US5505088A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasound microscope for imaging living tissues
Assignee: Stellartech Research Corp
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Filing: 1993-08-27
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Granted: 1996-04-09
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Expires: 2013-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A series of devices for in vivo imaging of cellular architecture in a variety of tissues. A 200 MHz transducer is mounted on the tip of a cardiac catheter, gastroscope, colonoscope, bronchoscope, laparoscope or similar device, where it is moved mechanically to produce B-mode images of cells in the tissue. The ultrasound beam is focused in a subsurface region of tissue, and ultrasound which is backscattered from the focal zone is analyzed to produce images. Because heart motion may interfere with cardiac imaging, images are gated in mid-diastole for cardiac applications.
Inventors
- 👤 P. Anthony N. Chandraratna
- 👤 Roger A. Stern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/4461; A61B8/12; A61B8/445; A61B8/54; A61B8/543
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
Ultrasound microscope means comprising: delivery means having a body with inside and outside surfaces, a distal tip, and a lengthwise axis; pivot means, secured to said tip, for mounting a transducer means pivotally around a pivot axis normal to said lengthwise axis; ultrasound transducer means, mounted on said pivot means and positionable on a surface of in-vivo tissue to be imaged, for transmitting and receiving ultrasound containing frequency components in a bandwidth centered at approximately 200 MHz in beams to create A-scan lines forming an imaging surface which includes said lengthwise axis; and actuator means disposed at a first position for reciprocating said transducer means to scan ultrasound beams at angles to create a B-scan sector lying on said imaging surface; conductor means for providing electrical signal connections to said transducer means and to said actuator means, disposed inside said delivery means; and controller means for controlling electrical signals flowing through respective conductor means to said transducer means and to said actuator means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
Ultrasound microscope means comprising: delivery means having a body with inside and outside surfaces, a distal tip, and a lengthwise axis; pivot means, secured to said tip, for mounting a transducer means pivotally around a pivot axis normal to said lengthwise axis; ultrasound transducer means, mounted on said pivot means and positionable on a surface of in-vivo tissue to be imaged, for transmitting and receiving ultrasound containing frequency components in a bandwidth centered at approximately 200 MHz in beams to create A-scan lines forming an imaging surface which includes said lengthwise axis; and actuator means disposed at a first position for reciprocating said transducer means to scan ultrasound beams at angles to create a B-scan sector lying on said imaging surface; conductor means for providing electrical signal connections to said transducer means and to said actuator means, disposed inside said delivery means; and controller means for controlling electrical signals flowing through respective conductor means to said transducer means and to said actuator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Ultrasound microscope means as recited in claim 1 and comprising: acoustically transparent window means disposed on said distal tip, and coupling medium means for transmitting ultrasound between said transducer means and said window means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Ultrasound microscope means as in claim 2 wherein said pivot means comprises a peripheral hinge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Ultrasound microscope means as in claim 3 wherein said conductor means for said transducer comprises coaxial cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Ultrasound microscope means as in claim 4 wherein said transducer assembly comprises a polyvinylidene fluoride transducer and film metallizations on both sides of said transducer, and a backing and support means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Ultrasound microscope means as recited in claim 2 wherein said pivot means comprises a ball joint disposed on said lengthwise axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Ultrasound microscope means as recited in claim 6 wherein said conductor means for said transducer means comprises a twisted pair.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Ultrasound microscope means as recited in claim 6 and further comprising a second actuator means disposed at a second position to scan sectors at any angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Ultrasound microscope means as recited in claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprises a piezoelectric bimorph,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
Ultrasound microscope means as recited in claim 2 and further comprising an inflatable balloon disposed around said distal tip for positioning of said tip in a depression of an irregular surface of in-vivo tissue, and for preventing penetration of said tip into the surface of said in-vivo tissue to be imaged.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
Ultrasound microscope means as recited in claim 10 wherein said balloon protrudes beyond said distal tip and forms a seal to trap body fluids between said surface and said tip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Ultrasound microscope means as recited in claim 10 wherein said balloon recedes inside said distal tip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
126 words
Ultrasound microscope means as recited in claim 1 comprising controller means including: a control signal generator for supplying control signals to said actuator means; transmitter means for generating electrical energy; electrical conductor means for conducting control signals to and from said transducer and actuator means; receiver means for amplifying electrical signals generated by backscattered ultrasound energy received through said transducer means; switch means for connecting said transducer means to said transmitter means during transmission or alternately to said receiver means during reception; pixel-data storage means; pixel data converter means to convert pixel data to output display data; display means responsive to display data; and coordination means for synchronizing said transmitter means, actuator means, switch means, receiver means, pixel data storage and converter means, and display means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
Ultrasound microscope means as in claim 1 wherein said frequency components are within a bandwidth of approximately 200 MHz.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
Ultrasound microscope means as in claim 14 wherein said frequency components are within a bandwidth of approximately 100 MHz.
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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) | 1999-04-09 | 1999-10-09 | 2000-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-09 | 2003-10-09 | 2004-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-09 | 2007-10-09 | 2008-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |