US5095910A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic imaging of biopsy needle
Assignee: Advanced Technology Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1990-04-18
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Granted: 1992-03-17
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Expires: 2010-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A system for imaging a biopsy needle with ultrasound is shown in which the needle tip elicits a Doppler response through controlled reciprocation of the needle tip. In a preferred embodiment the biopsy needle includes a hollow cannula which carries a removable stylet. Means for reciprocating the stylet is coupled to the proximal end of the stylet, and the distal tip of the stylet is reciprocated at the distal end of the cannula. This motion is detected through Doppler interrogation of the body region at which the biopsy is to be performed, and the Doppler response of the needle tip in the image of the body region allows the needle tip to be monitored as it approaches the tissue to be biopsied.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffry E. Powers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0833; A61B8/0841; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3403; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/22074; A61B2017/22075; A61B2017/3413; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3925; A61B2090/3929
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system comprising: a biopsy needle means including a hollow cannula, a removable member carried within the cannula, and motive means, coupled to said biopsy needle means, for reciprocating at least a portion of the tip of said biopsy needle means with motion of an electromechanically controlled displacement and velocity which is positionally detectable by Doppler signal interrogation; and an ultrasonic imaging system including Doppler signal interrogation means for detecting the motion of said tip, and means for generating a structural image of an interior region of a body in which said motion is locationally represented.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system comprising: a biopsy needle means including a hollow cannula, a removable member carried within the cannula, and motive means, coupled to said biopsy needle means, for reciprocating at least a portion of the tip of said biopsy needle means with motion of an electromechanically controlled displacement and velocity which is positionally detectable by Doppler signal interrogation; and an ultrasonic imaging system including Doppler signal interrogation means for detecting the motion of said tip, and means for generating a structural image of an interior region of a body in which said motion is locationally represented.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a removable member carried within said cannula and extendable to the tip thereof, wherein said motive means is coupled to said removable member for reciprocating said removable member within said cannula.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system of claim 2, wherein said removable member reciprocates between a first position at which the distal end of said member is substantially aligned with the distal end of said cannula, and a second position at which the distal end of said member is retracted within said cannula with respect to said first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system of claim 3, wherein said removable member comprises a stylet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system of claim 2, further comprising means for coupling motion produced by said motive means to said removable member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system of claim 5, wherein said coupling means includes a sheathed cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system of claim 5, wherein said motive means is coupled to said removable member for reciprocating said member at an audio frequency.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system of claim 7, wherein said removable member is reciprocated at a frequency which is less than 1000 Hertz.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system of claim 8, wherein said removable member is reciprocated at a frequency which is less than 100 Hertz.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasonic biopsy needle imagining system of claim 1, wherein said motive means includes a solenoid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system of claim 1, wherein said motive means includes a speaker-type moving coil.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system of claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic imaging system includes timing and control means for controlling said Doppler signal interrogation, and wherein said motive means is coupled to said timing and control means for energizing said motive means is synchronization with said Doppler signal interrogation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system of claim 1, wherein said motive means reciprocates said tip of said biopsy needle means in substantially the longitudinal direction with respect to said cannula.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The ultrasonic biopsy needle imaging system of claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic imaging system further generates an image in which structure is locationally represented, and wherein said needle tip is locationally represented in said image by modulating said structural image with a color in the vicinity of the location of said needle tip in said image.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for imaging placement of a biopsy needle within an interior region of a body comprising the steps of: a. ultrasonically imaging the region which is to be biopsied with an ultrasonic imaging system which produces a structural image of said interior region and a locational representation of a motional characteristic of moving material within said region through Doppler signal interrogation of said region; b. inserting a biopsy needle, having means for controllably electromechanically reciprocating at least a portion of the tip of the needle, into the imaged region; c. interrogating the imaged region by said ultrasonic imaging system with ultrasonic Doppler signals; and d. developing a visual signal of the Doppler response to the motion of said reciprocating needle tip for locational display with respect to the ultrasonically image region.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for imaging placement of a biopsy needle within an interior region of a body comprising the steps of: a. ultrasonically imaging the region which is to be biopsied with an ultrasonic imaging system which produces a structural image of said interior region and a locational representation of a motional characteristic of moving material within said region through Doppler signal interrogation of said region; b. inserting a biopsy needle, having means for controllably electromechanically reciprocating at least a portion of the tip of the needle, into the imaged region; c. interrogating the imaged region by said ultrasonic imaging system with ultrasonic Doppler signals; and d. developing a visual signal of the Doppler response to the motion of said reciprocating needle tip for locational display with respect to the ultrasonically image region.
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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) | 1995-03-17 | 1995-09-16 | 1996-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-09-16 | 2000-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-09-16 | 2004-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |