US5372138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acousting imaging catheters and the like
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
•
Filing: 1992-12-09
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Granted: 1994-12-13
•
Expires: 2012-12-09
Abstract
Abstract Acoustic imaging balloon catheters formed by a disposable liquid-confining sheath supporting a high fidelity, flexible drive shaft which carries on its end an ultrasound transducer and includes an inflatable dilatation balloon. The shaft and transducer rotate with sufficient speed and fidelity to produce real time images on a T.V. screen. In preferred embodiments, special features that contribute to the high fidelity of the drive shaft include the particular multi-filar construction of concentric, oppositely wound, interfering coils, a pre-loaded torque condition on the coils enhancing their interfering contact, and dynamic loading of the distal end of the probe, preferably with viscous drag. The coil rotating in the presence of liquid in the sheath is used to produce a desirable pressure in the region of the transducer. Numerous selectable catheter sheaths are shown including a sheath with an integral acoustically-transparent window, sheaths with end extensions that aid in positioning, a liquid injection-producing sheath, a sheath having its window section under tension employing an axially loaded bearing, a sheath carrying a dilatation or positioning balloon over the transducer, a sheath carrying a distal rotating surgical tool and a sheath used in conjunction with a side-viewing trocar.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Crowley
- 👤 Lucien A. Couvillon, Jr.
- 👤 John E. Abele
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6848; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B5/41; A61B5/414; A61B5/416; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61B8/4461; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0291; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/22078; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00184; A61B2018/00202; A61B2018/00208; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00898; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B2018/1861; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A catheter for use within the body of a living being, comprising an elongated tubular catheter member, and an ultrasound probe carried by said elongated tubular catheter member, said probe comprising a flexible, axially elongated drive shaft and an ultrasound device mounted on the distal end of said drive shaft arranged to direct ultrasonic signals toward an internal body structure, said elongated ultrasonic probe being constructed to rotate relative to said tubular catheter member to generate acoustic images, said ultrasound device being constructed and arranged to form ultrasound images of a portion of said body of said living being, said elongated tubular catheter member forming a closed passage surrounding said elongated ultrasonic probe and said ultrasound device, said elongated tubular catheter member having a small hole located entirely distal of said ultrasound device, said small hole having a diameter less than the outer diameter of said catheter member and being constructed to permit passage of fluid under pressure through said closed passage surrounding said ultrasonic probe and said ultrasound device and out of said catheter through said small hole, into said body of said living being.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A catheter for use within the body of a living being, comprising an elongated tubular catheter member, and an ultrasound probe carried by said elongated tubular catheter member, said probe comprising a flexible, axially elongated drive shaft and an ultrasound device mounted on the distal end of said drive shaft arranged to direct ultrasonic signals toward an internal body structure, said elongated ultrasonic probe being constructed to rotate relative to said tubular catheter member to generate acoustic images, said ultrasound device being constructed and arranged to form ultrasound images of a portion of said body of said living being, said elongated tubular catheter member forming a closed passage surrounding said elongated ultrasonic probe and said ultrasound device, said elongated tubular catheter member having a small hole located entirely distal of said ultrasound device, said small hole having a diameter less than the outer diameter of said catheter member and being constructed to permit passage of fluid under pressure through said closed passage surrounding said ultrasonic probe and said ultrasound device and out of said catheter through said small hole, into said body of said living being.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The ultrasound-guided fluid passage catheter of claim 1, wherein said fluid is saline.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein said small hole is located at the distal extremity of said catheter member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 3, wherein said small hole is concentric with the longitudinal axis of said catheter member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein said ultrasound device is an ultrasound transducer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein said ultrasound device has an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the outer diameter of said drive shaft.
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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) | 1997-12-12 | 1998-06-13 | 1998-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-12 | 2002-06-13 | 2002-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-12 | 2006-06-13 | 2006-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |