US5383466A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Instrument having enhanced ultrasound visibility
Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
•
Filing: 1993-05-14
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Granted: 1995-01-24
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Expires: 2013-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A medical instrument is provided with enhanced ultrasonic visibility. The medical instrument includes an elongate probe or needle for insertion into a patient. Selected locations along the instrument are provided with deposits of a material exhibiting a high degree of ultrasonic reflectivity. The material includes a matrix of gas bubbles contained in a polymeric material. The gas bubbles exhibit high reflectivity of ultrasonar energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence Partika
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L31/00; A61L31/14; A61L31/18; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3403; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0833; A61B2017/00526; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3925
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A medical instrument for ultrasonic imaging comprising an elongate probe for insertion into a patient and at least one discrete deposit of ultrasonically reflectable material affixed to an exterior surface of the probe, said deposit displaying a substantially smooth outer surface, said ultrasonically reflectable material including a matrix of gas bubbles contained therein for reflecting ultrasonic energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
A medical instrument for ultrasonic imaging comprising an elongate probe for insertion into a patient and at least one discrete deposit of ultrasonically reflectable material affixed to an exterior surface of the probe, said deposit displaying a substantially smooth outer surface, said ultrasonically reflectable material including a matrix of gas bubbles contained therein for reflecting ultrasonic energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The medical instrument of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic reflector is a polymeric foam material having said matrix of gas bubbles contained therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The medical instrument of claim 1, wherein said gas bubbles contained in said ultrasonic reflector are substantially spherically shaped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The medical instrument of claim 1 wherein said elongate probe has a substantially circularly shaped cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The medical instrument of claim 4, wherein said discrete deposit of ultrasonically reflectable material is substantially annular and is deposited around the exterior surface of said elongate probe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The medical instrument of claim 5, wherein said medical instrument includes an annular undercut extending into the exterior surface region of the elongate probe, said ultrasonically reflectable material being disposed in said annular undercut.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The medical instrument of claim 1, comprising a plurality of said ultrasonic reflectors at axial spaced positions along said elgonate probe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The medical instrument of claim 1 wherein said at least one discrete deposit of ultrasonically reflectable material covers most of the exterior surface of said probe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A biopsy needle assembly for ultrasonic imaging said biopsy needle assembly comprising an elongate needle cannula having opposed proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending axially therebetween, and at least one discrete ultrasonic reflector securely affixed to an exterior surface of said needle cannula, said ultrasonic reflector having a substantially smooth outer surface and comprising a matrix of gas bubbles contained therein for reflecting ultrasonic energy impinging on said biopsy needle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
A biopsy needle assembly for ultrasonic imaging said biopsy needle assembly comprising an elongate needle cannula having opposed proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending axially therebetween, and at least one discrete ultrasonic reflector securely affixed to an exterior surface of said needle cannula, said ultrasonic reflector having a substantially smooth outer surface and comprising a matrix of gas bubbles contained therein for reflecting ultrasonic energy impinging on said biopsy needle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The biopsy needle assembly of claim 9, wherein said ultrasonic reflector comprises a polymeric foam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The biopsy needle assembly of claim 9 comprising a plurality of said ultrasonic reflectors at spaced axial positions on said needle cannula.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The biopsy needle assembly of claim 9, wherein said gas bubbles contained in said ultrasonic reflector are substantially spherically shaped.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The biopsy needle assembly of claim 9, wherein said ultrasonic reflector defines at least one annular band secured circumferentially around said exterior surface of said needle cannula.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The biopsy needle assembly of claim 9 further including a stylet slidably and removably disposed within said lumen of said needle cannula.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The biopsy needle assembly of claim 9 further including a mounting hub affixed to said proximal end of said needle cannula for mounting said biopsy needle to a hypodermic syringe.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The biopsy needle assembly of claim 9 wherein said distal end of said needle cannula includes a sharp cutting edge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The biopsy needle assembly of claim 9 wherein said needle cannula has a substantially circularly shaped cross section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The biopsy needle assembly of claim 9 wherein said needle cannula is made of stainless steel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
A medical instrument for ultrasonic imaging comprising an elongate probe for insertion into a patient and at least one discrete deposit of a plastic foam affixed to an exterior surface of the probe, the plastic foam displaying a substantially smooth outer surface and containing therein a matrix of gas bubbles for reflecting ultrasonic energy.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
A medical instrument for ultrasonic imaging comprising an elongate probe for insertion into a patient and at least one discrete deposit of a plastic foam affixed to an exterior surface of the probe, the plastic foam displaying a substantially smooth outer surface and containing therein a matrix of gas bubbles for reflecting ultrasonic energy.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
76 words
A biopsy needle assembly for ultrasonic imaging, the biopsy needle assembly comprising an elongate needle cannula having opposed proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending axially therebetween, and at least one discrete ultrasonic reflector formed of a plastic foam securely affixed to an exterior surface of the needle cannula, the ultrasonic reflector displaying a substantially smooth outer surface and containing therein a matrix of gas bubbles for reflecting ultrasonic energy impinging on the biopsy needle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
76 words
A biopsy needle assembly for ultrasonic imaging, the biopsy needle assembly comprising an elongate needle cannula having opposed proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending axially therebetween, and at least one discrete ultrasonic reflector formed of a plastic foam securely affixed to an exterior surface of the needle cannula, the ultrasonic reflector displaying a substantially smooth outer surface and containing therein a matrix of gas bubbles for reflecting ultrasonic energy impinging on the biopsy needle.
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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) | 1998-01-23 | 1998-07-25 | 1999-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-23 | 2002-07-25 | 2003-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-07-25 | 2007-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |