US5524630A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic imaging catheter and the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-05-17
•
Granted: 1996-06-11
•
Expires: 2015-05-17
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
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:28
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: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for detection of cancerous tumors in tissue having no natural passageway, comprising: an elongated ultrasonic probe comprising an ultrasound device supported on the end of an elongated rotatable drive shaft, in combination with a hollow trocar adapted to receive said probe, said trocar having a side-facing sonolucent region adapted to be in register with said ultrasound device while said ultrasound device rotates, enabling said ultrasound device to form acoustic images of tissue into which said trocar has been forced, said trocar being configured to prevent said ultrasonic probe from extending distally out of said trocar and thereby to prevent deformation of the distal end of said ultrasonic probe under pressure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for detection of cancerous tumors in tissue having no natural passageway, comprising: an elongated ultrasonic probe comprising an ultrasound device supported on the end of an elongated rotatable drive shaft, in combination with a hollow trocar adapted to receive said probe, said trocar having a side-facing sonolucent region adapted to be in register with said ultrasound device while said ultrasound device rotates, enabling said ultrasound device to form acoustic images of tissue into which said trocar has been forced, said trocar being configured to prevent said ultrasonic probe from extending distally out of said trocar and thereby to prevent deformation of the distal end of said ultrasonic probe under pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ultrasound device is removable from said trocar and said apparatus further includes a biopsy sampling device positionable in said trocar to sample tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sampling device is a forceps.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a radioactive pellet for radiation treatment of a tumor found by ultrasonic imaging.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ultrasound device comprises a transducer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sonolucent region comprises sonolucent material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sonolucent region comprises a cut-out window in said trocar.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for detection of cancerous tumors in tissue having no natural passageway, comprising the steps of: providing an elongated ultrasonic probe comprising an ultrasound device supported on the end of an elongated rotatable drive shaft, in combination with a hollow trocar adapted to receive said probe, said trocar having a side-facing sonolucent region adapted to be in register with said ultrasound device while said ultrasound device rotates, enabling said ultrasound device to form acoustic images of tissue into which said trocar has been forced, said trocar being configured to prevent said ultrasonic probe from extending distally out of said trocar and thereby to prevent deformation of the distal end of said ultrasonic probe under pressure, advancing said trocar into said tissue, and observing ultrasonic images from said probe while said sonolucent region of said trocar is in register with said ultrasound device.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for detection of cancerous tumors in tissue having no natural passageway, comprising the steps of: providing an elongated ultrasonic probe comprising an ultrasound device supported on the end of an elongated rotatable drive shaft, in combination with a hollow trocar adapted to receive said probe, said trocar having a side-facing sonolucent region adapted to be in register with said ultrasound device while said ultrasound device rotates, enabling said ultrasound device to form acoustic images of tissue into which said trocar has been forced, said trocar being configured to prevent said ultrasonic probe from extending distally out of said trocar and thereby to prevent deformation of the distal end of said ultrasonic probe under pressure, advancing said trocar into said tissue, and observing ultrasonic images from said probe while said sonolucent region of said trocar is in register with said ultrasound device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said probe is removable from said trocar, and said method further comprises, at the position of a tumor removing said ultrasound device from said trocar, and introducing to said trocar a biopsy sampling means of sampling said tumor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said biopsy sampling means is a forceps.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said tissue is a liver.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said tissue is a breast.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said ultrasound device comprises a transducer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said sonolucent region comprises sonolucent material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said sonolucent region comprises a cut-out window in said trocar.
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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) | 1999-06-11 | 1999-12-11 | 2000-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-11 | 2003-12-11 | 2004-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-11 | 2007-12-11 | 2008-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |