said first and second acoustic impedances having at least a predetermined difference therebetween; inserting into said tissue an elongated member of said device including an outer interface having a plurality of fixedly positioned, discontinuous, at least partially spherical surfaces, said surfaces having a dimension less than a wavelength of a sonic beam from sonic imaging equipment; directing said sonic beam toward said elongated member when inserted in said tissue; and receiving an image of said elongated member about said interface, whereby said difference between said first and second acoustic impedances and said surfaces cooperate in response to said sonic beam to produce said image of said member about said interface.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for manufacturing an echogenic medical device for insertion into biological tissue and imageable with sonic imaging equipment, comprising: forming an elongated member of said device from a material having a first predetermined acoustic impedance different from a second predetermined acoustic impedance of said biological tissue, said first and second impedances having at least a predetermined difference, said member having an outer surface; and forming an interface in said elongated member for producing said image in response to said beam, said interface having a plurality of fixedly positioned, discrete particulate-type, discontinuous, curved surfaces formed about said outer surface and having a dimension less than a wavelength of a sonic beam from said equipment, whereby said difference between said first and second acoustic impedances and said curved surfaces cooperate in response to said sonic beam to produce an image of said member about said interface.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for manufacturing an echogenic medical device for insertion into biological tissue and imageable with sonic imaging equipment, comprising: forming an elongated member of said device from a material having a first predetermined acoustic impedance different from a second predetermined acoustic impedance of said biological tissue, said first and second impedances having at least a predetermined difference, said member having an outer surface; and forming an interface in said elongated member for producing said image in response to said beam, said interface having a plurality of fixedly positioned, discrete particulate-type, discontinuous, curved surfaces formed about said outer surface and having a dimension less than a wavelength of a sonic beam from said equipment, whereby said difference between said first and second acoustic impedances and said curved surfaces cooperate in response to said sonic beam to produce an image of said member about said interface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 20 wherein forming said interface includes producing a plurality of at least partially spherical indentations in an outside surface of said elongated member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 20 wherein forming said interface includes attaching a plurality of at least partially spherical particles to said elongated member, said particles having a third predetermined acoustic impedance having at least said predetermined difference between at least one of said first and second impedances.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said particles have a diameter in a range of between one and fifty microns.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
63 words
An echogenic device adapted to be imaged by sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an echogenic body member including a composite material echogenically imageable, said composite material including a formable matrix material with discrete sound reflective particles made from a material different than and more sonically reflective than said matrix material being embedded in said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
63 words
An echogenic device adapted to be imaged by sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an echogenic body member including a composite material echogenically imageable, said composite material including a formable matrix material with discrete sound reflective particles made from a material different than and more sonically reflective than said matrix material being embedded in said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 24 wherein said echogenic body member is a medical device to be inserted inside a patient.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 25 wherein said sound reflective particles have an at least partially spherical surface for providing sound reflections at a plurality of angles.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said echogenic body member comprises a tubular catheter body having at least one longitudinal lumen within a catheter wall.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 27 wherein said composite material is made up of between five percent and thirty percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 28 wherein said composite material further includes a radiopaque material being radiographically imageable in a patient.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said echogenic body member comprises a tubular catheter body having at least one longitudinal lumen within a catheter wall.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 30 wherein said sound reflective particles comprise glass particles.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 31 wherein said composite material is made up of between about five percent and thirty percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 32 wherein said composite material further includes a radiopaque material being radiographically imageable in a patient.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 33 wherein said sound reflective particles are microspheres having an outer diameter of about five microns.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 34 wherein said composite material is made up of about ten percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 35 wherein said radiopaque material is selected from a group consisting of barium and tungsten.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 25 wherein said sound reflective particles have an at least partially spherical surface for providing sound reflections at a plurality of angles.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 25 wherein said sound reflective particles comprise glass particles.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 38 wherein said composite material is made up of between about five percent and thirty percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 39 wherein said composite material further includes a radiopaque material being radiographically imageable in a patient.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 25 wherein said composite material is made up of between about five percent and thirty percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 25 wherein said composite material further includes a radiopaque material being radiographically imageable in a patient.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 42 wherein said radiopaque material is selected from a group consisting of barium, bismuth and tungsten.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 25 wherein said sound reflective particles are microspheres having an outer diameter of about five microns.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 25 wherein said composite material is made up of about ten percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 25 wherein said matrix material comprises polyethylene.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 25 wherein said composite material is made up between about one percent and sixty percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 25 wherein said sound reflective particles have an outer diameter of between one micron and fifty microns.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
64 words
An echogenic device to be positioned within a medium and imageable with sonic equipment, said device comprising a body having an outer surface with image enhancing means for improving the sonic imaging of the device, characterized in that said means comprises fixedly positioned, discrete particulate type, discontinuous, acoustic discontinuities having a curved surface formed about or associated with the outer surface of the body.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
64 words
An echogenic device to be positioned within a medium and imageable with sonic equipment, said device comprising a body having an outer surface with image enhancing means for improving the sonic imaging of the device, characterized in that said means comprises fixedly positioned, discrete particulate type, discontinuous, acoustic discontinuities having a curved surface formed about or associated with the outer surface of the body.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
60 words
A device according to claim 49 wherein the discontinuities are int he form of particles with an acoustic impedance different from that of the body, the particles being embedded within at least part of the body, partially embedded within at least part of the surface of the body, or disposed on at least part of the surface of the body.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 50 wherein the particles are hollow or are solid with the body thus being composite by nature.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 49 wherein the discontinuities are int he form of indentations in the surface of the body.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 52 wherein the body has an acoustic impedance different from the medium.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 49 wherein the discontinuities are disposed in a random manner relative to the body.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 49 wherein the discontinuities have a curved or multifaceted contour to effect ultrasonic scattering in a multiplicity of directions.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 49 wherein the particulate discontinuities each have a dimension substantially less than the wavelength to be used in the ultrasonic equipment.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device according to claim 49 wherein the characteristic impedance of the body has a difference from that of the medium or biological tissue to achieve image enhancement, and wherein the characteristic impedance of the particles has at least said difference between the other characteristic impedances, the particles being more reflective than the material of the body.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 49 wherein the discontinuities have diameter(s) in the range of 1 to 50 microns.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 58 wherein the discontinuities are of glass and form between 5 and 60% by volume of the composite body.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
65 words
An echogenic device adapted to be imaged by sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an echogenic body member including a composite material echogenically imagable, said composite material including a solid matrix material other than a gel and discrete sound reflective particles fixedly positioned throughout said matrix material, ultrasonically different than tissue and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
65 words
An echogenic device adapted to be imaged by sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an echogenic body member including a composite material echogenically imagable, said composite material including a solid matrix material other than a gel and discrete sound reflective particles fixedly positioned throughout said matrix material, ultrasonically different than tissue and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 60 wherein said echogenic body member is a medical device to be inserted inside a patient.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 60 wherein said sound reflective particles have an at least partially spherical surface for providing sound reflections at a plurality of angles.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 60 wherein said sound reflective particles comprise glass particles.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 63 wherein said composite material is made up of between about five percent and thirty percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 64 wherein said composite material further includes a radiopaque material being radiographically imagable in a patient.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 60 wherein said composite material is made up of between about five percent and thirty percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 60 wherein said composite material further includes a radiopaque material being radiographically imagable in a patient.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 67 wherein said radiopaque material is selected from a group consisting of barium bismuth and tungsten.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 60 wherein said sound reflective particles are microspheres having an outer diameter of about five microns.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 60 wherein said composite material is made up of about ten percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 60 wherein said matrix material comprises polyethylene.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 60 wherein said composite material is made up of between about one percent and sixty percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 60 wherein said sound reflective particles have an outer diameter of between about one micron and fifty microns.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
79 words
A method fabricating echogenic devices, comprising the steps of: mixing a matrix material with discrete sound reflective particles made from a material different than and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to form a composite mixture; heating said composite mixture to maintain said matrix material in a molten state; and forming said composite mixture with said particles fixedly positioned throughout said matrix material to form an echogenic body member including a composite material echogenically imagable in a patient.
Claim 82
Independent Claim
79 words
A method fabricating echogenic devices, comprising the steps of: mixing a matrix material with discrete sound reflective particles made from a material different than and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to form a composite mixture; heating said composite mixture to maintain said matrix material in a molten state; and forming said composite mixture with said particles fixedly positioned throughout said matrix material to form an echogenic body member including a composite material echogenically imagable in a patient.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 74 wherein said forming step includes the step of extruding a pliable tubular catheter body having at least one longitudinal lumen within a catheter wall, said catheter body being echogenically imagable in a patient.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 75 further comprising the step of sterilizing said catheter body to sterilize said catheter for use in a patient.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 76 wherein said sound reflective particles comprise glass microspheres having an outer diameter of about five microns and wherein said composite mixture is made up of between about five percent and thirty percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 74 wherein said sound reflective particles comprise glass particles.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 74 wherein said composite mixture is made up between about five percent and thirty percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 88
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of sonically imaging a device, comprising: providing an echogenic body member including a composite material echogenically imagable, said composite material including a solid matrix material other than a gel and discrete sound reflective particles fixedly positioned throughout said matrix material, ultrasonically different than tissue and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member; positioning said echogenic body member in a sonic imaging beam; and generating an image of said echogenic body member including said sound reflective particles from said sonic imaging beam.
Claim 89
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of sonically imaging a device, comprising: providing an echogenic body member including a composite material echogenically imagable, said composite material including a solid matrix material other than a gel and discrete sound reflective particles fixedly positioned throughout said matrix material, ultrasonically different than tissue and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member; positioning said echogenic body member in a sonic imaging beam; and generating an image of said echogenic body member including said sound reflective particles from said sonic imaging beam.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 80 wherein said echogenic body member is surgically sterilized and wherein said matrix material is a plastic and wherein said sound reflective particles are glass microspheres and wherein said positioning step includes the step of inserting said sterilized echogenic body member in a medical patient.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 80 wherein said composite material is made up of between about five percent and thirty percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
82 words
An echogenic device adapted to be imaged by sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an echogenic body member including a composite material echogenically imagable, said composite material including a solid matrix material other than a gel and at least one discrete omni-directional sound reflective particle fixedly positioned in said matrix material, ultrasonically different than tissue and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member at a selected location of said at least one omni-directionally sound reflective particle.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
82 words
An echogenic device adapted to be imaged by sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an echogenic body member including a composite material echogenically imagable, said composite material including a solid matrix material other than a gel and at least one discrete omni-directional sound reflective particle fixedly positioned in said matrix material, ultrasonically different than tissue and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member at a selected location of said at least one omni-directionally sound reflective particle.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 83 wherein said echogenic body member is a medical device surgically sterilized to be inserted inside a patient.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 83 wherein said at least one omni-directionally sound reflective particle comprises at least one glass particle.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
87 words
An echogenic device adapted to be imaged by sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an echogenic body member comprising a medical device to be inserted inside a patient and including a composite material echogenically imagable, said composite material including a solid matrix material and discrete sound reflective particles fixedly positioned throughout, different than and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member, said sound reflective particles having an at least partially spherical surface for providing sound reflections at a plurality of angles.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
87 words
An echogenic device adapted to be imaged by sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an echogenic body member comprising a medical device to be inserted inside a patient and including a composite material echogenically imagable, said composite material including a solid matrix material and discrete sound reflective particles fixedly positioned throughout, different than and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member, said sound reflective particles having an at least partially spherical surface for providing sound reflections at a plurality of angles.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 86 wherein said echogenic body member comprises a tubular catheter body having at least one longitudinal lumen within a catheter wall.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 87 wherein said sound reflective particles comprise glass particles.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 88 wherein said composite material is made up of between about five percent and thirty percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 89 wherein said composite material further includes a radiopaque material being radiographically imagable in a patient.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 90 wherein said sound reflective particles are microspheres having an outer diameter of about five microns.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 91 wherein said composite material is made up of about ten percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 92 wherein said radiopaque material is selected from a group consisting of barium and tungsten.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
85 words
An echogenic device adapted to be imaged by sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an echogenic body member including a composite material echogenically imagable, said composite material including a solid matrix material and discrete sound reflective particles fixedly positioned throughout, different than and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member, said echogenic body member comprising a medical device to be inserted inside a patient and including a tubular catheter body at least one longitudinal lumen within a catheter wall.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
85 words
An echogenic device adapted to be imaged by sonic imaging equipment, comprising: an echogenic body member including a composite material echogenically imagable, said composite material including a solid matrix material and discrete sound reflective particles fixedly positioned throughout, different than and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member, said echogenic body member comprising a medical device to be inserted inside a patient and including a tubular catheter body at least one longitudinal lumen within a catheter wall.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 94 wherein said composite material is made up of between five percent and thirty percent of said sound reflective particles by volume.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 95 wherein said composite material further includes a radiopaque material being radiographically imagable in a patient.
Claim 109
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of sonically imaging a device, comprising: providing a surgically sterilized echogenic body member having at least one longitudinal lumen within a catheter wall and including a composite material echogenically imagable, said composite material including a solid matrix, plastic material and discrete sound reflective, glass microsphere particles fixedly positioned throughout, different than and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member; positioning said echogenic body member in a sonic imaging beam and inserting said sterilized echogenic body member in a medical patient; and generating an image of said echogenic body member including said sound reflective particles from said sonic imaging beam.
Claim 110
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of sonically imaging a device, comprising: providing a surgically sterilized echogenic body member having at least one longitudinal lumen within a catheter wall and including a composite material echogenically imagable, said composite material including a solid matrix, plastic material and discrete sound reflective, glass microsphere particles fixedly positioned throughout, different than and more sonically reflective than said matrix material to enhance the echogenicity of said body member; positioning said echogenic body member in a sonic imaging beam and inserting said sterilized echogenic body member in a medical patient; and generating an image of said echogenic body member including said sound reflective particles from said sonic imaging beam.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 97 wherein said composite material further includes a radiopaque material being radiographically imagable in a patient.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-20 | 1995-07-22 | 1996-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-20 | 1999-07-22 | 2000-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-20 | 2003-07-22 | 2004-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |